Casino Parking Lot Boondocking - a Safer Option

[Foto-n-T]

One of the risks of having guns in an RV.

One of the factors of gun ownership/possession is responsibility.  By leaving that gun unsecured in his rig he opened himself up to having it used against him.  He stated that he could not/did not take it with him because he was going to the airport.  In that case it should have been in a LOCKED box or portable fire safe.  This would NOT have precluded it being stolen but is would have prevented it from being pointed at him.  I won't comment on his decision to enter the rig because I wasn't there.

I recently read a comment that stated that the average response time for a 911 call is 23 minutes.  The response time for a .357 is 1,400 feet per second.

 

[eliallen]

One of the factors of gun ownership/possession is responsibility. 

This I agree with, recent incidents shows not every one is responsible.... Man shoots his penis, man with a carry permit drops gun in theater shoots self in butt. Woman shoots (killed) husband, she thought he was an intruder.  My guns are in a locked  box, and feel no need to carry then in the RV.

 

[slackercruster]

Any updates on this thread?

I have a truck camper. Can the TC's sneak by some of the parking lot prohibitions?

I like the bear spray idea. I don't have a gun, but I would like some protection. Have any of you had problems while in Vegas with crime?

I'd like to stay somewhat near the action. The motel rooms sound cheap enough if urban boondocking is a problem.

 

[Foto-n-T]

We have had out truck broken into in Vegas yes.  Urban boondocking in Vegas is not something I would ever do and I carry concealed at all times.  Don't put yourself into a situation which you might regret later.

If you want to be close to the action Circus Circus has a KOA campground on property.  We've stayed there and I can tell you it's not your typical family getaway destination, it gives new meaning to the term "Kamping On Asphalt."

 

[Campfire RV]

We have had out truck broken into in Vegas yes.  Urban boondocking in Vegas is not something I would ever do and I carry concealed at all times.  Don't put yourself into a situation which you might regret later.

If you want to be close to the action Circus Circus has a KOA campground on property.  We've stayed there and I can tell you it's not your typical family getaway destination, it gives new meaning to the term "Kamping On Asphalt."

What was your experience when you stayed at the Circus Circus KOA? We are considering staying there in November for a couple nights because we have some family flying in from New York and I would rather have the RV for more room to hold everyone more comfortably rather than renting a van.

 

[TonyDtorch]

wow,

this little R/V journey started out at  Boondocking, went to Gambling/Lottery, drove by Morality, on to Gun Control, stopped at Chemistry, passed through Politics and then broke down in Race...good see it's headed back to Boondocking again.

the best part about R/Ving is all the characters you meet.....what a fun trip,
Thanks.

 

[Mopar1973Man]

I got a Fire Dept training I'm heading off to. I'll have the best boondocking spot I'll be parked the back lot of the Fire Station. Doesn't get any better than that...  8)

 

[ndaugbjerg]

Nice try Paul, but as tempting as it is, I'm not going to take your bait.
Niels

 

[TonyDtorch]

After seeing many of the  "people of Walmart" pics
I'm positive I do not want to overnight where these people shop.

I'd much rather overnight at in a (good...I.E. Las Vegas or Reno ) casino parking lot.
(Not to mention  the fun I have at the black jack tables, free drinks and the great buffets)

I know the larger casinos, (being a 24/7 bank) take security very seriously, and in the money business, security is "Job 1".
I have to think that security covers the parking lot.

When you arrive, check in with the casino under the pretense of patronizing their establishment,
I believe they will do everything they can to make your stay enjoyable.

The L/V metro police also take the protection of the tourist revenue very seriously.

and, all Casinos are not created equally, as for the smaller Indian casinos scattered across the country , many of them are sketchy (and I think I saw some of the their employees on the "people of Walmart" videos)  ;D

 

[John From Detroit]

I have stayed in Vegas at

Circus Circus KOA.. No problems, As someone said Kamping on Asphault (Actually it's not, it's something else, but it works out the same) Price was typical of KOA (Bit high) WIFI was, I think free though. but limited..  The big draw is you are ON the strip.

I've stayed at Main St Casion..I do not know if they still have an RV lot though.. Like the KOA you would be "Kamping on Asphault" but the cost is like 1/2 the KOA (Way lower)  This park is in a bad area, if you return to your RV on foot at night Security escorts you (nice security folks) It is noisy being next to an elevated free off ramp, the Fire Dept and the centeral bus station for the Public Transit busses.. Still. Walking distance to Freemont Street is a good thing.

Oasis.. Sites vary,, The best ones are very nice pull through type. or you an get lower cost back in or nose to tail. (Two rigs one long site)  Pricy on the good sites thoug.  This is a very nice park.

Covered Wagon (On Bolder) Did not stay there, they pissed me off, have been told I made a good decision to park elsewhere.

I think it was cvalled "Hidden Village" 2 doors south of Thousand Trails on Bolder, I also think it's gone now.  Nice park but level... Not very.

Thousand Trails.. Membership park, This used to be a mobile home park, so you have a very thin layer of soil on top of.. You guessed it.. Asphault.  Tight sites,, but the price was right since I'm a member.

