by Joe Tracy, editor of Theme Park Magazine
The colorful lights of Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino will dim on July 7, 2025, marking the end of one of America’s most bold entertainment experiments. For over three decades, this Nevada border town landmark dared to answer a question no one else was asking: “What happens when you put a world-record roller coaster inside a casino?”
Today, Primm Valley Casino & Resorts announced the shift of Buffalo Bill’s 24/7 operations to its sister property across the street. The news confirms what theme park enthusiasts have feared for years. The resort that once boasted the world’s tallest roller coaster and America’s only casino-integrated log flume will close its doors as a full-time destination.
“In order to deliver the best possible experience for today’s guest expectations, Buffalo Bill’s will be shifting its 24/7 operations to Primm Valley Resort & Casino,” the company stated. “We invite our guests to join us at Primm Valley where they will find the newest slots on our redesigned casino floor, beautifully appointed rooms, oasis pool experience, and wonderful dining! Buffalo Bill’s will continue to be home for exciting concerts and special events. We will be announcing an incredible fall show lineup at the Star of the Desert Arena soon. We thank our guests for their ongoing support and look forward to serving them for years to come.”
Vegas Advantage first reported the closure June 30, forcing the company to issue its statement the following day.
The announcement brings to a close one of the most ambitious entertainment experiments in American history. To understand what the industry is losing, you have to go back to the beginning, when a visionary developer decided that bigger wasn’t just better. It was essential.
The Wild West Meets Wild Rides
Buffalo Bill’s opened on May 14, 1994, with a promise that would have sounded insane to anyone familiar with typical casino design. Gary Primm, the visionary developer behind the resort, wasn’t content with just another roadside gambling hall. He wanted to create something that would make every traveler on Interstate 15 slam on their brakes.
His secret weapon? The Desperado roller coaster.
When Desperado debuted on August 11, 1994, it immediately claimed the title of America’s tallest roller coaster at 209 feet. The Guinness Book of World Records officially recognized it as the world’s tallest in 1996. But height was just part of the story. This Arrow Dynamics hypercoaster delivered a 225-foot drop and speeds reaching 80 mph. And the adventure always started on the casino floor.
Riders would board inside the casino, surrounded by the distinctive sounds of slot machines and casino chatter. The coaster would then climb through the roof, offering panoramic views of the Mojave Desert, before plunging riders down that record-breaking drop into a disorienting tunnel at ground level. The experience peaked with intense G-forces of up to 4 Gs, comparable to what astronauts feel during shuttle launches.
The integration wasn’t accidental. Desperado’s electric-yellow steel track became part of the casino’s architecture, creating a surreal environment where the screams of thrill-seekers mixed with the jingles of jackpot wins.
So how much did it cost to ride Desperado when it opened in 1995? $4 a ride. In the first 9 months of being open, more than 800,000 rode Desperado.
But Primm wasn’t content with just one groundbreaking attraction. The resort’s next innovation would just as bold: bringing water into the heart of a casino.
Adventures Through the Heart of a Casino
If Desperado was Buffalo Bill’s headline act, Adventure Canyon Log Flume was its most innovative supporting player. Opened alongside the resort in 1994, this attraction achieved something no other log flume has matched before or since: it flowed directly through the main casino area.
Adventure Canyon wasn’t just a water ride with an unusual location. During its prime, riders were equipped with electronic guns to shoot at animatronic “bandits” strategically placed along the route. The Old West theming was meticulous, featuring tombstones, “Wanted” posters, and cowboy figures that would react to the laser guns by moving or sometimes squirting water back at riders.
The interactive elements extended beyond the logs themselves. Casino patrons could insert quarters into machines that operated water cannons, allowing them to drench passing riders from the casino floor. This created a unique spectacle where non-riders became part of the show.
The ride’s path took adventurers through minor “rapids” inside the casino before climbing outside for a dramatic 50-foot drop, culminating in a refreshing splashdown. It then took riders back into the casino for an extended ride just below the casino floor. The outdoor section was completely western-themed, featuring a desert mountain that the flume emerged from for its final plunge. In a brilliant design touch, Desperado’s roller coaster track circled around and over the log flume, creating moments where riders on both attractions would see each other mid-thrill.
The experience was surreal with water splashing indoors while slot machines jingled in the background. One former visitor captured it perfectly, calling the whole thing “weird but so cool.”
These two signature attractions formed the backbone of something larger. Primm’s vision extended beyond individual rides to create an interconnected entertainment ecosystem unlike anything the industry had seen.
A Different Theme Park Experience
Buffalo Bill’s ambitions extended beyond its two signature attractions. The resort operated as a comprehensive entertainment complex that challenged traditional casino design at every turn.
