Navajo Nation plans to open a casino

The Navajo Nation that extends for 27,000 square miles in Utah, Arzona and New Mexico, is set to enter the gambling business. It plans to open its first casino in Church Rock, New Mexico later this year. Church Rock is located north of Interstate 40 at the Arizona state line. Tribal officials announced that construction will begin next month. It will be a small casino with 400 slots & 7 tables. At this point, it appears the parking lot is designed to accomodate cars only. The tribe indicated that 18-wheelers would be prohibited...but has not yet indicated whether it will be RV-Friendly.

The Window Rock location is the first of six casinos being planned by the Navajo Nation -- 2 in New Mexico and 4 in Arizona. A future Navajo casino near Flagstaff, AZ is expected to include an RV Park.

The entrance of the Navajos (the largest Indian Nation in the country) into the gaming business comes after many years of resistence from some of its members. Ancient Navajo legends condemn gambling and modern Navajos have expressed fears that gambling could spread addictions throughout the community. However, current tribal leaders say the casinos are necessary to help the Navajo economy.

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.

Dancing Eagle - Convenient to I-40

If you're planning to travel I-40 across New Mexico, Dancing Eagle offers comfortable and reasonably-priced RV accomodations. It is adjacent to the interstate at exit 108. The RV Park and casino are situated in an adobe-type village owned and operated by the Pueblo of Laguna Tribe. The village, visible from the eastbound lanes of the interstate, includes a travel center and supermarket. The RV Park features level, full hookup sites and some are pull-thrus. Pets are welcome. The daily rate of $20 will be reduced to $10 if you obtain a free Players Club card at the casino.