California casino not friendly to RVers

We received the following letter at RVtravel.com and thought it was worth passing along:

This past Thanksgiving my wife, 95-year-old mother and I traveled in our 31-foot motorhome from Olympia, Wash., to my brother's house in Yuba City, Calif. While there the whole family decided to go to Thunder Valley Casino in Lincoln, Calif., for its brunch buffet. Since there were seven of us we decided to ride together in the motorhome instead of taking two cars. Upon arriving at the casino I was greeted by a security guard on a bicycle who told me that the casino did not allow RVs in its parking that will not fit in one parking space. I looked at a half-full parking lot, then said to him that I would only take up two spaces which is the same as if we had driven two cars for the seven of us. I asked if we could park across the parking lot where there were several busses and plenty of room. The guard said that was not allowed and he suggested I leave the casino grounds and find a spot to park along the highway and then walk back. I couldn't believe what I was hearing....RV's not welcome at a casino??? That is the policy at Thunder Valley Casino, Lincoln, California.

I decided to ignore the security man and drove out to the parking lot and found a spot against the perimeter which would allow me to back into a parking spot, and by placing my rear tires against the concrete stop would allow the rear portion of my motorhome to hang over the edge far enough for me to say I was only taking up one parking spot. I was very careful to place the motorhome exactly in the center of the parking space with the white lines on both sides equal distance from the motorhome.

The security man followed me on his bicycle and watched me back into the spot. He was then joined by two other security people on bicycles and they informed me that I would have to move the motorhome. RVs were not allowed in the parking lot. I asked to speak with his supervisor, and I was informed that he was on his way. Soon another security guard arrived in an automobile and informed me of the casino policy of not allowing RVs. I showed him that I was only taking up one space and that we would enjoy their buffet and be gone in an hour or so.

After some discussion he said he would allow us to park this time but not in the future. All of this hassle had taken 20 to 30 minutes. He need not have worried because we will not patronize that casino again. We have traveled in many states and stayed in many casino lots and felt welcome at all of them. Most of them even provide a courtesy shuttle to the casino and back to your RV at no cost. This is the first time a casino has informed us of such a policy against RVs.

Gary Michael
Olympia, Washington

TO VOICE YOUR OPINION of the casino's RV parking policy, send an email to webmaster@thundervalleyresort.com.

What's happening in Biloxi

When Hurricane Katrina blew into MS and LA in August of 2005, the 13 casinos located along the lovely Mississippi Gulf Coast all blew away...literally. Portions of the casinos went out to sea, some of the casino boats and barges were lifted up and thrown over to the north side of Beach Blvd. None of the structures from Biloxi to Bay St Louis were left standing. The destruction was complete. Today, little more than two years later, most of the Gulf Coast casinos are back in operation, although there is still plenty of rebuilding to be done in the area.

RVers planning to come to the Gulf Coast gambling area should be aware that there is still plenty of ongoing construction and there are only a few casino lots available for free overnight parking. Your best bet for parking at the east end (Biloxi) is in the Back Bay area -- I-110 to exit 1D then east on Bayview. There's a large lot across the street from (west of) the IP where you'll find RV parking. Directly across from the IP is a large, level gravel lot where RVs are also welcome. The lot is actually designated for Boomtown employees, but RV parking is permitted. Boomtown Casino (east of the IP on Bayview) also has room for RVs on the paved parking area just west of their casino building.

Beach Blvd in Biloxi is busy and congested due to ongoing construction. The Grand currently has a fenced parking lot on the west side of the casino where RVs may park. Please check with Security as parking areas are continually shifting depending on space needed for construction equipment and materials.

All the Biloxi casinos are up and running and they are busier than ever. In addition to the IP & Boomtown, Palace is open in the Back Bay area and on Beach Blvd you'll see Isle of Capri, Grand, Hard Rock and Beau Rivage. On the west end of town, Treasure Bay is open, but is not RV-Friendly.

Further west in Gulfport the all new land-based Island View Casino is open and does have RV parking available. In Bay St. Louis, the Hollywood Casino has the only casino RV Park on the Gulf Coast. Reservations are advisable...Hollywood's RV Park is generally filled on weekends. Free overnight parking is also available in their lot.

Since all the casinos are brand new, a casino-hopping trip to the Gulf Coast is well worth it.

Something for everyone in Laughlin

One of the most popular "casino-hopping" destinations for RVers is Laughlin, Nevada, a slower-paced casino hub nestled along the Colorado River. Whatever your accomodation style, Laughlin has it...from free dry camping in the casino parking lot, to dry camping with a view for a nominal fee to full-hookup RV parks with from moderate to upscale amenities.

Blacktop boondockers love Laughlin since many of the casinos welcome them for free dry camping. If you plan to stay in a parking lot, always check in with Security or a member of management at the casino to confirm that it's OK to park there and to find out which area of the parking lot they prefer for you to stay.

