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Badlandz Paintball Field
- Hours:
Fri 9 am - 3 pm
Sat-Sun 8 am - 4:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
21 reviews for Badlandz Paintball Field
21 reviews in English
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Review from Vicky D.
Lombard, IL
3/25/2011
I've been to Badlandz twice and both were with Groupon tickets. Paintball is not cheap and the Groupons cut the price in half. Definitely grab some of those before you go. You rent the gun, mask (bring cleansing wipes) and get 500 paintballs for $24. However, they only hold a certain amount of equipment for Groupon holders, so get there early.
As for the place itself, Badlandz is pretty...rustic. About 75% of the courses are in a wooded area (some courses are flat, others are full of hills and valleys). My friends and I went during the middle of summer, on a 90 degree day. The woods were full of mosquitoes and god knows what other bugs. Bring bug spray! Best advice I will ever give you. The other 25% of the courses are in an open field with metal tubes and inflatable shields. I had way more fun playing in those fields. Less mud and bugs, more cover.
I should note that the second time my friends and I went to Badlandz, the weather was much nicer. So less bugs, but more people. If you're a first timer, you might be intimidated by all the regulars. They ALL wear camouflage or black and have super fancy equipment. Luckily for us, they do not let the more experienced players play with the newbies. Also, your first instinct will be to team up with people you know (there are always two teams), but I suggest you play opposite sides. It is way more fun to hit a friend!
Last, but not least. Be prepared to get bruises. Getting hit does sting a bit. If you're worried about that, then don't go. No one likes a whiner. -
Review from Mathew C.
Long Beach, CA
2/19/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Solid place for paintball. Games run throughout the day and the waiting period between games is enough to get you restocked and reloaded but no so long that you end up taking a nap.
The one downside is that many kids/teens are here and either don't know the rules/etiquette of paintball or don't care enough to follow them. A lot of teamkills from kids shooting anything that moves and shots in the chest from surprised teens at 10 feet when you sneak up on them and ask them to surrender.
Other than that, great places. Refs are fair and involved. Highly recommended if you can go on a day when the number of kids are low. -
Review from Brian N.
Chicago, IL
10/9/2010
stuff stolen in parking lot, guys leering at my wife and daughter, crappy road and parking lot. What's not to like??
Oh, yeah. Son learned to smoke pot too. Have fun parents... -
Review from Dave E.
Naperville, IL
11/8/2010
Did the kid parent day and it was alot of fun. You need to dress in layers to cushion yourself from hits but it was fun and my 10 year old enjoyed it.
We were secluded from the older participants and able to play at a kid friendly pace. Our Ref and leader was great. By its nature it may draw abit of a rough crowd but we had no problems. If you have a younger child who wants to try it, I would suggest this Kids Day for you and your child -
Review from Dave L.
7/3/2008
This is by far the best paintball field in the 'chicagoland' area. Granted it's a bit of a hike from the city, but if you live in the north burbs, or in the city itself, its a much better trek to come here than it is to go to CPX.
The Badlandz has refs that ACTUALLY DO STUFF. I've been to fields where 13 yr old kids think it's funny to overclock their angel they just got for their birthday and cause my neck to bleed, and refs do nothing. I've seen refs at Badlandz ban people for entire days due to simply wiping paint. Their refs are also very knowledgable about markers. I was having a problem with my DM6 and one of the refs was able to help me and get me up running shooting little kids left and right.
Their fields are great, not too complicated, and their big games are so much fun. They have a flat admission fee, but you can bring your own paint. The paint they sell on there is only a few dollars more than you'd find at a paintball store. My only complaint is that they are affiliated with Bad Boyz Toyz, an organization I despise due to their vernon hills location. But I didn't even know badlandz was affiliated with them until after I had been going there for a year.
If its easier for you to get to the Badlandz than CPX, come to the badlandz, it's cheaper, the other players aren't idiots, and the refs are great. -
Review from Rosa K.
10/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
This was my first paintball experience... I am still bruised shoulder to legs. Despite this, I had a blast with my friends. Badlandz has a pretty extensive selection of playing fields and it seems very reasonably priced. The employees are friendly and down to earth.
Getting there was a bit tricky cuz they had an off road that you had to maneuver around but it's not far from the city, maybe 45 minutes.
I do wish they had running water to wash the paint and grime off and an actual functioning restroom instead of porter potties,... I hate those. -
Review from Jim C.
Chicago, IL
7/29/2009 5 photos
YOU READY?!?!? 3...2...1...GO! GO! GO! GO! GO!
From newbies to professionals, this place has it all, it's no wonder this places exceeds it's reputation. Woods ball, speed ball, hyper ball, are all located fairly close to the parking lot. The referees are exceptional at what they do, paint checks, velocity checks, and separating the newbs from experienced (unlike FOX Paintball), and are real easy to get along with.
