Bad River Lodge & Casino is a tribal casino and 50-room lodge on U.S. Highway 2 east of Ashland, Wisconsin. Its main appeal is a smoke-free floor with approximately 350 slots, plus on-property lodging, homestyle dining, and RV parking. The biggest practical limitation is food service: the main restaurant closes well before the casino. It is best for regional slot players and Lake Superior road-trippers who want a convenient stop, rather than a large resort with extensive dining and nightlife.
Bad River Lodge & Casino quick facts
| Location | U.S. Highway 2, approximately 15 minutes east of Ashland, Wisconsin |
|---|---|
| Property type | Tribal casino and lodge |
| Owner and operator | Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians |
| Casino hours | Daily, 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. |
| Minimum gambling age | 18 |
| Slots | Approximately 350, as advertised by the operator |
| Smoking | Smoke-free casino floor |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sportsbook | No |
| Hotel | 50 advertised rooms, indoor pool, and hot tub |
| Dining and drinks | Manomin Restaurant, Bad River Snack Bar, Falls Lounge, and gaming-floor Mini Bar |
| Rewards program | River Rewards |
| Casino phone | 715-682-7121 |
| Lodge reservations | 715-682-6102 |
| Information compiled | October 13, 2026 |
Our recommendation
Bad River suits slot players who value a smoke-free floor and travelers who want gambling, a room, and a meal together along Highway 2. The lodge’s indoor pool, hot tub, and RV options make an overnight stop more flexible, although this is a driving base rather than a downtown Ashland stay. I would choose another property for extensive late-night dining or a full resort weekend: Manomin closes at 6 p.m., and evening snack service is limited to Thursday through Saturday.
Location and property overview
The Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians owns and operates the property. The lodge describes its location as about 15 minutes east of Ashland, so do not confuse an Ashland-area stay with a downtown hotel.
The official pages use both Ashland and Odanah address labels. The contact page lists 73370 U.S. Highway 2, Odanah, WI 54861, while the homepage uses Ashland, WI 54806 for the same street address. Use the full highway address and property name when setting your route.
Comparing other stops? See our guide to Wisconsin casinos.
Casino floor and games
The operator advertises 350 slots on a completely smoke-free casino floor. That makes Bad River a straightforward regional slot stop, with avoiding casino smoke part of its appeal. This policy applies to the gaming floor, not automatically to every guest room or outdoor area.
Slots and video poker
I would judge the floor by whether it has the games and wagers you enjoy, not an old list of machine titles. Individual machines change, and current denominations, high-limit arrangements, and video poker pay tables are not detailed in the supplied property information. Call about a specific game if it is the reason for your drive.
Travel Wisconsin’s property listing also names video poker and keno. That helps describe the broader machine mix, but it does not establish current availability or pay tables.
A penny denomination is not necessarily a penny wager, so check the total bet before spinning. Likewise, a winning or losing visit does not prove that machines are loose or tight; a short session does not establish long-term returns.
Table games
The tribe’s enterprises page mentions table games without a current named lineup, schedule, or minimum bets. I would not build a blackjack trip around that broad description alone. Call to ask which dealer-operated games will be open on your intended day, and distinguish those from electronic alternatives.
Poker room and sportsbook
Bad River Lodge & Casino has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room and no on-property retail sportsbook. Video poker and poker-themed casino games are different offerings.
Bad River Lodge rooms and amenities
The lodge advertises 50 guest rooms, with Standard Queen, adjoining Queen, Standard King, accessible Single King, and Super King options. The adjoining Queen category connects with Super King rooms, and the Super King description includes bathtub jets. Ask for the configuration you need rather than assuming all upgraded rooms are interchangeable.
Rooms list a mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. Lodge amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub, coffee nook, vending machines, and a 24-hour front desk. Accessible Single King rooms are on the first floor; discuss specific bathroom and mobility requirements when booking.
For me, the practical advantage is avoiding another drive after an evening at the casino. For a sightseeing-heavy trip, compare this highway location with a hotel closer to your planned stops.
Renovations and reservations
The lodge page carries a renovation notice for several rooms, with anticipated completion in Summer/Fall 2026, subject to change. That is not confirmation that work has finished. Ask which rooms are available and whether work could affect your stay.
Online lodge booking is listed as unavailable. Call 715-682-6102 for a dated quote, including taxes, additional charges, check-in and check-out times, and cancellation terms.
