Cripple Creek, Colorado

Cripple Creek is an old west gold town complete with casinos, saloons and poker rooms plus a number of interesting non-gaming attractions. Cripple Creek has maintained the old style gold mining town feel. During the summer, in addition to gambling, there are gold mine tours, gold panning adventures, an old-fashioned train ride and two interesting museums.

Cripple Creek is located near Colorado Springs. From Interstate 25 exit 141, go west on US-24 to the town of Divide, then south on Hwy-67 into Cripple Creek. The road into Cripple Creek is two lanes with sharp curves and steep grades. Note that there is no free overnight parking avalable in the tight casino lots, but free daytime parking (some limited spaces) may be found on Hwy-67 coming into town. Also, there is one campground in Cripple Creek.

Wild Rose:

THE IRISH-THEMED CASINO DOWN ON THE FARM The modern Wild Rose Casino Resort, next to a 12-acre lake, is surrounded by quiet, lovely Iowa farmland. A 68-site RV Park has many lakefront spots. Rates are reasonable at $15 per night. Although it is some distance from the nearest interstate, it's a great place for a quiet, restful hiatus.


The resort is located directly on US-18 on the east edge of Emmetsburg in north-central Iowa. The casino has over 500 new slots, a few video poker machines and 16 pit/table games. The buffet, open for three meals daily, always has some of the menu items fresh from the farm. There is a cafe and an authentic Irish pub in the casino building. The Wild Rose recently celebrated its first year of operation. This year live entertainment is featured monthly. The Oak Ridge Boys performed at an outdoor venue last Saturday evening. On August 18th at noon, A Beach Party will feature Papa Doo Run Run. Ricky Scaggs will appear on September 8th and TG Sheppard is scheduled for November 24th.

Casino welcomes you to Iowa

Iowa has lots of casinos all over the state. When you come into Iowa on I-35 from the north, your first stop can be the Diamond Jo Worth Casino in Northwood. And, the Iowa Welcome Center is just steps away.

The small casino has a varied selection of slots, just few standard video poker machines and several gaming tables. The buffet, a Burger King and Starbucks are inside the casino. While there are no RV hookups at this location, free overnight parking is available. There is a gas station behind the motel and a dump station at the welcome center.

Kansas Expanding to "Racinos"

The State of Kansas plans to join the growing number of states that are adding casinos at existing race tracks. The race track and casino facility becomes known as a "racino."

The Kansas Lottery Commission recently authorized placement of 800 electronic slot machines at the Wichita Greyhound Park, pending voter approval. A referendum on the gambling question is scheduled for August 7th in Sedgwick County. The Lottery Commission has also given approval for 800 slots at Woodlands Track in Kansas City and for 600 slots at Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac.

The five-member Kansas Lottery Commission, appointed by the governor, will exercise ultimate ownership and management control over all gambing operations. The racinos could open as early as 2008 with Camptown in Frontenac probably first in line.

Terribles In The Midwest

Terribles Casinos aren't just in Nevada anymore. The popular casino now has a presence in the Midwest at three locations:

- Mark Twain, LaGrange, MO
- Lakeside, Osceola, IA
- St.Jo Frontier, St. Joseph, MO

The LaGrange Mark Twain Casino is just off US-61 (go east on Hwy-B) in northeastern Missouri. It's a small and friendly riverboat and has seven RV parking spaces with electric and water hookups for $5 a night. Register at the gift shop.

The Osceola Iowa Lakeside Casino is a popular stopping-off place for RVers because it is just two-tenths of a mile from I-35 exit 34 (southcentral Iowa.) There is a full hookup RV Park at this casino. Daily rate is discounted to $10 for Players Club cardholders. The small casino has a varied selection of slots, gaming tables and wholesome fare at the restaurant.

The casino in St. Joseph, Missouri is about seven miles from I-29 (northwestern Missouri.) While it does not have an RV facility, there is a designated area for RV parking and free overnight parking is OK.

What's New At Isle Of Capri

RV Parking in Lula, Mississippi
A new RV parking area has been added at the Isle of Capri in Lula, MS. There are 28 level spaces with full hookups and cable TV in the parking area at the front of the casino. Daily camping fee is $14.95 and registration is at the front desk in the main lobby. The Lula Isle of Capri is located on the Mississippi River just across from Helena, Artkansas. From US-61 in Mississippi, travel west on US-49 or from Arkansas take I-40 exit 216 at Brinkley and travel east on US-49 to the Helena Bridge.

New casino opens in Waterloo, Iowa
"The Isle" opened last week in Waterloo, IA. The casino includes 1,100 slots, 27 pit/gaming tables and a 6-table poker room. The tropical-themed Isle Buffet is open along with Tradewinds, featuring fast food and ice cream. The`signature steakhouse Farradays is expected to open later this summer. The new casino is located south of US-20 exit 232A. Follow US-218 south to Shaulis Rd., then right to Isle of Capri Blvd. RVs should park in the lot west of the casino.

