Airsoft
Have you ever wanted to experience the thrill of military simulation and strategy, but with the added excitement of competition? If so, then airsoft might be the perfect activity for you. This fast-paced, team-based sport involves the use of replica firearms, called airsoft guns, to shoot small plastic pellets at opponents in a variety of gameplay scenarios. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned veteran, there is a place for everyone in the exciting world of airsoft.
Like paintball, the goal of the game is to eliminate the opposing team or complete a set objective, such as capturing a flag or securing a specific location. One of the main differences between airsoft and traditional paintball is the level of realism and attention to detail in the replica guns. Airsoft guns are designed to closely resemble real firearms, both in terms of appearance and function, and are often used for military simulations and training exercises.
There are several different types of airsoft guns available, including spring-powered, gas-powered, and electric-powered. Spring-powered guns use a mechanical action to compress a spring and release it, propelling the pellet out of the barrel. Gas-powered guns use compressed gas, such as CO2 or green gas, to propel the pellet. Electric-powered guns, or AEGs (automatic electric guns), use a rechargeable battery to power a small motor, which in turn compresses the spring and fires the pellet.
Airsoft games can be played in a variety of locations, including indoor and outdoor fields, abandoned buildings, and even urban environments. Many airsoft fields offer a variety of terrain and obstacles to add realism and challenge to the gameplay.
Safety is an important consideration in the sport of airsoft. Participants are required to wear protective eyewear to protect against eye injuries from the plastic pellets, and games are typically supervised by trained marshals to ensure safe and fair play. In addition, players are expected to follow strict rules of engagement and honor system, such as calling out when they have been eliminated from the game.
The appeal of airsoft lies in the combination of teamwork, strategy, and the realistic military simulation experience. It is a popular activity for military and law enforcement personnel looking to hone their skills, as well as for recreational players looking for a unique and exciting outdoor activity. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned veteran, there is a place for everyone in the world of airsoft.
Here's some of our favorite airsoft fields
Rattle Rock / The Gauntlet
Menan, Idaho
6.6 miles N of Menan, IdahoA collapsed lava tube gauntlet with 20-foot climbable rock walls, manmade tunnels, caves, and turret vantage points — an unconventional outdoor paintball arena with bouldering thrown in (watch for rattlesnakes).
Airsoft, Paintball Add Location
Ririe River Island (AKA Twin Bridges)
Rexburg, Idaho
10.3 miles S of Rexburg, IdahoA natural paintball island accessible by rock-hopping across the creek — rock bunkers, water-filled trenches, and a fence perimeter just north of Ririe Reservoir.
Airsoft, Paintball 1.0-1.3 mi
Lorenzo Bridge
Rexburg, Idaho
7.2 miles SW of Rexburg, IdahoA quiet former boat launch with primitive riverside trails, a hidden lake, stunning fall colors, and a natural paintball field bounded by river and dry creek bed.
Airsoft, Hike, Paintball 0.8-1.3 mi
Warm Slough Campground
Rexburg, Idaho
5.0 miles NW of Rexburg, IdahoA popular river campground with two boat ramps and an easy, slow-moving inner tube float — the take-out is 1,000 feet from the put-in, making multiple runs a breeze.
Airsoft, Camp, Canoe
On the banks by Heise
Ririe, Idaho
3.8 miles E of Ririe, IdahoOn the banks of the river near Heise. Plenty of trees and ground cover.
Airsoft, Paintball
Kyhv Peak
Provo, Utah
5.0 miles N of Provo, UtahKyhv Peak is the dramatic 7,876-foot summit that towers over the mouth of Rock Canyon, rising steeply behind Brigham Young University and the city of Provo on the western front of Utah's Wasatch...
Airsoft, Paintball
Eagle Mountain Paintball Field
Eagle Mountain, Utah
2.3 miles NE of Eagle Mountain, UtahA natural paintball field with culvert-pipe bunkers built into the brush just south of the Eagle Mountain trailhead — an off-the-beaten-path spot for backyard-style play.
Airsoft, Paintball
Lava Hill
Menan, Idaho
7.3 miles N of Menan, IdahoCollapsed lava tubes and sagebrush ridgelines create a natural paintball labyrinth right off the highway — just watch for rattlesnakes before setting up.
Airsoft, Paintball
- Plan Ahead and Prepare. Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit. Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use. Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups. Repackage food to minimize waste. Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces. Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow. Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams. Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Leave what you find. Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Minimize campfire impacts. Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light. Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Respect wildlife. Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely. Control pets at all times, or leave them at home. Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
- Be considerate of other visitors. Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors. Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
