If you’re looking for the perfect mix of sunshine, scenic drives, and slot machines, Palm Springs is an ideal getaway. On our recent road trip, we not only enjoyed the desert landscape but also explored some of the best casinos in the area. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a high-roller, this guide will help you find the perfect casino for your next trip!
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Tortoise Rock Casino – A Hidden Gem in Twentynine Palms
Located just outside Joshua Tree National Park, Tortoise Rock Casino sits at 73829 Baseline Road, Twentynine Palms, CA—about 34 miles from Palm Springs. Owned and operated by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, this smaller casino offers a cozy gaming experience with a great mix of slots and table games. We enjoyed a bite at Oasis Grille, and Shelly’s Lounge provided a great atmosphere with big-screen TVs for sports fans.
Perks: New players receive $10 slot play, and after earning 100 points, we snagged another $10 in free play—a fun and rewarding start to our trip!
Spotlight 29 Casino – A Bright Spot in Indio
Another casino owned by the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, Spotlight 29 Casino is conveniently located at 46-200 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio, CA—just 22 miles from Palm Springs.
This casino features 450 slot machines, table games, and live entertainment at the Spotlight Showroom. We took advantage of their generous free slot play rewards and enjoyed dining at one of their two restaurants and coffee shop. A great stop if you’re in the Indio area.
Agua Caliente Casinos – Three Locations, One Amazing Experience
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians operates three casinos in the Palm Springs area. We visited two and were thoroughly impressed!
Agua Caliente Palm Springs
. Aqua Caliente Palm Springs- Located at 401 E. Amado Rd. Palm Springs. As the smallest of the three, this casino still packs a punch with slots, table games, and a high-limit room. The beautiful lobby water feature and immaculate cleanliness stood out. We stopped at this casino first and got our player’s card. The woman at the desk was absolutely wonderful. She gave us lots of information about dining, entertainment and specials not only for all 3 of the Aqua Caliente casinos, but also about Palm Springs. She told us about the Aqua Caliente Cultural Museum across from the casino and the Spa at Sec-he located at 200 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs. This is one of two spas operated by the Aqua Caliente tribe. There is a hotel at this casino, a casual restaurant and a steakhouse. We really liked this casino. It was a great place to start our day!
Aqua Caliente Rancho Mirage
Located at 32-250 Bob Hope Drive Rancho Mirage it is just 7 miles from Palm Springs. There are not only slots and table games but there is also a poker room here. This full-scale resort features a hotel, spa, poker room, and multiple restaurants. We dined at The District, which offers a variety of food-court-style options. My street tacos were delicious, and Greg’s huge Reuben sandwich was worth every bite. Everyone was very friendly here and we did pretty good at this casino. I recommend both of these casinos if you’re in the area.
Aqua Caliente Cathedral City
Located at 68960 E. Palm Canyon Dr. Cathedral City, it is about 6 miles from Palm Springs. We didn’t have time to visit, but based on our experience at the other two locations, expect a similar high-quality gaming experience.
Yaamava’ Resort & Casino – The High-Roller Haven
Yaamava is located at 777 San Manuel Blvd. in Highland, CA. This is about 44 miles from Palm Springs and the furthest casino we went to. Previously known as San Manuel Casino, Yaamava’ is a massive resort operated by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. They also own The Palms casino in Las Vegas so we already had a player’s card here. With 7,400 slot machines, 150 table games, and 5 high-limit rooms, it’s one of California’s premier gaming destinations. It is the largest casino in the area.
While the resort is undeniably luxurious, with spa, pool and fine dining, we found it more suited for high rollers. Valet parking requires an exclusive player’s status, and room rates—even with a player’s discount—were out of our budget. Still, the non-smoking gaming floor and upscale amenities make this an elite experience for those seeking a Vegas-style casino.
Morongo Casino Resort & Spa – Our Home Base
We chose Morongo Casino Resort & Spa as our home base while exploring Palm Springs. It is located at 49500 Seminole Drive in Cabazon, CA. Owned by the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, it boasts one of California’s largest gaming floors with 4,000 slots, 80+ table games, and bingo.
The hotel, pools, spa, and variety of restaurants make this a perfect spot to stay. With seven dining options plus a food court, we were never short on choices. Check out our full Morongo review in a separate blog post!
More Casinos Near Palm Springs
If you have more time, consider visiting these eight additional casinos within 50 miles:
Cahuilla Casino Hotel – 52702 Highway CA-371 Anza, CA. (22 miles)
Fantasy Springs Casino & Resort – 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway Indio, CA. (21 miles)
Augustine Casino – 84-001 Avenue 54 Coachella, CA. (23 miles)
Soboba Casino Resort – 22777 Soboba Road San Jacinto, CA. (22 miles)
Pechanga Resort & Casino – 45000 Pechanga Parkway Temecula, CA. (41 miles)
Casino Pauma – 777 Pauma Reservation Road Pauma Valley, CA. (43 miles)
Pala Casino & Resort – 11154 Highway 76 Pala, CA. (44 miles)
Harrah’s Southern California Resort – 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way Funner, CA. (45 miles)
Final Thoughts
Palm Springs and its surrounding areas offer a diverse selection of casinos, from intimate gaming spots to full-scale luxury resorts. Whether you’re looking for free slot play promotions, high-stakes action, or a relaxing casino resort experience, there’s something for everyone. Try different casinos to find your favorite.
Pro Tip: Always check casino websites for current promotions, hotel deals, and entertainment options.
We hope to give you information and tips we learn to help you make your decision when planning your trip. Always check the websites of these casinos to see what they have to offer if you want to spend a few nights there. You may find a great deal! We always want to encourage people to find their adventures, have fun and make some unforgettable memories!
Have you visited any of these casinos? Share your experiences in the comments!