Unveiled in October 2020, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort has established itself as one of Arizona’s premier entertainment destinations in the scenic Sonoran Desert. Offering breathtaking views of the sacred Four Peaks Mountains, this resort covers over 166,000 square feet and blends state-of-the-art gaming, world-class dining, exceptional accommodations and a range of leisure activities.
The resort is the latest evolution of the Fort McDowell Casino, which originally opened in 1984 as a bingo hall. Over the years, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation faced significant challenges, including a landmark battle in the early 1990s to protect their right to operate a casino on their reservation. Today, We-Ko-Pa stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Yavapai Nation, offering a vital economic engine for the tribe and a top-tier entertainment experience for guests.
We-Ko-Pa Casino is a 24/7 gaming destination offering various gaming options. With over 930 multi-dimensional slot machines, including classic favorites and the latest video slots, there’s something for everyone. The resort also boasts a spacious, smoke-free 750-seat bingo hall with 50-inch LED monitors for an enhanced gaming experience.
For those who prefer table games, blackjack and roulette are readily available. The casino also features the WKP Sportsbook, which partners with Internet Sports International and offers on-site automated sportsbook kiosks.
The resort has 246 guestrooms and suites, each designed to provide the ultimate comfort and relaxation. The hotel, which earned its AAA Four Diamond rating during its first year of operation in 2007, continues to uphold the highest standards of service and luxury. Guests will find spacious rooms with stunning views of the surrounding desert or pool area and modern amenities, including free high-speed wireless internet, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and in-room safes.
Food lovers will find plenty to indulge in. The resort’s flagship restaurant, Ember, is an award-winning steakhouse specializing in American Wagyu beef and fresh seafood.
The eatery is renowned for its wood-burning grill and impressive wine cellar, which boasts over 900 wines from 32 countries, focusing on each country’s top wine-producing regions and most highly acclaimed vineyards, ranging from a strong California presence to France, Spain, Italy, New Zealand, Argentina, and Germany. Ember’s offerings have earned it a place in Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” for four consecutive years (2021-2024) and OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice Awards in 2022 and 2023.
WKP Sports & Entertainment sports bar serves pub fare, craft beers, and live entertainment. Guests can also enjoy the quick-service offerings at The Market or find a diverse selection of international dishes at The Buffet. Stations serve Italian, American, Mexican, and Asian-inspired dishes, offering an all-you-can-eat experience for every palate.
Ahnala offers all-American favorites with a laid-back atmosphere for breakfast and lunch, while the Center Bar provides a lively social space in the heart of the action.
The Amethyst Spa provides a range of luxurious treatments designed to rejuvenate and refresh guests. Inspired by the lavender-colored amethyst gemstones found in the nearby Four Peaks, the spa offers massages, facials and salon services. Guests can indulge in a signature Amethyst Facial, designed to promote relaxation and restore skin health, or choose from a wide selection of other spa packages tailored to meet individual needs. Guests can unwind by the resort’s two heated pools or relax in one of two outdoor spas.
The resort also offers a five-hole putting green and corn hole for guests looking for outdoor fun. The poolside bar and grill offers drinks, sandwiches, burgers and salads.
The We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is located just across the street from the resort. Home to two award-winning courses, Cholla and Saguaro, the golf club offers spectacular desert and mountain views. Cholla, designed by Scott Miller, features a challenging target-style layout, while Saguaro, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, offers a more traditional experience. With its pristine conditions and scenery, the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is considered one of Arizona’s top golf destinations.
Fort McDowell Adventures offers a variety of outdoor activities inspired by the Wild West. Guests can explore the desert landscape on horseback or experience a real-life cattle drive. Two unique event venues, Rosa’s Ranch and La Puesta del Sol, provide the perfect backdrop for weddings, family reunions, or corporate events.
Located 30 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is easily accessible from the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. As part of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the resort offers visitors a chance to experience the rich culture and history of the Yavapai people who have called this region home for centuries.
The rich heritage of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is displayed in design features throughout the casino resort that represent earth, fire, water, and other natural elements so important to the tribe. The main cultural feature in the atrium is the large blue circle in the center, and the chandelier also signifies water or rain, an artist’s interpretation of Montezuma’s Well, known as the origin of the Yavapai people.
The blue path in the terrazzo floor design represents the Verde River, while the atrium ceiling replicates a desert tortoise shell. Yavapai basketry is exemplified in the center and outer columns of the atrium and the design on the casino floor. Other floor areas evoke a natural pattern of the river and trees, and the Center Bar LED light represents an eagle’s wing. For more information, visit wekopacasinoresort.com.