The UniTrak People Mover connected Buffalo Bill’s to the adjacent Primm Valley Resort and, across the interstate, Whiskey Pete’s. This sophisticated tram system could transport 2,200 people per hour per direction, turning what could have been separate casinos into a unified entertainment destination.
Families found additional thrills in the Frog Hopper, a 30-foot junior drop tower perfect for younger adventurers. The more daring could experience the Turbo Drop, a larger vertical drop tower that used compressed air to slowly lift riders before delivering a powerful 1.5G downward launch.
From opening day, Buffalo Bill’s also had two motion simulators. The main one was called Devil’s Mine. This “motion theatre” was a four-seat capsule that would take riders on an adventure where they would be on a runaway mine cart getting tossed around. The other, Ghost Town Motion Theater, would alternate between bobsledding, space crafts, and dune buggies.
The Star of the Desert Arena anchored the resort’s entertainment offerings with 6,500 seats for major concerts, rodeos, and boxing matches. Artists like B.B. King, Brooks & Dunn, and Ramon Ayala graced its stage, while the venue also hosted significant sporting events.
Adding a grim historical touch, the resort housed the authentic Bonnie and Clyde death car exhibit. The bullet-riddled 1934 Ford V-8, complete with showroom dummies and Clyde’s blood-stained shirt (which cost $85,000), offered visitors a compelling glimpse into criminal history. Originally displayed at Whiskey Pete’s, the exhibit moved to Buffalo Bill’s in 2023 and remains one of the few available attractions.
Buffalo Bill’s was a 46,000 square foot casino/hotel when it opened. It was 16 stories high with 600 rooms. For gamblers, it had 1,500 slot machines along with table games, a keno lounge, poker room, and sports book room. In the early days guests could watch an old-fashioned shoot-out.
This complete entertainment package thrived throughout the 1990s, but what’s a Wild West theme without a train? Gary Primm knew every frontier town needed a railroad, and Buffalo Bill’s would be no exception. Or would it?
The “Ghost Train”: A Symbol of Unfulfilled Dreams
Hidden among Buffalo Bill’s attractions was something few visitors ever understood… the remnants of what should have been another groundbreaking ride. Dark tracks on an elevated bridge, visible from inside and outside the casino, told the story of an amusement train line that never quite came to life.
This “half-built train ride” was part of Gary Primm’s original, even more ambitious vision for Buffalo Bill’s. The infrastructure was there, including elevated structures and track segments positioned to intersect with both Desperado and Adventure Canyon, creating what would have been an unprecedented three-way interaction of rides. Some accounts suggest this novelty train operated briefly, perhaps only in the resort’s first year, before falling silent forever. Other accounts say it never opened. It’s a mystery. But there is evidence that something ran, at least for the first several months after opening.
In researching for this article, the only two mentions we could find about a train was from a 1995 article in The Grand Rapids Press newspaper and a 1995 article in the Los Angeles Times.
Here are two quotes from The Grand Rapids Press article:
“… That’s because Primm jumped onto the 1990s, putting dreams in motion on both sides of the freeway and even crossing the freeway via monorail and Old West railroad.”
“… On the gentler side, a log flume floats through Buffalo Bill’s, a monorail shuttles folks between Whiskey Pete’s and Primadonna, and an open carriage Old West railroad links all three casino resorts.“
And here’s a quote from The Los Angeles Times (April 11, 1995):
“On the south side of I-15, The Desperado climbs and curves, a shrieking mass of flailing arms and clacking steel. A train connects Buffalo Bill’s with the neighboring Primadonna, a sprawling Victorian-themed hotel that looks a lot like the Hotel del Coronado run amok. The train also spans the freeway from Buffalo Bill’s to Whiskey Pete’s, a curious faux Medieval castle with an 1890s Western bootlegger for a mascot. A space-age monorail shoots back across the freeway to the Primadonna, where a big Ferris wheel ride spins at the entrance.”
Whether it briefly ran or not, the abandoned train tracks quickly became a permanent fixture, a reminder of plans that exceeded market realities. While Desperado claimed world records and Adventure Canyon pioneered casino-integrated water rides, the “ghost train” represented the path not fully realized. Its elevated bridge and mountainous tracks served as a monument to the era when anything seemed possible, when a casino developer believed he could build not just the world’s tallest roller coaster, but an entire theme park to go with it.
UPDATE: The Train That Time Forgot: Solving the Mystery of Buffalo Bill’s Lost Railroad
The train’s failure to fully launch foreshadowed the broader challenges that would eventually silence all of Buffalo Bill’s major attractions. It was the first casualty of economic reality, years before declining patronage would claim the rest.
