Oak Creek Travel Plaza 2024

Oak Creek Travel Plaza 2024

Holiday Gaming and Shopping in Independence, CA

By Christina Reed
The Hired Pen

Independence, CA—Just a few minutes north of Independence, CA is the Oak Creek Travel Plaza (Fort Independence Travel Plaza), casino, and Oak Creek Dispensary. A part of a larger expansion project in the works, the Oak Creek Travel Plaza offers visitors / travelers / residents a chance to take a short trip to gaming, entertainment, and the amenities the travel plaza are increasing. While there has always been a mini-market, complete with all kinds of items (souvenirs, beverages, and snacks), the Oak Creek Travel Plaza has a new food court, too. The new food / eating options allow for visitors to enjoy an all-in-one trip, with fuel, food, snacks, gaming, and the dispensary is down the road. Ample parking for big rigs, travel trailers, motorhomes, and tour buses make this an easy stop for larger groups, and gives residents and travelers a handy place to meet up and get your staycation started.

Oak Creek Travel Plaza is a part of the Fort Independence Indian Community’s visions for its people, and visitors. The tribe’s website describes the “three core pillars of focus” as environmental restoration, economic development, and communal preservation. The Environmental Protection Agency’s “GAP” Grant (General Assistance Program) enables the tribe to work within its 120-acres to establish sustainable projects for the tribe and the environment. The economic development includes “diversifying our portfolio,” and that includes the Oak Creek Cannabis business. The “first-of-its-kind” Native Seed-to-Sale Cannabis Dispensary opened in 2019, is tax free, and has the only drive-through dispensary option in the eastern Sierra. Oak Creek Dispensary is currently the only Native American dispensary in eastern California, too. The dispensary is supported by Oak Creek Farm, which is directly benefitting from the tribe’s access to their historic Oak Creek water resources. The Communal Preservation pillar extends “from our Elders to our youngest children, our tribal members are our greatest resources.”

The Oak Creek Casino, with its 52 video poker slot machines, is open daily, with lots of benefits for regulars. There is a daily Player Appreciation Happy Hour, 4-8 PM, and with the travel plaza next door, the new food court keeps players going with food and beverages. It’s a popular gaming option for those living nearby, and for travelers looking to try their luck, and leave with some extra pocket money, too.