Horizon Casino Resort was a landmark property in Stateline, Nevada, offering 539 rooms, extensive gaming facilities, and direct access to Lake Tahoe. The resort operated under various names from 1965 to present, serving as a cornerstone of South Shore entertainment.
The property at 50 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada has served as one of Lake Tahoe's most recognizable casino resort destinations for six decades. Originally developed by the Del E. Webb Corporation and opened as Sahara Tahoe in 1965, this location has undergone multiple transformations while maintaining its position as a central entertainment hub on the South Shore. Understanding the complete history of this property provides valuable context for visitors and hospitality industry observers alike.
Lake Tahoe's South Shore casino corridor represents a unique intersection of Nevada gaming culture and alpine recreation. The Horizon Casino Resort, operating under that name from 1990 to 2014, exemplified this dual appeal by offering comprehensive gaming facilities alongside immediate access to one of North America's most pristine mountain lakes. The property's 539 rooms made it one of the largest accommodation providers in the region, while its 22,750 square feet of casino floor space positioned it as a significant gaming destination.
The resort's location in Stateline, Nevada provided strategic advantages including Nevada's favorable gaming regulations while serving visitors to both Nevada and California portions of Lake Tahoe. This positioning allowed the property to capture traffic from multiple regional markets and establish itself as a convenient base for both casino guests and outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
The property's history spans multiple ownership groups and brand identities, each reflecting different strategic visions for the Lake Tahoe market. This evolution demonstrates how hospitality properties adapt to changing consumer preferences and competitive dynamics.
The Del E. Webb Corporation announced plans for the casino hotel in January 1963, leasing 20 acres from Park Cattle Co. Construction commenced in April 1964, with the property opening as Sahara Tahoe on June 30, 1965. The initial development cost $25 million and featured a 14-story hotel tower with 350 rooms and a 1,000-seat theater restaurant. A second tower with 224 rooms across 8 floors was completed in late 1968, expanding capacity to meet growing demand.
During this period, the property established its entertainment credentials by hosting major performers. Elvis Presley performed at Sahara Tahoe from 1971 to 1976, and his suite remains available for booking at the current property. This entertainment focus helped differentiate the resort in a competitive market and established lasting brand associations.
In 1983, the property underwent rebranding as the High Sierra Hotel Casino with a Western theme. This repositioning reflected ownership changes and attempts to refresh the property's market appeal. The High Sierra name is also associated with a significant technology milestone: in 1985, the property hosted companies that defined the High Sierra Format, which became the basis for how computers access CD-ROMs.
The 1990 rebranding to Horizon Lake Tahoe marked the beginning of the name most associated with the property in recent memory. Under this identity, the resort operated for 24 years, establishing itself as a comprehensive destination with diverse amenities.
Horizon Casino Resort featured 539 guest rooms distributed across 15 floors, making it the largest hotel property in the immediate Lake Tahoe area. Standard check-in time was 4:00 PM with noon checkout, and the property maintained a minimum check-in age of 21 due to its casino operations. Room configurations ranged from standard accommodations to premium suites, with many rooms offering views of Lake Tahoe or the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains.
The resort provided both self-parking and valet parking at no charge to guests, a significant amenity given parking constraints in the South Shore area. This free parking policy differentiated Horizon from some competing properties and reduced total stay costs for visitors.
The South Shore casino corridor in Stateline, Nevada has undergone significant transformation since the 1960s. Properties like Horizon have adapted to changing market demands, guest expectations, and competitive pressures through multiple rebrandings and renovations.
Modern Lake Tahoe casino resorts balance gaming entertainment with outdoor recreation access, family-friendly amenities, and diverse dining options. The evolution from single-focus casino properties to comprehensive resort destinations reflects broader hospitality industry trends.
The casino floor at Horizon encompassed 22,750 square feet and featured a diverse mix of gaming options. Slot machines dominated the floor space, with dozens of units offering traditional slots as well as video poker, video blackjack, and video roulette. Table games provided options for players preferring traditional casino experiences, with offerings including blackjack, roulette, and other standard casino games.
The gaming operation was designed to appeal to both serious gamblers and casual players, with betting limits accommodating various budgets. The casino's central location within the resort ensured high visibility and foot traffic from hotel guests and walk-in visitors from the South Shore area.
Horizon Casino Resort maintained multiple food and beverage outlets to serve diverse guest preferences. The Town Square Buffet offered international cuisine in an all-you-can-eat format, while the Four Seasons Restaurant provided comfort cuisine in a more traditional dining setting. A Starbucks location ensured guests had access to familiar coffee options, and additional quick-service outlets rounded out the dining portfolio.
Entertainment amenities extended beyond gaming to include an 8-plex movie theater with stadium seating, providing first-run films in a convenient on-site location. A video game arcade appealed to younger visitors and families, while the property also featured what was marketed as the largest outdoor pool in Lake Tahoe. These non-gaming amenities positioned Horizon as a comprehensive resort rather than a gaming-only destination.
