Quartzite

[AJMike]

We have gone to the Quartzsite RV show every year for the past 7 or 8 years, perhaps longer, and we plan to go this year as well. However what we do and what we avoid has changed over the years.

The main event is the Big Tent, where many of the vendors set up sales kiosks, and the first year we went we spent a long time in that area. Most years the tent is so crowded that it takes an hour to walk up and down the 3 isles. Last year it was so empty that I did the whole thing in about 5 minutes.

If you like boondocking there are large areas both north and south of the town off of 95, some of them free and some requiring a fee for a 2 week stay. We generally arrive one day, spend the next looking at stuff and leave on day 3, but some people stay for a much longer time. One thing to keep in mind is that during the show even the boondocking locations are very, very busy. You can find a space because the areas are very large, but people will still be relatively close to you.

If you want to see the show make sure you get there before the last weekend as the vendors tend to leave on the second weekend and head toward the next show (which I believe is in Tucson).

[SLAJMARTIN]

You didn’t mention if you like rv parks or boondocking. Camp verde is my favorite and I usually go there at least twice a year. Lots to do and see and we love staying at Zane gray rv park. It is terrific for us. Quiet and cool in the summers because it is by a creek and lots of huge shade trees. A trail to walk down to the creek too. But no amenities. I’ve been thru quartzite but never RV’s there. Not much to do or see in my opinion compared to camp verde which has lots of day trips to sight see. Verde canyon railroad is cool and not far. Maybe 40 minute drive.

[Ameliaisland]

Any good detailing people near there?

[gt350ed]

The OP'r has received a lot of good information from commenters...mostly accurate. Like so many others, we came to check it out about 7 years ago. We joined an informal group ahead of time in which no one knew each other. We were to rendezvous out on Plomosa Rd., about 4 miles north of town on U.S. 95. This is a wonderful area for true boondocking. Besides the natural flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, this particular area is uniquely covered with lava- based flat broken tile such that it's fairly smooth and relatively dust free. HUGE swaths of areas for camping. BTW, back in town on U.S. 95 is RV Pit Stop, where you can get fresh water, propane and dump all in one location. Prices are reasonable.

We returned each year with our motorhome and fell in love with the place. We bought a nice improved RV oriented property in town in a nice neighborhood. We live here from October thru April or May, traveling the rest of the year. Life is good.

[bobwilcox]

I stay in the general Quartzsite area most of the winter. I get away from town mid Jan to mid Feb. I'm staying about 20 miles out currently. I boondock exclusively, and will take a day trip to the RV Show, another day to the RTR (Rubber Tramp Rendezvous) which is running now. I'll also cruise the rock/gem show, and spend a day or two going through the flea markets in early April, before the vendors start taking off. I really like it in the area (fishing, 4 wheeling, etc) but don't really like the crowds, so I adjust.

[rkerber]

If you are into Gems, Minerals and Rocks of all types, sizes and prices, this is where you will want to go. The RV Show has factory representatives from most RV brands. This is a January thing. It is like the biggest swap-meet you will ever see spread out over a square mile or two. The snowbirds are a 2-to-4-month group.

[RocknTroll]

Originally Posted by bikerdude1

I.m leaving on my first rv trip in about a week, heading south from southeastern Utah. 1st stop Lees Ferry then Camp Verde. But i'm also interested in Quartzite also, but not sure its worth the extra miles. Is there anyone there now that would be able to give advice on the worth of the extra miles. Thanks

Not sure about all the sites, but the upper loop was anything but level.
Just a big loop with wide spots to park along side the road mostly.
It was one of those glad I went but probably won't go back, kinda like the Campground at Page

[edi]

We go with a small group. We enjoy people watching and meeting new folks. A lot trails to do some jeeping on.

[Bobby F]

I arrive (at the LTVA - La Posa South - about 5 miles south of town on 95) usually in early December. Buy my $180 season pass, which gets me free water/dump station/garbage bins. (Or you can buy the $40 two-week pass.) I love the desert boondocking. If you go to the edges of the area, you can generally be far from others. Temps in December range from low 30's at night to 70 in the day.

January - especially late January - sometimes tries my patience. Everyone else in the world arrives, trips to town are a pain (but still fun, in a State Fair kind of way), new arrivals fill in empty areas, the dump-and-fill station in the LTVA develops a line - bring a book - and it's a much different place than it was in December. Temps start to gradually climb in Jan - nights down to 35, days maybe to 72.

Then, first week of Feb or so, the Show Crowd goes home, and the place is quiet desert once again. Town is quiet (and becomes well-stocked, and newly appreciative of your business), weather just gets better and better (45 nights, 80 days), and all is great if you like desert boondocking. (No better hiking area anywhere, I think.)

March stays great, but gets warmer and warmer. People are clearing out. Early April is my cutoff - too hot, plus the critters start to come out.

[Mile Marker 42]

Q is a dirt and dust with high winds type of place. We go through it from time to time on our way to Lake Havasu or Parker.

[Souljourner]

Originally Posted by Bobby F

I arrive (at the LTVA - La Posa South - about 5 miles south of town on 95) usually in early December. Buy my $180 season pass, which gets me free water/dump station/garbage bins. (Or you can buy the $40 two-week pass.) I love the desert boondocking. If you go to the edges of the area, you can generally be far from others. Temps in December range from low 30's at night to 70 in the day.

January - especially late January - sometimes tries my patience. Everyone else in the world arrives, trips to town are a pain (but still fun, in a State Fair kind of way), new arrivals fill in empty areas, the dump-and-fill station in the LTVA develops a line - bring a book - and it's a much different place than it was in December. Temps start to gradually climb in Jan - nights down to 35, days maybe to 72.

Then, first week of Feb or so, the Show Crowd goes home, and the place is quiet desert once again. Town is quiet (and becomes well-stocked, and newly appreciative of your business), weather just gets better and better (45 nights, 80 days), and all is great if you like desert boondocking. (No better hiking area anywhere, I think.)

March stays great, but gets warmer and warmer. People are clearing out. Early April is my cutoff - too hot, plus the critters start to come out.

Just the sort of specific information I was looking for. Only one question - WHAT critters?

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by bobwilcox

I really like it in the area (fishing, 4 wheeling, etc) but don't really like the crowds, so I adjust.

Where do you fish? I looked at the Colorado, and it seems to me to be too brown and muddy for anything but carp.

[Bobby F]

Originally Posted by Souljourner

Just the sort of specific information I was looking for. Only one question - WHAT critters?

Snakes.

But - in my times here in December, January, February and March, I have never even seen one, and I spend 3-4 hours per day out tramping around the wild areas. Until April comes. Then I stay on the paths.

In April, it warms up enough at night for them to come out of their semi-hibernation and go looking for food. But, again, I've never even seen one before the April heat arrives.

[Dutch Star Don]

You can even go golfing. Just bring balls that can be found in the desert. Don't forget to visit the Camel Monument and read about camel testing in the desert, during the war.