Sierra foothill stay · owner's guide

Top 1 Casino Hotel: Red Hawk Resort + Casino Review

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Foothill lodging off US-50, halfway between the Sacramento valley and the high Sierra, with rooms in a newer tower, an outdoor pool, several places to eat, and Gold Country towns within easy reach.

Freshly rechecked: October 2026

Top 1 pick

Red Hawk Resort + Casino

Shingle Springs / Placerville, California · US-50, Sierra foothills

Newer hotel tower, about five storeys
Rooms and suites with foothill views
Outdoor pool and fitness room
Several restaurants, café and bars
Casino on site

Suits: couples and families on a Gold Country road trip, and drivers heading to or from Lake Tahoe.

Cost bracket: Mid-range to upscale — check live rates

Foothill tower, US-50 frontage

Signature amenity Outdoor pool facing the foothills

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Pros

Rooms in a newer tower joined to the resort
Easy US-50 access from Sacramento
Good base for Apple Hill and local wineries
Pool, dining and bars without leaving the property

Cons

Outside town: you will want a car
Lake Tahoe is a long day trip, not a quick hop
Busy weekends can mean waits for dinner

Owner-published: the tribe behind this guide, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, also holds title to Red Hawk Resort + Casino. Read it as the proprietor speaking; it is not an independent review.

Rooms

Guest rooms are in a newer hotel tower of about five storeys that is joined to the main resort building, so you can reach dining and the lobby without walking outside. The tower holds standard rooms and a smaller group of suites; we are not quoting a room count here, because published figures differ and the number is not what decides a stay.

Large windows face the oak-covered foothills, which is the main thing guests notice on arrival. Bed types, accessible layouts, connecting rooms and whether a given category has a sofa or a soaking tub vary by room type, so ask the hotel to confirm the exact layout before you pay.

Pools & spa

An outdoor pool with loungers sits beside the tower, and listings also describe a hot tub and a fitness room. Pool hours, towel service and whether cabanas can be reserved are seasonal details that the front desk can confirm.

We do not describe a full-service spa because we could not confirm treatment rooms or a menu of services. If massages or facials matter to your trip, ask the hotel what is offered on the dates you plan to stay.

Restaurants & bars

The resort runs several restaurants, from quick grab-and-go counters up to a proper evening dining room, alongside a café for morning coffee and a few bars and lounges. Restaurant names and concepts change from time to time, so the resort website is the place to check current menus and opening days.

Weekend evenings can be busy; if you have a dinner time in mind, booking ahead or asking reception to hold a spot is sensible. Dietary needs are best raised directly with the restaurant rather than assumed from an old menu.

Shows & entertainment

Live music, seasonal celebrations and visiting performers appear on the resort calendar from time to time, but the line-up is not fixed and we would rather not promise a particular show. Look at the events page close to your dates, or ask the concierge what is scheduled that week.

Construction coverage of the hotel expansion also mentions a family entertainment area built at the same time. Opening hours and age limits for it are worth confirming with the hotel, especially if you are travelling with children.

What's nearby

Placerville's historic Main Street is a short drive away, with Gold Rush-era buildings, antique shops, coffee houses and small galleries. North-east of town, the Apple Hill orchards along the ridge sell fruit, pies and cider, and are at their liveliest in autumn when the harvest stalls open.

El Dorado wine country spreads across the hills around Placerville and further south, with family-run tasting rooms that are easy to combine into a half-day loop. Lake Tahoe lies further east along US-50, a longer scenic drive through the Sierra that suits a full day out rather than a quick hop.

How to get there

The resort is on US-50 in the Sierra foothills between Sacramento and Placerville, with its own exit and road signs pointing to the entrance. Driving is the simplest way to arrive; check the hotel's directions page for the current exit layout.

Flying in? Use Sacramento International (SMF), the nearest big terminal. Pick up a rental car, cross Sacramento and follow US-50 east into the foothills; prefer not to be behind the wheel? Check with the front desk about a shuttle or transfer.

Practical information

These are the questions we suggest you put to the hotel before booking. We give no figures where we are not certain of them.

Resort fee: Before paying, get the desk to state clearly whether a daily amenity surcharge is added to the quoted rate, and what it pays for.
Parking: Find out if the garage and surface lots are complimentary for overnight guests and whether a valet stand operates.
Cancellation: Confirm the cancellation deadline for your specific rate; prepaid and flexible rates usually differ.
Best season: Autumn suits Apple Hill and the wineries; spring is mild and green; summer afternoons in the foothills can be hot.
Check-in age: Phone reception about the youngest age allowed to register for a room; resorts like this one often require guests to be 21.

Other places to stay nearby

If the resort is not the right fit, these two Placerville properties take a very different approach.

Cary House Hotel
Placerville, California
Right on historic Main Street, so you can walk to shops and cafés instead of driving back and forth.

Official site (opens in a new tab)
Eden Vale Inn
Placerville, California
A small country bed-and-breakfast for a quiet couples' stay, with outdoor soaking tubs and fireplaces.

Official site (opens in a new tab)

Questions guests ask before booking

Who publishes this review?

Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, which owns the resort. It is an owner's guide, not an independent review.

Where exactly is the resort?

On US-50 in the Sierra foothills near Shingle Springs and Placerville. The postal address is 1 Red Hawk Parkway, Placerville CA 95667, US.

Is there a pool?

Yes, an outdoor pool next to the hotel tower. Ask the hotel about seasonal hours and any heated-pool period.

How do I get there by air?

Fly into Sacramento International (SMF) and drive east on US-50, or ask the hotel about transfers.

Could the final bill include charges beyond the nightly rate?

It could. Ask about any resort fee and parking charges before you book, as they are not listed here.

What can I do near the resort?

Walk Placerville's Main Street, visit the Apple Hill orchards, taste wine in El Dorado County, or drive east to Lake Tahoe.

Is dunkdynasty25 paid when I reserve?

Sometimes. Certain outbound links pay a referral fee, and a direct reservation brings revenue to the resort's owner.

Our method

The owner's editorial team drafted this page from the resort's own facility information and cross-checked descriptions against public travel listings and press coverage of the hotel expansion. Where two sources disagreed, such as on room totals, we left the figure out. Anything that changes often, from menus to fees, is sent back to the hotel for you to confirm.

Funding, stated outright: This site contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you follow a link and make a booking/purchase or download, at no extra cost to you. Red Hawk's owner, too, gains whenever you reserve direct. Read the affiliate notice and the publisher page for detail.