The Riverboats of Kansas City

Kansas City, MO has four large riverboat casinos; all are close to an interstate and all are RV-Friendly.

The spectacular Ameristar is the largest casino in Kansas City. It has 3,000 gaming machines, 107 gaming tables and the biggest poker room in the Midwest. There are nine dining options ranging from fine dining to fast food. The brunch buffet on weekends is outstanding. From I-435 in Missouri take exit 55 and go east for one mile then right into the Ameristar complex. Follow signs to the huge lot designated for trucks and RVs. Overnight parking is OK.

The Isle riverboat can be seen from the northbound lanes of I-35. The casino is on Front Street. Use exit 4B and go to the west lot, designated for large vehicles.
The lot is connected to the casino by a walkway. The casino features 1,500 gaming machines, 46 table games and 6 poker tables plus The Isle's signature restaurants.

Harrahs riverboat is also just off I-35. From the interstate exit 6A, go east on Hwy-210 (Armour Rd.) for 1.1 mile, then south on Chouteau Trafficway for just .1 mile, then right into Harrahs. The casino barge has 1,800 gaming machines, 50 tables and a poker room. Dining options include the buffet and a steakhouse. There's also a Starbucks on site.

The Argosy Casino rounds out the Kansas City riverboat group. It is located on the north side of the city. From I-29 exit 3B take I-635 to exit 11, then Hwy-9 and follow signs into the casino. RVs should use the west end of the parking lot. Overnight parking is OK. Argosy has 1,900 coinless gaming machines and 40 tables all on a single level.

Overlooking The Scenic Missouri River

Terrible's St. Jo Frontier, a charming riverboat overlooking the scenic Missouri River in St. Joseph, MO, sits on part of the original Lewis & Clark Expedition Trail, that followed the river north and west before crossing the Rocky Mountains.



A statue of Sacagawea, the young Indian woman who was a valued member of the expedition party, stands in front of the casino boat to mark the historic trail. Sacagawea, who was a guide, interpreter and negotiator for Lewis & Clark, has more statues in her honor than any other woman in America. This statue is one of 23.

The pretty casino has over 500 slots and 11 gaming tables plus a restaurant. It is RV-Friendly with a designated area for oversized vehicles located east of the casino. Free overnight parking is available.

Up & Down I-29 in Western Iowa

Interstate 29 runs north/south for 152 miles along the west side of Iowa (just east of the NE/IA state line), and there are three small but lovely RV-Friendly casinos along the way.

On the north end, Argosy Sioux City is next to the interstate at exit 147. It's a riverboat docked on the scenic Missouri River and visible from the southbound lanes of I-29. The recently-renovated casino is spacious and comfortable. RVs are welcome to park on the gravel lot south of the boat, with shuttle service available 24 hours. After you come off the interstate and enter the riverfront area, go three-quarters of the way around the circle and pull into the gravel lot (near the valet sign.)

WinnaVegas Casino, a Native American casino, is just 3 miles off the interstate at exit 127. There are 14 pull-thru electric hookup sites available for $7 per night. RVs are welcome to dry camp in the lot as well, but considering the cost of running a generator, it's probably more prudent to utilize one of the sites. The small casino is friendly and features numerous drawings for slots and table players just about every day. Seniors get $5 free play on Wednesdays and Players Club cardholders get discounts every day at the restaurant that has buffet and table service.

Further south, Casino Omaha, another Native American casino, is about 3 miles from I-29 at exit 112. It has been renovated and has many new-style slots, as well as a full complement of pit/table games. There are 14 free pull-thru sites with electric hookups. There is also a travel center on property.

Check the Casino Camping book for accurate directions into the two Native American casinos. They are both far enough off the highway to provide for a restful night, yet close enough to make for a convenient stop.

More Expansion in Oklahoma

A new "casino alley" is in the making along US-77 in northern Oklahoma just south of the Kansas state line.

A NEW 7 CLANS CASINO: Closest to Kansas -- just 1.3 mile south of the KS/OK state line -- is the 7 Clans Little Paradise Travel Mart and Shell gas station. There is a small slots-only casino in the Travel Center for now, but right next door is a large and busy construction site, the future home of a new casino that will include 1,000+ slots, gaming tables and more. The new casino should be completed in 12-18 months. It is unclear whether this casino will have RV spaces with hookups, but since the 7 Clans sister casino in Red Rock has RV accomodations, this one is likely to be RV-Friendly as well.