Isle One card is networked nationwide
RV travelers prefer the Isle One Players Club because points earned at all Isle locations post to a single account. You can play at an Isle of Capri casino in one state, then stop at an Isle casino in another state and points earned in both places automatically add up under your single Isle One account number. That makes it easier to accumulate credits toward free restaurant meals or gift items. (The Harrah's Total Rewards Club is the only other one that accumulates points earned at multiple locations.)

RV Park At Meskwaki Casino

RVers who have been going to the Meskwaki Casino in Tama, Iowa since it opened will remember that, for a number of years, RVs could park on the grassy (somewhat bumpy) field behind the casino where free electric hookups were provided. Last year the casino complex was enlarged and, as part of the expansion, a new RV Park was constructed. It has 52 level paved sites with electric hookups, fresh water and a central dump. RV guests are invited to use the pool at the hotel. There is a laundry at the RV Park. Daily camping fee is $15. The area where RVs used to park is now a corn field. However, if you're just passing through and want to dry camp for the night, the parking lot in front of the casino is available.


The expanded and renovated casino includes 1,400 slots, 26 pit/table games, live keno, racing simulcast, poker room and a high limits gaming area. There is also a separate non-smoking slots area. Dining options include the Jackpot Buffet with daily specials and a food court. Meskwaki is located directly on the south side of US-30, 47 miles east of I-35 exit 111. It can also be reached from I-80 exit 191/Tama, then north on US-63 for 22.8 miles to US-30, then east for 4 miles.

Iowa's Riverside (near I-80) Is Spectacular

RIVERSIDE CASINO & GOLF RESORT

Iowa's new Riverside Resort looks spectacular during its first summer season. The lavish resort, which opened last Fall, is nestled into a quiet and relaxing part of the state just south of Iowa City. The elegant 58,000 square-foot Vegas-style casino features more than 1,100 of the newest and most popular gaming machines plus 28 pit/table games and a 12-table poker room. Designed with its water theme in mind, the casino's centerpiece is a stunning fountain above a circular bar. Cascading walls of water grace the entrance ways into the gaming floor. The gaming area is roomy and comfortable. A 200-room hotel, spa and golf course complete the sprawling resort complex. The beautifully-maintained golf course is especially impressive. Dining options at the resort include a steakhouse, buffet, diner and coffee house.

The southeast section of the parking area is designated for RVs. Although there are no hookups, self-contained RVs will find a level and secure spot for a night or two. Shuttle service is available to the casino. The environment is clean, pleasant and safe.

To get to Riverside take exit 229A from I-80 to US-218/27 south for 15.8 miles to exit 80, then SR-22 east for 1.3 mile to the casino.

Harrahs In The Midwest

This week we visited two Harrahs in the Midwest. Both are RV-Friendly and convenient to an interstate. Consequently, either casino can be a quick and easy overnight dry camping stop.
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Downstate Illinois, four miles west of I-24, is Harrahs Metropolis. Situated on the Ohio River across from Paducah, KY, this riverboat stands alone as the only casino in southern Illinois. It draws heavily from both Kentucky and Tennessee (neither state has casinos.) The parking facility was renovated recently when the new hotel was constructed. As a result, the oversize parking lot is clean, level and accessible. To get there take exit 37 from I-24 and travel west on Rt-45 for 3.8 miles, then left onto Ferry St. to the casino. The lot for oversize vehicles is clearly identified. The casino is a typical riverboat, somewhat crowded in spots, but it has a complete range of 1,200 slots, 25 tables plus a poker room. The buffet was disappointing...not up to what we'd come to expect of Harrahs in terms of quality, presentation and service.

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West of St. Louis, MO, the most popular casino in the area is the newly-renovated Harrahs St. Louis. It is spectacular with two separate casinos covering 120,000 square feet of gaming including 2,800 slots, pit/table games and a new 21-table poker room. Eight food venues offer variety on two levels. In a word, this place is huge! Located just a mile and a half off I-70 exit 231A, it's easy to get to. The parking lot designated for oversize vehicles is newly paved and just far enough away from the casino action to allow for a restful night. From the interstate go south on Earth City Expressway for 1.5 mile to the fourth stoplight and once you're on the property follow signs for bus parking on the south side.

News from the Mississippi Gulf Coast

The Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi finally opened last Saturday (June 30th.) The casino had originally planned to open in September 2005, but Hurricane Katrina destroyed the new resort a few days before its scheduled grand opening date. The new Hard Rock has 1,445 slots, 50 gaming tables, a poker room, five restaurants and its famed rock memorabilia collection on display.

Also in Biloxi, the Treasure Bay opens its second floor gaming room today (July 2nd), adding another 500 slots, to bring their total gaming machines to over 700. Treasure Bay plans to open its fine dining restaurant on the 9th floor by Labor Day.

The RV Park at Hollywood Casino in Bay St. Louis still remains the only RV Park at a casino on the Gulf Coast. And, it is a good home base for a casino-hopping tour of the Gulf Coast. It has also become a very popular spot for RV club rallies. So, if you're planning to go to the Biloxi/Gulfport/Bay St. Louis area and want to hookup at an RV Park next to a casino, advance reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.