Leelanau Sands Casino is a tribal casino and 50-room lodge in Peshawbestown, Michigan, about 20 miles north of Traverse City on M-22. Its strongest draw is smoke-free gaming paired with a Leelanau Peninsula getaway: slots, a meal, and a bay-view room can fit into a sightseeing trip. The main limitation is scheduling, especially table games that operate only Thursday through Sunday. I’d put it on the list for casual players and peninsula travelers, rather than anyone seeking an around-the-clock casino resort.
Leelanau Sands Casino: quick facts
| Address | 2521 NW Bayshore Drive, Peshawbestown, MI 49682 |
|---|---|
| Owner and operator | Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians |
| Casino hours | Sunday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–2 a.m.; Friday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–3 a.m. |
| Minimum gambling age | 18, according to the casino FAQ. Visitors under 21 should confirm admission because another official page gives conflicting wording. |
| Slot machines | More than 300, according to the property; inventory can change |
| Table games | Open from 2 p.m. Thursday–Sunday; closed Monday–Wednesday |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sports betting | Yes, through on-floor betting kiosks |
| Hotel | The Lodge, with 50 guest rooms |
| Dining and drinks | Big Dex’s Restaurant and Maple Bar |
| Smoking | Currently a smoke-free casino |
| Parking | Free, with a parking-lot shuttle to the entrance |
| Players club | Grand Rewards |
| Phone | (800) 922-2946 |
| Official website | Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge |
Schedules and property information are dated October 16, 2026, and are subject to change.
What kind of casino is Leelanau Sands?
Think regional casino in vacation country, not a sprawling resort that expects to occupy your entire weekend. Suttons Bay, wineries, waterfront scenery, and peninsula towns give you reasons to leave the gaming floor.
That is not a criticism. I like a casino that fits the trip rather than becoming the whole trip. Leelanau Sands makes particular sense when one person wants some slot time and the itinerary also includes sightseeing, dining, or an overnight stay along M-22.
The Grand Traverse Band also operates Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel and Crystal Shores Casino. They are separate destinations, so do not assume a restaurant or amenity advertised at a sister property is available here.
Casino floor and games
The property advertises more than 300 slot machines, live table games, and sports betting kiosks. The smoke-free policy is a meaningful advantage for visitors who dislike smoky gaming floors. The key limitation is availability: the casino closes overnight, and tables follow a narrower schedule than the machines.
Slots and video poker
Slots are the clearest reason to make a short gambling stop here. The advertised figure is more than 300, not an exact inventory, and individual titles can change.
My usual advice applies: check the total wager before pressing the button. A penny denomination does not necessarily mean a penny spin, particularly when a machine requires multiple credits or offers optional features.
If video poker is your priority, ask about current machines and paytables before making a special trip. A familiar game name alone does not tell you the return of a particular version, and someone else’s jackpot says nothing useful about your next hand or spin.
Table games: Thursday through Sunday
Tables open at 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and are closed Monday through Wednesday, according to the published operating schedule. That is the detail I would underline before planning a visit around live play.
Even on a table-game day, a morning arrival leaves you waiting. Call ahead for your preferred game, current minimums, and table closing time rather than assume tables operate until the casino closes. Check the posted rules and optional side bets before buying in.
Poker room
Leelanau Sands has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room. Video poker and poker-themed table games are not substitutes for a cash-game room.
Sports betting kiosks
In-person sports betting is available through kiosks on the casino floor. Treat this as a place to place a wager, not a promise of a staffed betting counter or dedicated sportsbook lounge.
If your plan involves watching a full game and betting throughout the afternoon, ask about seating and the viewing setup first. Kiosks answer the betting question, but not necessarily the game-day atmosphere question.
Bingo and other events
Bingo doors open at 5 p.m. Wednesday and Friday and at noon Sunday. These are door-opening times, not stated game-start times; confirm session details and admission costs separately.
Check the calendar for other activities on your dates. October’s weekly euchre promotion should not be treated as a permanent, year-round offering.
The Lodge: choose your room and view
The 50-room Lodge is a separate building, so do not picture an elevator ride directly to the gaming floor. There is no pool, according to the Lodge FAQ. If swimming is important to your stay, compare other lodging before booking.
The property describes the Lodge as fully renovated, including rooms, bathrooms, and lobby space. Its accommodations page lists Wi-Fi, 55-inch televisions, mini refrigerators, microwaves, and Keurig coffee makers. Those in-room conveniences are useful for a longer peninsula stay, even if they are less glamorous than the view.
- Bayside Rooms: Advertised with Grand Traverse Bay views and a private balcony or patio. Choose this category if the outlook is a reason for booking.
- Standard Rooms: Advertised with woodland views and private outdoor space. Compare the complete price with Bayside rather than assume every room overlooks the bay.
- The Suite: Adds a separate living area, kitchenette, king bed, and bay views.
- Accessible Rooms: Offer shower or accessible-tub configurations. Arrange the bathroom setup you need directly with the Lodge.
I would choose between Standard and Bayside based on how much time you expect to spend in the room. A view matters more during a relaxed overnight stay than when you are leaving early and returning after dark.
