Quartzsite camping spot preference

[Kidoo]

Hi all, I plan on going to Quartzsite this year for the big show. Would like to hear on your prefered camping spot, free camping spot, basic service from BLM and all services campgrounds.

Thanks

[CA_Traveler]

Kidoo wrote:
All good info., thanks. I think I will start close to quartzites and take it from there. I see there is many possibilities and it should be fun to explore.

We're normally there for a few days and stay at Greasewood. Where the hel* is Greasewood?

Very centrally located on the SW corner of 95 and Main. The backdoor has a I10 underpass to the big tent area. And just down Main is Smileys Als and a little further is the Yacht Club. No hookups and $7+/night.

Smiley Als has great pizza/beer and it's a "locals place". We enjoy but perhaps some won't.

Update: It's Silly Al's

[hershey]

I like to call it Las Quartzsite (sorry oldman)
Quartzsite is much like a ones first trip to Las Vegas. Its just unbelievable. Never imagined anything like this.
Either one: You will love it, or you will hate it; but you just gotta see it to believe it. Like Las Vegas, once may be enough but for some it has to be returned year after year....

[Kidoo]

All good info., thanks. I think I will start close to quartzites and take it from there. I see there is many possibilities and it should be fun to explore.

[2oldman]

jwmII wrote:
Plomosa Road camping is full. They are not taking any more Reservations for this area.

For those of you unaware, this is humor.

[jwmII]

Plomosa Road camping is full. They are not taking any more Reservations for this area.

[xctraveler]

We usually stay in Hi Jolly area, BLM, north of Q on E side of 95 before Plumosa Rd. It is smaller than some areas and has a 2 week limit. Most years we have a STVA permit ($75) for the Yuma area so we have the option of driving to Senator Wash to use the dump and water supply there, or going to the Pit Stop and paying for the privilege of dumping and refilling, buying propane also.

We only drive to Senator Wash if we are leaving Q and not heading to LA.

[Clay_L]

Regarding full service sites you asked about.
For many years we stayed at the Coyote Ridge RV park in Bouse. It's about 25 miles from Quartzsite and about 28 miles from Parker. $160 per month with metered electricity extra. With little or no AC use it cost us about $60 per month for electricity.
Close enough to drive to Parker to shop (Walmart, CVS and Safeway) and to visit Q for the show or lunch at the Grubstake. Out of the hustle, bustle, and traffic.

[2oldman]

wa8yxm wrote:
.. access to the dump station and refill station,, LONG LINES,, for a small fee PIT STOP (north on SR 95) will take care of your dump and fill needs as well..

I once saw a line of about 20 motorhomes in the dump line. At 10 minutes per, that's a long wait.

Were I ever in that situation, I'd drive .9 mile back to the blue boy dump, get out my blue boy and go to work.

[jhilley]

J-Rooster wrote:
I also like LA Posa it's BLM land that is about $40.00 for 2 weeks, it's one mile South of Quartzsites on Hwy.#95 across the Hwy. from the big tent. I stayed there for 2 weeks in 2011. The BLM provides water and a sewer dump for there paid customers. When at the Big Tent don't park on the shoulder of Hwy. #95 the County sends Officers out there to write tickets. The free campground (also BLM) is at Dome Rock it's Southwest of Quartzsites on the road that goes to the City landfill. Don't know what services they have to offer? I visited friends there one time but never stayed there! The BLM allows you to stay there free for 25 days. The wind blows in the areas that I described to you and it can get dusty. I recommend when at these two areas to bring a small portable quiet generator and extra water. During the day at La Posa you will have to wait in long lines for water and to use the dump station. There is also free WiFi at the Mc Donalds in Quartzsites most people sit out in the parking lot to get on the net. If you have pets don't leave them outside or unwatched in these areas to many coyotes and they are very aggressive and protected by Federal Law. When in town carry a windbreaker and have comfortable walking shoes.

Dome Rock is just BLM Dispersed Camping. You can camp for 14 days free and then must move 25 miles to camp, after that 14 days you can go back. The fee sites are LTVAs (Long Term Visitor Area) and cost $40 for two weeks or $180 for whole season. There are 4 LTVAs at Quartzsite and two across the river and California border at Blythe, CA. Dispersed camping is available all around Quartzsite.

