Boondocking with other people around

We do mainly boon docking in the southwest and wherever else we can...always our first choice...don't need to be around a ton of people. We have a set of benchmark atlas/maps and use them to determine BLM or forrest service lands and google maps to see where people have camped and do that. Sometimes it doesn't work out but life is an adventure. I don't like to spend a long time in each spot (must be some gypsy in me somewhere) so a week is a long time for us.

Enjoy!

To the O.P.: If you are going to get off pavement in the southwest it would be a good idea to have 4WD. I could not find that in your original post. Why? Sand. Lots of sand of different consistencies; packed to blow. More and more people are living the winter in the Southwest, steering south away from the cold, so you will have a lot of campers in view with help no matter where you get stuck. I don't know how hard core you are, but having a Safety Seal tire repair kit and a high bucks 12v air compressor and the ability to air down the entire rig will get you through a lot of the soft stuff and will give you the ability to repair a puncture, usually without removing the wheel from the truck or 5th.; unless it's a massive, tire shredding blow out then things get dicey.
jefe

Search boondocking on YouTube lots of videos people have made boondocking all over the southwest. Gives you a look at what to expect at different locations.

fitznj wrote:


Just after we set up, this guy comes and setup less than 10 yards away...... I went up to him and said "really......" I asked him to move - which he did. He went to the other end of the field.

Sounds like my dog in bed except he won't move to the other side of the bed when I ask him.

Gary,
We boondock all over the SW. You are going to love it. Starting out in Quartzsite is a great idea. While there you will probably talk to lots of people and get lots of ideas. A couple of easy, nearby spots that will have other boondockers are the Senator Wash Area N32.88270°, W114.48642°, and Ogiby Rd area N32.834°, W114.838°. Your first year you may want to use the BLM LTVA long term visitor areas. Buy the permit and stay at any of them as long as you want.
https://www.blm.gov/documents/arizona-colorado-river-do-california-california-desert-do/public-room-frequently-0
https://www.blm.gov/documents/arizona-colorado-river-do-california-california-desert-do/public-room-frequently-requested
https://www.blm.gov/documents/arizona-colorado-river-do-california/public-room-frequently-requested/brochure/long-term

S-n-L wrote:
If anyone chooses to visit Anza Borrego state park make sure to visit the giant sculptures. They are amazing. Very close in the town of Borrego Springs.

See here.
https://www.theoutbound.com/san-diego/photography/visit-the-anza-borrego-metal-sculptures

Wow! Those sculptures look pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing the info.

rockhillmanor wrote:
As mention in above posts they've provided you with quite a few other nice places you can boondock.

I''l just add that you might want to do some research on Quartzsite BEFORE you head out there.

It is not for everyone. From the wind and dust to 'when' you go. If it's during the RV shows, IMHO not so much fun. Unless you like walking up and down crowed aisles of people pitching their wares all day long and crammed parking.

When I went full time that WAS going to be my first destination also. Until I started asking around what it was like. :C

We won't arrive until about the 2nd week in February, so hopefully the dust and crowding will be at a minimum. We picked Quartzsite as our first destination just because it's well known and will have some people around. As I said in an earlier post, my wife doesn't like the idea of complete desolation, but we don't want to spend a month jammed in with ton's of people either.

Check out Free Camping
and Campendium

As mention in above posts they've provided you with quite a few other nice places you can boondock.

I''l just add that you might want to do some research on Quartzsite BEFORE you head out there.

It is not for everyone. From the wind and dust to 'when' you go. If it's during the RV shows, IMHO not so much fun. Unless you like walking up and down crowed aisles of people pitching their wares all day long and crammed parking.

When I went full time that WAS going to be my first destination also. Until I started asking around what it was like. :C

More info here.

https://www.visitcalifornia.com/attraction/ricardo-breceda-sculptures