Why Quartzsite?

[Donskiman]

I’ve read for several years about Quartzsite and how people seem to like it. Yesterday, on our way to another destination we drove through Quartzsite. Gotta say I don’t get the attraction. The town was unappealing, the few RV parks looked dreadful and being out in the desert with no shade and nothing but sand everywhere doesn’t inspire me.

What am I missing? What’s the appeal?

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by Donskiman

I’ve read for several years about Quartzsite and how people seem to like it. Yesterday, on our way to another destination we drove through Quartzsite. Gotta say I don’t get the attraction. The town was unappealing, the few RV parks looked dreadful and being out in the desert with no shade and nothing but sand everywhere doesn’t inspire me.

What am I missing? What’s the appeal?

Well you are correct about Quartzite being unappealing. Add to that the ever-present dust, much of it kicked up by all the ORV's running back and forth.

There are two major draws. First you can boon dock on the BLM land for weeks on what it might cost for a day at RV resorts. Second Quartzite has a number of trade and craft shows during the cooler parts of the year that draw a lot of people. The low cost BLM camping is one of the reasons tose shows are so well attended.

[twogypsies]

The big draw is during the winter months... mainly January/February. That's when the town swells to thousands. Stores or RV parks are not the draw. It's the outside flea markets and also the last two weeks of January is the RV Show where you can buy almost anything needed and have repairs done, solar installed, windows replaced, etc.

Many RV clubs hold their rallies there during the RV Show. Parking in the desert on BLM land isn't typically dusty unless a very unusual wind storm would come through which is rare. ATVs and the like are generally very considerate of not riding fast around the parked RVs but there's always 'the few' that don't care about others. We never encountered an issue and we've gone with a specific group for years.

It's a great meetup time to stay in touch with RVing friends we've met on the road as full-timers.

I think if you came by yourself & didn't know anyone there it wouldn't be as fun.

There are so many specialized groups attending who park as a group such as specific manufacturers of RVs or Jeepers, ATVers, music groups, etc.

It really is fun during the 'high' time.

[shootist]

It's really simple, where else would you hold it?

The Quartzsite RV Show, held annually in Quartzsite, Arizona, sees an estimated 750,000 to 1,000,000 RVers converge on the town during the winter months, making it one of the largest RV gatherings in the world. This includes attendees of the show itself, as well as those who come to enjoy the warmer weather and camping opportunities in the area.

[Old Scout]

It's like "Spring Break for old people." Jan and Feb have lots of activities for RVers and off-roaders, and very good weather for dry camping. Coming solo probably wouldn't be much fun but camping with a group of friends can be a blast--bring firewood. Sunsets/sunrises and stary nights in the desert can unbelievable. So, if you are allergic to dust, dont like crowds at the RV shows and shopping at countless flea markets, and you can only survive with full hook-ups, then definitely, Q-site is not for you--keep driving.

[jimfishes]

Eight or nine years ago was our only visit, during the big show. Walked away with the Honda 2000 Companion generators at a price never seen again. Also, helps that we were there with two other couples who shared our pain in waiting nearly two hours for a to-go pizza. 🙄

[Donskiman]

Thanks. I could see maybe a few days for the RV show, but a couple months in a remote place with limited things to do? I don’t get it. Flea markets have no appeal since we’re trying to get rid of things, not acquire more. It’s doubtful all the people boondocking in the desert have solar so there must be lots of generator noise. Plus the logistics of having to have a tote for dumping every couple days and figuring out how to refill the water, in addition to not being able to use the washer/dryer seems like a pain.

So outside of the RV show, I don’t see the appeal.

[OldBaldFat]

Most of the time it is the people you are with/ meet there after having been apart from each other for many months/ most of the year.

Maybe only a couple of weeks, maybe not the entire winter period.

One advantage of BLM land around The Q is that they are not pricing many of the old hands out of coming last winter, next winter.

We used to travel with a dozen other couples from the Dallas area to the Rio Grande Valley for one or two months each winter - about 2010-15.

But prices went up, the cost of fuel to drive the 1,200 mile round trip, etc. Folks started to drop out. (And we were getting older and not recruiting new people to travel with us)

Quartzite seems to attract a good crowd of 'youngish' people (40's and 50's)

Attracting those folks is the key to sustainability in any such activity.

[DarkSideJeep]

Originally Posted by Donskiman

Thanks. I could see maybe a few days for the RV show, but a couple months in a remote place with limited things to do? I don’t get it. Flea markets have no appeal since we’re trying to get rid of things, not acquire more. It’s doubtful all the people boondocking in the desert have solar so there must be lots of generator noise. Plus the logistics of having to have a tote for dumping every couple days and figuring out how to refill the water, in addition to not being able to use the washer/dryer seems like a pain.