[supercub]

I went a couple of years ago, and made a similar post on here concerning where to camp. the general consensus was, just go and you'll see what's there and find a place you like to camp. There's lots of room to dry camp. I ended up just south of the big tent.......within easy walking distance. Quartzsite is unique, worth seeing........in fact, I'm planning on going in Jan again. Maybe see you there.
Brian

[Golden_HVAC]

I always liked Plomosa Road camping area. Take highway 95 north of town, I think it is 5 or 6 miles past the last thing you see in town. Don't stop at the first place on the right. Look for a bridge, then a major roadway going to the right. Turn there, and go at least 1/2 mile down that road before looking for a place to turn off, and set up camp. I liked the area to the south, about 3/4 miles in. By 1 mile in, you get to a 'no camping beyond this point' sign, and you need to go back a little ways.

If you want to be 'in town' there are many full hookup campgrounds, where you can ride a bike from one location to another. This can get you through the traffic jams easy on a bike.

Another route is to take the wash, that is just west of the big tents, and it is one of few large bridges that are on I10, that the wash goes under it. It is a decent road, and I have taken it in my Honda CRV (all wheel drive) and Manx dune buggy. I saw many ATV's along the wash, it is a firmly packed sand road, that will flood if there is any rain. But no traffic signals or much traffic.

There are campgrounds in town, and south along I 95 ajoining the town. But you have to have a camping permit to use or park your car in the south long term visitors area. You can buy a 2 week pass for a reasonable cost, or 'winter' pass for something like $140. It gives you access to a water area, and place to dump the trash. In years past, there would be 'honey wagons' come through for anyone needing to dump their RV tanks. It would be a nominal fee, say $15 or $20.

Have fun camping!

Fred.

[wa8yxm]

A lot depends on who you are.. Take Stat Route 95 south from I-10 and on there are 4 BLM land sections, all 4 are good you pay a small fee for 2 weeks of boondock parking, and this gets you access to the dump station and refill station,, LONG LINES,, for a small fee PIT STOP (north on SR 95) will take care of your dump and fill needs as well.

If you are a Ham Radio operator then drive past the 4 BLM bulidings (NOTE: Tyson's Wash is where a group I will likely stay with camps next time I go there) about a mile on the right and there is FREE CAMPING this area is covered with RVs with radio antennas though, cause this is the ham radio Quartz fest.. They have seminars and forums and campfires all dedicated to ham radio.

But the basic rule is this,, Go there in August and it is like the old joke where the Texan was ask how he liked AZ, and he scratched his head and said it was the only place where could watch his dog run away from home.... For 3 Days (Land so flat that the dog could run for 3 days and still be visible) (its not that flat). You turn around and you will see miles and miles of miles and miles.

Go there the last half of January and there is dang near NO PARKING, wall to wall RVs

Hint: If you park in either of the BLM fee spots on the WEST side of SR-95, there is a road (Old yuma) dirt, 10mph top speed, that is on the west edge of those,, You can take it TO the big tent,, Even with a 2wd vehicle (F or R) but returning you need to either take SR-95 (Blacktop) or a 4wd on the dirt road, Get someone to show you the way.. I made it both ways with a Front wheel drive and skill but if you miss a turn you will be in trouble, Going north is no problem at all save for one spot where you drop off very fast Not a real problem for me, Wife does not like roller coasters though.

[SCVJeff]

2oldman wrote:
La Posa, Tyson wash. That's likely to be crowded in Jan.. if so, go north 5 miles to Plomosa Road.

My absolute favorite is over the Plomosa road pass toward Bouse, but, internet is spotty there.

Post should be moved to Public Lands forum.

X3 on Plomosa. WAY less dusty there than to the south. I've had Sprint and Verizon broad band up there and have no problems with coverage, but all the carriers are completely choked during the big show. The thruput stinks everywhere.

[J-Rooster]

old guy wrote:
2oldman, you are getting picky again. you knew what he meant

Thanks old guy! Last month I was posting about the Mc Fearson strut steering on my tow vehicle! It took me two days to overcome my senior moment! Mc Pherson Strut!

[2oldman]

I'm not frugal with water. It gets pretty dirty out there.