Specific places that may be of interest to boondockers:

-- Harrah's at the end of the Laughlin Strip has two lots across the street where you can park free for up to three days. Register at the gas station. There is also a dump at the gas station for a $3 fee.

-- River Palms has a lovely lot on the hill above the Strip. You need to present your vehicle registration at the River Palms to get a parking pass. There is a nominal fee ($5 or $7 depending on the view) to park at River Palms.

-- Although it has an RV Park, Avi also offers free overnight parking at the casino lot.

As always, when boondocking in a casino lot, be aware of your surroundings and take the usual common-sense security precautions. In general, Laughlin is a much better bet for blacktop boondockers than Vegas.

For the folks who prefer more creature comforts...(like someone told me yesterday, "I didn't get this big rig not to take advantage of all its great features.") there are two very nice RV parks with full hookups in Laughlin.

-- Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort is a terraced RV Park with a lovely view of the mountains. It has 840 full hookup spaces and guests may use the amenities at the hotel. A climate-controlled walkway connects the casino to the RV Park. Camping fees range from $26-$30 per night.

-- Avi KOA RV Resort is noted for its spectacular beach, the largest along the banks of the Colorado River. Amenities include an 18-hole golf course, all sorts of water sports on the river, movie theaters and, of course, the casino. Rates are $23, weekdays; $25, weekends; $40, holidays (the higher rate applies this coming weekend.) The Avi is south of the Laughlin Casino Strip.

The city of Laughlin itself was named for Don Laughlin who settled there in 1966. There are so many lovely features at this pretty little city by the river...too many to list. The walkway along the river is especially enjoyable and gives access to nine casinos. Live entertainment, a wide variety of restaurants and many other non-gaming activities are available. An interesting display of dozens of rare antique slot machines from Don Laughlin's personal collection can be seen at his resort.

Some win, some lose

FLORIDA: The State of Florida has until Nov. 15th to complete a deal that would bring blackjack and Las Vegas-style slot machines to Seminole Indian land or risk losing out on at least $100 million in annual payments from the tribe. The U.S. Dept. of the Interior has said that if an agreement isn't reached by next week's deadline, it will impose procedures that would approve the expanded gaming without guaranteeing any money for the state. Either way, gaming fans in Florida win. Slots players will be especially glad that Florida's land-based Indian casinos will get REAL slot machines. We will all do a cheer when Florida's casinos finally dump the bingo-based gaming devices...they are a poor excuse for slots and video poker.

MARYLAND: The Maryland Senate last week approved a referendum on slot machine gambling by a vote of 31-15. The vote moves the legislature closer to a question on the ballot next November to ask voters whether to allow up to 15,000 slots throughout the state. At the same time, a poll taken in the Greater Baltimore area shows that the majority of voters favor allowing slots in the city, but not at the Inner Harbor.

MAINE: Voters in Maine this past week rejected a proposal by the Passanaquoddy Indian Tribe to build a harness racetrack and casino in Calais, near the border of Canada.

MASSACHUSETTS: In Massachusetts a state representative plans to file a bill that would allow installation of slot machines at each of the four racetracks while the state ponders the possibility of licensing casinos. A similar bill filed last year was turned down.

California Casino RV Parks

Currently, California has the most Indian casinos of all the states...and California's casino industry outranks all but Nevada in size. There are 53 Tribes operating casinos in the state, with the heaviest concentration of gaming destinations in Riverside and San Diego counties.

Although most California casinos welcome RVs to visit and even stay overnight in their parking area, there are only 5 full-service RV Parks at casinos in the state. For those RVers who want to pull into an RV Park, hookup and enjoy amenities not offered in a parking lot, the selection is slim, but varied.

In the southern part of the state, Pechanga in Temecula offers a lavish premier destination resort with a 168-site upscale RV Park popular for rallies. The resort has headline entertainment every week...the big Vegas-style casino and variety of dining choices are attractive. On the southeastern side of the state is Havasu Landing RV Park, that offers lots of outdoor activities and a small casino with limited hours. It's located on the river at the Arizona border.

In central California, two casino RV Parks are located on Clear Lake. On the north shore the Robinson Rancheria in Nice has an RV Park about two and a half miles east of its casino. It is a good fishing destination that offers casino activity nearby. Konocti Vista in Lakeport is on the west side of Clear Lake where the RV accomodations are within walking distance of the casino and water activities abound during the day.

In northern California, Feather Falls KOA, in Oroville, is located next to a friendly and cozy casino with about 1,000 slots plus live blackjack and poker and tournaments frequently. There are 43 sites in the modern RV Park and RV guests get excellent casino coupons every day that just about equal the camping fees. It's a good place for a relaxing hiatus. Because of the many incentives given to RVers, Feather Falls is very popular, too, so reservations are suggested.

Coming next year...a brand new RV Park at Jackson Rancheria is expected to open on February 1st.

Reminder: You'll always find accurate directions to casinos throughout the country in Casino Camping, Look for it in the RVBookstore!