Harrah's Cherokee Casino

report from Wayne E., September, 2008
Additional comments on the Harrah's Casino in Cherokee, NC. We camped there in September 2008 and in talking with Security we were told "If you're playing you're staying". I take it that means Security might ask you to move on if they notice you sitting outside tossing back a cold one every time they pass by your rig, which is frequently.
 
We were parked beside a couple that had come to play bingo for 5 days at the tribal bingo hall which is about a mile away and they were told by the bingo hall management that it was OK to stay in the casino lot. The casino is currently undergoing a major addition with a new tower being built and a doubling of the gaming area. This has pretty well doubled the walking distance to the casino. I would use the frequent shuttles to avoid the mud, dust, and traffic. The additions are not scheduled to be completed until 2010.
 
I think most people can cook something in their RV that tastes twice as good as any food I found at either the snack bar or buffet. Food is rather bland. Nothing exotic.  Nothing spicy.

report from Karen B, November, 2007
Follow the traffic circle around to the self parking lot on the left. RV parking is in the far left corner of the lot. There's one small sign that says: "Campers & Oversized Vehicles, No Overnight Camping Allowed"
 
We were confused by this sign but since we stayed overnight for five days and were joined each time by three or four other RVs and the security truck passed us on his rounds, we've concluded that the sign is marking the RV parking and that they just don't want anyone setting up camp although it seemed okay to have slide outs extended. We were able to pick up several WiFi signals if we parked near the sign.
 
It's an easy five minute walk to the casino and there are also shuttle stops close by. Shuttles run continuously.
 
The casino is large , all types of slot machines and many poker machines. The best poker machines that we found were 8/5 JOB. This casino used to have an unusual type of slot machine which required you to chose what you wanted to hold and then take an extra free spin. They only scored on the center line .Some of these are still in use but most of the slots are standard machines now.
 
The comps were pretty generous so we ate at the snack bar and also at the buffet. DO NOT eat at the snack bar. The seating area was filthy and the food was really bad. Everything that we had at the buffet, except for the desserts some of which were stale and tasteless, was very good. It was a lunch buffet so I think that the desserts were from the night before. For other food options, there's an IGA grocery store, a pancake house and a steak house right across the highway.
 
Comps are good for a variety of other things like the Museum of the Cherokee Indian (worth a visit) , Unto These Hills outdoor drama, gas, golf and even rafting trips.
 
(Editor's Note: This is a good example of a casino where the official policy is "No Camping" but overnight parking is allowed, or at least tolerated. Most RV travelers have encountered situations like this before -- I know we have several times. You have to "feel your way" through the situation. Many places will unofficially allow good customers to overnight, but if one troublemaker comes along everyone will probably get the boot.)