Kansas Crossing Casino Camping
Curious about casino camping? Here’s what it’s really like, and how to make your first stay smooth and stress-free.
🚍 Boondocking at Kansas Crossing Casino: What RV Travelers Should Know
Our first stop heading south, and one unforgettable Halloween eve!
As full-time RVers, we’ve parked in just about every kind of overnight spot you can imagine, campgrounds, fairgrounds, Harvest Hosts, rest areas, and even the occasional Walmart.
But one of the most underrated overnight options we’ve discovered is casino camping, yes, boondocking in a casino parking lot.
Our first stop on the way back to Florida was the Kansas Crossing Casino in Pittsburgh, Kansas, a perfect reminder that sometimes, the best RV stays aren’t planned… they’re parked.
🎰 What Is Casino Camping?
If you’ve never tried casino camping, here’s the rundown: Many casinos across the U.S. allow free overnight RV parking. Some have designated RV spaces or even hookups, while others simply welcome RVers to park in their lots for a night or two in exchange for a little goodwill, and maybe a few dollars spent inside.
It’s basically boondocking with perks, safe, paved, and patrolled, with food and entertainment just steps away. For full-time travelers, that’s a winning combination.
🌾 Why We Stopped at Kansas Crossing
We left Howard, Kansas, that morning with no big agenda. It’s only about 110 miles to Pittsburgh, but we’ve learned to keep our travel days around 200 miles or less. Anything more and we start to feel rushed.
These days, we’re lollygaggers. We like our mornings slow, coffee first, travel later.
The second leg of this route would take us about 130 miles into Branson, but we knew we wanted to arrive early, around 2 p.m., because we had tickets for Dolly Parton’s Stampede that night.
And if you’ve driven through the Ozarks before, you know traffic and construction can turn a simple drive into a scenic but slow-moving adventure.
So, Pittsburgh was the perfect halfway stop, just far enough to stretch our wheels but close enough to take it easy.
📞 Always Call Ahead
One of the biggest lessons in casino camping is this: always call ahead.
Policies change, events happen, and lots can be temporarily blocked off. At Kansas Crossing, they have a huge gravel area perfect for RVs, but when we arrived, it was roped off.
Thankfully, the security guard (whom we eventually saw later that night) had told others before to park along the back edge of the main paved lot, so we followed suit.
A quick phone call or check-in with security can save a whole lot of confusion (and some awkward U-turns).
🌄 The Arrival
We pulled in just before sunset and were greeted by that wide Kansas sky—golden light fading to lavender, and… no other RVs in sight. Just us.
The lot was nearly empty except for a few cars closer to the casino entrance. We found a level spot, walked Harley, and got settled for the evening.
The air was cool, the neon lights glowed, and the smell of fried food drifted through the breeze.
Tim stayed back in the RV with Harley, while I decided to wander inside and try my luck at the slots.
🧙🏻♀️ Halloween Eve Vibes
Now, this stop technically came before our Holly Jolly RV Christmas Trail really began—because there was absolutely nothing jolly about it.
It was October 30th, and the casino was all in on Halloween. Cobwebs, candy bowls, people in costumes, the whole spooky shebang.
Meanwhile, I was already in full Christmas mode, ready for twinkle lights and peppermint mochas. 🎄
So yeah… everyone else was just being “normal,” celebrating Halloween on Halloween—but to me, it felt a little weird. (Weird in a cute way, of course.)
I told Tim later, “These people are weird, they’re celebrating Halloween for Halloween instead of Christmas on Halloween!”
He just laughed. RV life does that to you; you start living a few holidays ahead and ready for our Holly Jolly Christmas Trail.
💳 Inside the Casino
I signed up for a players card, and the staff couldn’t have been nicer. The bonus? They loaded me up with $14 in free promotional play.
Kansas Crossing Casino has that friendly, small-town feel…big enough to be entertaining but not overwhelming. I picked a machine that looked “lucky” (my version of strategy) and settled in for about an hour.
No jackpot, but that $14 lasted longer than expected, and I walked out with a smile. Sometimes breaking even is the win.
The restaurant smelled incredible, burgers, fried chicken, and comfort food galore, but since Tim and Harley were cozy in the RV, I skipped dinner and grabbed a quick coffee for the road back.