Room discounts
The property lists Sunday-through-Thursday discounts of 10% with one qualifying credential and 20% with two. Eligible categories include tribal enrollment, AAA, AARP, military, and River Rewards.
On an illustrative $150.00 eligible room charge, those discounts would save $15.00 or $30.00, respectively. This is not an advertised room rate. Have the lodge confirm eligibility, the eligible charge, and the final total before relying on the savings.
Restaurants and bars: plan dinner early
Manomin Restaurant is the main sit-down option, serving breakfasts, lunches, and homestyle dinners. The operator describes it as recently renovated and non-smoking. Its listed hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The Bad River Snack Bar operates from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. My advice: eat before settling into a long casino session, especially Sunday through Wednesday, when the published lineup does not provide the same evening food coverage.
Falls Lounge opens daily at 10 a.m. and stays open until close. Its listed happy hour runs Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with $2.50 rail drinks and beers. The gaming-floor Mini Bar also opens at 10 a.m. and lists free soda and coffee. An open bar is not a promise of an open kitchen.
Entertainment and other amenities
Bad River schedules live music and tribute acts, rather than promising nightly entertainment. Check the calendar and admission terms for your date; some advertised shows require guests to be 21 or older.
The Smoke & Gift Shop offers souvenirs, Bad River merchandise, and tobacco products. The connected BP station lists daily hours of 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., so handle fuel before a late casino departure.
Directions, parking, and RV costs
A car is the practical choice for reaching Bad River and exploring the surrounding area. Arrange any hired ride ahead of time, and allow for northern Wisconsin winter driving conditions.
Published nightly RV prices are:
- $15.00: parking only.
- $20.00: parking with water or electricity.
- $30.00: parking with water and electricity.
Contact the Smoke & Gift Shop or call 715-682-7121, extension 1294 for arrangements. Confirm site availability, hookups, and any additional charges.
RV cost and convenience comparison
The cheapest site makes sense only if you do not need hookups. Staying on-site also does not remove the need to plan evening meals.
Gamboool original analysis
We assembled the comparison below from published information and our calculations. These are selected examples, rather than measured gambling sessions or a representative survey.
| Detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Bad River Lodge & Casino: Published daily operating hours | The official homepage lists daily casino hours of 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.; dining outlets have separate schedules. |
| Casino floor: Slot inventory and smoking policy | The property advertises 350 slot machines and a completely smoke-free casino floor. |
| Bad River Lodge: Location relative to Ashland | The lodge describes its location as just off Highway 2 and 15 minutes east of Ashland, making it a driving base rather than a downtown stay. |
| Bad River Lodge: Room inventory and renovation notice | The lodge lists 50 guest rooms and says several rooms are undergoing renovations, with anticipated completion in summer or fall 2026, subject to change. Ask about room availability and disruption when booking. |
| Lodge guest rooms: Included conveniences | All rooms list a mini refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. |
| Lodge room categories: Connecting-room and upgraded-bath options | The queen adjoining option connects with Super King rooms; the Super King description specifically includes bathtub jets. |
| Accessible lodge rooms: Room type and floor | Accessible Single King rooms are listed on the first floor; confirm individual accessibility features directly. |
| Bad River Lodge: Guest amenities | The lodge lists an indoor pool, hot tub, coffee nook, vending machines, ice dispenser, complimentary Wi-Fi, DirecTV, and round-the-clock front desk service. |
| Lodge reservations: Booking channel | Online booking is not currently available; the property directs guests to call the lodge at 715-682-6102. |
| Lodge discounts: One versus two qualifying credentials | Sunday-through-Thursday discounts are listed at 10% for one qualifying credential and 20% for two. Listed categories include tribal enrollment, AAA, AARP, military, and River Rewards. |
| RV parking: Published price tiers | Nightly RV prices are $15.00 for parking only, $20.00 with water or electricity, and $30.00 with both water and electricity. |
| Manomin Restaurant: Daily dining schedule | The restaurant lists daily hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; it is not a late-night dining option. |
| Bad River Snack Bar: Evening food availability | The snack bar lists Thursday-through-Saturday hours of 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., extending on-property food availability beyond the restaurant’s closing time on those days. |
| Falls Lounge: Happy-hour schedule and prices | Happy hour is listed for Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with $2.50 rail drinks and $2.50 beers. |
