North of Phoenix the casinos thin out fast. There are four worth knowing about, run by three tribes, and they are spread across a stretch of high country from the Verde Valley to the edge of the Navajo Nation. None is as big as the Phoenix resorts, but each fits a particular kind of trip: a stopover on I-40, a family weekend near Sedona, or an evening in Prescott. Players must be 21.
Side by side
| Twin Arrows | Cliff Castle | Bucky's | Yavapai Casino | |
| Where | East of Flagstaff on I-40 | Camp Verde, about 30 minutes from Sedona | Prescott, off Highway 69 | Prescott, across the highway from Bucky's |
| Tribe | Navajo Nation | Yavapai-Apache Nation | Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe | Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe |
| Floor | 1,000 slots, 10 tables | 650+ slots, blackjack, high-limit room | 500 slots and video poker, about 10 tables | 165+ slots only |
| Extras | Four Diamond hotel | 20-lane bowling centre | Prescott Resort attached | 24-hour cantina |
| Google rating | 4.1, 8,600+ reviews | 4.1, 7,400+ reviews | 3.8, about 3,000 reviews | 3.9, about 1,600 reviews |
Twin Arrows: the big one near Flagstaff
Twin Arrows is the Navajo Nation's resort east of Flagstaff and the only substantial casino in northern Arizona. It has the only Four Diamond hotel near Flagstaff and a floor of about 1,000 slot machines and 10 tables. The tables run on a schedule rather than around the clock, so check before driving up for a particular game. It is open 24 hours a day, which is worth stating because it closed for a long period during the pandemic and out-of-date pages still say so. Twin Arrows review.
Cliff Castle: the family pick
Cliff Castle, the Yavapai-Apache Nation's property at Camp Verde, sits in the Verde Valley about half an hour from Sedona. It is built to work for families, with a 20-lane bowling centre alongside the gaming, which makes it the easiest Arizona casino to visit with people who do not gamble. The floor carries more than 650 slots, blackjack and a high-limit room, modest by Phoenix standards. Cliff Castle review.
Prescott: two casinos, one tribe
The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe runs two casinos in Prescott, and they are constantly confused. They are separate buildings minutes apart.
Bucky's is the larger one, with 500 slots and video poker on a 24,000-square-foot floor and about 10 tables. The game list is better than the count suggests: blackjack, roulette and craps alongside Heads Up Hold 'Em and High Card Flush. The Prescott Resort is attached. Bucky's review.
Yavapai Casino, across the highway, is slots only, with more than 165 machines on a 6,000-square-foot floor and a cantina open 24 hours. There are no tables, so cross back to Bucky's if you want blackjack. Yavapai Casino review.
Planning a trip
Distances are the main thing to plan around. Twin Arrows is on I-40, so it suits a stop on a cross-country drive or a Grand Canyon trip based in Flagstaff. Cliff Castle and the Prescott pair are closer to Phoenix and work as day trips from the valley. If table games matter, Bucky's has the broadest list in the region, and Twin Arrows the most machines.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a casino in Flagstaff?
Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort is east of Flagstaff on I-40, the only substantial casino in northern Arizona.
What is the closest casino to Sedona?
Cliff Castle Casino Hotel at Camp Verde, about half an hour away.
Are Bucky's and Yavapai Casino the same?
No. Both belong to the Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe, but they are separate buildings across the highway from each other.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Arizona casinos?
For the rest of the state, see our guides to casinos in Phoenix, casinos in Tucson and casinos on the Colorado River.
