Biloxi/Gulfport MS Casino Camping

Before Katrina we made a few trips a year.  It is about 300 miles from home and makes a good three day trip.  DW pays the sin tax and I look at the stars and play with my sextant.

Campers and class 8 trucks were welcome in most of the overflow parking lots then.

We made the trip a few years after Katrina.  That trip we were in our car and planned to stay in a hotel.  Bad trip.  I swore I would never go back if it meant staying in a hotel.  I also noticed the campers and trucks were gone, as were the overflow lots.

DW wants to make the trip next month.  I agreed under condition we could take the 5th wheel.  But I get the impression the days of casino camping are over.  Campers are now expected to stay in the RV parks at $40-$60 a night.  Not for me.

Does anyone know of casinos in Biloxi/Gulfport that still allow overnighting in a camper?

Doug

You might want to check out the Silver Slipper. They have their own campground, not that expensive and shuttle service to the casino. Also right across the street from the beach. Out in the boonies also so very little light pollution.

http://www.boomtownbiloxi.com/
Check out Boomtown's web site. I saw their RV park a few months ago.

I see RV's in the Island View Casino parking lot in Gulfport all the time

Thank you all for your replies.  If Island View allows RV's then I will make them my first stop.  Gulfport is less hectic than Biloxi.

Boomtown price is $29/night through April, less than I expected for springtime.  The only pricing info I could find on Silver Slipper was a review stating it was around $30.  That's not bad either.

I also noticed Buccaneer State park near the Silver Slipper is $24.  Both are far enough out to escape the light pollution, making for some good telescope viewing.  For that I can pry open the wallet.

I will be calling them all as soon as we get dates.  I have jury duty next week - no telling how long that will last.

Doug

BILOXI UPDATE:

DW planned a trip to Biloxi last weekend with a girlfriend.  The friend had to cancel at the last minute and DW had already booked a room. I agreed to go provided I could load the car with my toys.

We stayed at the IP resort and got a nice room for free - well free if you don't count the stupidity tax that went into the slot machines.  IP, and apparently other casinos, give free rooms to gambling wastrels Sunday through Thursday in the off season.  But that is not what I came here to discuss.

There is a very large and well lighted gravel overflow lot directly across the road from the casino.  RV's are welcome.  Boomtown casino is just down the road and appeared to have an overflow lot as well.  So, bottom line, free RV parking is still plentiful in Biloxi. Unfortunately, it isn't on the beach.

The bad news (or good news, depending on your POV) is that virtually everything that was on the beachfront road before Katrina is gone.  Dining options are thus limited.  Casino food prices are obscene.  So pack your fridge before you get there.  You can even mooch off the Hotel's unsecured wifi.

I suggest doing a google earth before arrival.  IP and Boomtown are on back roads and you will get into trouble if you make a wrong turn in a big RV.

If you are budget traveling on interstate 10 this spot makes a great alternative to Walmart.

Doug

Addendum:  One important thing I forgot to mention is that the southbound exit to the casino does not have a southbound on ramp back to interstate 110.  So you can't get from the casino to the beach without going through the aforementioned back roads.  Again, a potential problem if you are in a big rig.

You could also consider gulf shores national seashore near Gulfport (name of campground is Davis Bayou) We loved it there. Water and electric no sewer but is a dump station. I think we paid around 11 bucks a night with sr/access pass.

Most casinos that have campgrounds will treat the site rates the same as they do their hotel room rates and provide a discount for players. If your wife is a player, make sure she uses her player card and then ask a host if you are eligible for a discount. If she is a big enough player, your site will be comped.

Buccaneer State Park is nice.