One Alternative to Wal-Mart for a Good Night’s Sleep
We fulltime, and we frequently stop at Wal-Marts when we’re on the move, so this isn’t a negative post about wally-docking! I’m just offering you an alternative for those nights that you don’t need to buy groceries or supplies.
Photo of Harrah’s St. Louis RV parking area. Plenty of room here.
When you’re traveling from point A to point B and looking for a place to stop for the night what are your primary needs? For us it’s safety, convenience, and a nice meal. Lots of places you might find this combination, but we often find all three at a casino.
1. Safety Almost all casinos have parking lot security, normally with uniformed patrols. They want customers to feel safe walking in and out with a pocket full of money any time of the day or night. This creates (in my opinion) a safer overnight parking situation than highway rest areas, most truck stops, and similar locations.
2. Convenience When stopping for the night on a long trip we don’t want to drive far off our route. We also don’t want to unhook the car. Casinos are often located on well traveled routes, either interstates or other major highways. Yes, sometimes they’re in out-of-the-way places, but sometimes RVers are in out-of-the-way places too! If a casino allows overnight RV parking it’s likely to have a large parking lot with plenty of room for you to turn around without unhooking.
3. A nice meal Even the smallest casinos will usually have at least one restaurant. Larger casinos will have a variety of options ranging from fast-food to buffets, cafes, steak houses, seafood, Italian, and fine dining. We have favorites around the country and look forward to them on our travels. Even if you pull in at midnight you’re probably in luck. Most large casinos have a cafe or restaurant (known colloquially as a “Coffee Shop”) that stays open 24/7/365.
Featured Casinos
Here are some examples of places to stop around the country.
- Midwest: With easy access to I-70 and I-270 you’ll find Harrah’s St. Louis (actually in Maryland Heights, MO). They have a large, level parking lot and a very good buffet.
- South: Traveling across the Gulf Coast states on I-10 try the Imperial Palace in Biloxi, MS. It’s only 3 miles south on I-110, has two large parking lots and features several restaurants and a buffet.
- West: Still on I-10, but 1400 miles west, you’ll find Wild Horse Pass Casino in Chandler, AZ just off exit 162. Plenty of parking, a deli, and a large restaurant.
- Northwest: Taking a scenic trip on US-101 in Oregon the Mill Casino is a nice stop. They have an official dry camping area, and if you need hookups they have that too in a new (2006) RV park.
I’ll see you at the buffet!
Happy travels and good luck,
Mac McClellan
www.CasinoCamper.com
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Add Pisque Isle Casino to your list in the Midwest. They are located just off I90 in Erie, Pa. They will even pick you up in their Van and take you up to the Casino and take you back to your RV when you are ready.
Harrah’s in Metropolis, ILL also has a large parking lot & allows RV parking overnight. Harrah’s had security, and very friendly staff. Hard Rock Casino in Tampa charged us for 2 parking spaces just to gamble & a valet rode with us to park, then expected a tip. Most casinos are friendly places & spaces.
While sightseeing upper Michigan you can stay at the Kewadin Casino in Christmas, N7761 Candy Cane Ln (HWY 28) on asphalt with electic free, first come bases only. There’s a state park across the street for water and dumping. Don’t even try to get casino involved in your wanting a spot. You can also stay (when we were they in Aug “07) unlimited time as long as you keep it clean (don’t set up housekeeping outside of rig). We are fulltimers with no home base other then an Escapees mail forwarding service. We love the free areas.
Thanks to all for the info.
Al, I wasn’t aware of the Presque Isle location, thanks! I’ve added it to my list
sherranil, what did you think of the city streets leading to Metropolis? I’ve been told it’s somewhat tight with a large RV. And that’s amazing about the HardRock in Tampa. I guess when you’re the only game in town you can do things like that.
Jacqueline Tice; I wasn’t aware of the parking and free electric at the Kewadin Casino in Christmas. Adding it to my list. I was surprised when I started doing this that there are so many casinos in Michigan, and most of them very RV friendly!
Thanks for the tips. I don’t have an RV but do take a lot of road trips in my car. I always pull over at a Wal-mart to catch some sleep and have never had any problems. Never tried a Casino before though.