Quartzsite & the BLM!
While I am not currently full timing, I did get my proverbial feet wet last year and spent some time in San Diego County where my life once was and stayed in the Laguna Mountain BLM areas. For camping with my 2005 F-250 Super Duty and Lance Truck Camper, I acquired both a โPermitโ for dry camping and maps at the Ranger Station in nearby Alpine but the area they sent me out to find was in the middle of a burned out area from recent brush fires. Needless to say I was beyond unhappy and could not stay there. After getting such wonderful assistance from said authorities in the area I decided to use the maps and try to find something with a bit more appeal! As a retired Land Surveyor I would have been amused by the โmapsโ I was sold but had no recourse but to attempt to make them work!
I moved around a bit but was not impressed by the places I found and at no time was I confident I was actually IN a โdesignatedโ dry camping area so it was tenuous going at best. Complications with my home sale had caused me to delay my departure which was planned for the winter desert season at Quartzsite so I ended up setting out right at summers beginning. Even so, one day I decided to depart the Laguna area and travel out to Quartzsite. I left too late in the day and after checking out some of the river areas I finally arrived at Quartzsite but could not be sure I had actually located any of the LTVA areas or La Posa as shown on line.
So the common problem was 2 for 2 with little or no signage at both of my early stops and the poorly marked BLM dry camping areas were a huge issue for me. Admittedly, by the time I reached Quartzsite the day was winding down and I ended up in the desert at dusk. Since finding a place to dry camp at night is just not suggested, I drove back to the Laguna's and hung out there a while longer.
My overall impression at least in San Diego was that it is a hostile area for boondocking no matter how you look at it. Seems that the BLM dry camping system is in place but the BLM does not like the political sense of it and would like it to go away and for everyone to stay in the very expensive โpaidโ camp sites. No surprise there! After all, we are talking about California! No surprise at all!
I spent most of my life in San Diego for a total of 46 years and as a senior with many health issues, can not longer afford to life there and obviously don't want to camp there!!!
After much research, I am making my home in Arizona: I love the Colorado River and the climate speaks for itself. Since this will be new territory for me, I would love any input from anyone familiar with any dry camping up and down the river in AZ. Blythe, Parker Strip, Havasu and the like ::
While I am not currently full timing, I did get my proverbial feet wet last year and spent some time in San Diego County where my life once was and stayed in the Laguna Mountain BLM areas. For camping with my 2005 F-250 Super Duty and Lance Truck Camper, I acquired both a โPermitโ for dry camping and maps at the Ranger Station in nearby Alpine but the area they sent me out to find was in the middle of a burned out area from recent brush fires. Needless to say I was beyond unhappy and could not stay there. After getting such wonderful assistance from said authorities in the area I decided to use the maps and try to find something with a bit more appeal! As a retired Land Surveyor I would have been amused by the โmapsโ I was sold but had no recourse but to attempt to make them work!
I moved around a bit but was not impressed by the places I found and at no time was I confident I was actually IN a โdesignatedโ dry camping area so it was tenuous going at best. Complications with my home sale had caused me to delay my departure which was planned for the winter desert season at Quartzsite so I ended up setting out right at summers beginning. Even so, one day I decided to depart the Laguna area and travel out to Quartzsite. I left too late in the day and after checking out some of the river areas I finally arrived at Quartzsite but could not be sure I had actually located any of the LTVA areas or La Posa as shown on line.
So the common problem was 2 for 2 with little or no signage at both of my early stops and the poorly marked BLM dry camping areas were a huge issue for me. Admittedly, by the time I reached Quartzsite the day was winding down and I ended up in the desert at dusk. Since finding a place to dry camp at night is just not suggested, I drove back to the Laguna's and hung out there a while longer.
My overall impression at least in San Diego was that it is a hostile area for boondocking no matter how you look at it. Seems that the BLM dry camping system is in place but the BLM does not like the political sense of it and would like it to go away and for everyone to stay in the very expensive โpaidโ camp sites. No surprise there! After all, we are talking about California! No surprise at all!
I spent most of my life in San Diego for a total of 46 years and as a senior with many health issues, can not longer afford to life there and obviously don't want to camp there!!!
After much research, I am making my home in Arizona: I love the Colorado River and the climate speaks for itself. Since this will be new territory for me, I would love any input from anyone familiar with any dry camping up and down the river in AZ. Blythe, Parker Strip, Havasu and the like ::
I usually visit the Q for a week in late January. I made this basic map outline of the BLM areas that might be of help.
My brother spends his winters down there. Actually it is Bard CA about 20 miles west of Yuma AZ. It is also very near a military base.
I was impressed. I spent a few weeks with him this last winter. I anticipated a crowded trailer park scenario but was pleasantly surprised by this.
View from the front.
I sure didn't have a problem trading cold, wet, rainy fog for this for a spell!!!
Although he is actively seeking LTVA land in AZ as he does not like CA gun laws.
I was impressed. I spent a few weeks with him this last winter. I anticipated a crowded trailer park scenario but was pleasantly surprised by this.
View from the front.
I sure didn't have a problem trading cold, wet, rainy fog for this for a spell!!!
Although he is actively seeking LTVA land in AZ as he does not like CA gun laws.
