Additional Coverage:
- Buffalo Bill’s Resort prepares for final rodeo as casino is set to close amid Primm’s struggles (latimes.com)
Say goodbye to the giant bison and its rainbow headdress. Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino, a familiar landmark for Southern California drivers headed to Nevada on the I-15, is closing its doors. While the resort will remain open for concerts and special events at its Star of the Desert Arena, its days as a 24/7 operation are numbered.
Primm Valley Resorts, which owns Buffalo Bill’s, announced the closure on Tuesday, citing the need to “deliver the best possible experience for today’s guest expectations.” The company encourages guests to visit the adjacent Primm Valley Resort & Casino for gambling, lodging, and dining.
While the official closing date hasn’t been released, online reservations for Buffalo Bill’s are only available through this weekend, with bookings after Sunday redirecting to Primm Valley Resort. The future of Buffalo Bill’s employees remains unclear, as Primm Valley Resorts has not commented on the matter.
Buffalo Bill’s, which opened in 1994, was the last of three resorts built by the Primm family in the town of Primm, Nevada. It once boasted 1,242 rooms and attractions such as the Desperado roller coaster, once the world’s tallest and fastest.
The Star of the Desert Arena hosted numerous big-name performers over the years, from the Captain & Tennille to Snoop Dogg. The resort temporarily closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and reopened in 2022, but like other Primm hotels, it struggled to regain its footing.
The fate of the Desperado roller coaster and other attractions, including the Bonnie & Clyde death car, is also unknown. Primm Valley Resorts is hoping to attract former Buffalo Bill’s patrons to its remaining property, highlighting its renovated casino floor, updated rooms, and dining options.