Casino/Offroad Overnight Boondocking - I8

[nunyadamn]

I am headed from Phoenix to San Diego. I want to get out of town in the afternoon on a Saturday and get about half way. I have been looking at google maps and have placed stars on some of the spots I am looking at. I hope the map works from the link.

How safe are casino parking lots? I assume they will have security rolling around. Do you think the parking lot will get too loud with trucks coming and going? I figure I will get the farthest away from everyone that I can - maybe find some dirt way out in the corner away from lights and noise.

I have selected some places off the highway that just have some dirt that the google car got close to so I could look at the terrain. I will just be there overnight until early morning, so I assume I can just keep the doors locked and should be fine. These places are in the desert near nothing and I would be able to see and hear someone headed toward me.

I thought about finding a small campground, but I don't want to pay for a 6-8 hour stay for no reason.

I am looking for spots off the I8 preferably between Yuma and the base of the mountains - that way I can wake up early and head over the mountains.

http://goo.gl/maps/nwVYb

[Seann45]

Most casino's have designated RV parking and I have not heard of any problems yet. I always go in and get a players card then ask at the front desk if it is OK to park.. Heck just getting the players card could get you a comped or reduced rate meal..

[Seann45]

ps Nice casino just W of Yuma with RV parking.. on the road to Algodones MX right off of I-8

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by Seann45

Most casino's have designated RV parking and I have not heard of any problems yet. I always go in and get a players card then ask at the front desk if it is OK to park.. Heck just getting the players card could get you a comped or reduced rate meal..

X2 and the bathrooms are clean and they always have free coffee and soda 24/7. Plenty of food to choose from and the bar area has TVs and if it's raining you can hangout all you want.

[Flyrotor]

Yep, I've stayed in casino parking lots a few times, you should be fine

[wags999]

Some allow it some don't. Often it is up to local town laws, same as Wal Mart. I would ask rather than just assume. It is only about 300 miles from Phoenix, to San Diego, about 5 hours driving time, perhaps tad more depending on your speed. All 4 lane divided roads, speed limit in Az is 75 think it's 65 in Ca.

[Seann45]

wags999.. he is taking his trailer that means at best he should not go over 65 as that is what ST tires are rated for.. and in California towing a trailer you are limited to 55.

[Tunce the traveler]

Originally Posted by Seann45

wags999.. he is taking his trailer that means at best he should not go over 65 as that is what ST tires are rated for.. and in California towing a trailer you are limited to 55.

X2

[slabat]

I would make the trip in one day also. However, if you are going to stop at a casino I have seen trailers in the parking lots.

[wags999]

Originally Posted by Seann45

wags999.. he is taking his trailer that means at best he should not go over 65 as that is what ST tires are rated for.. and in California towing a trailer you are limited to 55.

Point I was trying to make, was, even at 65/55 it is a 6 hour drive, and a very easy drive mostly in rural areas with limited traffic. Was not sure if they were aware of how easy this drive was.

[maromeo]

Paradise Casino is off of I-8. Cocopah Casino is south of I-8, a bit out of your way. Paradise does have RV parking but it is only limited to 1 night. The Wal mart in Yuma does not allow you to park overnight. I would stay at a casino over some of the lone pull off roads on the way to San Diego. We stopped at one of the pull off roads because DD had to use the restroom. It looked like a coyote drop, clothes, trash, water bottles, backpacks and food was left all around. It was very uncomfortable. We hurried and headed out. I wouldn't recommend it. Enjoy your trip.

[nunyadamn]

I have made the trip plenty of times, but I am leaving late after work and my campground reservation isn't until the next day, so I just want to get to the bottom of the hill this time.

[nunyadamn]

Originally Posted by nunyadamn

I am headed from Phoenix to San Diego. I want to get out of town in the afternoon on a Saturday and get about half way. I have been looking at google maps and have placed stars on some of the spots I am looking at. I hope the map works from the link.

How safe are casino parking lots? I assume they will have security rolling around. Do you think the parking lot will get too loud with trucks coming and going? I figure I will get the farthest away from everyone that I can - maybe find some dirt way out in the corner away from lights and noise.

I have selected some places off the highway that just have some dirt that the google car got close to so I could look at the terrain. I will just be there overnight until early morning, so I assume I can just keep the doors locked and should be fine. These places are in the desert near nothing and I would be able to see and hear someone headed toward me.

I thought about finding a small campground, but I don't want to pay for a 6-8 hour stay for no reason.

I am looking for spots off the I8 preferably between Yuma and the base of the mountains - that way I can wake up early and head over the mountains.

http://goo.gl/maps/nwVYb

I was able to load the link last night when I got home from another computer - I guess no one but myself can see the stars that I put on from google maps. Here are the locations I am looking at -

32.739061, -114.720109
32.733186, -114.611769
32.789953, -115.882460
32.725185, -115.993889
32.730577, -113.746370
32.732003, -113.731157
32.755069, -113.738540

[maromeo]

There is a casino with Travel Center in Campo, CA on I-8. Yes there are trucks there but they have RV parking. At least you will be past Yuma, AZ.

Travel Center | Travel Center

We use the casino parking quite a bit while in transit. We never had any issues. Sometimes if the have an RV Park, we have used it. Cost was about $17. We also had one who charged $5 for power to run your A/C. It was well worth it in the summer in the Midwest.

Hope this helps.

[nunyadamn]

Originally Posted by maromeo

There is a casino with Travel Center in Campo, CA on I-8. Yes there are trucks there but they have RV parking. At least you will be past Yuma, AZ.

Travel Center | Travel Center

We use the casino parking quite a bit while in transit. We never had any issues. Sometimes if the have an RV Park, we have used it. Cost was about $17. We also had one who charged $5 for power to run your A/C. It was well worth it in the summer in the Midwest.

Hope this helps.

I looked at that one, but it is at 4000ft up the mountain. I think I will probably stop at a casino before the mountain. It all depends on how I feel after working all day. I am not set on how far I need to get, anything is better than nothing. I just hate making the trip to CA in one long stretch if I don't have to. This time I don't have to.