Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Arrived just after 7 p.m. it was dark. Signs at the front of the dirt lot say no overnight parking or camping. I called the Casino they said you can stay one night if you use the facilities but park in the large rear lot. I've stayed here a couple of nights before and this was the first time where there were no other RVs or vans just two trucks.

When I visit this area to see my healthcare team and shop this is very convenient. Limited shopping in Quartzsite where I stayed a few months, so stopped here for errands on my way to Mexico. Yea, it’s dirt, nothing fancy, but RV parks in this area are expensive and not worth it if you’re just passing thru and don’t need the amenities. I appreciate not having lights blazing overhead and trucks running engines like at some rest areas or truck stops. Yes, you can hear the highway and trains but it’s sort of white noise.
Easy on off the highway. Level. Good cell service. Just don’t leave things outside as rumor has it there are thieves around.

We ended up staying longer so we could have some mobile service maintenance done. Staff is friendly. We utilized their shuttle at night to go into the casino. POM restaurant is really good for all meals. The shuttle drivers did suggest that it is better to park closer to the paved lot and not at the very far end by yourself just for security. We never had any concerns. We had slide out. Some had jacks down. It can be extremely windy with dust storms

The gravel lot northwest of the casino is open to RVers again. The casino asks that you pass over the paved lot and park on the gravel. At times, there may be 50 or more rigs parked in the lot. Other times, there are only a few.

PROS
- It’s free. There is no charge and no Players Club sign-up required to spend the night.
- There seems to be no limit on the number of days you can spend. We have seen many vehicles/rigs there for weeks at a time with their awnings, chairs, and grills out.
- There are free trash receptacles.
- There are no overhead lights in the parking lot so you are able to see the stars.
- The casino is large and luxurious. They offer free live music most nights.
- The restaurants in the casino are worth trying. The pizza place at the top of the escalator in the casino is really good. They have a wood-fired pizza oven and make a great-tasing calzone large enough for 2-3 people.
- Big rigs park side by side on the gravel just beyond the paved lot so there is plenty of room beyond them to avoid their noise.
- The gravel lot is large and level and can easily accommodate many rigs.

CONS
- There are no hookups, no dump station, and no water available.
- Blowing sand can be a problem on windy days but that can be said for most of the Coachella Valley. However, even when there is no wind, I recommend closing all windows if you will be away for more than a few minutes because the wind can pick up without notice and you could come back to a camper filled with dirt/dust.
- There are a large number of homeless in the area. Many sleep and make camp in the nearby desert and in the tamarisk trees next to the freeway. This is not necessarily a problem but be aware. You may not notice them because they try to stay out of sight.
- Theft can be a problem. I would recommend bringing anything of value inside your rig at night, if possible — unless it can secured by something that bolt cutters cannot cut through.
- There is some noise from the freeway but it is somewhat quieter at night.
- There are no overhead lights in the lot. This is actually a pro if you enjoy stargazing.

NEARBY
- There is a $10 Dump Station 1 mile away at Love’s Truck Stop. Take the freeway East to the next exit (Dillon Rd) and turn left. There is water available but it may or may not be potable. Every employee gives a different answer. Note that you pull up to the dump station but must back out to leave.
- There is a FREE Dump Station normally open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm at the Valley Sanitary District. It is located 2 miles away at 45500 Van Buren Street in Indio. NOTE: Due to the pandemic, the Dump Station is closed at this time (November 2020) but, hopefully, it will open up again soon.
- Walmart Supercenter is 3.5 miles west on the freeway at the Monroe St Exit. If you need groceries or require a fully-lighted, paved parking lot, you may want to go there.

IMPORTANT INFO
- Our cat was outside on leash this morning. I was standing in the doorway and he was laying down on the sand about 8’ away. A very large crow swooped down and tried to carry the cat away. I screamed an ran toward it and he cawed back at me. He hovered low to the ground about 15’ away as I yelled and threw rocks at it. Beware! Our cat weighs 12lbs but that was no deterrent to the crow.
- There are many coyotes in the area. They jump 6’ block walls into people’s back yards and grab small dogs before jumping back out over the wall. Do not leave small animals unattended. We live nearby and several neighbors have told us about losing their small dogs to coyotes in this way — even in their presence.