The Apache Gold Casino is a tourist’s mining claim waiting to be found.
You hit the mother lode after an exciting drive up the highway that twists through the Arizona mountains, past mining towns and hiking trails, only an hour-and-a-half scenic drive from Phoenix.
"Go show doe tay," "Welcome," Running Water told me as I entered the casino on the San Carlos Apache reservation. (In the photo to the right, Running Water, "Tuxenn," poses in front of the casino. A local artist created the Indian Brave standing guard.)
Running Water is her real name. White soldiers renamed her family way back when, so she also answers to the name of Cathy Case. Honestly, I prefer Tuksann (“Tuxenn”) which is Running Water in Apache. Amazing—I was at the casino for less than 24 hours after discovering it during my Arizona tour and I was already learning the language!
Hospitality director Michelle Perez gave me a wonderful tour of the resort. There is something here for everyone. They have an equestrian event center called the Pavilion which also serves as a concert hall with big-name bands. (In the photo to the left, Michelle Perez buys me a Coke.)
They have rodeos in the event center too, and, as the tribe works hard to be a leader in the community, the center has served as rainy-day backup for graduation events for area schools. The Pavilion features a new barbeque restaurant, fancy dressing rooms for the performers, and an indoor arena big enough to host the National Western Stock Show.
The Apache Gold Casino and Resort is celebrating its recently completed spa and fitness center. This is not a club with two treadmills. The Apache know how to dream big and build it like they dream it. The center has the latest equipment, with a poolside view. It is a great place to spend some time after dining in the buffet.
There is also an RV park for those who bring their bedroll on wheels. The park has pull-through spots for the big rigs. I'll bet they could figure out how to accommodate a tent camper if someone asked. They have a huge lot for overflow traffic and buses, so there's no need to exclude anyone.
Golfers will enjoy the course at 3,200 feet; it was designed to blend into the native desert. There are two 600-yard par-5 holes, and five par-4's which provide one heck of a challenge. The hills rise up above the course 20 to 50 feet, with pungent sage and mesquite trees dotting the countryside. The par-3 14th hole is a modified Redan hole at the top of a 90-foot ridge. The views are spectacular and the course is a blast!
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