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Story and photos by Dennis Begin
Canadian snowbirds by the thousands pack their RV’s every fall and head south for the winter. The easiest route from British Columbia is through the states of Washington, Oregon and California on I-5. After eight years of traveling I-5, my wife and I have perfected the route, especially where to stay for the night. An economic and safe way for snowbirds to travel south is casino hopping.
In 1987, the US Supreme Court ruled in California vs. the Cabazon Indian Band, that individual tribes could operate casinos outside of state jurisdiction, if that state had not directly prohibited gambling. That ruling resulted in a proliferation of casinos on Native lands. In 2011, there were 460 gambling operations in the United States, owned by 240 tribes for a total yearly income of 27 billion dollars. The Indian casinos are usually full on-site casinos, with progressive slots, various gaming tables, keno, bingo, video-poker, promotions, Player’s Club, dining areas and much more. Casinos want the RV business, so pay them a visit.
- Casino One – Tulalip Resort Hotel and Casino, Washington State
The word Tulalip means ‘bay,’ as the Snohomish Indians and other tribes lived along the many bays of Puget Sound. Tulalip is an AAA Four Diamond Casino at Marysville, only 137 km [85 mi] from Canada. Since the first day of traveling is generally spent finishing packing, closing up the house and crossing the Canadian-US border, Tulalip is an ideal stop. Park your rig in the back parking lot and dry camp [boondocking] for the first night. Security will take your name/license number, helping to make the parking lot a secure place. Your next step is the buffet and the slots.
- Casino Two – Seven Feathers Hotel and Casino Resort, Canyonville, Oregon
Leave Tulalip early and, if possible, travel on a Sunday. The reason, it is necessary to drive through Seattle and Portland. Our destination is Seven Feathers Casinos, a 663 km [412 miles] trip south on I-5. The Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Indian Tribe has created an impressive resort containing hotel, cabaret lounge, casino, spa, golf course [Myrtle Creek], market, gas station and one of the most beautiful RV Parks anywhere. The RV Park has 191 sites with manicured lawns, concrete pads, aggregated patios, cable and internet. If time is an issue, dry camping is available in the parking lot behind the casino. That rather large eagle at the entrance to the casino is Skookum Hyak, the largest bronze casting of an eagle in the world. Oh yes, it’s off to the buffet.
- Casino Three – Rolling Hills, Corning, California
After leaving Seven Feathers, it is a 427 km [265 mi] drive over the Siskiyou and Grants Pass in Southern Oregon to Corning, California. This facility includes truck stop, gas station, golf course, hotel, restaurants, arcade and of course, a casino. The truck stop has 150 parking slips for big rigs, with the Traveler’s Clubhouse offering hot showers, internet access, barber shop, laundry facilities, movies and even a pet day care service. The golf course is a John Daly Signature Championship course called Sevillano. The RV Park has 75 pull-through sites with sewer, water and power. We prefer to dry camp, tucked in between the big rigs for the night. The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians have created a real oasis for truckers and RV’ers and yes, they have a buffet.
If Rolling Hills does not fit into your itinerary, there are two options. Redding California, 103 km [61 mi] to the north, has a smaller casino called the Win-River Casino and a RV Park. The second option is the Colusa Casino Resort, 110 km [68 mi] north of Sacramento and 15 km [9 mi] east of I-5. Dry camping permitted in the north parking lot.
- Casino Four - Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino, Lemoore, California
Since the drive on I-5 from Corning to Bakersfield, California, is 622 km [387 mi], and it is necessary to pass through Sacramento and Stockton, the best option for the night is the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino at Lemoore. Lemoore is 510 km [317 mi] south of Corning or 153 km [95 mi] north of Bakersfield and is 40 km [25 mi] east of I-5. Tachi is a major resort with five restaurants, hotel, pool, spa, fitness room, convention centre and a full on-site casino. The hotel and casino are owned and operated by the Tachi-Yokkut Tribe, meaning the friendly people of the San Joaquin Valley. Look for the big rigs sign and spend the night in Lot Three. Not even going to mention their buffet!
- Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield, California is 33km [20 mi] east of I-5, but serves as the major highway junction for snowbirds. The only casino in Bakersfield, the Golden West Casino, is a card room for poker and you can stay at the Bakersfield RV Resort. From Bakersfield, highways head east, south or west.
- Lakeside Casino & RV Park
There are a couple options if your destination is east of Bakersfield. The first is to head east along the I-15 to Pahrump, NV, just one-hour drive east of the Las Vegas strip. It’s a 459 km [285 mi] trip to the Lakeside Casino & RV Park, which features 159 sites around a 7-acre lake with every conceivable amenity including a casino and offers the opportunity for a quick jaunt to Sin City.
- Laughlin Nevada to Parker, Arizona
Or you can cross the Mojave Desert to Needles, California, a 437 km [272 mi] trip across a barren but beautiful landscape. Thirty-three km north [20 mi] of Needles is the Avi Casino in Bullhead City, Nevada. They have an RV Park, golf course and other amenities including a nightclub. Laughlin, Nevada is only a few kms north, where the city now allows dry camping in the casino parking lots. For those who like more amenities, the Riverside Casino has a 740-site RV Park.
If you head south from Needles, pass through Lake Havasu City and arrive at the Blue Water Resort & Casino near Parker, Arizona [70 miles/110 km]. An enterprise of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, the Blue Water Resort & Casino amenities include rooms, wakeboard cable park, marina, amphitheater, arcade, movie theater, miniature golf, waterslide and a RV Park. Dry camping is very popular at this casino.
- Morango Casino Resort
If heading for the Palm Springs area, your next casino stop is the Morango Casino Resort at Cabazon, 28 km [17 mi] west of Palm Springs. Next to the casino is the Desert Hills-Cabazon Outlet Mall, featuring 137 high-end stores such as Saks Fifth Ave, Prada and Dior. The Morango allows dry camping in the east parking lot and provides a shuttle bus to/from the casino.
From Palm Springs, California and Parker, Arizona, you have arrived in snowbird country. Casino hopping is a nice way to travel for financial and security reasons. As an RV’er, your only responsibility is not to over stay your welcome and abuse the privileges while being a guest on casino property. As for the temptations of the casino, both the buffet and gaming, know your limits.