The Local newsletter is your free, daily guide to life in Colorado. For locals, by locals. Sign up today!
Have you ever watched American Ninja Warrior—the wildly popular obstacle course reality show—and thought, I could do that? Or, perhaps more realistically, I want to try that.
Well, now you’ll get your chance. Denver’s very own American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park—only the second in the U.S.—will open in late November or early December. (The other location is in Santa Ana, California.) Though other ninja-themed venues have opened around the metro area in recent areas, the new Adventure Park is the only one licensed by NBC Universal, meaning guests can run the exact same obstacles as the seemingly superhuman athletes they watch on TV.
The 37,000-square-foot indoor space in Washington Virginia Vale is decked out with some of the show’s most famous elements—Spider Climb, Tilting Logs, and the Warped Wall—as well as a 10,000-square-foot inflatable course for the littlest ninjas, an arcade, soft play area, cafe (selling healthy-ish fare like sandwiches, bowls, and salads), and a merch store.
“The community in Denver has such a love and a passion for the show American Ninja Warrior and the sport of ninja itself,” says Bethany Evans, chief operating officer of the park. “They’ve been fans of the show for 15 seasons, and now they have the opportunity to take the challenge and get out there and experience the course themselves.”
Wannabe warriors can explore six obstacle lanes during 60-, 90-, or 120-minute sessions (starting at $22 per person; monthly memberships are available from $25). The courses were intentionally designed for varying ability levels, so everyone from novice ninjas to seasoned obstacle crushers can find a suitable challenge. Never tried a Monkey Swing before? There will be staff members on-site to help you master tricky moves.
A little more serious about your studies? Sign up for the American Ninja Warrior In Training program, a six-week series of instructor-led classes for those six and older. Younger adventure seekers (toddlers to preschool age) can enroll in Mini Ninja & Me classes. Both are launching in 2024—just in time for you to train for Team USA as obstacle sports become part of the 2028 Olympics.
“We really want our guests to leave feeling good, feeling [like they] accomplished something,” Evans says. “Everybody at the park is encouraging, and we’re supportive and really want to get our guests excited. This is a place you can come and have healthy competition.”
And you’ll be able to learn from the best: Popular Colorado ninjas such as Taylor Greene (the top female finisher of season 15) and Kaden Lebsack (the season 14 champion at age 16) are expected to be on-site during special events and for one-off training sessions and meet-and-greets throughout the year.
