Do You Use and Appreciate Overnight Casino Parking?

Another Lug_Nut view.  There are many casinos throughout the country, many of them welcome  RV’ers to park and stay overnight.  While there are non-RV friendly locations like Atlantic City and Reno, the majority have out the welcoming mat for these large rolling homes.  Unfortunately their hospitality sometimes is abused by a small minority.  These abuses have, and may lead to restrictions or even total RV parking bans.  So what are these abuses and how can we stop or reduce them? Aging RV’s that may not even be fit for the road are parked for extended periods of time, some appear not even occupied.  Some of these derelict vehicles house mobile gypsies that have no intention of entering the casino or its other facilities for the purpose of spending money.  It’s just a place to park free. A small percentage of RV’ers seem to believe it is okay to park there, disconnect their car, or trailer, and take off to go to other locations in the area.  Some of them visit relatives throughout the day and use the site only to return and sleep.  I have witnessed units being left unattended for several days as people must think it to be a handy storage site.  Most of these abusers do not give the business establishment any return, they just take.  One person I met that stayed several days in a casino parking lot, when asked if he had any luck, stated “They won’t get me in there, I’d rather spend my money elsewhere than give it to them.”   A number of RV’s that... Read more

Urban boondocking as a survival technique

Bob Difley Torrential rainfall and flooding rivers, midwestern tornadoes, the likelihood of a busy hurricane season, the possibility of power shortages and resultant urban brown-outs, and the predicted increase in home turf terrorist attacks, and you might be wondering how to best handle all these threats to your well-being. Lucky for us road warriors, we already possess one of the ingredients for self sufficiency during a crisis–our RVs. With our at-the-ready, fully stocked, mobile shelter we can be independent of supportive tethers like electricity, water, and communications when the infrastructure fails all around us. We have waste water and sewage storage tanks, generators and solar panels for electricity, a holding tank full of safe drinking water, a stocked pantry, a computer with wi-fi access to communicate and obtain updated news and information, and maybe even somewhere in our cavernous lockers a means of repelling zombies. But though our survival-mobile is set and ready to go, it doesn’t answer the question of WHERE to go when the s**t hits the fan, the sky is falling, the waters rising, our cities darkened, and the enemy/aliens/terrorists are out there looking for us. If heading for the boonies comes to mind, you’ve hit on a viable and sensible choice. If it’s floods you’re escaping, head for higher ground, a no-brainer. Tornadoes–head East or West out of the tornado zone. Hurricanes, head north, etc. But what do you do if you are... Read more

One RV Travelling Pet Peeve

A Lug_Nut pet peeve.  When travelling with many RV’s, 5th wheels, large class A’s and towing combinations, finding a place to stop can be challenging on many roadways.  In that regard interstate highways offer the best places, the rest stop.  These pull offs provide ample maneuvering space and large parking spaces for both trucks and RV’s.  Additionally you can always find a little grass, designated the “Pet Walking Area” for Fido to stretch and take a potty break.     Want to stop for lunch at a restaurant?  Cracker Barrel offers RV parking at their many locations throughout the country and they are usually located within sight of the interstate highways.  RV parking can be found at the rear of the restaurant.  For large class A coaches towing, some of these may not be long enough.  So you may have to take a look first.  On some routes this chain is very abundant, for example my wife and I counter 49 Cracker Barrel locations off I75 from the Ohio/Michigan border to Fort Myers Florida.     At both rest stops and Cracker Barrels, over night parking may be allowed depending on the location.  Check for signage, ask the manager or inquire with the security staff if you are considering staying over night.  This, of course, is the same courtesy you would use to stay in a Wal-Mart parking lot. Most rest stops have separate parking for autos and trucks/RV’s.  Some have three sections, autos, trucks and RV’s.  The later offers the RV owner a truck free area. ... Read more

Three Tips for Being a Happier Casino Camper

After being in Tampa FL for 3 months we’ve finally hit the road and tonight we find ourselves at Miccosukee Resort and Gaming in South Florida on US-41, west of Miami.  We’ve driven by this casino a dozen times but this is the first time we’ve stopped in.  So here’s a story of me listening to my own advice:  Read more  Read More →

Casino Camping for Non-Gamblers

When we first started fulltiming, about 5 years ago, I was surprised to learn that some people who camp or park at casinos never gamble.  Gambling had been a hobby of ours for many years so it seemed odd to us, but since then we’ve met many RVers who do this.  Why do they visit casinos?  They tell me it’s all about the free parking, and free or low cost camping.  Not all casino camping is free or low cost, but much of it is.  Here are a few examples, from some locations that I’ve recently updated or added to our list: Isle of Capri, Lake Charles, LA has both free overnight parking without hookups and $10/night with electric Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino, Sunland Park, NM offers RV sites with water and electric for $10/night and has a dump station on site. Win-River Casino, Redding, CA gives you 3 nights free dry parking. Sometimes casinos require play to receive discounts in their RV parks, and rates change too, so if you see a low price advertised it’s good to inquire before you start your trip.  We’ve also seen the opposite, where a casino gives you “free play” or a cash rebate in return for staying in their campground. This is often as much as 50% off the price of camping.  Their intention of course is to get you into the casino.  Free play has to be run through a machine before you can cash it out.  If they give you $10 free play pick a machine, then figure how many hands you have to play to equal $10.  Play exactly... Read more

