Quartzsite¹⁾ (“Q” or “Q-town”) is the most famous snowbird winter haven. It is centered of the intersection of Interstate 10 and US Route 95²⁾ / AZ Route 95³⁾.

The area is known more for snowbird services rather than for aesthetic beauty.

Dispersed camping on BLM land is free and limited to 14d as with many other BLM lands. Because of heavy use there are some restrictions:

• dispersed camping is only allowed in designated areas
  • Plomosa, 6 miles north of Q
  • Hi Jolly⁴⁾, 3 miles north of Q
  • Scadden Wash, 4 miles east of Q
  • Dome Rock, 6 miles west of Q
  • Road Runner, 5 miles south of Q
• a free permit is required

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.

The camping limits in effect are the normal BLM rules for boondocking: 14d 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 HavasuBLM, AZ - Craggy Wash, Lone Tree North, Crossroads, etc
• Parker BLM, CA - Shea Road, etc
• Ehrenberg, AZ⁵⁾
• Quartzsite
• KOFA wildlife refuge (southernmost portion)
• Yuma

Longer stays are available for a fee in La Posa, which are a collection of four Long Term Visitors Areas (LVTA). 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.

showers, surplus groceries, cheap water @ RV pitstop, trash collection point north of town.

Silly's Pizza

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.