The resort maintained a 24-hour fitness center available to all guests at no additional charge, allowing visitors to maintain workout routines during their stay. A 24-hour business center provided computer access, printing, and other services for business travelers. On-site retail included Piccolito Petes Boutique, offering jewelry and clothing, and Accent Gift Shop for souvenirs and convenience items.
Laundry service was available for guests requiring clothing care during extended stays. The property's comprehensive amenity package meant guests could potentially spend their entire visit on-site without needing to drive elsewhere for basic services or entertainment.
Horizon Casino Resort closed its doors on April 1, 2014, ending the 24-year run under that brand name. The closure was not permanent but rather marked the beginning of a $60 million renovation and rebranding project. The property reopened as Hard Rock Lake Tahoe on January 28, 2015, bringing the Hard Rock brand's music-themed hospitality concept to Lake Tahoe.
The Hard Rock era lasted until 2023, when the property underwent another ownership and brand change. In 2023, Fertitta Entertainment and Landry's acquired the hotel and casino operations, with NevaOne LLC and Park Companies retaining land ownership. The property was rebranded as Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, bringing another established casino brand to the location.
These successive transformations demonstrate the ongoing evolution of Lake Tahoe's casino resort market. Each rebranding has involved significant capital investment in renovations, updated amenities, and repositioned marketing strategies designed to attract contemporary travelers.
The property's address at 50 Highway 50 in Stateline, Nevada places it directly on the Nevada-California border in the South Shore area of Lake Tahoe. This location provides immediate access to the lake itself, with beaches within walking distance. The South Shore area is the most developed portion of Lake Tahoe, featuring the highest concentration of casino resorts, restaurants, and entertainment venues around the lake.
Proximity to ski resorts represents another significant locational advantage. Heavenly Mountain Resort, one of Lake Tahoe's largest ski areas, is located nearby, making the property convenient for winter sports enthusiasts. This dual-season appeal—summer lake recreation and winter skiing—extends the property's peak demand periods beyond what single-season destinations experience.
The South Shore location also provides convenient access for visitors from major California population centers including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, and Central Valley communities. This accessibility has been crucial to the property's success across all its brand iterations.
For many visitors, Horizon Casino Resort represents cherished memories of family vacations, weekend getaways, and special occasions. The property's 24-year run under the Horizon name created lasting associations for a generation of Lake Tahoe visitors. Former guests often recall specific features such as the large pool, the movie theater, the casino floor atmosphere, and the convenience of having comprehensive amenities in one location.
The property's various incarnations also reflect broader trends in American hospitality and gaming industries. The shift from the classic Rat Pack-era Sahara branding to the Western-themed High Sierra, then to the more generic Horizon name, and finally to music-themed Hard Rock and gaming-focused Golden Nugget illustrates how properties continuously reinvent themselves to remain relevant.
Elvis Presley's performances at the property during the Sahara Tahoe era created historical significance that extends beyond typical resort operations. The preservation of his suite as a bookable accommodation maintains a tangible connection to that entertainment history.
The property at 50 Highway 50 in Stateline has served Lake Tahoe visitors for six decades under five different brand names. From its 1965 opening as Sahara Tahoe through its current operation as Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe, the location has remained a significant presence in South Shore hospitality. The Horizon Casino Resort era from 1990 to 2014 represents the longest continuous brand identity and the period most familiar to contemporary visitors.
Understanding this property's history provides context for Lake Tahoe's development as a year-round resort destination. The successive investments, renovations, and rebrandings demonstrate ongoing confidence in the location's fundamental advantages: proximity to Lake Tahoe's natural beauty, access to world-class skiing, and positioning in Nevada's favorable gaming regulatory environment.
For those who experienced Horizon Casino Resort during its operation, the property remains a touchstone of Lake Tahoe memories. For current visitors, the location continues to offer comprehensive resort amenities under new branding, maintaining its role as a cornerstone of South Shore hospitality.
Horizon Casino Resort closed on April 1, 2014, after operating under that name since 1990. The closure was temporary to allow for a $60 million renovation and rebranding as Hard Rock Lake Tahoe.
The property is currently operating as Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe as of 2023. It was previously Hard Rock Lake Tahoe from 2015 to 2023, and Horizon Casino Resort from 1990 to 2014.
The property features 539 hotel rooms across 15 floors, making it one of the largest accommodation providers in the Lake Tahoe region.
Yes, the suite where Elvis Presley stayed during his performances at the property from 1971 to 1976 remains available for guest bookings at the current Golden Nugget Lake Tahoe.
Horizon offered 22,750 square feet of gaming space, multiple restaurants including a buffet, an 8-plex movie theater, video game arcade, outdoor pool, fitness center, business center, and retail shops. Free parking was provided to all guests.
The property is located in Stateline, Nevada, directly on the Nevada-California border. Its Nevada location allows for casino gaming operations while providing easy access to California portions of Lake Tahoe.
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The property formerly known as Horizon Casino Resort continues multi-phase renovations under Golden Nugget branding with updated gaming floor and restaurant concepts.
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The suite where Elvis Presley stayed during 1970s performances continues attracting guests interested in entertainment history at the Lake Tahoe property.