NATIVE LIGHTS CASINO EXPANDING: Just one mile south, also on the west side of US-77, is the Native Lights Casino. They are also building a new, larger casino. It will sit next door to the current casino building. Native Lights is RV-Friendly, currently offering three full hookup sites free on a first-come, first-serve basis. When their new casino is built, the RV area is expected to expand expanded to 25 sites.

KAW SOUTHWIND: Travel another six miles south and you'll find the Kaw SouthWind Casino just one mile east of US-77 in Newkirk. It is a large facility boasting 1,300 slots, 8 blackjack and poker tables and a popular high stakes bingo game. This casino is also RV-Friendly offering free electric hookups in the parking lot. Currently they are expanding the parking area next to the casino building and installing new electric service. The sites are expected to be completed shortly.

7 CLANS PARADISE: Continuing south for about 20 miles on US-77, it becomes US-177 -- into Red Rock where you'll find a newly-expanded 7 Clans Paradise Casino on the east side of the highway. The newly renovated facility includes 670 gaming machines, 8 blackjack tables and a lovely new 6-table poker roon. A brand new buffet restaurant will debut in a few weeks. This RV-Friendly casino has seven sites with electric and water hookups for $7 a night (with reservations.)

Free Electric Hookups At Casinos

As new casinos develop and existing ones expand it's heartening for RVers to see that accomodations for travelers are included in the parking lot plans.


Like the Fire Lake Grand on I-40 in Oklahoma, many new casinos will section off a portion of the parking lot and put in an "express" section for RV parking that includes electric and water and sometimes sewer hookups at each RV space. It's not quite an RV park, but it definitely is a step up from dry camping. And, traveling RVers certainly do appreciate the accomodation.


While we are always pleasantly surprised to find FREE hookups at a casino (like we did at Fire Lake), realistically, we'd gladly pay a nominal fee for the electric. At newly-developed parking lots, we are sure the electric service is modern -- something my resident electrician really appreciates! And the casino security is always an attractive benefit. Good security and hookups, too...we'll take that anyday of the week!

Our guide to RV-Friendly casinos, Casino Camping (2007 edition) identifies casinos with free electric hookups in the parking lot in Appendix A at the back of the book (and cross-referenced to the casino's listing where you'll find accurate directions.) A word of caution, however. Please call ahead to check on availability of the hookups. With all the construction and expansion going on these days, the casino landscape is changing daily in just about every state...and some misguided casino might just decide to take out the RV hookups in favor of a few more slot machines.

Indian Gaming Expanding in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has more Native American tribes than any other state. Consequently, it's no surprise that the state has more Indian gaming locations as well. Indian gaming was somewhat limited until 2004 when a statewide gaming referendum received voter approval. The referendum allowed Indian casinos to upgrade their gaming machines to Class III and to add live table games, including black jack and poker. Since then, Indian gaming in Oklahoma has been expanding. Two large, glitzy casinos that opened last year are more Vegas-like than the state has seen in the past.

RIVERWIND CASINO, at I-35 exit 106, celebrating its first year of operation this month, is the state's largest at 219,000 square feet of gaming and four restaurants. Riverwind is noted for the headline entertainment it brings to its 1500-seat Showplace Theater. The casino is located alongside the southbound lanes of the interstate and there's easy on/off access for RVs. Park in the lot west of the casino building and check in with Security if you plan to be there overnight.

FIRE LAKE GRAND CASINO, located next to I-40 at exit 178, has a separate section designated for RVs on the north end of its parking lot. There are 20 back-in spaces with electric and water hookups plus a central dump. RVers need only check in at the gift shop in the casino to receive a permit for free parking in this area.

Fire Lake Grand's 125,000 square foot gaming floor is spectacular. The casino has four restaurants and the Event Center features headline entertainment. A new hotel is expected to open in 2008, making Fire Lake a premiere destination resort.

These two large and lavish gaming locations are especially RV-Friendly. Both are located right next to the interstate and both provide a convenient and secure place to find overnight parking.

I-40 in NM: exits 140 & 108

Two casinos -- owned and operated by Laguna Pueblo -- can be found next to the eastbound lanes of I-40 in western New Mexico.

Route 66 Casino and Travel Center - at exit 140 - is noted for cheap gas at the travel center on Funky Fridays.

This casino is aptly named as it sits directly on the edge of old Route 66 (the "Mother Road.") The casino carries the Route 66 theme throughout. Dining options include Johnny Rocket's 50's style diner and the Hungry Cowboy Buffet.

The complex is currently expanding, adding a hotel and entertainment venues. However, RVs who want to stay overnight will have to share the dry camping lot with dozens of trucks.



One of our favorite casino RV Parks is just west of Route 66 Casino...the Dancing Eagle on I-40 at exit 108.

