California Tribal Casino Bows Kid-Friendly Ninja Course and Trampoline Park

Posted on: January 1, 2024, 02:10h. 

Last updated on: January 2, 2024, 12:32h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

A California tribal casino some 70 air miles southeast of Sacramento in Tuolumne is making a big bet on keeping its resort bustling in 2024 with more family-friendly draws.

California tribal casino Black Oak
Elevate is a new standalone family-friendly entertainment center located at the Black Oak Casino Resort in California. The facility brings an array of new kid-appropriate fun to the destination southeast of Sacramento. (Image: The Union Democrat)

The Black Oak Casino Resort is owned and operated by the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians. Ahead of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the tribe opened its casino’s newest attraction — a 20,000-square-foot family fun center called “Elevate.”

The facility provides entertainment for all ages. Guests can tackle a ninja warrior course, jump around on an indoor trampoline park, play dodgeball, throw axes, golf on indoor simulators, and perform high-flying slam dunks.

Elevate officially opened its doors on Dec. 20. The facility is open 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekend.

We aim to provide a fun entertainment experience that elevates the entire family,” a statement from the tribal casino read. “A place where not only visitors, but our local community of all ages, can come together and experience family fun.”

Tuolumne County residents with proof of residency receive a 10% discount on admission to Elevate. For nonresidents, the family-friendly attraction offers an array of passes. A 90-minute “jump pass” to the trampoline area starts at $23 for guests aged seven and older. Guests aged six and under get in for $18.

Added Reasons to Visit

Like so many casinos across the country, Black Oak is presumably trying to add destination value by way of nongaming amenities, as casinos continue to spread in the U.S. and legal gaming outlets are more widely available. The Black Oak property is the primary economic engine of the tribe, which operates slot machines and table games through a Class III Indian gaming compact with the State of California.

Black Oak opened in 2001 with slots and a small restaurant. It’s undergone significant expansions since, with the resort today offering nearly 1,200 slots and 22 table games on a 50,000-square-foot casino floor. About 325 machines are located on a smoke-free second floor that measures around 11,000 square feet.

Elevate isn’t the tribe’s first nongaming investment in the resort.

Along with its 18-hole championship golf course that it purchased in 2019, the Black Oak Casino Resort in January 2005 opened a 53,000-square-foot “Family Fun Floor.” The facility features a 24-lane bowling alley and an arcade.

Resort Expansion Planned

The Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians has plans to further expand its casino resort. Though the tribe is staying mum on specifics, tribal leaders say the investments will include upgrades and expansions to the current resort.

Along with the aforementioned gaming and entertainment, Black Oak features a 148-room hotel with five full-serve restaurants, plus a convention and event center. An accompanying 85-space RV park has full power capabilities with restrooms and showers, a dog park, and a catch-and-release fishing pond.

The Black Oak RV park is a popular stop for recreational motorists, as the resort borders Yosemite National Park and Gold Country.