Border Inn Casino Review for RVers
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As a mermaid living full-time in my RV, the Border Inn Casino and RV Park is one of those unexpected treasures along the way.
Straddling the Utah-Nevada border, it’s a quirky, middle-of-nowhere spot that’s perfect for those who crave an off-the-beaten-path adventure.
It combines a retro casino vibe with the simplicity of desert RV life. While it’s not the glitzy Vegas experience, it’s all about charm, convenience, and unique roadside fun.
Bucket List Review of Border Inn Casino
For adventurers who want information fast!
Category | RV Stays |
Who Should Add This to Their Bucket List? | Travelers looking for a access to a more obscure national park |
Best Time to Go | Fall |
Traveling Difficulty | Easy |
Physical Difficulty | Easy |
Popularity Rating | 3/10 |
Group Tour Required | Reservation Recommended |
Budget | $$ |
Wheelchair Accessible | Yes, but you might have to go over dirt |
Book This Stay | Border Inn Casino |
If you need more information about the categories of this table, please check out the Bucket List Reviews guide.
Booking Border Inn Casino
You might need to call to get an RV spot, but you can find the Border Inn Casino on Booking.com 👉here.
Full Tour of Border Inn Casino
Things that Make Border Inn Casino Unique
It’s Right on the border…Literally
The fact that this inn literally sits on the border of two states is a unique bragging point.
You can dine or gamble in Nevada, grab some gas and supplies in Utah, and then walk back to your RV parked in Nevada—it’s a pretty cool bucket list checkmark.
In fact, we have a joke that Maggie, our dog, is very high maintenance because she has to go all the way to Utah to do her business and I have to walk all the way from Nevada to clean it up! 💩🤣
I do have to say – be careful if going to any timed events. You will be right at a time zone crossing. When going to the caves, we were confused what time it actually was!
It’s a great Spot if Headed Cross Country
If you are headed across the country with your RV, you might need a place to rest!
Luckily, here you don’t even have to unhook here. It is a nice place to rest your head for the night as you make your way down the “Loneliest Road in America”.
Personally, I would rather do this then awkwardly boondocking in a Walmart parking lot (or “wallydocking” as the enthusiasts call it).
Proximity to Great Basin National Park
This park is about a 15 minute drive to the entrance to Great Basin National Park.
As recommended, we drove and went hiking up Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive and made it to summit in about 40 minutes.
We were also a whooping 16 minutes from the infamous Lehman Caves.
Best Time to Go to Border Inn Casino
The best time to visit is early fall (September to October), when temperatures are more moderate.
Winters can get pretty chilly and desolate in this part of the country, and you’ll want to be able to comfortably enjoy the nearby national parks and scenic drives.
We went in the second to third week in October and I cannot recommend this enough! The fall leaves were AMAZING!
Plus, the temperature during the day did not exceed 80° F and it was pleasantly chilly during the night.
Read More – Fall Bucket List
Best Spots at Border Inn Casino
I got the idea quickly that it isn’t super regulated here.
In fact, the guy at the front desk gave me an absolute heart attack when I first came in and he just said, “Well, did you already check to see if any spots were available?”
I think the reservation system is pretty relaxed. And luckily, all spots are basically the same so it doesn’t really matter what spot you are in.
All of the spots are all full hookup and pull-through.
Overall REview of the Spots at Border in Casino
(3.5/5 Stars)
Very straightforward pull through spots and motel for RVers and travelers.
Views You Will Get at Border Inn Casino
Expect vast, panoramic desert landscapes during the day, with rugged mountains on the horizon.
To get an idea, we pulled our massive rig in here and said, “This is the true definition to the middle of nowhere“.
Seriously – the nearest town is Baker and it has a population of 21 people.
It is a very unique experience being out in the middle of nowhere with mountains looming in the distance. This makes for some great sunsets.
But the true magic happens at night—those stars! It’s one of the best places to witness the Milky Way, offering a serene experience of celestial beauty.
Head over to the visitor’s center of Great Basin National Park to get information on any astronomy programs happening during your stay.
Overall Review of Views at Border In Casino
(4/5 Stars)
Vast desert landscapes with mountains behind! I was pleasantly surprised.
Plus, it was so different than anything I had experienced before as an RVer.
Facilities at Border Inn Casino
Facilities include full hookups for RVs, restrooms, showers, laundry, and even a small convenience store for essentials.
Also included on this property is a gas station, motel, and casino.
There’s a diner inside the casino, so if you’re not up for cooking in your rig, that’s another bonus.
I don’t want to be dramatic, but the quesadilla was out of this world!
Overall Review of Facilities
(3/5 Stars)
Some amenities could use with some updating, but I’m just glad we had access to them in the first place!
Staff at Border Inn Casino
The staff here are friendly, in that laid-back, small-town kind of way.
They’re always happy to chat, and while you won’t get five-star service, you’ll feel well taken care of.
Plus, they’ve got some great tips for local sights and hidden gems.
We got to know the gentleman at the front desk, Joe, who also ran the bar. He was very nice!
Overall Review of Staff
(5/5 Stars)
I only spoke with Joe through our entire stay. He was very relaxed, friendly, and helpful! No complaints!
He even showed me to my site beforehand.
Is There Shade at Border Inn Casino?
