The camping areas in the BLM lands around Quartzsite, Arizona are wide open and plentiful. There are plenty of dispersed camping areas to choose from, along with four Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs). We spent two weeks here when the cooler temps around Las Vegas chased us out and we had some time to explore before heading back to Las Vegas for the Thanksgiving holiday.
We had originally planned on heading up into Utah to hit a couple of the National Parks there, but the weather turned colder there than we like. After much deliberation (do we head into southern California or back into Arizona?) we decided to head a few hours southeast and check out the popular Quartzsite area.
The BLM lands around Quartzsite are managed a bit differently than all of the other BLM areas we have been to. Here, each camping area has camp host who issues the free permits needed to stay in the area and answers any questions you may have. Each permit can be issued for up to 14 consecutive days. Once you have that permit you can park anywhere within the camping areas that are not already occupied by another tent, vehicle, or camping unit.
We chose to stay along Plomosa Road, the farthest north camping area inside Quartzsite’s city limits. Once we checked in with the camp host and filled out our permit, we continued along Plomosa Road for a couple miles before choosing a campsite to the south of the road. Since it was still early in the season we found this particular camping area to be pretty quiet. The closer we got to town the more full (although with still plenty of open space) they became.
How to get there
Quartzsite, Arizona is about 1.75 hours west of Phoenix, Arizona on Interstate 10. Most of the camping areas are located north and south of Quartzsite along State Highway 95. You can also find camping along Interstate 10 to the east and west of town. Plomosa Road is 5 miles north of town.
Amenities
All camping outside of the RV parks is dry camping. For RV dumps and potable water, you have two options. The first is RV Pit Stop on the left side of the highway as you head into town from the north. Here you can dump your holding tanks and fill with filtered filter water for a fee. You can also fill propane tanks here.
Your second option is La Posa South LTVA. In order to use the facilities here (dump stations, potable water, dumpsters), you must purchase a short-term permit (good for two weeks from the date of purchase) at the La Posa Tyson Wash LTVA (just across the road from La Posa South LTVA). Please take note: If you purchase the permit in person it is $40 by cash or check. If you purchase the permit on recreation.gov, the cost is $40 plus tax. Also, you must have a paper copy of the permit you purchased online, which is an added expense if you don’t have a printer. The volunteers who issue the permits DO NOT have a printer. We made the mistake of purchasing the permit online, were charged $44.50 for it, then had to pay $0.25 to get a copy printed at the local library before heading to La Posa Tyson Wash LTVA to get our official stickers.
If you don’t use the LTVA to dispose of your trash, another option is to stop by the landfill north of Quartzsite, about 10 minutes from the Plomosa Road camping area. We didn’t stop there so I’m not sure of hours or costs.
What to do
Quartzsite is a popular snowbird hangout and we saw no other families during our stay. That doesn’t mean there aren’t things for the kids to do. About 15 miles down the road from our campsite was the Bouse Community Park. This park hosted a small campground with a dump station, a small playground, and a baseball diamond.
The city of Quartzsite has a park as well that includes a couple playsets, a baseball diamond, a basketball court and a volleyball court, and a skate park. There is a dog park nearby, too. Our kids enjoyed both the Bouse and Quartzite parks.
On Plomosa Road about 7.5 miles from Highway 95 is a site known as The Fisherman Intaglio. The Intaglio, also called a Geoglyph, is a carving in the ground created by Native Americans that tells a story. We took the short hike up there one evening before the sun set and could pick out most of the carving.
About 1.3 miles before the intaglio along Plomosa Road is the Quartzite Rock Alignment. This collection of rocks spells out QUARTZSITE with an arrow pointing the way to town. It is best seen by air, though, so if you want to take a look without an airplane simply open up your favorite mapping application with satellite view and search along Plomosa Road. You’ll find it on the left (north) side of the road about 6 miles from Highway 95.
Other places to visit include the Hi Jolly monument and cemetery, Dripping Springs, and the Kofa Wildlife Refuge. In addition, Joshua Tree National Park is about 2 hours west of Quartzsite.
Our stay in Quartzsite was a pretty quiet one, but we definitely plan on visiting again to check out more of the area. Have you been to Quartzsite? What did you think? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a comment below, email us at alicia@simplejoyfuljourney.com, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest @simplejoyfuljourney, and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page. Have a great week!
9 thoughts on “Camping Review: Plomosa Road Camping Area; Quartzsite, AZ”
The only mistake was you can get your LTVA permit from any of them. You can go to North, West, Tyson or South to get a long term ($180) or short term ($40) permit and then camp at any of the LTVA campgrounds. They are interchangeable.
One correction, Quartzsite is west of Phoenix not east. We spend much time in the Quartzsite area visiting parents who winter there. Later in the season it becomes a bustling community of snowbirds. Some other activities beyond mentioned include perusing OHV trails, hiking and attending music jams throughout the area.
Thanks for the correction and the additional information! Quartzsite is truly a unique place to visit during the winter months.
Thanks for all the good info. I am planning my first boondocking trip solo. I am a little nervous but after reading your article I feel more confident about my trip so thank you
I saw your post that your where gonna boondock in quartsite. This winter will be my 1st times as well. Nervous and excited all af the same time. Have fun
I will be going in late december for my first boondocking trip to the quartzsite area. I have an atv that i’ll be bringing. Am very excited and very nervous glad to see i wont be the only newbie. Have fun
Quartzsite is a great place for RV newbies! There should be plenty of room to move around in, and everyone is always so helpful. Enjoy your trip!
I just arrived in Quartzite at the end of Nov! This is my first time RV boondocking, RV in general! It is def a good place to get accustomed to the rv life. Hugs open areas to maneuver a trailer without much worry. 4 different spots in the LTVA 2 North, 2 South. The South East side of the road where the dump station and water is seems to be the most populated but still a good 300-500 yards or more between spots. I hear it gets more crowded closer to the RV show… i forget when that happens? But Im enjoying my first time out and it has given me the confidence for things to come. I am doing this full time so maybe ill run into a few of you out there!