Tortoise Rock Casino - Twentynine Palms | Informal Campsite

April 18th, 2024 by Sibery73

Tel que dit précédemment, parking gratuit pour la nuit.
Il suffit de se présenter auprès de la sécurité à l’entrée, il Check la plaque d’immatriculation et une pièce d’identité.
Toilettes du casino accessibles même aux enfants.

December 10th, 2023 by itsallhappening.me

Parked at the casino after a day at Joshua Tree National Park. Casino was small and not busy at all. Bathrooms super clean. There were already 3 RV’s parked inside the north lot when I arrived. Checked in at the Cashier counter inside and asked for a parking pass. The guard showed up and walked outside to check out my van. Just the outside. Took down my info and gave me a tag for the windshield. Only stayed one night, but you can stay up to 72 hours. So easy peasy!

November 22nd, 2023 by Must Hike Must Eat

Conditions are the same as previous reviews, I stayed in my SUV. Like mentioned, it is smoky inside and just using the bathroom the odor stayed with me in the car for a while. Very nice staff and so close to JT north entrance. Beat my attempt at the BLM land on the other side.

September 21st, 2023 by Williroad

Very friendly welcome by the security agent who confirms what was written in previous visits.
Authorized access and locations provided for appointments after request (enter the Casino and request security if the agent is not outside.
We displayed our license on the windshield and stayed there for 2 nights.
First night parking in the left parking lot. We started the night alone, there were 4 vehicles in the morning.
Night cut short at 5 a.m. by the maintenance worker who was passing the blower in the parking lot while taking advantage of the freshness of the early morning.
Second night while observing the installations of a festive activity for Friday evening, we preferred to change places to test the parking lot on the right below. Good night apart from the noise of music in the distance all night (it is still a place of leisure!) very acceptable. Maintenance of the parking lot began at 7 a.m. We were the only vehicle for the night.
Big thank you to Tortoise Rock Casino for giving us the opportunity to settle down during our stay in Joshua Tree where the size of our vehicles did not allow us access to the Park's campgrounds (maximum 35 ft we are 37 ft + attached car therefore 51 ft).

Très sympathique accueil par l’agent de sécurité qui confirme ce qui a été écrit dans les visites précédentes.
Accès autorisé et emplacements prévus pour les RV après demande (rentrer dans le Casino et demande la sécurité si l’agent ne se trouve pas à l’extérieur.
Nous avons affiché notre permis sur le pare-brise et sommes restés 2 nuits sur place.
Première nuit stationnement dans le parking de gauche. Nous avons commencé la nuit seuls, nous étions 4 véhicules le matin.
Nuit écourtée à 5 heures du matin par l’agent d’entretien qui passait le souffleur sur le parking en profitant de la fraîcheur du petit matin.
Seconde nuit en observant les installations d’une activité festive pour le vendredi soir, nous avons préféré changer de place pour tester le parking de droite en bas. Bonne nuit hormis le bruit de la musique au loin toute la nuit (c’est tout de même un lieu de loisir !) très acceptable. L’entretien du parking a commencé à 7 heures. Nous étions le seul véhicule pour la nuit.
Grand merci au Tortoise Rock Casino de nous avons donné l’opportunité de nous poser pendant notre séjour à Joshua Tree où la taille de nos véhicules ne nous permettait pas l’accès aux campgrounds du Parc (maxi 35 ft nous faisons 37 ft + voiture attelée donc 51 ft ).

August 2nd, 2023 by ngt02usmc

I pulled up went inside have to talk to the security guard he came out got my plate number and asked for my name and date of birth and that was that gave me something to put in the window now I’m good

June 4th, 2023 by shane.lewis81

10/10 place to park. It's amazing that they do this for free! Just go in and ask a security guard for a RV/park pass - you will have to give your name, vehicle info, and license plate number - and then park in the designated areas. There were plenty of pretty level spots. I was getting wifi where I parked on the left side of the casino. The only downside is the streetlights, but that's what an eye mask is for. I would consider going inside to gamble, but they allow smoking, so it smells awful in there. I still smell it on me from being in there for 5 minutes.

May 27th, 2023 by bras.lorene

Great spot, security staff very friendly, just talk to them they will ask for a ID and check your car and then you just have to decide how much time you want to spend, 24, 48 and 72hours.
Very quiet, very safe and super flat but some spot better then other! Enjoy a bit of gambling at the same time! Great night!