One recent guest account offers encouragement: in an August 21, 2026, review displayed on Trustindex, Gwen Brown described the renovated rooms as clean and quiet, with excellent water pressure. That is one visitor’s experience, not a guarantee or a broader guest consensus.
Compare the full reservation total, including taxes and any mandatory charges. Confirm check-in, cancellation terms, and hotel age eligibility before paying, particularly if the person booking is under 21. Do not assume the parking-lot shuttle provides airport transfers or guaranteed late-night lodge transportation.
The property’s pet policy excludes pets and emotional support animals from the casino and Lodge while welcoming trained service animals. Choose different lodging if your trip includes a pet.
Restaurants, bars, and dining costs
Big Dex’s Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner inside the casino. Maple Bar offers a stop for drinks. This is a straightforward dining setup, not a collection of destination restaurants.
For comparison, the operator’s restaurant directory lists Big Dex’s at Leelanau Sands and Bourbons 72, The Deli, and Season’s Buffet at Turtle Creek. Turtle Creek is worth comparing if restaurant variety is central to your casino trip, although a listing does not guarantee every venue will be open during your visit.
For a longer Leelanau Sands stay, I would include peninsula restaurants in the itinerary rather than expect every meal to happen at the casino. Arrange a sober driver if winery visits and casino drinks are both on the agenda.
Illustrative food budget
October 2026 promotions offer a limited price example: a chicken pot pie bread bowl at $12.99 and a Slots Sunrise cocktail at $7.00. Together, those advertised specials total $19.99 before any tax and gratuity.
For two diners ordering one bread bowl each, the illustrative subtotal is $25.98 before drinks, any tax, and gratuity. These are promotional prices, not permanent menu guarantees. Confirm availability and keep dining money separate from your gambling bankroll.
Dining closes three hours before gaming
The published schedules leave a three-hour gap between Big Dex’s closing and the casino closing every night. Sunday through Thursday, the restaurant closes at 11 p.m. and gaming continues until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, dining ends at midnight and gaming continues until 3 a.m.
My takeaway: eat before the restaurant closes rather than count on a late meal after your session. The Players Club also closes before the casino floor, so handle enrollment and offer questions earlier in the evening.
For live-table players, Thursday through Sunday after 2 p.m. is the relevant window. A Wednesday bingo visit can make sense even though Wednesday table play does not. All schedules are subject to change.
Directions, parking, and age requirements
Leelanau Sands is on M-22 in Peshawbestown, about 20 miles north of Traverse City. The approach from Traverse City follows the west side of Grand Traverse Bay through Suttons Bay.
Parking is free, with an advertised shuttle from the parking lot to the main entrance. That simplifies arrival but does not provide transportation for a wider peninsula itinerary. Confirm any transfer you need, and allow extra time for summer traffic or winter weather.
The casino FAQ states an admission age of 18 and lists a valid state ID or driver’s license as required identification. However, the hours page also says guests must be 21 to visit the casino or stay at the hotel. Visitors ages 18–20 should call before traveling because the published admission wording conflicts.
For accessibility, ask about the route between the Lodge and casino as well as your room. A suitable bathroom does not, by itself, answer questions about outdoor travel or transportation assistance.
Comparing destinations? See our guide to Michigan casinos.
Grand Rewards players club
Grand Rewards is the players club to ask about before gambling. The operator’s resort gaming page advertises free enrollment, one card for Leelanau Sands and Turtle Creek, and accommodation and restaurant discounts.
Ask which benefits apply to your booking or meal. An advertised discount does not guarantee a reduction on every rate, and free play is not cash. I would collect rewards on play already planned, not increase the gambling budget to chase an offer.
Our take: who should visit?
Leelanau Sands suits slot players and overnight travelers who want casino time alongside an M-22 getaway, with smoke-free gaming, free parking, and a renovated lodge offering bay-view or woodland-view rooms. I would choose it for a manageable gambling stop and peninsula base rather than a self-contained resort weekend. Big Dex’s keeps meals convenient, but visitors wanting extensive dining choices or early-week live tables should compare another property. The practical trade-off is scheduling: tables operate Thursday through Sunday, and dining ends before gaming does.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leelanau Sands Casino open 24 hours?
No. Published hours are 9 a.m.–2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m.–3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
When are table games open?
Tables open at 2 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and are closed Monday through Wednesday. Confirm your preferred game and the table closing time before traveling.
Does Leelanau Sands have a sportsbook?
Yes, retail sports betting is available through on-floor kiosks. Do not assume this includes a staffed counter or dedicated sportsbook lounge.
Does Leelanau Sands have a poker room?
No. The casino has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room.
Is the casino smoke-free?
Yes. The property currently prohibits smoking inside the casino.
Does every Lodge room have a bay view?
No. Bayside Rooms advertise Grand Traverse Bay views; Standard Rooms advertise woodland views. Book the category that matches the outlook you want.
What is the gambling age?
The casino FAQ states 18 or older. Because another official page gives conflicting 21-plus admission wording, visitors under 21 should confirm directly before traveling.
Schedule and pricing note
Schedules and promotional prices are dated October 16, 2026. Confirm games, dining hours, offers, and reservation terms for your travel dates.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room.