Quartzsite, AZ 2022

elizabetsz · 08-09-2021, 01:52 PM

Hi All, I will be getting my 5.0TA in October ( if My F150 gets built in time). I want to go to Quartzite in January. It seems so vast and I would like to be relatively close to other Escapes or Fiberglass trailers. How would I go about finding other Escape owners in the desert? Any advice on Quartzite will be appreciated. I will be spending several months in Tucson before and after the rally. Thank you! Betsy A

Vermilye · 08-09-2021, 02:07 PM

Well, I'll be in La Posa West, arriving mid December and staying until I moved to the Fiberglass Trailer rally starting in early February at Dome Rock...

elizabetsz · 08-09-2021, 04:55 PM

Thank you. Hope to meet up!

Fox hunt · 08-09-2021, 05:54 PM

think about it

lonewolfjb · 08-09-2021, 06:47 PM

We have camped by Dome Rock for the last 6 years but in late February and it has been really nice lot of free camping areas around there.

MyronL · 08-10-2021, 08:16 AM

Betsy here is a link to a video of the last Quartzsite rally I attended. Have not heard of any organized planning for a 2022 rally there. (But, the place is such a magnet, there's always hope.)

https://youtu.be/3JJZ_6NI8JU

Vermilye · 08-10-2021, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyronL

Betsy here is a link to a video of the last Quartzsite rally I attended. Have not heard of any organized planning for a 2022 rally there. (But, the place is such a magnet, there's always hope.)

https://youtu.be/3JJZ_6NI8JU

While there is no "official" organizer for a February rally at Dome Rock, Gene, the administrator of the Casita Travel Trailer Forum has announced that the dates for 2022 will be February 7th - 13th. Obviously, you can stop at Dome Rock any time, however I suspect that would be a good weekend. Arizona Eileen has announced that she will be holding the Dome Rock Swap Meet 8:00AM - 10:00AM on Saturday, February 12th.

If you are interested in the Big Tent show, it is scheduled for January 22nd - 30th.

Some Rally Photos:

elizabetsz · 08-10-2021, 04:20 PM

Thank you to all. It sounds great.

richm · 08-17-2021, 08:25 PM

Hey Betsy, I am picking up a 5.0 in mid December and plan an extended stay in Quartzsite in January to test out my dry camping gear. I used to tent camp one weekend every month of the year, but RVs are new to me, so I want to test things.

I'd kinda prefer to be in a group as well, for safety. I'd love to camp near other escapes. Like Vermilye, I plan to camp in one of the LTVAs. There are both more expensive and less expensive options, but not much that can beat the pricing of the LTVAs.

Telescopist · 08-18-2021, 08:37 AM

What does LTVA stand for?

Vermilye · 08-18-2021, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telescopist

What does LTVA stand for?

BLM Long Term Visitor Areas - there are 7 of them in AZ & CA. $180.00 for 7 months or $40.00 per 2 weeks (repeatable). All have trash dumpsters, some have water & dump stations. Dispersed dry camping. You can move between them using the same permit.

Telescopist · 08-18-2021, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermilye

BLM Long Term Visitor Areas - there are 7 of them in AZ & CA. $180.00 for 7 months or $40.00 per 2 weeks (repeatable). All have trash dumpsters, some have water & dump stations. Dispersed dry camping. You can move between them using the same permit.

Is from the link you provided where you register for a spot at these LTVA's? Or, alternatively, can you just drive out to, say, Quartzsite and register when you get there?

Vermilye · 08-18-2021, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Telescopist

Is from the link you provided where you register for a spot at these LTVA's? Or, alternatively, can you just drive out to, say, Quartzsite and register when you get there?

With Covid restrictions, things can change, but generally you purchase either a 7 month (15 September - 15 April or any part of that time period) or a 14 day permit at the entrance stations for the LTVAs or on line (or in person) at the Yuma Field Office. If you purchase on line, you must print & exchange your on line pass for a permit (goes on your trailer, and if a 7 month permit, tow vehicle) at either the field office, the La Posa or Imperial dam office.

Centex · 08-18-2021, 11:12 AM

Jon, is it correct to understand that in LTVA's like La Posa West, there are no designated "spots" for parking one's trailer per se, but that one registers and enters with the permit displayed and then just 'finds a place' being respectful of posted minimum separation rules and neighborly consideration?

I suppose that ultimately entrance to a specific LTVA is restricted if it get's too crowded?

Vermilye · 08-18-2021, 12:47 PM

At 11,400 acres, the La Posa areas are not going to ever be crowded. The BLM has a rule that you cannot park closer than 15' to your neighbor, although that rule is often broken when friends or groups gather. It is extremely rare for someone unknown to park anywhere near that close to you. If they do & it annoys you, just move. It is dispersed camping, so you can park anywhere, although avoid the washes!

The biggest problem they have with crowds in La Posa is the water supply. The wells at La Posa South (the only area in the Q that has water & a dump station) cannot keep up with demand at peak time, so they limit when it is available.

La Posa West is the smallest of the 4 areas in Quartzsite, and during the "Big Tent" show in mid January, the most crowded, however it is still fairly open (the view from my trailer):

richm · 08-18-2021, 02:09 PM

A PDF of LTVA rules is here. Permits required in LTVAs only from Sept 15 to Apr 15, purchased at a ranger station or a camp host at each LTVA entrance. The LTVAs include access to dump stations, water and trash near the entrance to La Posa.

BLM areas like Scadden Wash and Dome Rock do not require permits. The Refuse Transfer Station accepts trash for free. The RV Pit Stop in Quartzsite has propane, dump, filtered water, and Reverse Osmosis water.

Here's a nice map from this site:

elizabetsz · 08-18-2021, 03:06 PM

Thank you all. Great information! I will definitely be there this winter at some point. My 5.0 has forest green decals.

MyronL · 08-18-2021, 06:00 PM

I think La Posa is behind that mountain somewhere.

Telescopist · 08-18-2021, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermilye

At 11,400 acres, the La Posa areas are not going to ever be crowded. The BLM has a rule that you cannot park closer than 15' to your neighbor, although that rule is often broken when friends or groups gather. It is extremely rare for someone unknown to park anywhere near that close to you. If they do & it annoys you, just move. It is dispersed camping, so you can park anywhere, although avoid the washes!

The biggest problem they have with crowds in La Posa is the water supply. The wells at La Posa South (the only area in the Q that has water & a dump station) cannot keep up with demand at peak time, so they limit when it is available.

La Posa West is the smallest of the 4 areas in Quartzsite, and during the "Big Tent" show in mid January, the most crowded, however it is still fairly open (the view from my trailer):

Do you prefer La Posa West? Does it also have a source for water and a dump station?

Vermilye · 08-19-2021, 10:02 AM

The only La Posa area that has a dump station & fresh water is La Posa South. It is about a 3 mile drive from the part of La Posa West I usually stay in to the dump station. Once you need to hook up the trailer to get water or dump, it doesn't make much of a difference between 100' or 3 miles. One advantage of La Posa South is you can see the dump station before you pack up to get in line. At times, it is more than an hour long...

I prefer La Posa West because it is within walking distance of town, my morning coffee stop, the Big Tent show and have been meeting a couple of friends with Toyota SunRaders for a couple of years. It is closer to I 10 than La Posa South, so a bit more road noise. I have also stayed in La Posa Tyson Wash & Imperial Dam in CA.

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