Downstate Illinois: Near I-24

Harrahs in Metropolis, Illinois is RV-Friendly and is convenient to Interstate 24 in the southern end of the state. It's a medium sized riverboat, docked on the Ohio River, with gambling on three levels. The gaming floors are roomy with roulette, craps and several blackjack & three-card poker tables on the second level and a poker room on the top level. Over 1,200 gaming machines throughout are upgraded as new slots and video poker machines debut.

There is a designated section for oversized vehicles on the quiet end of the parking lot. Free overnight parking is available. The casino is just 3.8 miles from I-24 exit 37.

We have visited lots of casinos throughout the country. From time to time we receive coupon offers for a free night at a casino hotel, but usually the offer arrives at our mailbox when we're hundreds of miles away from that particular casino. This week, when we knew we'd be passing through southern Illinois, we called to say we were in the area and to ask if the free hotel room offer (the one we received last year) could be used now. Surprisingly, they gave us the free room. I guess it was a slow week. So I got to enjoy a bubble bath...what a treat! (Only full-timin' RVing gals can identify with that.) The moral of this story is, it never hurts to ask for comps -- casinos are always willing to attract people to their gaming floor. Sometimes when you ask for a comp, they'll say no, but often they say yes. You never know unless you ask.

Slower paced casino-hopping in Nevada

There's no question but that Nevada is still the #1 destination for casinos, and Vegas is the most popular destination. However, for a slower-paced casino-hopping experience, we are really partial to Laughlin, Nevada. There are 11 casinos in Laughlin and they are all Vegas-style. There's live entertainment, lots of restaurants and plenty of non-gaming activity in Laughlin.

Laughlin is directly on the Colorado River where Nevada, Arizona and California meet. For us RVers, it offers a good variety of accomodations from the traditional RV Park to free dry camping. There are two full-hookup campgrounds. The Avi resort several miles north of town has a KOA where, you'll find quality sites and amenities consistent with KOA's high standards. Rates range from $23 on weekdays and can go up to $40 on holidays. The campground is noted for its spectacular beach area. The full-service resort has a 25,000 square-foot casino plus many other activities too numerous to mention. To get to the other casinos along the river, you'll need to drive there. Most casinos are along the river on Casino Drive. Don Laughlin's Resort has an RV Park with rates from $26. The town is hospitable to boondockers, too. The River Palms offers an area for dry camping for a nominal fee. Harrahs has two lots where RVs may park free for up to three days. For both River Palms and Harrahs you'll need to register for a parking permit. There is a dump station at the gas state near Harrahs; dump fee is $3.

About a year ago there was an attempt to pass local legislation to prohibit overnight parking in casino lots in Laughlin. Fortunately, the attempt did not succeed. At the time there was speculation that the concerns that prompted the prohibition attempt were environmental because irresponsible RVers were dumping grey water and, even worse, black water onto the casino parking lots in Laughlin. It is sad that -- as much as we appeal to RVers to be responsible -- such things do happen.

As frequent blacktop boondockers at casinos, as well as other businesses that are hospitable to RVers, Jack and I are especially sensitive to the issue. As often as RV publications run articles about the simple rules for overnight parking etiquette, we continue to see examples of RVers abusing the hospitality of businesses that allow free overnight parking. Just last week, we came through the Flying J in St. Augustine, FL for fuel. We observed about 15 motor homes & fifth wheels parked and apparently settled in for the night there. We couldn't believe what we saw. Several had their awnings out, chairs arranged in a socializing circle on the blacktop and the barbeques smokin away as the men grilled the dinner. From time to time, we've seen the same thing in casino parking lots. It makes me wonder how long it will be before places like Flying J and casinos will refuse the free overnight parking privilege altogether.

More Vegas Info

Two other RV Parks connected to casinos in Vegas (not mentioned in the previous post) might be of interest if you're headed for Las Vegas this year.

Arizona Charlie's on Boulder Highway is a pretty park with easy access from the highway. It's a popular spot for friends who enjoy camping together to meet for a mini-rally. The moderately-priced full hookup sites are attractive. Amenities at the park include shuffleboard, horseshoes, heated pool & spa, picnic area and a dog run. AZ Charlies Casino is the only casino within walking distance. You'll need to drive over to The Strip for the main action, but there's plenty of free parking at the Strip casino parking garages once you get there...you just need to be patient in traffic.

In downtown Las Vegas, California RV Park is also moderately priced with 93 full hookup sites at under $15 a night. Refer to your Casino Camping guide book for directions and registration information. The California RV Park puts you close to the downtown action at more than a dozen casinos, most located along a pedestrian mall know as the Fremont Street Experience. A free computer-generated sound and light show takes place each night 90 feet in the sky over Fremont Street. Free transportation to The Strip and to Sams Town on Boulder Hwy runs from the California, 8am to 11pm.

Heading For Vegas?

Las Vegas, NV -- the nation's premier gaming destination -- remains enormously popular among RVers. The famed Las Vegas "Strip" (more than 3 miles long) is home to some of the most fabulous casinos in the world.

Where do RVers stay in Vegas? There are many fine campgrounds and RV Parks in and around Vegas, but only one is located directly on the Strip. It's the KOA at Circus Circus Casino Resort. Be warned, however, it's expensive. Many RVers describe the Circus Circus RV Park as simply a parking lot with hookups. However, it's more than that -- it has full hook-up, pull-thru sites with plenty of room to extend the slides and put out the patio carpet and chairs. Other amenities include swimming pool, dog run, laundry, showers/rest rooms. Circus Circus remains the only RV Park that places you in walking distance of the action on the Strip.

Another popular RV Park is at Sams Town on Boulder Highway. Sams has a nice casino (walking distance from the RV), free bus service to the Strip and the RV Park is moderately priced. There are lots of other campgrounds & RV Parks in the Vegas area, most not connected to or operated by casinos. Some provide transportation to the Strip, but your best bet would be to take the tow vehicle or toad to the Strip. Casinos offer free parking in covered garages.

A word of caution: It is not safe to park in an open lot in Las Vegas and leave your RV unattended. While casinos generally have good parking lot security, in a place like Vegas their security priority is usually inside the casino. Las Vegas is a crowded, congested city. We would not put our rig at risk by leaving it unattended in a casino lot.

What about the weather? April is a nice month, as is May, when you'll experience temperature into the 80's, somewhat cooler at night. Summers tend to be very hot, especially July & August when 100+degree days are not unusual. June and September can also be on the hot side, but most other months will be comfortable. That having been said, a lot of people (including us) have ventured into Vegas in the summer and it's been OK. Air conditioning is cranked up wherever you go. However, if you travel with a pet, summer in Vegas may not be such a good idea.

There is so much to see and do, besides gambling, in Las Vegas. We usually budget more for dining than we do for gambling. The Buffet at the Bellagio is spectacular and while we're at Bellagio we never miss a walk through The Conservatory to enjoy the sights and scents of the lovely floral displays...or the synchronized laser light show in front of the fountain every half hour during the day and every 15 minutes evenings. These attractions are just a few of the many dining options, attractions and entertainment venues in Vegas.

If Vegas is on your agenda this year, please refer to the Nevada section of our Book Casino Camping (available at the RV Bookstore.) There is a detailed list of free shows in Las Vegas plus other valuable information about getting around town, on foot or on the Monorail.