Quartzsite, Arizona ("Q" or "Q-town") is the most famous snowbird winter haven. The area is known more for snowbird services rather than for aesthetic beauty. It is located in Arizona, centered of the intersection of Interstate 10 and US Route 95, which turns west at Q. / AZ Route 95, heading north.
Camping
The camping surface is desert pavement, a hard and fairly flat surface. Venturing off into sand (even beside road shoulders) can result in getting stuck. Avoid camping in a desert wash (arroyos) because the danger of flash flooding in these low spots is very real. You Have Been Warned.
Dispersed camping on BLM land is free and limited to 14 days, as with many other BLM lands. Because of heavy use, however, there are some additional restrictions. Dispersed camping is only allowed in designated areas, and a free permit is required to camp.
Quartzsite camping areas:
- Plomosa, 6 miles north of Q
- Hi Jolly (corruption of "Haj Ali"), 3 miles north of Q <- often the first to fill up
- Scadden Wash, 4 miles east of Q
- Dome Rock, 6 miles west of Q
- Road Runner, 5 miles south of Q
The permit is available from the camp host; typically the host's RV will be near the entrance and have a table out front to facilitate paperwork. A flagpole signifies when the host is available: if the flag is flying you can approach to get the permit. If the flag is down find your spot and come back when the flag is flying.
Local flora
In Quartzsite (and in the entire region), there are many cacti that can hurt you. There are saguaro cacti but they are giant and easy to avoid. Avoid stepping on small plants barefoot as they may have stickers.
The "jumping" cholla (CHOY-ya) cactus is evil. Don't touch cholla, get near cholla, or even look at cholla. If you get attacked by cholla the least painful way to get rid of it is with a pocket comb. Carry one now, thank me later.
Neighboring areas
The camping limits in effect are the normal BLM rules for boondocking: 14 day stay followed by 28 days at least 25 miles away. Luckily there are areas relatively nearby to meet this need. From north to south:
- Lake Havasu BLM, AZ - Craggy Wash (free permit required), Lone Tree North, Crossroads, etc
- Parker BLM, CA - Shea Road, etc. Hillier, more OHV activity.
- Ehrenberg, AZ (BLM areas may not be technically 25 miles from Quartzsite dispersed). Visually similar to Quartzsite
- Quartzsite
- KOFA wildlife refuge (southernmost portion). Beautiful area with mountains. Limited cell service.
- Yuma
Longer stays are available for a fee in La Posa, which are a collection of four BLM Long Term Visitors Areas. The LTVA typically offer dumpsters, RV dumps, vault toilers.
In some years the LTVA areas can get full.
Commercial RV parks are also available for those who cannot boondock or who prefer not to.
Services
Informal swap meets and flea markets are plentiful.
Groceries and restaurants do exist in Q but tend to be very expensive. Stock your cupboard before arriving. Having said that, there are many salvage groceries where you can get oddball, expired, and discontinued foods for cheap:
- Quartzsite Grocery (tent)
- Ken's Discount [[1]], see arrow on the big yellow tower
Showers are available at Main St Laundry ($9 for 20 minutes) and at at least one truck stop (~$12).
RV Pit Stop on 95 has propane, and water by the gallon. If you have a camper or rv you can get bulk water for cheap ($2 for 40 gallons). Bulk water and propane is paid for at the little office in the parking lot.
Trash can be deposited for free at the La Paz refuse collection point north of Q. Hours are traditionally 7:30am - 2:30pm Sunday through Wednesday but check signage.
Silly Al's Pizza is a famous pizza place in town.
Hi Jolly's grave is interesting and refers to a part of American history few people know.
Events
In January and February, Q hosts gem/rock shows, swap meets, and the "big tent" RV show. Historically the winter Rubber Tramp Rendezvous has been held in January in the Q area.