A week or so in Quartzsite

[Snowman9000]

DW and I plan to finally see the RV show at Q this year. We'd dry camp. I've read tons over the years and have one basic question. Regarding traffic and hassle, should we make sure to get there prior to the show opening date? If so, how many days early? Or is it already as crowded as it is gonna get, before the show even begins?

[Gjac]

We went there 3 years ago, It was crowded with traffic but not as bad as Yellow stone NP in July. The show was nice lots of vendors If you are by yourselves a week is probably enough. After a while the flea market stuff is all the same. Some traveled in caravans together and that looked like fun with MHs camped around a camp fire like a wagon train. The surrounding area is very interesting to visit and hike if you still can.

[2gypsies1]

jwmII wrote:
The show opens on Saturday. I never attend until about Tuesday (earliest) Thursday (latest) and haven't ever missed anything.

Now how do you know you haven't missed anything if you're not there? 🙂

[jwmII]

The show opens on Saturday. I never attend until about Tuesday (earliest) Thursday (latest) and haven't ever missed anything.
By then parking is tolerable and the crowda are down to where they are tolerable.

[2gypsies1]

Even if you have to wait a short while for traffic and it's only on Hwy 95 for a short distance, it will give you a chance to look over the area. It's also fun to see all the different modes of RVs as they pass by. Once you get there and get parked it's even fun to stand on the street corner at that light a watch the parade of RVs. You'll see everything there!!

[Snowman9000]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. Now we have a better feeling about when to show up and when to go to the show. When it gets closer I'll keep a look out here to see if there is any general RV.net gathering in a particular boondocking area.

[catkins]

Traffic heading into Quartzsite can and does back up, but really only the first two days of the Big Tent event. Most times there is heavier traffic but it clears out soon. Backups on Highway 95 to the stoplights can be for several miles in the mornings of the big tent week. Afternoons it is less as folks clear out.

Arrive when you wish. I would suggest either come just before the tent show opens or wait until midweek to hit less traffic and people in the tent.

Quartzsite has two small grocery stores and several Dollar stores with limited food. We stock up before we arrive but you can get most of what you need. Meats and fresh produce can be a little difficult or higher in price.

One of our favorite restaurants in The Laundromat restaurant - really. Right on main street and attached to the large Laundromat. Good food and good prices. Showers can be done in the laundromat with private, clean stalls and $6(??) for 20 minutes. A one stop place! LOL

[debraindi]

Blm camping is $ 40 for 2 week water,dump and trash included La poss west you will have to pack up and dump at a central station , Its pretty quick unless somebody messes up and has a explosion at the station. I seen it happen. Free blm parking on the other side of the event. Where looking forward to the event next year,grate weather for riding the Harley and 4 wheeling. RV community forms is pretty good they have a big camp set up with directions and information good bunch of RVers, Ill hang out with them next year,

[debraindi]

Blm camping is $ 40 for 2 week water,dump and trash included La poss west you will have to pack up and dump at a central station , Its pretty quick unless somebody messes up and has a explosion at the station. I seen it happen. Free blm parking on the other side of the event. Where looking forward to the event next year,grate weather for riding the Harley and 4 wheeling.

[2gypsies1]

Jan 16-24 are the dates for the 2016 RV Show. However, there are many more vendors at which to spend time and they'll be around earlier and later than the RV Show.

[OLYLEN]

You don't want to go to the show the first two days. Wall to wall people and dogs and dogs in baby wagons and more people. Monday things get slower and you can find a place to park near by. As to the boondocking, anything from free with no dump station or water to $40 for two weeks in an area with water and dump station near by. There are gas stations at each end of the interstate and in the center of town. There are three grocers and some little ones around.About 2-3 miles south on the east side is where I like. Water and dump station EZ access and paved roads all but to the camping spots which number in the 1000's. The show goes from a week before to way after but the RV thing is just a week with the major vendors, but the garage sale is for at least two to three weeks, and this is most of the show anymore as the tent is the same as going to the local fair for cookware, foods, insurance, camping spot vendors(imagine that some thing for an RV)and everything one could want not directed at an RV. Still all in all a very fun time. OP you may get in touch with a group of your type of RV or like RVnet or other association for group camping.

LEN

[catkins]

Even at the time of the Big Tent event in Q there is plenty of BLM land to go around. Long term areas charge $40 for two weeks and grant access to garbage, water and dumpy station - beware - limited dumps/water and may have to wait for 30+ RVs ahead to dump at 2 stations. (full season cost was $180 dollars.) Free BLM areas allow 14 day stays and change zero but NO garbage or dumping access. Pit Stop business charges to dump and fill fresh water in town.

After 5 years down there during the winter season, we wait until at least Monday of the Big Tent even before heading into town. Traffic is pretty awful but the tent is a fun place to visit. Patience is just required. but you may have to be a bit farther out to find what you like. Not a big deal there.

RV parks do fill during January but this last year, there seemed to be sites available in some parks. BLM land will always have spaces.

Q is a place to be tried at least once - some love it and some hate it. We love the desert stay with friends but not so much during the Big Tent event - traffic and lots of people. We like the lower key early an late season Quartzsite. Yes, we have become desert rats..........ATV anbd geocache to our hearts content. Come on down!

[2gypsies1]

During January you just go with the flow. If you can plan on arriving early morning you'll zoom right through. Around 11 am traffic increases. However, if you're boondocking you have the ability to just pull off and find yourself a spot.

[lhenry8113]

Never had any problems dry camping during the Rv show. Might be an idea to park in an area the "Honey Wagon" visits. Trying to get a site with hook-ups can be difficult. We have always stayed across the Frwy from the Love's Gas Station-about 100 yards to the left of Frwy cross-over. Used to be a large religious pink/purple tent in the area. Lars

[WyoTraveler]

If you plan on dry camping not a big deal. Everything starts about mid Jan. If you want an RV park with hookups you may want to inquire ahead of time. Parking at swap meet gets a little tight mid day. Many park in the dry wash and walk. If you have a big PU be careful parking in the dry wash you can get stuck. Was no problem with our jeep. They have a place called Pit Stop mile or so north of I-10 on hwy 95 (east side) where uou can dump and fill with water for a fee. They also sell propane. Runs about $20-$25 to dump and fill. You will enjoy. We usually stay a couple of weeks.