Open games, where all people can play, the ref's do a good job of teaming you with your buddies as well as making the teams even. In private games, they are well organized with other staff so that you can get to the field of your choice.
The cost to play is inexpensive compared to some other places (Challenge Park Xtreme). Also, check online for coupons/deals and for events that can save you money on an outing. Most of the players there are there to just have a GOOD TIME, making it a great place for potential new comers to the game become easily addicted. -
Review from Tony M.
Chicago, IL
10/8/2011
One word describes badlandz "Awsome " best time ever booked a private party for 10 for 48 bucks not bad including mas gun and 500 balls make sure you ask for referee adam he was super cool we played at our own pace he never complained once so he deserved the tip we gave him at the end def a cool place to go with friends and family next ti e we will be taking the grill and cooler
Comment from Amanda V. of Badlandz Paintball Field 2/8/2012
Thanks! More » -
Review from Dean D.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 5/6/2010
This place has great prices and good fields. The one thing I really like about this place is that it has plenty of 4500 and 3000psi air stations and they always put you at the max level (unlike CPX).
I also love that you park near the staging area and can keep all of your stuff locked in your car while you play. You can also tailgate here (unlike CPX). If you have a private game you also get the free pic for your party (unlike CPX).
There's no indoor bathroom (portapotty) and the fields aren't as elaborate as CPX, but it's definitely worth it the price of playing here. Your pocketbook will thank you, trust me.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/5/2010
I've been going here for years and I prefer this field over CPX because the paint is cheaper and for… Read more »
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Review from Jabbara P.
Chicago, IL
6/4/2011
Had my b-day event there... had a ball!. Great price, the staff was really about us having the most fun for our money. My whole party of 8 was would give this place a 4 out of 5.
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Review from Ali W.
Chicago, IL
11/11/2010
I came here a few weeks back with a group of 8. We had a groupon and most of us have never played. It was actually a lot of fun and pretty well organized for as crazy as it was. We got to play several rounds in different areas. The refs do give you instructions and are actually very nice if you pay attention and follow the rules.
I don't know if I would play paintball again, but I would recommend going here if you were looking for a place for a large group. They were very accommodating. My only complaint is that it is so far from the city. -
Review from J D.
Chicago, IL
3/22/2011
Been here twice and had a blast each time.
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Review from Jennie T.
10/19/2009
My friends and I came here for our first-time paintballing trip. It was a lot of fun. We definitely became fans of paintballing after this. My only gripe is that they have porter-potties for bathrooms.
I also would not suggesting playing hyperball for your first-time. That was painful! But the woods and the fort were good places to start. We had lots of fun and would definitely go paintballing again. -
Review from En K.
Chicago, IL
10/24/2010
I was there today. I am livid. I was sent away, with my two sons, 10 and 11 yrs of age, because they had private parties coming in, no time for our business. THE POINT: WE PRE-PAID! "RENICK"/THE BADLANDZ TOOK OUR MONEY AND PROVIDED NO SERVICE IN RETURN! I'm out 75 dollars plus time and auto. THE OWNER, told me that's just too bad. NEVER GO HERE. While we signed waivers, men came in and realized their private party would have to wait, so with the f-bomb flying out of their mouths, they ordered more beer from their incoming buddy, to drink in the parking lot while they waited for guns and ammo. My 10 and 11 yr old heard all this. The reason I prepaid: it was a Groupon. Mr "Renick". Give me back my money, ok... extend the offer as I suggested, ok,...BUT TO TELL ME THAT ONCE YOU HAVE MY MONEY YOU OWE ME NOTHING!!!!????? Sir, we have a problem.
Comment from Amanda V. of Badlandz Paintball Field 2/8/2012
We do not allow anyone to drink at our facility and we do… More » -
Review from Chris P.
Chicago, IL
1/2/2011
Ahhh the wonderful sport of paintball... Beginner or Pro, kid or adult this place will rock your world! Probably one of the better outdoor fields in the Midwest. The zipper field itself is worth the trip out here (see pic with black tubes). Badlandz has a relatively large forested area to have some woods-ball fun as well as the annual Big Game Event that is like a large war scenario. This place is great for groups for any sort of party or event. I'd highly recommend everyone who is inquiring about this place try it at least once in their life. They wont regret it.
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Review from Jason L.
Chicago, IL
10/28/2010
Came here on a Sunday to accompany a group of 10 first timers with their Groupons.
I had been out of the game for almost 5 years (last time I played was at SCP in Northern California). Picked up a new 2010 Proto PMR and some gear to last me the weekend since I was getting the rest of my gear shipped from home.
Let me just say from online/phone call research, Badlandz is by far the best field near Chicago.
