Community Forums

Tahoejeep · 11-06-2017, 03:21 PM

We're taking the coach to AZ, leaving Minnesota the week of Jan 22, weather permitting! We are thinking of spending a few days in Quartsite before heading to our RV park in Mesa. Where do you actually go to boondock? North on 95? Pulling a toad, so you know what that means as far as turning around because I'm not where I want to be. . . I expect we will still have the coach winterized, yet when we get there, so will need to flush our system. Where could we do that and get fresh water?

As far as that goes, what do others do for unwinterizing on the road? I've gotten fresh water at my brother's place near Lawton, OK before, but the new (to us) coach won't fit in his drive. Maybe part of our problem is we typically avoid campgrounds when traveling and boondock along the way.

rarebear.nm · 11-06-2017, 03:42 PM

We are also planning on going to Quartzite this winter for a while, along a few thousand other people, 250,000 in recent years. There are several BLM boondocking camp areas near town, both north and south on 95. There are no campsites in these BLM areas, just wide open desert, park any place you like within these areas. For a small fee you can stay like 180 days. At the BLM site south of town they do provide water and a dump station, it maybe busy at certain times of the day. There is also a private place called The Pit Stop in town to dump and refill water and propane for a fee.

There is a huge amount of info about these areas on the web, just Google for Quartzite and read for hours. Also recommend you use maps.google.com to see what these areas look like. Its a maze of dirt roads on flat desert landscape.

vsheetz · 11-06-2017, 03:47 PM

First time probably easiest is the BLM areas to the south - on both sides of the highway. They are well marked and a small building at the entry from the highway.

Then do some exploring and you will see the myriad of other options for next time.

PJStough · 11-06-2017, 04:00 PM

The BLM land south of town, and north of mile marker 99 charges $40.00 for two weeks and $180 for the season. There is water and a dump station at La Posa South that is included in the price. In addition to the Pit Stop in town there is also Patties RV Park that has propane.

BLM land at mile marker 99(south of town), Hi Jolly and Plomosa Road(north of town), Scadden Wash(east of town) and Domerock(west of town) are free for 14 days, but offer no services.

Also, the sticker you get when you pay at BLM land south of town entitles you to stay at a few other BLM areas in Arizona and California.

Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce & Tourism - RV & Camping

twogypsies · 11-06-2017, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJStough

The BLM land south of town, and north of mile marker 99 charges $40.00 for two weeks and $180 for the season. There is water and a dump station at La Posa South that is included in the price. In addition to the Pit Stop in town there is also Patties RV Park that has propane.

BLM land at mile marker 99(south of town), Hi Jolly and Plomosa Road(north of town), Scadden Wash(east of town) and Domerock(west of town) are free for 14 days, but offer no services.

Also, the sticker you get when you pay at BLM land south of town entitles you to stay at a few other BLM areas in Arizona and California.

Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce & Tourism - RV & Camping

The OP is only planning to spend a couple nights and there are free places to park. No need to pay those prices.

Coming from I-10 westward probably the easiest free place is Scadden Wash. Take Exit 19 south just before Hwy 95. You'll see many RVs parked along the south frontage road - nice and flat. Plenty of room along the frontage road to disconnect your towed vehicle, if necessary, before pulling into your spot.

OP: I would think you will want to de-winterize long before getting to Quartzsite. You'll be driving in much warmer temps before Q. It will be a lot easier to do in a RV park beforehand rather than at Q.

lakewoodpaul · 11-07-2017, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahoejeep

We're taking the coach to AZ, leaving Minnesota the week of Jan 22, weather permitting! We are thinking of spending a few days in Quartsite before heading to our RV park in Mesa. Where do you actually go to boondock? North on 95? Pulling a toad, so you know what that means as far as turning around because I'm not where I want to be. . . I expect we will still have the coach winterized, yet when we get there, so will need to flush our system. Where could we do that and get fresh water?