The Slow Fade from Glory
The seeds of Buffalo Bill’s decline were planted years before the COVID-19 pandemic delivered its final blow. By the mid-2000s, Adventure Canyon’s interactive elements began disappearing. Electronic guns fell into the water or were stolen by guests, forcing management to remove the shooting elements entirely. The animatronics that once reacted to laser fire became static displays, robbing the ride of its unique interactive appeal.
Desperado faced its own challenges. The ride’s operation became increasingly inconsistent, typically running only on weekends by the late 2010s. Reports from riders before it closed mentioned a noticeable “rattle” and general discomfort, suggesting the coaster hadn’t aged gracefully from its record-breaking debut.
The broader entertainment landscape was shifting against Primm’s favor. The proliferation of tribal casinos in Southern California eliminated much of the resort’s core market. CEO Scott Butera of Affinity Gaming, Buffalo Bill’s current owner, has acknowledged this fundamental challenge, noting how closer gaming options reduced the need for Californians to drive to Nevada.
By 2019, all major rides had closed permanently. The COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 provided a convenient cover for what had already become an inevitable decision.
When Buffalo Bill’s casino finally reopened in December 2022, it was clear that the property’s glory days were firmly in the past. Recent guest experiences would only reinforce this reality.
Recent Struggles and Guest Experiences
Buffalo Bill’s casino reopened in December 2022 following extensive renovations, but the inconsistent guest experience that followed painted a picture of a property in decline. Recent reviews from 2025 reveal a stark divide in guest satisfaction.
Some visitors found value in the low room rates and appreciated the staff’s helpfulness. “Great value for the money,” wrote one guest, praising the resort’s affordable pricing and friendly service.
However, a significant number of reviews told a different story. One guest’s March 2025 experience was particularly telling: “Run, don’t walk from this place. Having 5 roaches in the bathroom was not what we expected. Bathroom handle was broken. Maids walked in without knocking. What was worse, is we complained to the front desk during checkout and they didn’t seem concerned.”
Another recent visitor described their room as having “stained sheets, hair in shower drain and soap with body hair left from a previous visit in shower, trash and deodorant left under the bed,” calling it the “worst room I have ever stayed in.”
These accounts, combined with mandatory resort fees of $43.88 per night that often surprised guests, created a negative perception that overshadowed any remaining positive aspects of the property. The stop in Primm, Nevada, once offered travelers a bargain alternative to Las Vegas. But in its final decade, hidden fees eroded that advantage, making Buffalo Bill’s no more affordable than hotels just 40 minutes away in Las Vegas.
Yet for all its recent struggles, Buffalo Bill’s impact on the entertainment industry remains undeniable. What Gary Primm created in the Nevada desert was more than just a casino with rides and theme park elements; it was proof that innovation happens when someone refuses to accept limitations.
A Legacy of Bold Innovation
Despite its current state, Buffalo Bill’s legacy in the entertainment industry cannot be understated. Gary Primm’s vision to integrate major theme park attractions directly into a casino environment was unprecedented. The resort proved that the boundaries between different entertainment formats were more flexible than anyone had imagined.
The Desperado’s world record status and Adventure Canyon’s unique casino integration represented a brief but brilliant moment when someone dared to ask “what if?” instead of accepting conventional wisdom about casino design. The resort’s influence can be seen in later developments that blended gaming with family entertainment, though none matched Buffalo Bill’s audacious integration.
For theme park enthusiasts, Buffalo Bill’s represented something special: a place where the excitement of world-class rides merged seamlessly with the energy of casino gaming. The sight of Desperado’s towering yellow track piercing through the casino roof became an iconic image of 1990s entertainment ambition.
The closure announcement marks the end of an era when Primm served as more than just a pit stop between California and Las Vegas. For three decades, it offered proof that entertainment could be redefined by those bold enough to ignore conventional boundaries.
While Buffalo Bill’s will continue hosting concerts and special events, the 24/7 casino operations that made it a destination are ending. The Desperado and Adventure Canyon will remain as silent monuments to a time when someone believed a roller coaster belonged in a casino and a log flume could flow through a gambling hall.
The stunning lights may be dimming on Buffalo Bill’s as a full-time resort, but its influence on entertainment design will persist. It proved that the most memorable experiences often come from the most unlikely combinations, leaving a legacy that extends far beyond the Nevada desert where it all began.
Buffalo Bill’s FAQ
When did Buffalo Bill’s Resort close?
Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino closed its 24/7 operations on July 7, 2025. The casino/hotel closed permanently as a full-time destination, though it will open for special events and concerts at the Star of the Desert Arena.
Why did Buffalo Bill’s Resort close?
Buffalo Bill’s closed due to declining patronage caused by the proliferation of tribal casinos in Southern California, reduced interstate traffic, and economic challenges that made operating three full-time casinos in Primm unsustainable. Increased and hidden fees didn’t help.
What rides did Buffalo Bill’s Resort have?
Buffalo Bill’s featured:
- Desperado roller coaster (world’s tallest when it debuted).
- Adventure Canyon Log Flume (the only casino-integrated log flume)
- Frog Hopper drop tower
- Turbo Drop
- Two motion simulators.
All major rides closed permanently in 2019-2020.
Is the Desperado roller coaster still operating?
No, the Desperado roller coaster has been closed since 2019. Despite being maintained and receiving test runs, there are no plans to reopen it to the public. The ride’s signage has been removed and its entrance blocked.
What made Buffalo Bill’s Resort unique?
Buffalo Bill’s was unique because it integrated major theme park attractions directly into a casino environment. The Desperado roller coaster ran through the casino floor, and Adventure Canyon was the world’s only log flume that flowed through a gambling hall.
How tall was the Desperado roller coaster?
The Desperado roller coaster was 209 feet tall with a 225-foot drop and reached speeds of 80 mph. It held the Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest roller coaster in 1996.
What was Adventure Canyon Log Flume?
Adventure Canyon was a log flume that ran through Buffalo Bill’s casino with a 50-foot drop. It originally featured interactive elements where riders could shoot at animatronic bandits with electronic guns, and casino patrons could operate water cannons to spray riders.
When did Buffalo Bill’s Resort open?
Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino opened on May 14, 1994, in Primm, Nevada. It was developed by Gary Primm as part of his vision to create a destination that combined casino gaming with major theme park attractions.
Where is Buffalo Bill’s Resort located?
Buffalo Bill’s Resort is located in Primm, Nevada, at the California-Nevada border along Interstate 15, approximately 40 minutes south of Las Vegas.
What will happen to Buffalo Bill’s after closure?
After July 7, 2025, Buffalo Bill’s will only operate for special events and concerts at the Star of the Desert Arena. The company stated they will announce a fall concert lineup. Day-to-day casino operations will shift to Primm Valley Resort across the street.
How much did it cost to ride Desperado?
When Desperado opened in 1995, it cost $4 per ride. In its first 9 months of operation, more than 800,000 people rode the roller coaster.
Was there ever a train at Buffalo Bill’s?
All over Buffalo Bill’s, there are remnants of train tracks suggesting there was a train. However, only two articles from 1995 ever mention the possible existence of a train. According to those newspaper articles, an Old West open carriage train would run on railroad tracks separate from the monorail tracks. Some people claim a train did run and others claim it never did. But the history of what it could have been exists today, especially with the tracks intersecting with the roller coaster and log flume.
Update: The Train That Time Forgot: Solving the Mystery of Buffalo Bill’s Lost Railroad
What other attractions did Buffalo Bill’s have?
Beyond the rides, Buffalo Bill’s featured the 6,500-seat Star of the Desert Arena for concerts, the authentic Bonnie and Clyde death car exhibit, a 46,000 square foot casino with 1,500 slot machines, and connections to other Primm resorts via the UniTrak People Mover system.
Who owned Buffalo Bill’s Resort?
Buffalo Bill’s Resort is currently owned by Affinity Gaming. It was originally developed by Gary Primm and has changed ownership several times, including periods under MGM Mirage and Herbst Gaming.
What happened to the other Primm casinos?
Whiskey Pete’s closed permanently on December 17, 2024. Buffalo Bill’s is closing July 7, 2025. Primm Valley Resort will remain as the only full-time casino operation in Primm after extensive renovations and updates.
Explore More: Videos
Desperado Front Seat on-ride POV Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino
Adventure Canyon Flume ride in its later days. This gives a GREAT view of the train tracks during the drop.
Exploring the theming of Buffalo Bill’s
Explore More: Resources
- Article: History of Log Flume Ride at Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino (Theme Park Magazine)
- Article: Buffalo Bill’s Casino in Primm Closing (Vegas Advantage)
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About Joe Tracy
Joe Tracy, the creator, and editor of Theme Park Magazine, is a lifetime enthusiast of theme parks and immersive experiences. The publication was launched under his leadership on June 1, 2021, as a manifestation of his deep-seated love for all things themed. Joe has amassed over 20 years of expertise in both traditional print and online publishing.