Six Words About Your RV Life

Hello intrepid travelers, Calling all wordsmiths, writers, witty individuals or families…can you condense your RV and camping experiences and expectations into six words? I double dog dare ya to share Six Words About Your RV Life!! Have you heard of the six word memoirs project from SMITH Magazine? In 2006 the fine minds behind SMITH Magazine offered aspiring writers, poets, those with something to say, and plain ole witty folk an opportunity to tell their story in six words. It’s said that Hemingway did just that when challenged to write a six word story. He came up with this: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”  Thousands of others from the famous to the neighbor-next-door have submitted their six word story in several SMITH Magazine projects including a series on Love & Heartbreak. And this got me thinking about my own six word memoirs…stories about my life on the road, as an RVer. My motto and the RV Cooking Show’s tag line is a mere six words – “Love to travel. Love to eat.” I quickly realized we all have a story to tell, a short ditty to share – especially when it comes to our RV and camping travels. So, with much anticipation and excitement I am delighted to introduce a special six word series – Six Words About Your RV Life. Think about your adventures and see if you can craft a six word memoir about your RV vacation, lifestyle, camping experiences. Leave your six words on my RVCookingShow blog or right here on this RV.net blog posting – Six... Read more

RV Vacation Savings Tip

Many times we see the word “Destination” when viewing listings or advertisements covering campgrounds.  So what exactly makes a park a destination?  I guess a campground is either a destination, a seasonal (also a destination, but usually has some permanent park type model trailers) or a transient park.  The later would be a site that offers a good stop over, perhaps located near a busy highway. Though these parks may well have campers that stay for extended stays, many do not.  A destination park is a property where people stay as their final destination, many times near popular attractions or high tourist areas.  There are properties that fall into both categories and, of course, park owners that believe their property is mainly a destination site whereas, it may not be. Destination parks generally are priced higher.  This price difference appears to be driven by the proximity to popular attractions, while the transient sites compete with the short overnight travelers expecting lower rates. Can you save money by staying a little further out in a lower priced transient campground?  Maybe, but not without some sacrifices.  First, you will probably have to drive a bit further from the site to the attractions.  Additionally you will find the early morning and late evening a little more disruptive as travelers arrive and depart at all hours.  So be prepared for the early diesel engine wakeup call.  Security may not be as good at some of these locations due to the type... Read more

New Policy at Thunder Valley Casino, CA

Good news for once… Casinos change their RV parking policy from time to time and for various reasons.  Construction projects sometimes take up too much space and RV’s are out.  Local ordinances occasionally get in the way, and we all remember the battles over Laughlin.  Once in a while the “bad apple” spoils it for everyone by abusing the casino’s hospitality and trying to make a residence - along with unsightly litter and other problem behavior.  Thankfully this last situation is very rare, although it gets a lot of publicity. But today it’s good news that I bring to you!  After several years of inconsistant policy, mostly disallowing any RV parking day or night, the Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, CA has a new policy called “Park and Play”.  The short version is; you can park there for up to 3 days while enjoying the casino.  The casino’s website explains it, and also gives more details about the policy. Thunder Valley is conveniently located near Rocklin about 8 miles from I-80.  By the way, one of our favorite Camping World stores is located in Rocklin! Happy travels, and good luck in the casinos! Mac www.CasinoCamper.com  Read More →

Update: Reno Overnight RV Parking Ban, Enforcement Eases Up

As of February 11, 2009, the city council has decided not to actively enforce an ordinance that prohibits sleeping overnight in an RV unless you’re in an approved campground.  Instead, they will only respond to specific complaints.  This clears the way for business owners (Casinos, big-box stores, etc.) to decide whether to allow RVers to park overnight on their property, but allows the city to step in when necessary to respond to legitimate problems.   Read more  Read More →

Our Grand Adventure and Parking the Rig

RV Parking “on the Road” Our Grand Adventure is moving along swimmingly. We have traveled from the Pacific Northwest down the magnificent coastline to Southern California. But a common problem with a big RV is parking. In a lot of the National Forest campgrounds, we are too big. In California, a number of the State Park campgrounds have signs, “No Trailers or Motorhomes”. That is, in the ones that are open during the winter. In California, posted rest areas allow overnight “rest”, not camping. Scenic overlooks are posted, “no overnight parking or camping”. However, in the National Forest along CA Pacific Coast Rte 1, a National Forest site host, with only short RV options available and night upon us, suggested to park in an overlook. So the rules appear to be different on federal land. We had an experience the other day while visiting the town of Solvang, CA, that took the fine edge off a visit to their unique town. Solvang is a Danish-themed village founded in the early 1900’s as a base for a Danish school. The town is unique in its architecture, typical of what would be found in Denmark. Delightful shops and restaurants line the streets and invite tourists. Solvang spends a good deal of money on advertising and for the most part the town lives up to its advertising. However, we encountered an attitude among a few of its inhabitants that left a bad taste. I am not sure how you do your snooping and sightseeing when on the... Read more

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