Shade is pretty minimal, as you’d expect in the desert.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised to find that some sites have their own tree with shade…and it is actually beneficial.
While we can’t extend our awning out due to the tree, it provides some nice shade for most of the day.
Overall Review of Shade at Border Inn Casino
(3.5/5 Stars)
Very surprised that some spots had very nice shade options, considering it is in the middle of the desert!
Is Border Inn Casino Pet Friendly?
Yes, Border Inn Casino is pet-friendly!
Your furry companions are welcome, but keep in mind that the desert heat can be rough on pets, so be sure to take precautions during the hotter months.
Overall Review of Pets at Border InN Casino
(2.5/5 Stars)
They are allowed but the facilities are limited. Plus, it could get hot for the fur babies in the summer.
Is Border Inn Casino Big Rig Friendly?
Absolutely! Border Inn offers spacious pull-through sites with plenty of room for big rigs.
Navigating through the park is straightforward, so even larger RVs won’t have any issues.
In fact, we were driving from Moab and pretty tired. We let out a sigh of relief as this was one of the easiest pull through spots we had encountered.
It’s a very large parking lot and you simply pull on through. Be wary of potholes! There are quite a few in the dirt when pulling in and out.
Overall Review of Big Rigs in Border inn Casino
(4.5/5 Stars)
Lovely for big rigs. I only ding the rating slightly because there are some places near the motel that might be a little tight with big rigs if you accidentally turn that way.
However, if you stick to where you should, it is incredible! So easy!
Type of Hookup at Border Inn Casino
Border Inn offers full hookups, including water, sewer, and 30/50 amp electric hookups.
Our water did have a little leak, but the staff wasn’t too worried about it. 🤷♀️
They also had a simple picnic table at each spots.
This makes it an easy, comfortable stay for RVers looking to recharge after a day of exploring.
Overall Review of Hookups
(4/5 Stars)
Every spot has full hookups. I only give it 4 stars because our water was leaking.
Things to do Near Border Inn Casino
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is just a short drive away and is the main attraction point for Border Inn.
There are several activities to do here. Below are the ones that was recommended to us by the rangers.
Lehman Caves
Lehman Caves are limestone caves are filled with intricate formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and rare shield formations that make them truly unique.
Guided tours take you deep into this subterranean world, where the temperature stays cool year-round (around 52° F), making it a refreshing escape from the desert heat.
These caves baffle me though. This is because this place is so remote and out of the way. Yet, these caves are very popular. Reservations sell out far in advance.
You can check on the day at 8am, but when we tried, there were at least a dozen people waiting.
We managed to get a tour for the Gothic Palace, but that was it!
Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive
The Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive in Great Basin National Park is a breathtaking journey that takes you from the desert floor up to alpine heights.
Winding its way up to 10,000 feet, this 12-mile drive offers incredible panoramic views of rugged mountain peaks, ancient bristlecone pine forests, and sweeping valleys below.
Along the way, you’ll find pull-offs perfect for photo ops and trailheads leading to some of the park’s best hikes.
Again, this is popular. The last part of the road was completely shut down, forcing everyone to park in the 22 spot parking lot at the Wheeler Peak Trailhead.
We arrived around 6:45am just to get a spot. Luckily, doing this scenic drive during sunrise was an experience in itself!
Hiking
There is some incredible hiking in this area! I personally spent about 9 miles going through all of the alpine lakes, glaciers, and bristlecone pine at the top of the hiking area on Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive.
At one point, I was trekking in a sea of yellow Aspens. I was a happy hiker…to say the least.
If you are wondering what hike I did…
- I started at the Wheeler Peak Trailhead (since the road was closed down below)
- I then went around the loop to Stella Lake on the Alpine Lakes Loop
- From the loop, I took a detour to the Bristlecone Pines Trail and then another mile to the Glacier Trail.
- I then finished the Alpine Loop and went back on the Wheeler Peak Trail to return to the parking lot.
If you decide to do anything, I would definitely consider finding some Bristlecone Pine tress. These trees are unique to the area, extremely old, and very fun to look at.
Baker Archeological Site
The Baker Archaeological Site offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the ancient Fremont people who lived in the area over 1,000 years ago.
This partially excavated site reveals the remains of pithouses, storage structures, and artifacts, giving visitors insight into the community’s daily life, agriculture, and trade.
Interpretive signs and trails guide you through the site, making it an easy and educational stop for history enthusiasts and curious travelers.
As luck would have it, I ended up doing a yogi sound bath here that was surreal!
Room for Improvement at Border Inn Casino
While Border Inn delivers a unique experience, the casino area could use a little updating, as it feels a bit worn.
Honestly, this is a “no-frills” destination to simply rest your head and venture into Great Basin National Park.
There isn’t much here and that’s what I was expecting.
If you are expecting a fancy RV resort, I would suggest passing this one by.
Would I Recommend Border Inn Casino?
I would recommend this RV destination to anyone with a love for quirky roadside stops, starry desert skies, and a mix of adventure and relaxation.
It’s not a luxury destination, but it’s got personality and a great location for nature lovers and gamblers alike.
Add this to your bucket list if you’re cruising through the Utah-Nevada borderlands!
More Travel Resources
Adventure Bucket List Resources
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