The Sky Ute Casino Resort is a gem of southwestern Colorado. It’s packed with games and amenities to satisfy everything from family vacations to honeymoons and bachelor(ette) parties. You can enjoy classic casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, and more, or family-friendly activities like bowling, mini-golf, and the swimming pool. With clean, modern rooms, you can retreat to the quiet comfort of your room after a day of excitement.
Located just 30 minutes from Durango Colorado, Sky Ute is nestled in the southwest corner of the state. It’s a great home base to indulge in the many outdoor adventures that Colorado has to offer. Sky Ute Casino & Resort is owned and operated by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.
This post has been sponsored by Sky Ute Casino. But we retain complete editorial control of all content and opinions in this post.
Emily and I had the opportunity to enjoy a 2-night stay at the Sky Ute Casino Resort. We actually came here on the drive back from our wedding. It was like a perfect mini-moon to kick off the celebration of our new little family! It was a nice blend of excitement, romance, and relaxation.
The Sky Ute Casino Floor
Sky Ute’s casino floor is packed with all kinds of games to entertain. From classic casino table games like Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, and 3-Card Poker, to a sea of vibrant slot machines and other games.
Emily and I enjoyed playing Blackjack the most. There’s a little more strategy and gamesmanship compared to the slot machines. We had a blast riding the ups and downs of trying to beat the dealer and grow our pot of money.
But if you are completely new to gambling, anyone can try their luck on a slot machine or game of Roulette to win BIG!
Sky Ute Casino also offers a sports book at the 49 Lounge, a live sports betting lounge with a bar and loads of TVs. Put some money on your favorite team, and win some money when they crush their opponent.
Dining At Sky Ute Casino Resort
Sky Ute Casino Resort has several great dining options to choose from to suit every taste and budget. The crown jewel of Sky Ute is definitely the Seven Rivers Steakhouse. This fine-dining restaurant offers world-class steak and seafood cuisine.
The other two casual dining options are the Willow Cafe (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and the Rolling Thunder Grill (lunch and dinner). We found the Willow Cafe and Rolling Thunder Grill to be extremely affordable and serve big portion sizes. Can’t say we were blown away by the flavors, but my gosh is it a good value for the money. Plus that leaves more money for your gambling budget (wink).
Seven Rivers
Emily and I got dressed up for a night of exceptional food and drink at Seven Rivers. Even if you have no interest in casinos, this restaurant is worth a visit!
We showed up a little early to enjoy a couple drinks at the cocktail bar before being seated. We split a variety of very indulgent dishes. For the appetizer course, we got the Crab Cakes and Lobster Bisque served with a side of caviar and cream fraiche! This was a first for both of us trying caviar, can’t say we understand the hype though.
For our main course, we got the Land & Sea with lobster tail and filet mignon, and the Crab Stuffed Scampi. And each entree comes with two sides, so we chose the Jalepeno Cheddar Mashed Potatoes, Truffled Macaroni & Cheese, Wild Mushroom Risotto Cake, and Carmelized Wild Mushrooms.
WOW! Everything was so delicious, meats were juicy and cooked perfectly, sauces were excellently paired, and the presentation was wonderful. The filet mignon was so tender, we could cut it with a fork. Reminding us why sometimes it’s worth it to pay top-dollar for a perfect steak.
And the dinner was capped off with a delicious Molten Lava Cake for dessert.
The only minor complaints we have are that the Lobster Bisque was a little too salty for our taste, and our entrees were brought before we had finished the appetizers. However the server was apologetic and we were excited to get onto the main course anyway, so it wasn’t a huge deal.
While Seven Rivers is an expensive restaurant, they definitely deliver in terms of quality, portion size, service, and presentation. We even had enough leftovers to eat dinner for two the next night.
Rolling Thunder Grill
The Rolling Thunder Grill is located adjacent to the casino floor and bowling alley. We enjoyed some very affordable casual American cuisine to the sound of slot machines chiming away. The cheesesteak and chicken alfredo were good, but lacking a real flavor kick that we hoped for. But still, for the price, it’s a great place to eat with the family or with a date without straying too far from the action.