 

[Foto-n-T]

I'm not a fan of Circus Circus KOA personally.  It's noisy and expensive but the people are nice.  We stayed there simply because out oldest daughter was living in Vegas and we couldn't boondock in her driveway because of our length and HOA rules.

As far as security in casino parking lots, don't kid yourself.  The casinos do take security very seriously but the thieves are good too.  Our truck was in a casino parking lot on the strip parked right under a light when it got broken into.  Metro WILL NOT respond to a vehicle break in, we had to go to the nearest substation that was about five miles away to stand in line for an hour to file a report so we could have the info for our insurance.

 

[Jeff]

Sam's Town in Henderson has a nice cg that is still priced in the 20's that is as close to the center of the strip as being down at the Oasis. They also run shuttles to their other properties on the strip.

 

[Icemaker]

My one & only time staying on a casino lot was in, if I remember correctly, Lincoln Oregon  and my toad got clipped by a class C who had had too much happy juice and tried to park where he shouldn't have..
Local law were nice but couldn't charge him on casino property..casino security tried to find it on the tapes but that lot wasn't covered well where the RV's were parked...we both had/have State Farm and some how I ended up having to pay the deductible even w/a police report in my favor...sigh..
That being said I would stay in casino lots again..well lit and patrolled regularly ..
I also prefer smallish CG's to the big ones too..

George

 

[SeilerBird]

  Is saving $30 really worth the additional risk?

I have overnighted in a Walmart parking lot hundreds of times in the last ten years. I have never had anything remotely resembling a security problem. So $30 times hundreds of nights equals thousands of dollars. Yes it is worth it. I have never seen anything to show that campgrounds and RV parks are safer than Walmart.

 

[Bob Buchanan]

    Having parked on Casino lots a number of times - there is one basic rule to follow regarding theft. When you go to bed at night, anything that is not inside or tied down may not be there in the AM. The lots I stay in are patrolled but they just take your items between patrol rounds.

Most cables I see are jokes to the thieves, especially the serious ones. They carry cable cutters that go through most cables I see like hot butter. Some have hydraulic breakers that pry the U-shaped bike locks apart very easily. In Laughlin last spring a neighbor of mine had their 2000 Honda stolen by a fellow in the rig parked next to her the night before. He got up early, snipped the less than 1/4" cable and was gone before sun up. He also took her gas can. Can't run a stolen genny without gas. 

However, if this basic rule if followed, Casino parking lots can save lots of RV parking fees - and I do it whenever the opportunity arises. My biggest loss ever was a new Giant bike while parked in a well lit RV park, whereas the most I've lost boondocking anywhere was a worthless old lawn chair and a 2 gallon gas can.

 

[Lou Schneider]

Last April I went to Las Vegas for a week long trade show, and I found I could get a nice room in the Circus Circus tower overlooking the KOA for about half as much as parking the motorhome there.

That, along with the fuel savings by driving the 40 MPG toad vs. the 7 MPG motorhome + toad meant the RV stayed home that time.

 

[bucks2]

Some cities like Reno no longer allow dry camping or RV parking in casino parking lots or any parking lot so if we are out that way we just keep on going because the parks in that area are way over priced and a long way form the casinos.
Denny
 

Really? I just spent a week at the Grand Sierra Reno in a 50 amp pull thru for $141. Easy walking distance to the casino and all the other amenities.

As a side note it looks like they will be one of the RV parks for the annual Amazon fulfillment center migration this year.

Ken

 

[inscop]

Society, whether polite or violent, is not a problem for me.  Whenever I am in the RV, Mr. Walther is right there with me.  If I am in the middle of the woods and someone is trying to get inside, who are you going to call, the camp host?  The nearest cop is on patrol on the other side of the county.  Mr. Walther is right there in my hot little hand.  Besides, there is no cell phone service where you are.  Of course, it is okay to be unarmed.  Just scream out the window and three or four polite and responsible campers will show up with firearms.

My wife works in a pharmacy and weapons are strictly prohibited.  Before I got her the large industrial strength can of pepper spray, I sent her to work with a can of wasp spray.  It shoots a stream about 20 feet in distance and I guarantee you do not want to get a face full of that stuff.  It also works on wasps.

 

[dabrooks]

If you like Casinos you don't have to boondock at Tunia Miss. We stayed at Sams Town and Hollywood Casino RV parks. They were both very nice. $12.00 a night at Sams Town and $25.00 at Hollywood. I took my casino card when I checked out at Hollywood and they comped my 3 night stay. Also at Hollywood you can walk to the golf course.

 

[jstrubberg]

One thing you need to be aware of when urban boondocking is that more and more municipalities are passing ordinances against "overnight parking".  Even if Wal Mart or the casino says it's OK, you can get a ticket if a grumpy L.E.O. come around in the middle of the night.

There is an app out now for both iphones and android phones that shows what Wal Marts around the continental US allow overnight parking.  It's put out by AllStays, LLC and is called "WalMart Overnight Parking Locator".