🦺 Safety and Security
One thing I always appreciate about casino camping is how safe it usually feels. Most casinos have 24-hour surveillance and active patrols, which makes overnighting here far less stressful than a random rest stop.
Kansas Crossing was quiet, almost too quiet. We didn’t see security until the middle of the night, when the casino closed for cleaning from about 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.
They made a few slow rounds through the lot, shining a light toward the back row but otherwise leaving everyone alone.
Even without other RVs nearby, we felt fine, just a little extra aware since it was such a wide-open space. If you’re someone who prefers company when you overnight, this is worth noting.
By morning, the lot was still peaceful, and the sunrise was pure Kansas gold.
👍 Casino Camping Etiquette
If you’re new to casino stays, here’s a quick etiquette refresher:
- Call ahead or ask permission. Always confirm that overnight RV parking is still allowed.
- Stay travel-ready. Avoid setting up slides, chairs, or grills unless told otherwise.
- Support the casino. Eat, play, or grab a drink—it’s a fair trade for a free stay.
- Keep it short. Most casinos limit stays to 24–48 hours.
- Leave it spotless. Respect the property so RVers stay welcome.
Simple rules, big difference.
💚 Why We Love Casino Camping
We love variety in our stays, sometimes it’s boondocking in the wild, sometimes it’s a resort with full hookups, but casino camping hits that sweet spot between free and easy.
You get:
✅ Free, level parking
✅ Security and lighting (eventually!)
✅ A place to stretch your legs or play a few slots
✅ No reservations or check-in times
For full-timers, it’s one of those travel hacks that just makes life on the road smoother.
📍 Kansas Crossing Casino Snapshot
- Location: 1275 S. Highway 69, Pittsburg, KS
- Stay Type: Free overnight boondocking (no hookups)
- Stay Limit: 24 hours (confirm with security)
- Amenities: Casino, restaurant, restrooms inside during open hours
- Pet Policy: Dogs allowed outside only
- Noise Level: Quiet after midnight
- Safety: Security patrols occur when the casino closes (4–8 a.m.)
- Note: The large gravel lot may be roped off, so check in with security for alternate parking instructions.
- Website: https://kansascrossingcasino.com/
🌅 The Morning After
We woke up to that calm Kansas sunrise, Harley stretching, coffee brewing, and the hum of morning traffic starting up again. It was peaceful, one of those simple RV mornings that make you grateful for the lifestyle.
It was also our first night boondocking with our new lithium batteries, and the temperature dropped to around 35 degrees overnight. So stay tuned to see how that went. 😉
We took our time packing up (lollygagging is our superpower these days), then hit the road toward Branson. The drive was around 130 miles, and we wanted to get there early so we could relax before Dolly Parton’s Stampede dinner show that night.
No rush, no stress, just slow travel at its best.
🛜 Internet
As you can see by the screenshots below, the internet connections weren’t that great. But then again..We are in Southeast Kansas.
🗝️ Key Takeaways
- Casino camping is an awesome free overnight option for RVers.
- Always call ahead—lots may be closed or roped off.
- Kansas Crossing Casino is RV-friendly, though you might be the only one there.
- Security patrols, but mainly overnight when the casino closes (4–8 a.m.).
- You might even get free slot play when you sign up for a player’s card.
- Keep your travel days short and your mornings easy, it’s the RV way.
- And remember, it’s okay to be the “weird” one already celebrating Christmas on Halloween.
The Bottom Line:
Casino camping is one of those hidden gems of RV life, free, easy, and full of stories. Whether it’s Halloween weirdness or holiday cheer, you never quite know what you’ll find. But that’s part of the fun of this lifestyle: every stop, every lot, every little adventure adds to the journey.
And next time? We’ll see just how those new lithium batteries hold up in 35-degree weather. Stay tuned.
🚐 Coming Up Next on the Road
❄️ Cold-Weather Boondocking with Lithium Batteries
It hit 35 degrees on our first night boondocking with the new lithium setup, and let’s just say, it was a real-world test. Did we stay warm? Did the batteries hold up? And what would we do differently next time?
🎄 The Holly Jolly RV Christmas Trail: Branson Kickoff
From the quiet Kansas plains to a city that practically becomes Christmas, next stop, Branson, Missouri! We’ll dive into twinkling lights, classic shows, and the perfect way to kick off the holiday season on the road.
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