April 19th, 2023 by janed9640

We spent one night here before visiting Joshua Tree National Park. As described by previously, you need to check in and the security guard was friendly and helpful. The bathrooms were clean and close by. There’s security patrol so it felt really safe. This place is at one of the entrances to the National Park and very convenient.

April 18th, 2023 by Lukas Wild

Great spot. As others described: just talk to Security, they will give you a permit. They designated another section of the parking lot for overnighting, close to the side exit of the casino, very convenient. Wifi however doesn't really reach any part of the lot, so don't count on it. Also, it can be quite windy, but it was alright.

April 15th, 2023 by irootswny

Friendly security. Checking in with them was easy. They circle the parking lot about every 15 minutes so it is really safe spot.
Spots down by the front are faintly level.
Hey, it is free, close to JT and safe. Can’t beat that!

April 4th, 2023 by skystarlite

sadly it’s hard to find dispersed camping on the north side of Joshua Tree. based on the comments we decided to stay here for a night. i’m not a fan of casinos at all, wouldn’t recommend going inside, as the place smells horrible. but we had a safe, flat spot to park our van for the night. checked in with security and got a parking pass. walked our dog on the sidewalk outside of the parking lot.

March 6th, 2023 by amyallan1997

Safe camping location after visiting Joshua tree. 24hr restroom access. Make sure to check in with security & they’ll give you a parking pass. Can be 1/2 or 3 nights free of charge.

March 6th, 2023 by sarah

Did what everyone else said… checked in with security, got a pass and parked for the night. Updated rules and map in pictures

February 11th, 2023 by jnshmn

The security team here is as wonderful and friendly as everyone has said.
It is early evening and there are 5 other camper vans here. Feels very safe and welcoming.
They are trying to restore tortoise habitat so please don’t enter the prohibited area to the east and if you see a tortoise in the parking lot, tell security.

February 10th, 2023 by tobiasdelabarra

Still good. Friendly staff. Wifi does not reach the RV parking area and no free water.

December 7th, 2022 by chayden7815

Stayed here two nights. Security people were fantastic. Go inside and ask them for a pass - 24/48/72 hours. Lights in the parking lot may bother some travelers but no big issue. Great place to rest after hiking all day in Joshua Tree

November 23rd, 2022 by pixel

Very friendly guy from the security team checked us in. Said water bottles can be taken vor free inside.

April 14th, 2022 by Jagna z bagna

Big casino parking, RV friendly, you have to register in casino your stay, no problem. We were there with 27ft long RV.

April 7th, 2022 by ma.choquette

Check in with security so they give you the permit. You can stay 24, 48 or 72 hours. Restrooms 24h inside the casino. Good spot!

February 27th, 2022 by rickrollintheusa

great spot. checked in with security and had no issues. bit of road noise but a nice spot close to the park

February 8th, 2022 by corinne.severn

Security can be found at the front entrance of the casino. They are wonderfully polite and accommodating. Very grateful for a place to park when it turned out my camp spot at Joshua Tree NP was too small.

January 17th, 2022 by intisolsticio

As described.
You register at the security, they give you a map with the 2 farthest lots allowed to sleep in, clean toilets 24H (no hot water but mild enough).

You’re allowed 72H in a row.
We did come back another extra night after that but with a night out in between, no problem.

There’s 2 precisions to make though:
- they have a rule so the vehicle has to be ready to sleep in (he said “modified enough”), either for security reasons or to avoid any random people to sleep in their cars. Got a modified van with pop top, so didn’t have any problems. They didn’t check anything for the first 3 nights but they did for the extra night BEFORE giving us the permission.
- 10 free dollars to play isn’t available anymore, they have a weird policy that they would give you back the money you loose the 1st day within 200-500 bucks range but it takes a couple of weeks to get it. Didn’t play.

Overall a great stop, slept perfectly, a little noise from vehicles coming and going but we’re not too fussy. Happy to have toilets 24H.

December 19th, 2021 by maiden.jade

This casino no longer gives out overnight passes because of renovations. Please call before heading there.

November 16th, 2021 by natedog211

Beware their is construction going on in the lot next to where they ask you to park. For that reason I was woken up super early!

May 25th, 2021 by SolInvictus

Nice, quiet, secure spot. Asked for one night. Pretty landscaping with a little shade. AT&T and Verizon both have service here.

