Quratzite, AZ

While I don't agree that QZ "needs" to be done once (been there hated it!!!!) it's for some and not for others. If you want to be away from it all to ensure you won't have to listen to anyone else's obnoxious habits that's very, very easy. If you want to be closer in for easy access to the nonsense at the tent or downtown then that's very, very easy as well. When we were forced to be there on business we stayed at the Rose RV park (dry camp $7/night with free dump/fill) about 1/2 mile from "the tent". Vendors are thining out due to the higher and higher rental rates so now it's the RV "and vaction" show. Anything to fill a booth.
Surrounding "the tent" are a variety of other seasonally permanent vendors at Rice Ranch and a couple of other areas whose names escape me. If you need a rock, this is the place to go. If you need anything else you can find it cheaper elsewhere and you will be dealing with a business that does not fold it's doors before you can blink an eye. Yes, I know, there are some long term legitimate businesses there but then again these businesses are also there or somewhere year-round selling the same products for the same prices (or better) so what's the big deal?!

Here is my two cents, not trying to get anyone upset.
The town of Q is murdering itself. The first year we went to Q, there must have been about a million people there. Last year, it would be lucky if there were three hundred thousand people. The vendor count has dropped considerably because of the increasing fee costs. The town has also instituted regulations that make it harder for vendors to set up their tents and sales booths. Last year, I heard the owner of the big tent show walk through on the last day apologizing for the cost of the vendor space. He was referring to the city and their fees.
Also be sure to take lots of money to pay the ten per cent tax, also added by Q.
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Q. If you stop at the visitors center, they have a pamphlet explaining some of the great sights.
If you wander the desert, be careful of the mining claims as these miners are serious about keeping claim jumpers off the rocks.
I stay in Scadden wash, East of town south of I-10. Get off at the 19 mile marker and go south to the end of the road and turn east following the road until you see the flag pole of the camp host.

SuzzeeeQ2012 wrote:

Kidoo wrote:
I went through in October, pretty quiet, temperature was OK, free desert camping or near free in the area where there is water an sewer. I also went near Yuma, BLM near the Colorado, I prefer that place since it is near the water, does not feel has dry as Quartz and Yuma is pretty close.

I would imagine there is a lot of Generator noise when the desert fills up, there must be a humming noise floating around all day long, people making coffee at 7 in the morning or watching TV late at night, or running all day long for AC or just running their anoying contractor genset.

I think it could be an experience to live this, but do not think I could stand this crowd for very long, I would prefer going in the desert, far from the noise.

I'm our experience, there's only been one time that's happened with the generators. We were in Hi Jolly and someone pulled right next to us and used their construction generator till midnight. Other than that, we've heard a gentle purring in the distance some times. They are spread out pretty far. People don't usually jam together if there's room. Hi Jolly is pretty jammed in though. We don't camp there any more.

kind of funny, seeing that we're in Glamis right now for New Year's and all I can here are quads, RZr's, Sand Rails. I love the different engine sounds. I can even be lulled to sleep with this. A generator starts up, and I go nuts lol

I thought it would be all jammed up and people close to one another, If you can set camp at a distance, then it's ok with the gen set. I have been to places where they would run contractor genset all night long up until late at night and it is very anoying, I do not mind a car or quad going by once in a while, but the rararara of a noisy genset runs me craizy.

SCVJeff wrote:

tropical36 wrote:
We never been there, so not sure what the attraction is in Quartzite, unless it's for the free parking and safety in numbers, while doing so. My full timer friend, says he won't go near the place and frequents Mesa, instead.

The question was about the rally and where to stay while its on, not how it compares to anything else.

So, you consider the asking of this question, before one might consider going there, completely unrelated and a highjacking the thread itself. Is that it, or did I miss something in your implication here?

Quirky Quartzsite has to be done at east once. We have spent the past four winters in Q for the $180 BLM fee. Gives us access to water fill up, grey/black water dump and garbage bins in our area. Lots of free 2 week areas around too.
Two places in town have dumping and fresh water for a fee - The Pit Stop on 95 north of the main street and The Rose east on Kuehn avenue. Both also sell propane. You simply register and get a permit for free areas or register and pay $40 for 2 weeks/$180 for the season.

This year there are less RVers than the past, same with vendors but still going to be tons of RV related and non-related items to look at. I suspect many are pulling in daily now but I am currently in Seattle until tomorrow when I will go back to see the influx occurring now. Quartzsite has a couple of small markets so stock up before you come as options are somewhat limited but they have the basics and some extras.

There are several large groups that hold "rallies" but is mostly individuals or groups of friends camped all over the place. Some have privacy farther out and some like to camp close ion to the action and those areas get pretty crowded.

Come on down!! You really DO have to do this once. Simply find an open spot in one of the areas and claim it as yours for your stay PM is you have questions.. Enjoy.

Kidoo wrote:
I went through in October, pretty quiet, temperature was OK, free desert camping or near free in the area where there is water an sewer. I also went near Yuma, BLM near the Colorado, I prefer that place since it is near the water, does not feel has dry as Quartz and Yuma is pretty close.

I would imagine there is a lot of Generator noise when the desert fills up, there must be a humming noise floating around all day long, people making coffee at 7 in the morning or watching TV late at night, or running all day long for AC or just running their anoying contractor genset.

I think it could be an experience to live this, but do not think I could stand this crowd for very long, I would prefer going in the desert, far from the noise.