As far as that goes, what do others do for unwinterizing on the road? I've gotten fresh water at my brother's place near Lawton, OK before, but the new (to us) coach won't fit in his drive. Maybe part of our problem is we typically avoid campgrounds when traveling and boondock along the way.

we haul 1 gallon jugs of water when we leave Ohio. Once we get to warmer areas we will hit a campground and dewinterize.

Tahoejeep · 11-07-2017, 02:40 PM

Thanks for the replies. Looks like Quartsite will work out for us, for a few days, anyway. Should be able to catch a rock and gem show and an RV show. We'll dewinterize somewhere along the way.

Dasmoeturhead · 12-26-2017, 09:38 AM

Kind of of the subject, but do those of you that have boondocked in Quartzsite ride bicycles? I have a couple of folding bikes (not mountain bikes), and was wondering if the surface of the dirt roads in and out of the CG's are hard enough for street type tires to work. If I was in say the south LTVA , is riding into Quartzsite doable? Thanks for your help.

Griffin379 · 12-26-2017, 09:51 AM

If you haven't been there are a lot of you tube videos showing the wide open area and then the 250,000 people and RV's when the show starts.

twogypsies · 12-26-2017, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dasmoeturhead

Kind of of the subject, but do those of you that have boondocked in Quartzsite ride bicycles? I have a couple of folding bikes (not mountain bikes), and was wondering if the surface of the dirt roads in and out of the CG's are hard enough for street type tires to work. If I was in say the south LTVA , is riding into Quartzsite doable? Thanks for your help.

Yes, the gravel roads are hard-packed from the thousands of RVs that travel them. They are also all fairy flat areas. However, be prepared to get dusty.

Dasmoeturhead · 12-26-2017, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Yes, the gravel roads are hard-packed from the thousands of RVs that travel them. They are also all fairy flat areas. However, be prepared to get dusty.

Thanks for clearing that up.

doorguy · 01-06-2018, 08:46 AM

Dasmoeturhead, we stay at Scadden Wash(free) because it is easy in and out with a tow vehicle and close to all amenities in town. The farther back you go in the quieter it gets, as it parallels I-10 and gets noisy if you are up front. We go back to where the huge power transmission towers are and it is quiet there. I take my road bike which I have to load on the car rack and drive to a spot to park and begin my ride, as I can't ride on the hard packed areas. There is plenty of parking for your tow vehicle at the Standard station across the freeway and from there you can connect to a bike path that goes north and west. I find all paved roads in Quartzsite are a nice bike ride as long as you stay on the north side of the freeway. We will be there on the 20th for about 7-10 days.

ByeTheWay · 01-06-2018, 08:35 PM

We are in Q now. Been here a couple of weeks. You can Boondock N, S & E of town. Water in town at 2 locations: 1-N & 1-E of big tent. $5 for W, $15 for D. You can pay to Boondock or Boondock for Free. I like Free. Windy today.

Dasmoeturhead · 01-09-2018, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doorguy

Dasmoeturhead, we stay at Scadden Wash(free) because it is easy in and out with a tow vehicle and close to all amenities in town. The farther back you go in the quieter it gets, as it parallels I-10 and gets noisy if you are up front. We go back to where the huge power transmission towers are and it is quiet there. I take my road bike which I have to load on the car rack and drive to a spot to park and begin my ride, as I can't ride on the hard packed areas. There is plenty of parking for your tow vehicle at the Standard station across the freeway and from there you can connect to a bike path that goes north and west. I find all paved roads in Quartzsite are a nice bike ride as long as you stay on the north side of the freeway. We will be there on the 20th for about 7-10 days.

Ok thanks. My bike has the 700's size tires (road tires) so thanks for that info. My folding bike has larger width tires that are probably better for dirt roads, but that bike doesn't have the carrying capacity that my Janis commuter does. I've used this bike for getting groceries and what not for years. Sounds like my favorite grocery getter might not work that great out there.