| Gaming-floor Mini Bar: Hours and complimentary beverages | The Mini Bar lists daily opening at 10 a.m. and offers free soda or coffee; its opening time differs from the casino floor’s. |
| Connected BP gas station: Fuel-stop hours | The connected BP station lists daily hours of 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; plan fuel purchases separately from a late casino departure. |
| October Black Friday Fast Track promotion: Entry requirements by day | The opened homepage lists one entry per five points on October Tuesdays versus one entry per three points on non-Tuesdays. Confirm the promotion’s dates and full rules before planning play. |
| Published travel estimates: Duluth versus Minneapolis–St. Paul | The property estimates approximately 75 miles and 90 minutes from Duluth versus approximately 230 miles and four hours from Minneapolis–St. Paul. These are published approximations, not measured trip times. |
| Calculation | Result | Takeaway |
|---|---|---|
| Illustrative three-night RV stay: parking only | 45 US dollars, before any unlisted taxes or charges | Parking only is the lowest published RV price; choose it only if you do not need hookups. |
| Illustrative three-night RV stay: one hookup | 60 US dollars, before any unlisted taxes or charges | The middle RV tier supplies water or electricity, not both; confirm which hookup your site includes. |
| Illustrative three-night RV stay: water and electricity | 90 US dollars, before any unlisted taxes or charges | Budget for the highest published RV tier if you need both water and electricity. |
| Nightly RV premium for both hookups over parking only | $15.00 per night | Compare the hookup premium with your actual RV needs rather than automatically choosing the cheapest site. |
| One-cardholder lodge discount on an illustrative $150.00 eligible room quote | $15.00 of room-charge savings | Ask the lodge whether your credential and stay qualify before relying on the discount; the example room charge is not an advertised rate. |
| Two-cardholder lodge discount on the same illustrative $150.00 eligible room quote | $30.00 of room-charge savings | Mention both qualifying credentials when requesting a quote, and have the lodge confirm the eligible charge and final total. |
Research references: badriver.com 1, badriver.com 2, badriver.com 3, badriver.com 4.
Method: Published inputs collected 2026-10-13. Illustrative assumptions are labeled, and the full calculation inputs remain in the saved research record. These examples support planning; they do not predict a particular session.
For an illustrative three-night RV stay, the published rates total $45.00 for parking only, $60.00 for one hookup, or $90.00 for water and electricity, before any unlisted taxes or charges. Both hookups carry a $15.00 nightly premium over parking alone. Confirm which hookup the middle tier supplies.
I would choose the site for the services the RV actually needs, then plan dinner around the day of the week. Thursday through Saturday offers the snack bar as an evening fallback; Sunday through Wednesday requires more deliberate meal planning.
River Rewards
River Rewards is the current club branding on the property homepage. Ask the players-club desk about enrollment, eligible play, and current promotion rules. Offers and drawing requirements are date-specific, not permanent benefits.
Use your card for eligible play, but keep your gambling budget separate from your room-and-meal budget. Spending more to qualify for a benefit can erase the savings rather quickly.
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to gamble at Bad River?
The minimum gambling age is 18. Bring valid government-issued photo identification. Individual entertainment events can have a higher admission age.
Is Bad River Lodge & Casino open 24 hours?
No. The casino lists daily hours of 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Dining venues and other facilities have separate schedules.
Does Bad River Lodge have a pool?
Yes. The lodge lists an indoor pool and hot tub among its guest amenities.
Is the casino smoke-free?
Yes. The operator describes the casino floor as completely smoke-free. Ask separately about room and outdoor-area policies.
Does Bad River have a poker room or sportsbook?
No. It has neither a dedicated player-versus-player poker room nor an on-property retail sportsbook.
Can you get dinner late at Bad River?
Manomin closes at 6 p.m. daily. The snack bar lists service until 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, so plan ahead on other evenings.
Sources and research note
This guide uses published property, tribal, and tourism information, not a firsthand stay or gambling test. Inventories, promotions, and schedules can change. Obtain a date-specific room quote and check the services essential to your trip.
- Official casino homepage: hours, advertised slots, smoking policy, rewards branding, and events.
- Official lodging page: rooms, amenities, renovations, reservations, discounts, and RV prices.
- Official dining page: restaurant, snack bar, lounge, and beverage schedules.
- Official contact page: ownership and address information.
- Bad River Tribe enterprises page: casino complex and broad table-game description.
- Bad River website root: official website link retained from the original guide.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room or on-site sportsbook.