Willows Cafe Bistro
The Willows Cafe Bistro served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer many traditional American cuisine options. We went for breakfast both mornings and had a hard time choosing what to order. From waffles and pancakes to omelets and chicken fried steak. They also serve fresh breads, pastries, muffins, and baked goods.
Games And Amenities
The Sky Ute Casino has a variety of non-casino games and amenities to entertain.
They have bowling, mini-golf, bingo, and a pool and hot tub. These other activities make Sky Ute Casino a great destination for family travel. And don’t worry, the entire casino and resort is smoke-free.
And they also have a fitness room and laundry for guests to use.
If you are interested in learning more about the Southern Ute Tribe, the Southern Ute Cultural Center and Museum is just south of the casino. It’s a spectacular museum with a wide variety of rare and unique culturally significant items, engaging events, and informative exhibits. Their mission is to “foster understanding of and respect for the unique origin, culture, language, history, and way of life of the Núuchi (Ute People) and to advance people-to-people relations through inclusive and effective programming and services.”
And if you want to explore beyond the casino, Sky Ute is in an amazing location. Some of the biggest nearby attractions for day-trips are Durango, Mesa Verda National Park, The Durango-Silverton Scenic Train Ride, Pagosa Springs, Navajo Lake, Purgatory Resort, and the Million Dollar Highway.
It’s only 30 minutes to Durango, a lively city with tons of great restaurants, shops, and entertainment.
Emily and I have explored so much of the US in our van, and the Million Dollar Highway from Durango to Ouray is definitely one of the most jaw-dropping drives in the country. The mountain scenery you can see right out your car window will blow you away. While the road stays open year-round, most visitors should avoid going in the winter if they don’t have a suitable vehicle and winter-driving skills.
There are also plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, mountain biking, skiing, white water rafting, and more.
So there are plenty of quintessential Colorado adventures for the whole family accessible as easy day trips just off the resort.
Read: Essential Outdoor Recreation Apps For Colorado
The Accommodation At Sky Ute Casino Resort
We were very pleased with our room at Sky Ute. The room was clean and modern with just the right amenities to make us comfortable. We slept like kings on our king-size bed, stocked our mini fridge with our favorite beer, and even used the desk to get a little work done. The little kitchen area is equipped with a mini-fridge, sink, microwave, and pod coffee maker.
Beyond the shower, toilet, and sink, there’s also a separate bathtub, a TV, and bathrobes for each of us. A subtle touch that makes the bathroom feel more luxurious. Emily even took a bubble bath while watching some tv, very nice!
Our room also had a small balcony, and we were treated to a magical sunset one night.
Click here to book a room and get a great price on accommodation
Sky Ute RV Park
And if you are visiting with an RV or campervan, you can stay at the RV park just north of the casino. It’s open typically between April and November depending on the weather. It offers a cheaper way to stay than booking a hotel room. And you still get access to all the amenities like pool, showers, laundry, fitness center, and wifi.
Takeaway | Sky Ute Casino Resort
Emily and I had a really fun time visiting Sky Ute Casino Resort. We think it’s an awesome all-in-one travel destination. With great restaurants, entertainment, and accommodation right on site, there’s no reason to leave. The massive array of Vegas-style casino games, from tables games to slots, and even live sports betting, will give you tons of ways to play. And beyond the casino floor, there’s bowling, mini-golf, a pool, hot tub, fitness center, and more.
Located in southwestern Colorado, Sky Ute Casino Resort is located so close to incredible outdoor activities in the four-corners region. Right on the edge of the most beautiful mountains in Colorado and the transition to incredible desert scenery, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had.
So whatever kind of vacation you are planning, Sky Ute Casino Resort is a great destination. With loads of ways to entertain, there are plenty of ways to play, eat, and relax.
