Staying at Casinos

[blars]

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been traveling between my summer job near Florence, OR and Arizona.  I decided to take US 101 then turn east before San Fransisco.  Due to rain and traveling in late October, some of the limited cheap public land options were either unavailable or undesirable.  So I've spent the last two weeks in various Indian Casino parking lots.  (Found on http://casinocamper.com/ ) 

The casinos I stayed at:
Three Rivers, Florence OR
Lucky 7, Smith River CA
Cher-ae-heights, Trinidad CA
Bear River, Fortuna CA
Running Creek, Upper Lake CA
Cache Creek, Brooks CA
Tachi Palace, Lemoore CA

Most offer paved parking for overnight RVs, only Running Creek wanted me to park in a gravel lot.  Cher-ae was the only one to charge, $20 for 1-3 nights.  In general, you should be at least 21 and check with security or the players club to see if you need to register.  Most allow 3 nights, and may allow you to extend if you gable heavily.  Joining the players club is usually worthwhile, and gives you $5-$20 gambling credit.  Cache Creek gave $25 meal credit instead, which almost covered a lunch buffet and a dinner buffet.  (3 of the casinos had buffet restaurants.) 

Cher-ae is the only one I would not stay at again (because of the $20 charge).  If I go through the area again, I'll try the casino 2 miles away from Running Creek.

 

[Almost There]

Thanks for the link Blars! Much appreciated.

I used the casino near mom's nursing home/hospital a lot of the time this past summer. The first time I stopped for the night, I asked security if I needed to sign in or anything...they looked at me like I had two heads....  

Since I was there so much with mom being in the hospital a lot, I would go in every couple of nights and usually dropped a $20. in the slot machines...I considered it rent money. The local campgrounds would have bankrupted me this past summer.

The only time I had trouble getting a parking spot was one Saturday night when there was a huge attendance at a concert there. I had to double park in front of another RV and then move when the concert got out.

 

[Flow9]

i have stayed at Cherokee nc casino for a couple nights but  I use to work there years  earlier. However it was obvious I only slept  there this time
Fair warning... They have the best cameras in the world that even las Vegas doesn't use and their cameras can read a fine printed book several miles away and their technology has face recognition
its all total CIA style security there.

 

[MrNoodly]

Too bad people abused the hospitality of Chinook Winds in Lincoln City, OR, and they quit allowing overnight RV camping. It's a short walk to the beach in one direction and to Safeway in the other.

 

[MrNoodly]

The Q casino on I-8 in California, at the exit to Los Algodones, allows free RV parking/camping in their gravel lot. It can be noisy though, with the train, Border Patrol choppers, and flights in and out of the Marine air station. Your cell phone might also have a hard time deciding whether you're in the US or Mexico. No need to check in. Just find a spot. There are dumpsters but no other services. I've stayed there a couple of times, using their restrooms.

South of Yuma, a couple of miles east of Somerton (known for its tamale festival), the Cocopah casino has a paved parking/camping area. It used to be $10 for three nights, but they changed that at the first of the year. I don't remember what the new prices are. Check at the gift shop. There's a water station. US95 gets a lot of traffic, and there's an auto race track across the highway that can be noisy some weekends, but the casino puts on a good buffet.

 

[SoulRaven]

The Q casino on I-8 in California, at the exit to Los Algodones, allows free RV parking/camping in their gravel lot. It can be noisy though, with the train, Border Patrol choppers, and flights in and out of the Marine air station. Your cell phone might also have a hard time deciding whether you're in the US or Mexico. No need to check in. Just find a spot. There are dumpsters but no other services. I've stayed there a couple of times, using their restrooms.

South of Yuma, a couple of miles east of Somerton (known for its tamale festival), the Cocopah casino has a paved parking/camping area. It used to be $10 for three nights, but they changed that at the first of the year. I don't remember what the new prices are. Check at the gift shop. There's a water station. US95 gets a lot of traffic, and there's an auto race track across the highway that can be noisy some weekends, but the casino puts on a good buffet.

Staying there right now.  Not bad at all.  Nice spot to walk doggies through the desert, if you don't mind the Border Patrol.  Got a long walk in this morning... Best walk I've had since the RTR.

 

[MrNoodly]

Staying there right now.

Which casino?

 

[Gypsysoul]

Staying there right now.  Not bad at all.  Nice spot to walk doggies through the desert, if you don't mind the Border Patrol.  Got a long walk in this morning... Best walk I've had since the RTR.

I'm at the Q too! 

Caryn

 

[MrNoodly]

As I write this I'm at Casino del Sol near Tucson. Just for one night. Free, no check-in. Just grab a spot. The huge parking lot is about 3/4 filled, mostly with larger RVs. It slopes a little, which can be frustrating for those who need to be level. They seem to be coping, though. It's no problem for me and my van. The lot is lit and they tell me security cruises around at night. Four bars of non-boosted Verizon signal.

 

[jimindenver]

I'm at the Q too! 

Caryn

We are in the very back of the truck lot at Quechan Casino Resort, stop by sometime. I'm getting shots for my neck Tuesday.

 

[LMTLMT]

As I write this I'm at Casino del Sol near Tucson. Just for one night. Free, no check-in. Just grab a spot. The huge parking lot is about 3/4 filled, mostly with larger RVs. It slopes a little, which can be frustrating for those who need to be level. They seem to be coping, though. It's no problem for me and my van. The lot is lit and they tell me security cruises around at night. Four bars of non-boosted Verizon signal.

I stayed there too before, parked few rows back from the entrance, no issues whatsoever.

 

[GoneCamper]

Has anyone ever been asked to leave the casino parking lot?
I know they have great security, but they have no idea if you entered the casino to gamble, eat or use the rest room.
Maybe buy a meal and keep the receipt?

 

[Almost There]

Nicest casino stay yet!!!

Quapah Casino, Miami Oklahoma

3 nights for free with water and electric hook-up! Oh and a dump station. If you want to stay longer, it's only $10.00 night.

Too bad there's only 9 sites, I guess it could get full sometimes although it wasn't when I was there earlier this week. They also have this huge parking lot set aside for transport trucks.

All they ask is that you register with security.

 

[rvwandering]

Has anyone ever been asked to leave the casino parking lot?
I know they have great security, but they have no idea if you entered the casino to gamble, eat or use the rest room.
Maybe buy a meal and keep the receipt?

    We've spent many nights in casino lots all over the country and have been asked to leave two or three times. A few casinos in very populated and popular areas of the country (like Florida) do not allow overnight parking but most do. They don't pay any attention to how much time you spend in the casino or if you gamble so it's a nice courtesy to give them your business but not necessary.

   We usually do not ask for permission. Some casino will have signs directing you to the oversize vehicle lot. Some have signs with the rules. If there aren't any signs just park in the far reaches of the lot and, as always in this sort of situation, do not set out chairs  and barbecues unless it's permitted. Rural, Native American casinos are almost always okay and the security crews are very friendly.

 

[MrNoodly]

Stayed a night at the Tortoise Rock Casino in Twenty Nine Palms, CA, just outside Joshua Tree NP. It's a new place. Quiet. No need to check in.