Thunder Valley Casino

While searching for an overnight boondocking location for our 40ft coach (+toad) we were shocked to find this Casino gem and our first contribution to campendium! The paved and lighted parking lot is huge with plenty of room for parking. The lot is across the street from the casino, don't make the mistake we did and pull into the regular parking by the casino as all rv and semi truck parking is across the street. We planned to just overnight but stayed 2 nights, during our stay the semi trucks were on the other side of the lot and noise was never an issue, the nearest rv to us was 200+ ft away. Up to 3 nights free, overnight stays need to check in with security at the casino but was very easy and security was very friendly. The casino is huge and lots of food options including a buffet, steak house, pizza etc. Free slot play and food discounts if you register for their players club. Roaming security was nice, cell coverage great, digital TV reception 50+, only con was a train goes by the east side now and then and no water or hook ups available. We would and probably will stay here again when in the area.
Cheers! OurEndeavor

Saw a review recently recommending this locale. The parking lot is just across the street from the casino. You must check in with security, for a parking pass. Security will shuttle you to/from the Casino, which is nice, although it’s less than 1/4 mile away. (Good to walk off the casino buffet 😉). A little noisy due to a gravel plant in the vicinity, but it stopped early enough. An occasional train goes by, but not too often. You may stay here up to 3 nights, and there is plenty of parking, so you’re not right on top of each other.

We read about this spot & viewed it on Google Maps, so expected the large, open, well lit, safe lot that we found when we arrived on a Tuesday night in July. What we didn't expect was that there was really no way to get a quiet spot. In our case, we could either be by other RV's toward the middle of the lot, many of them running generators (we don't run our gen at night), toward the semis with their motors idling, or toward the back of the lot, near the biomass power plant. We chose the back, near the power plant, as the least of the evils, because it was darker. When we parked, it was quiet, but then a tractor worked from about 1am on in the power plant area, with a very loud backup beep-beep-beep that went off every minute or so. He/she was just doing his/her job, so no judgment...we just didn't see how there could be a spot that wasn't loud. I was also disappointed at the amount of dog poop left along the fence/dirt spot near where we were parked. Our dog pooped twice during the 7 hours we were there (for some reason) and we picked those up & took them with us to dispose of elsewhere, since there were no trash cans. I wanted to pick up others, but there was so much, I didn't.

This was a convenient place to stay for 3 nights, but it was noisy, and sometimes smelly. There is a biomass plant at the back with machinery running 24/7 and trucks coming and going, idling 18-wheelers along the far side and even parking next to the RVs, and train horns right at the edge of the lot day and night. Depending on the wind, there was a stench of rotting biomass from the plant, or burnt diesel from the trucks. While I was there, there were about 20 RVs each night, but the lot is so big that there was plenty of room between them.

Search Google maps for "Thunder Valley Parking Lot 2", and it will take you right there. Ignore the "Casino" road signs - they take you around 3 sides of a square, probably to avoid congestion at the railroad crossing - and follow Google straight to Athens Ave and Thunder Valley Court. Go to the end of the road and enter the lot at or near the back.

The procedure is to find a spot to park, then call security at 916-408-8238. An employee will come and check the RV to ensure it is not a wreck and has current tags, then issue a pass to put in your window.He told me I could not renew the pass beyond 3 nights, but another camper told me you can get renewals if you show you are spending money at the casino.

Verizon 4G was reasonable, with 3 bars, -100 dB, 11 Mbps down and 12 up.

I used this as a base to visit Empire Gold Mine (a waste of time compared to other mines I've visited), the Marshall Gold Discovery Site (Sutter's Mill) and Sutter's Fort. I would have loved to visit the railroad museum, but there wasn't time in the 2 days allowed here.

I appreciate the free camping, and the news on the casino's website that they donate $1 million per year to local charities, the county hospital and Habitat for Humanity, but I don't think I could take all the noise again.

It has security going around the whole night. You have to go to security office inside the casino to get your permit, they were very nice. The parking lot is huge so as long as you’re far away from the RVs that use the generator, you’ll spend a good night.

Stopped by casino security office to sign in, desk person could not find "the form" told me Don't Worry we tow after seven days and did not ask for any Rig Information.

Casino has several fair priced fast food outlets.

Lots of noise; industrial, Trucks, Trains.

You cannot park overnight here in any passenger vehicle, SUV or not. Sleeping in a car/SUV is not permitted.

Security came to us in order to get registered for 3 free nights. There is really no where else to boondock in the area so it is good for that. There are restaurants and bars in the casino which is nice and there are some trails nearby or ab1 mile trek around the parking lot for some exercise.

You can now stay a maximum of 3 nights over a 3 month period and no extension. Previously, you could stay 3 nights, one extension of additional 3 days. You would have to leave for at least one night, and could then return. No longer allowed!

This place has everything needed for an overnighter or short stay (they allow three nights). For starters, it’s a HUGE parking lot so access in and out is very easy. They allow you to drop your rig which is nice so reprovisioning and fueling is easy, lots of retail within driving distance. When you arrive, call Security (916) 408-8238 and they’ll send someone over to get your info, they’re very welcoming. To top it off, excellent Verizon signal. Did three laps around the enormous parking lot and got in 3 miles of walking. Not the most scenic but hey it’s FREE. Only downside is a train that occasionally comes through so not the quietest location either but not a dealbreaker for us. Will definitely return when passing through the area.