So outside of the RV show, I don’t see the appeal.

Who said anything about months? I think the longest you can stay on the BLM land is up to 14 days in any 28 day window. the Fee is $40.00. The BLM facilities include a dump and water. I did notice that longer term campers tended to set up close to the toilets.
When I was there in January 2025 It was rare to see an RV without solar. If generators were running it did not happen at night.

[ArtJoyce]

Out side of the rock show or a club rally. I too don't see it outside it's almost free. But there nothen there, very dusty. If I was full timing it and just wanted almost free camping it could almost work.

[oldenavy]

Originally Posted by Donskiman

I’ve read for several years about Quartzsite and how people seem to like it. Yesterday, on our way to another destination we drove through Quartzsite. Gotta say I don’t get the attraction. The town was unappealing, the few RV parks looked dreadful and being out in the desert with no shade and nothing but sand everywhere doesn’t inspire me.

What am I missing? What’s the appeal?

I drove through there in December and wondered the same thing. We’ve heard so much about Quartzite over the years I was puzzled once I saw it in real life. Glad I’m not the only one!

[Sunnyfalls]

Like any RV rally, it mostly benefits those who sell stuff. And like waiting in line at a Walmart during a Black Friday sale, it is attractive to that sort of personality and quality of person. Other folks take the opportunity to go to better locations at this time of year knowing they will be less crowded since many flys will be drawn to the Quartzsite smell. It is also worthwhile to check RV rally schedules so as to avoid those places at those times too. And like New Years Eve is amateur hour for drinkers, these events are amateur hour for RVers.

Gayle & Bob
"Los Gatos Casita"

[ArtJoyce]

Originally Posted by DarkSideJeep

Who said anything about months? I think the longest you can stay on the BLM land is up to 14 days in any 28 day window. the Fee is $40.00. The BLM facilities include a dump and water. I did notice that longer term campers tended to set up close to the toilets.
When I was there in January 2025 It was rare to see an RV without solar. If generators were running it did not happen at night.

There are blm campgrounds at quartzsite that you can camp from Sept 15 to April 15 without moving buying the longterm pass. "LA Posa long term" " The LTVA long term permit ($180) allows use of Bureau of Land Management designated LTVAs continuously from September 15th to April 15th (a total of 7 months), or for any length of time between those two dates. The LTVA short-visit permit ($40) allows use of Bureau of Land Management designated LTVAs for any 14 consecutive day period from"

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Donskiman

Thanks. I could see maybe a few days for the RV show, but a couple months in a remote place with limited things to do? I don’t get it. Flea markets have no appeal since we’re trying to get rid of things, not acquire more. It’s doubtful all the people boondocking in the desert have solar so there must be lots of generator noise. Plus the logistics of having to have a tote for dumping every couple days and figuring out how to refill the water, in addition to not being able to use the washer/dryer seems like a pain.

So outside of the RV show, I don’t see the appeal.

Reading your comments it is definitely not for you! Yes, most have solar. There are dump stations and water fills. There's are laundramats... the majority don't have a washer/dryer and if they did they probably wouldn't use them if boondocking. It's no different than being in a national forest/national park campground without hookups.

What you see at the 4 corners of Quartzsite doesn't give you an idea of what's in the surrounding area.

As far as what to do..... people that come are outdoor/adventurous folks so they go on Jeep trails, ATV trails, mountain biking, awesome hill/mountain hiking, geocaching, boating, fishing (the Colorado River is nearby), 3 national wildlife refuges to explore and one has a wonderful hike to beautiful Palm Canyon, ancient petroglyphs, explore old mines and there's a mining camp museum of the 1860's, explore Castle Dome and there's even a huge spiral Labyrinth to view in the boonies. The Yuma Army Proving Ground Visitor Center is a short drive and many additional things to do in Yuma for day trips. Drive north to explore things along the Colorado River. If you have a high clearance vehicle a drive to the Desert Bar is a must for lots of fun, music, dancing.

We've always stayed with a group of 100+ like-minded full-time RVers that we've known for years and who we meet up with in other places while traveling and full-timing. At our get-together we have 2 weeks of fun and renewing friendships. We may pop into the town shows to see if there's anything new we can't do without but most of the time is spent doing things in the surroundings. Our group puts up a large activity board and people just add things to it. Some carry kayaks or canoes so they would go to the river. Pick and choose. The first thing may be a morning hike from camp and then return to a buffet breakfast with everyone pitching in. Then we branch off for day activities with smaller groups or there would be seminars on various things or crafts back at camp. 4:00 is happy hour followed by pot lucks and evening campfire. Sometimes we even have a movie shown on a large screen outside.

The camping area you view from I-10 isn't the only one. There are many more in the 4 directions from that intersection. You can even find a nice secluded spot of your own.