Re-branding Caesars

New name, but the same casino.

The former Caesars Indiana casino has been re-branded. It is now called Horseshoe Southern Indiana Casino. The 5,000-passenger riverboat -- permanently docked on the Ohio River in Elizabeth, IN -- still features more than 2,000 slots and over 100 pit/gaming tables. It is open 24/7.

Horseshoe Southern Indiana remains RV-Friendly. They have a designated lot for RVs and overnight parking is permitted. To get to the casino take I-64 exit 123 (New Albany) and follow Hwy-111 south for 8 miles. Drive past the parking garages and hotel complex and turn right onto Stuckey Road to the RV parking lot. It is walking distance to the casino.

Caesars and Horseshoe are just two of the many casino brands owned and operated by the Harrah's gaming company. In addition to the original Harrah's brand name, other brands in the Harrah's family of casinos include, Grand, Bally's, Harvey's, Paris, Rio, Showboat, Imperial Palace and Flamingo. The Harrah's Total Rewards Players Club is unique in that points earned at any of the Harrah's casinos (anywhere in the country) accumulate in a single account and the points can be redeemed for meals or other comps at any Harrah's-owned casino. Total Rewards accounts are maintained on a national computerized database and that's quite an advantage for RV travelers!

Casino Hopping In The Rockies

A pleasant casino-hopping experience can be found in Colorado's historic towns of Black Hawk and Central City, west of Denver, about 10 miles off Interstate 70.

Black Hawk and Central City are old mining towns in the Rockies that prospered as a result of the gold rush of 1859. After the gold ran out, hard rock and coal mining provided employment into the early 20th century, but the area declined afterward. In 1991, gambling was revived in the old mining towns as a part of historic preservation.

Today, a dozen or so casinos are clustered in the downtown areas of the old towns. It's a fun place for RVers to visit during the summer.

A free parking area for RVs is provided at the Miners Mesa Lot, located at the highest point above Black Hawk. From there you'll have a bird's eye view of the old mining town below and can take in a spectacular 360-degree view of the mountains and even see the continental divide. The Miners Mesa Parking Lot is the ONLY place in Black Hawk/Central City with enough room for RV parking. The free shuttle bus runs to and from the Miners Mesa Lot and to all the casinos, 8am to 2am.

In addition to the larger Isle of Capri and Colorado Central Station Casinos, there are a number of small gaming locations in the charming downtown areas of the two towns.

To get to Black Hawk take exit 244 from I-70 to Highway 6 east for about 3 miles to Highway 119 north for just under 7 miles. When you get into Black Hawk take a left at the first traffic light (Mill St) and continue on Mill St through the intersection of Main St and up the hill to the Miners Mesa Lot. This is the easiest way to get to the RV parking lot. If you come off I-70 at Central City, you will have to drive all the way through the narrow streets of Central City and Black Hawk to get to Mill St.

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High Country Touring the Colorado Rockies
A visually beautiful and richly informative guide to the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, focusing on national parks, wilderness areas, skyways and byways, peaks, national monuments, and the Continental Divide. Learn more or order.

Ameristar Is RV-Friendly

The Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa recently completed a renovation and expansion of the casino. It is now Iowa's largest riverboat with more than 1,500 slots and 39 table games.

While there is no RV Park at this location, the casino provides a convenient and quiet parking area for RVs. The north lot is designated for car and RV parking only (truck parking is on the other side of the complex.)

Ameristar is situated near the intersection of I-29 and I-80. From I-80 use exit 1A and from I-29 use exit 52. Overnight parking is OK for self-contained RVs.

Note: Even though Iowa recently passed a non-smoking law, casinos are exempt. So the casino will be quite smokey at peak times.

ADDITIONAL NOTE ON IOWA CASINO

The new Wild Rose Casino, land-based in Clinton, Iowa (see July 10th post) is open from 8am-2am weekdays and 8am-4am weekends. There is parking available for RVs. Please check in with Security if you plan to stay overnight. As with all Iowa casinos, smoking is permitted. However, this casino appears to have an excellent filtering system. When we were in the casino last month we didn't notice any heavy smoke in the air.