PROS:
+ [Price] If you're a walk-on with your own gear and paint, all you pay is $25 admission for all day play and air
+ [Price] Paint is $45 for the cheapest case, and extremely reasonable in the higher tiers (comparison is $40 in pro shop, $90 at CPX!!!)
+ [Price] They offer food and it's dirt cheap
+ [Fields] Would be nice if they had more speed-ball fields, but they do have one inflatable field and several plastic pipe fields; I have never played woodsball before I came to Badlandz, but the handful of games I did play were interesting enough (they take longer and waste more paint due to the sheer size of the playing fields)
+ [Staff] People working the shop front-end are very nice. Refs are fun to chat with. Any questions about anything, you should direct to your nearest ref. I asked the ref "Jose" if I could use my Nelson paint that was white fill (against BYOP policy), and after checking to make sure that the fill wouldn't stain he let me use my case *whew* Future reference, MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE ONLINE BYOP RULES!
+ [People] Unlike the fields I'm used to back home in California, people here are a more varied mix of woodsball players and first-timers. There were only a handful of people dressed for speed ball.
CONS:
+ [Facilities] God forbid you ever need to do a #1, or #2, just know that it's all porta-potties here. There is a single pink porta-pottie for the ladies which is cute, but ladies, that one probably is gonna be pretty heavily used
+ [Facilities] Like most outdoor paintball fields, Badlandz offers you the bare minimum. There are several picnic tables sprinkled around the edges of the parking lots to prepare, but there is nothing covered so be aware if it's a forecast of rain/snow
Hands down, Badlandz is the best field for the money, fields, people, and experience.
I seriously had SO many questions when I first started paintballing years ago, and I want WAY MORE people to join me in paintballing, so if you have any questions at all about paintball from costs, to how the equipment works, to how much it really hurts, send me a message :] -
Review from Wendy V.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2009
Loved it...it was close enough to the city to make it a reasonable drive, I loved the ravine field, and the fort, lots of brush to make it challenging, and we had GREAT service with our private game coordinator and our ref was super cool. As a first timer, I was worried that it would hurt a alot, and it stung, but it wasn't awful! There are only port-o-potties there, minimal food and no running water, so bring your own stuff. As a girl, I felt totally welcome, and I will be back! We had a private group, and because of that, we got our pick of the fields as first priority and that was great!
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Review from Will A.
Chicago, IL
8/30/2011 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Had a lot of fun. Would do it again but I'd probably buy my own equipment since its only 25 bucks without renting their stuff.
Comment from Amanda V. of Badlandz Paintball Field 2/8/2012
BBT in Lansing has great deals on equipment both new and… More » -
Review from Jennifer Q.
Chicago, IL
5/15/2011
My bootcamp instructor got a good deal on Groupon and scored some tickets for the class to go to Badlandz as an excursion. We do group outings every month and since I have never been paintballing, I decided it was about time! It was some serious fun! We had the advantage of having enough people in our group to do a "private party" , which means we played only against each other within our own group, and didn't have to play with all the scary, "professional" assassins with high powered guns and super professional equipment. Those guys are WAAAAAAYY into paintball. We spent about 4 hours there and played about four 20 minute games, with lots of breaks in between to laugh about how it went, brag about who shot who and even had a healthy snack provided by our fearless organizer Bootcamp Dave (the YMCA instructor). Bree, our referee, was kind as can be and was always on hand to make sure we were safe and following the rules. We loved how she gave Dave a little deserved sass when he got out of line! The whole experience was very fun and it's only about an hour away! I am going to try to rally some friends and go again!
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Review from Craig F.
Hoffman Estates, IL
5/30/2010
I've been playing paintball for over 10 years and have visited many fields in the past decade Badlandz does a very nice job at very nice price point. Friendly staff, staging area and the great air stations will keep me coming back can't for the big game in July. The only reason i did not give all 5 stars is that the Airball feild which i prefer to play kept on deflating through out the day.
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Review from Tony H.
Arlington Heights, IL
3/10/2011
I paintball between 4-8 times a year with my buddies (always private groups and we have our own equipment). I've been to a number of paintball fields in the Chicagoland area (Vicious, CPX, Fox, Badlandz). My only two bad experiences have been at Badlandz. The only thing they have going for them are their fields. Their customer service is the worst I've seen so far. Took them an hour to get the fill station up and they only had 8 hot dogs at the concession stand. Doesn't make much sense especially when my private group had 15 people. Referees don't care to do much besides take their time getting you onto the next field. So far I've only seen them carry GI Sportz (very cheap compared to Marbs, Evils, All Stars) so I'm not even sure why they advertise carrying a variety of paint. If money is not a factor save yourself the trouble and head to CPX. I've always received top notch service topped with the best fields in Chicago. If money is a factor Fox would be an ok alternative.