April 21st, 2021 by trio3d

I walked in and asked the security for a parking pass for a couple of days. They give upto 72hrs parking pass. They will issue another pass once your first pass expires. They said on quieter days they don't care where trailers are parked, but they generally like them parked at the north west corner (inclined parking spots), or on the east parking lot (fairly even). I parked my 20' camper trailer on the east side lot. The security guys were friendly and helpful. They gave me a good intro to all facilities. Casino is open 24x7, and toilet facilities are available. Bar and Restaurant is open close to midnight.

March 11th, 2020 by instagram.com/roadtrippingballs

This place is great! Security is helpful and attentive. Pretty level spaces. We received $10 free play for signing up for club card. Decently priced drinks and some food items. Every Thursday they have a country band play. They do have complimentary beverage stations with soda and coffee as well. This is also so close to the North entrance. A really great place to wait out the rain before moving out to BLM.

February 8th, 2020 by me.mike.marie

Pros:
- VERY close to Joshua tree visitor centre and park entrance
- Easy to find
- Easy to check into with help of kind, welcoming staff
- Safe to stay overnight
- Don’t have to use casino
- Washrooms inside

Cons:
- Smoking inside building might give a non smoker an all night headache after registering with security and force you to change and shower afterwards.
- There are no level spots in the approved parking section.
- Music plays from the casino all night so you might wake up periodically to Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”
- Generally a loud place with people driving by loudly or otherwise doing things that aren’t conducive to sleep
- Even with all the blinds closed the light coming into the windows is very bright, like a small sun

January 5th, 2020 by joe

Great spot. Reasonably quiet. Be sure to check in with security as previously mentioned. They have bathrooms, soda fountain and coffee for free. Might not be a good spot for smaller vehicles, one of their questions was "Can you stand all the way up inside" my Sprinter.

November 11th, 2019 by phanie.arnoux

Tres bien pour 1 ou 3 nuits autorisé par la police qui vous enregistre et vous donne un ticket à mettre sur le par brise. Parking goudronné et tres bien sécurisé. Boisson gratuite à l'intérieur du casino.

October 6th, 2019 by theluvshk.com

Very secure and staff are friendly only note - we were told our leashes dogs are not allowed to walk at the property and parking lot. This might be not a good place for travellers with pets . but other then that thank you for a free night

June 8th, 2019 by michael.s.swenson

Free RV camping for 24, 48, or 72 hours. Permits issued by security staff. VERY nice people. Camping is in a designated area of the north east parking lot. Seems secure. Brightly lit at night. Blackout shades would be nice. Casino restrooms and all facilities are available. No RV hookups of any kind and they have a short list of common sense rules that they give you when you check-in. We pulled in very late (1 AM) on a Fri night/Sat morning (6/8/2019). The security guard walked to our rig as we were parking and took down our plates and vehicle description and asked for photo ID. Then gave us a permit we displayed in our window. We had a 35 ft 5th wheel and large pickup truck. Plenty of room. 2 other smaller rigs were already camped. As you pull in the East entrance of this small casino you can see any trailers parked in the far north east corner of the lot. This is the designated area for overnight camping. Good WiFi. Writing this from our trailer at this spot.

May 19th, 2019 by sa.otis

Easily accessible. Typically they only allow RVs to stay here-- but they let me stay in my non-RV Chevy Express van once I showed them that it's actually a handbuilt camper van with a bed/kitchen inside. Free to stay up to 3 nights. The security guards were very kind.

April 16th, 2019 by yugen903

Casino staff is friendly. The place isn’t too busy, the weekend fills up a bit. They allow 72 hours’ stay with permit obtained from casino security. Was able to extend my stay for another 3 days!

March 22nd, 2019 by VantasticAZ

Just a few miles outside the Twentynine Palms entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. The security guard was very nice and filled out a printed permit for me to put on the dashboard. He said to park in the northeast corner of the lot since it is quieter there. Very easy place for a quick overnight stop on the way in or out of the park.

March 15th, 2019 by lilycarey7

Good quiet place with a nice view. Just go inside and check in with security and you are good to go. Can stay up to three days.

November 10th, 2018 by corgi

Very good place to stay for up to 3 nights with the security permit from the casino, especially if all park campgrounds are full(first come first serve ended in 2017 for most campgrounds). Additional 3 days are feasible. Toilets are clean, Wifi available and pretty quiet for a casino parking lot. The lot on the east side is more quiet.

January 16th, 2018 by johanroos1961

Big parking lot near casino. You get a free permit from security for max 3 nights staying. Fast internet, restrooms and restaurant in casino. Very safe due security