I'm our experience, there's only been one time that's happened with the generators. We were in Hi Jolly and someone pulled right next to us and used their construction generator till midnight. Other than that, we've heard a gentle purring in the distance some times. They are spread out pretty far. People don't usually jam together if there's room. Hi Jolly is pretty jammed in though. We don't camp there any more.

kind of funny, seeing that we're in Glamis right now for New Year's and all I can here are quads, RZr's, Sand Rails. I love the different engine sounds. I can even be lulled to sleep with this. A generator starts up, and I go nuts lol

jhilley wrote:

amandasgramma wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
La Posa (BLM) is the largest dry camping in the area it's about 2 miles South from Quartzsites on Hwy. #95 (as your leaving Quartzsites, AZ. and heading toward Yuma, AZ. it's on the left or East side of Hwy.#95). Last time that I dry camped there it was $40.00 for two weeks or $240.00 for the season (7 months).

Please let me correct this. There are three Long Term Visiting Areas (LTVA) LaPosa West, LaPost South and LaPosa North. (by north and south, they mean north of the south area, not north of Q). They are south of Q. They cost is $180 for the 7 months (the season). Even if you come in the middle of the season and want long term, you pay $180---they don't pro-rate. Both of those costs allow you to use their dump stations, water, and dumpsters. You can use the same ticket for the BLM area west of Yuma.

Further south of these, north of Q, and east and west of Q are short-term stay areas....these are $40.00 for 2 weeks. You get the same amenities, but have to move at least 25 miles away after 2 weeks. Moving 25 miles isn't that hard to do here. :)

Even further out from Q are totally free camping area.

Whether you pay or not, you can get water and dump your tanks in town at numerous places for a small fee. The trash can be dumped north of Q at the transfer station.

As far as "how" you do it......you drive in to the areas (you'll see the gravel roads) and find a place to camp. Do NOT camp IN a wash....if you camp near a wash make sure you're on "hard pack" not on sand. Sand means in a good rainstorm you may end up under water.

Yes, Q is an experience you MUST have.....at least once in your life. :) :)

This wrong about LTVA and 14 day costs.

The LTVAs are either $180 for the whole season or $40 for two weeks. You can pay every two weeks or if you wanted 6 weeks pay $120 up front. La Posa is the LTVA at Quartzsite, there are also two LTVAs on the California side of the river. All the short term areas are free for 14 days and according to the rules you must go 25 miles to the net free 14 day area every 14 days.

With the LTVA permit you can get fresh water, dump and dispose of trash in the dumpsters. If you camp in the free areas you must pay to get fresh water or dump at one of the facilities in Quartzsite. There is a trash disposal site north of Quartzsite about two miles open on Wednesdays.

You are correct....I got the short term stay confused....which is my normal way of "being".

tropical36 wrote:
We never been there, so not sure what the attraction is in Quartzite, unless it's for the free parking and safety in numbers, while doing so. My full timer friend, says he won't go near the place and frequents Mesa, instead.

The question was about the rally and where to stay while its on, not how it compares to anything else.

amandasgramma wrote:

J-Rooster wrote:
La Posa (BLM) is the largest dry camping in the area it's about 2 miles South from Quartzsites on Hwy. #95 (as your leaving Quartzsites, AZ. and heading toward Yuma, AZ. it's on the left or East side of Hwy.#95). Last time that I dry camped there it was $40.00 for two weeks or $240.00 for the season (7 months).

Please let me correct this. There are three Long Term Visiting Areas (LTVA) LaPosa West, LaPost South and LaPosa North. (by north and south, they mean north of the south area, not north of Q). They are south of Q. They cost is $180 for the 7 months (the season). Even if you come in the middle of the season and want long term, you pay $180---they don't pro-rate. Both of those costs allow you to use their dump stations, water, and dumpsters. You can use the same ticket for the BLM area west of Yuma.

Further south of these, north of Q, and east and west of Q are short-term stay areas....these are $40.00 for 2 weeks. You get the same amenities, but have to move at least 25 miles away after 2 weeks. Moving 25 miles isn't that hard to do here. :)

Even further out from Q are totally free camping area.

Whether you pay or not, you can get water and dump your tanks in town at numerous places for a small fee. The trash can be dumped north of Q at the transfer station.

As far as "how" you do it......you drive in to the areas (you'll see the gravel roads) and find a place to camp. Do NOT camp IN a wash....if you camp near a wash make sure you're on "hard pack" not on sand. Sand means in a good rainstorm you may end up under water.

Yes, Q is an experience you MUST have.....at least once in your life. :) :)

This wrong about LTVA and 14 day costs.

The LTVAs are either $180 for the whole season or $40 for two weeks. You can pay every two weeks or if you wanted 6 weeks pay $120 up front. La Posa is the LTVA at Quartzsite, there are also two LTVAs on the California side of the river. All the short term areas are free for 14 days and according to the rules you must go 25 miles to the net free 14 day area every 14 days.

With the LTVA permit you can get fresh water, dump and dispose of trash in the dumpsters. If you camp in the free areas you must pay to get fresh water or dump at one of the facilities in Quartzsite. There is a trash disposal site north of Quartzsite about two miles open on Wednesdays.

Does he boondock in mesa? We go for 5 months and couldn't afford to pay the whole time. Boondockins free :-)

editing to say I was responding to this post...I forgot to quote it...

We never been there, so not sure what the attraction is in Quartzite, unless it's for the free parking and safety in numbers, while doing so. My full timer friend, says he won't go near the place and frequents Mesa, instead.
>>>>>>