What's the Big Deal About Quartzsite?

Many people wonder why Quartzsite is such a big deal in the RV community. After all, it’s a dusty, remote and an exceptionally crowded snowbird destination that isn’t even all that warm during winter compared to nearby popular RV boondocking spots like Yuma. If you’re wondering why so many RVers have Quartzsite on their bucket list, here are seven reasons that explain why.

Quartzsite Reason #1: It’s Cheap

During summer you’d be hard pressed to find a mentally stable RVer camping in the desert in and around Quartzsite — but during winter thousands of frugal RV snowbirds flock there to escape colder northern climates. They set up home in the rocky, thorny desert because camping is cheap and even free if one opts out of staying in the area’s fee-based Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) offering public dump stations and water fills. Whatever your preference, Quartzsite is one of the cheapest places to spend winter.

Quartzsite Reason #2: It’s One Big Block Party

Quartzsite RVers share many things in common, all of which congeal into a fun, festive-like atmosphere from about December to April. From the huge annual Bluebird Bus Rally to the daily flea markets and impromptu theatrical performances, you’d be hard pressed not to enjoy yourself at Quartzsite and are certain to find at least one or two Quartzsite RV gatherings that rock your world.

Quartzsite Reason #3: The Big Show

Each year Quartzsite is ground zero for the nation’s biggest winter RV show. Held during the last two weeks of January under a big top tent near the junction of Highway 95 and Interstate 10, the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation and RV Show is a massive expo for all things RV, from manufacturers showcasing their newest RV models to sales reps who want to sell you everything from cookware to cheap sunglasses. During the Expo the population doubles and causes many related issues like traffic, long lines at dump stations and even shortages at the only two grocery stores in town.

Quartzsite Reason #4: To Get Away from RV Parks and Cities

Staying in Quartzsite is a cheap, welcome respite from crowded RV parks charging exorbitant rents ranging from $600 to $900 a month. It costs practically nothing to stay cat Quartzsite and when you get tired of living like a desert rat, you can go hook up at a local park in town for as low as $20 a night.

Quartzsite Reason #5: To Enjoy the Desert

Open space, dark starry skies and no fences are the natural wonders of Quartzsite that thousands of RVers go there to enjoy. In addition, everyone from off-road enthusiasts to hikers, birders to rockhounds and nudists to Christians also find plenty of solo and group activities with like-minded RVers.

Quartzsite Reason #6: It’s Close to Major Cities

Quartzsite is an easy drive from cities like Palm Springs, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson. It’s remote enough to feel far away from urban madness but close enough if you need to get to it for medical or business reasons.

Quartzsite Reason #7: The Weather

The majority of time you’ll find the sun shining bright enough to power your solar system and temperatures are usually mild enough to wear short sleeves. The combination of decent weather and everything else that Quartzsite offers make it extremely appealing for hearty RVers who love to dry camp.

See what other RVers think of Quartzsite here in the iRV2 Discussion Forums.

Rene Agredano

Often called “The O.G. of full-time RVing,” Rene Agredano and her husband Jim Nelson hit the road in a fifth wheel trailer in 2007, after their dog Jerry lost a leg to terminal cancer. Sixteen years later they are still traveling and sharing their nomadic adventures at LiveWorkDream. As a self-employed wordsmith, Rene shares her expertise for many RV industry videos, publications such as the Escapees RV Club Magazine, and has authored numerous books, including the Essential RVing Guide to National Parks, and  Income Anywhere, a guide to earning money on the road. She has been featured in global media outlets including the PBS documentary “NATURE: Why We Love Cats and Dogs,” The Guardian Sunday Edition, and the Dan Pink book Free Agent Nation.