We like this RV Park because 1) it's located next to the interstate with easy in and out, 2) it has pull-thru sites on level gravel and it's always clean, 3) the camping fee ($10 with a Players Card) is attractive, and 4) a laundry and small supermarket are nearby. Generally, we don't need much more in an RV Park when we're on the move.

The RV Park is just a few steps from the casino...it is somewhat smaller than the Route 66 Casino, but it's cozy and friendly and has a good variety of slots and video poker plus live action tables. I always feel safe walking back and forth between the casino and RV Park, even after dark.

What's new in New Mexico

To celebrate the opening of its new RV Park, Sky City Casino in New Mexico is giving away an RV in a raffle.





The new RV Park has 42 full hookup sites with lovely mountain views. Daily camping fee is $15. Sky City Casino is located at exit 102 next to the westbound lanes of Interstate 40. The adjacent Travel Center at Sky City is a popular stop for truckers and also has free RV parking. There is a convenience store and laudromat on site.

The 30,000 square-foot casino has 800 slots, 10 gaming tables, a poker room and a restaurant featuring Native, New Mexican and American food.

Cheap(er) Gas

Traveling south from Santa Fe to Albuquerque, NM, one morning last week, we stopped at the San Felipe Hollywood Casino and Travel Center along I-25. Jack fed our thirsty motor home at a mere 2.889 per gal(high test)...a lower price than we'd seen anywhere else recently. That's probably because we were on an Indian Reservation where fuel tends to be less expensive.

The Hollywood Casino next door has RV spaces with electric and water and a central dump for $10 a night. Free overnight parking is also available for RVs at the Travel Center. But, if you need to run the generator for a couple of hours -- price of gas being what it is these days -- it would probably be more cost effective to opt for the reasonably-priced electric hookup at the casino.


The casino features 700 slots and 20 gaming tables plus a buffet restaurant and a grille. Located adjacent to I-25 at exit 252, San Felipe makes for a convenient, friendly and worthwhile stop.

Santa Fe Casinos Expanding

In New Mexico, the 25 miles or so from Interstate-25's exit 282B north to Espanola will take you past all of the Santa Fe area's casinos.
CAMEL ROCK CASINO is about 13 miles north of I-25, next to the northbound lanes of US-84/285 (Camel Rock Road - exit 175.) At Camel Rock, RVers will find a convenient spot for free overnight parking.

CITIES OF GOLD CASINO is located another three miles north on US-84/285. Like Camel Rock, it's visible from the highway and offers a quiet place for RV overnight parking.

BIG ROCK CASINO BOWL is a few more miles to the north. Located in downtown Espanola in the Big Rock Shopping Center (recongnize it by the big rock out front), the casino was recently renovated and also has a new bowling alley. Parking is somewhat tight for RVs.

OHKAY CASINO is about 4 miles north of Espanola. Just follow Riverside Drive (Hwy-68) north out of Espanola. There is ample space for RV parking south of the casino building.

Casino-hopping along US-84/285 will get even more interesting next year when a new, spectacular casino resort -- Buffalo Thunder -- opens in Summer 2008. The new resort will include a large, modern Vegas-style casino, restaurants, hotel and golf course. It will be located just south of the Cities of Gold at Buffalo Thunder Rd.(exit 177.) And, there's good news for RVers...Buffalo Thunder will include an RV Park, currently under construction on the west side of US-84/285. Shuttle service will be provided to both Cities of Gold and Buffalo Thunder.

Just a reminder

All casinos listed in the Casino Camping guide are "RV-Friendly," that is, they either have an RV Park or campground or they permit free overnight RV parking. Many of us frequently use casino parking areas as a safe place to spend the night.

We came across this sign at a casino parking area recently and thought it would serve as a reminder to all Casino Campers. Rule #1 is to obtain authorization from the property owner before settling in for the night. Like the sign says, please see someone from Security or a member of management to obtain permission. Generally, casinos prefer for you to advise Security that you would like to remain in the parking lot overnight. If there is no signage directing you to the area designated for RV parking, ask where they'd prefer for you to park.

Please do not abuse the hospitality of the casinos that allow free overnight parking. Put the slidouts out if you need to, but restrict your activity to the inside of your rig. A parking lot is not a campground...please, no chairs, awnings or barbecue grills. If the pavement is too hot and soft, don't use hydraulic jacks.

It's always a good idea to show your appreciation by patronizing the casino facility; play a little or treat yourself to a meal. Casinos generally have fairly good buffets, reasonably priced.

One final safety point...always be aware of your surroundings. If, for any reason, you feel unsafe, leave.