Quartzsite Arizona Where Seniors in RVs Spend the Winter and Live Cheaply

Are you interested in finding a cheap place to stay during the winter months? Camping out in your Recreational Vehicle in the desert around Quartzsite Arizona may be exactly what you are looking for. It is unlike any campground that you have ever seen.

Quartzsite is a tiny town in the Arizona desert, about 20 miles east of the Colorado River off of Interstate 10. It is about 900 feet above sea level. During World War Two General Patton's troops trained in the area for the invasion of North Africa. There are actually a few thousand year-round residents living there. In the winter Quartzsite's surrounding desert becomes home to thousands of RVs and senior citizens that live in these homes on wheels.

Most of the people who come to Quartzsite stay on Bureau of Land Management land owned by the United States Government. There is one large 11,000 acre area just outside the small town called the LaPosa Long Term Visitors Area or LTVA, for short. You can stay here for a few weeks for about $30. You also can get a seven month permit for $140. For a self-contained RV it costs about a dollar or two a day. That is quite a bargain.

This type of camping is for self-contained vehicles, commonly referred to as RVs. Living in your RV means you must have bathroom facilities aboard, your own power, and your own water supply. RVers refer to this type of camping as Boondocking.

You can also stay for free on surrounding BLM land, but the downside of that is that you have to move 25 miles away from that campsite after a two-week period. By moving after two weeks the land is allowed a breather. The motto of Boondockers is to leave nothing behind but footprints. There are plenty of cheap options available for RVs. Rain is usually not a problem, but you are advised not to camp in low lying "washes".

From November to early April Quartzsite becomes a small city of senior citizens and their rolling homes. There are gatherings of old and new friends that all enjoy living the RV lifestyle. These folks have cookouts, nightly campfires and gabfests. You could liken Quartzsite to Woodstock for seniors. Every year these people that like to travel meet here for a few weeks or a few months. Some stay until the desert heat forces them northwest to California, Oregon, Washington, or even Canada. The great thing about having an RV is that If you don't like your neighbors you can just move down the road.

During the winter there are lots of flea markets in tents that sell all kinds of RV equipment. You can buy anything from window shades for your RV to solar panels and books about RVing. They also have a Giant RV show for the latest models available.

They also have a large rock, and mineral show during the winter months. If you are a rock hound, or Gem enthusiast, you will find the show quite interesting. There is always something to do during the day to keep you interested. If going to flea markets isn't your thing, then you can just sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.

In addition to the RV show, the Gem show, and the flea markets selling all kinds of RV gear, there is also a Chili cook-off and a Salsa championship. The event is held in February and it also features live music, chili tasting and related things to buy and see.

During the winter there are also Hobby and Craft shows. There are also musical events ranging from bluegrass music to jazz. They even have exhibits of old cars. Chances are, you will find something unique and interesting to do during your visit to "Q" as some folks call It.

If you are tired of the crowds and want to get away from it all there are "Ghost Towns" to visit. There are hundreds of miles of dirt trails to hike or use your all-terrain vehicle to explore. Just pick up a local tourist newspaper, and you'll find plenty of things to keep yourself occupied with.

Essential RV services for water and pump-outs of RV holding tanks are available in the local area. There are small markets in "Q" for food. For more variety you will have to travel to the Albertson's Supermarket in Blythe CA, 20 miles west of Quartzsite.

Quartzsite winter camping in the Arizona desert may be ideal if you are looking for a low-cost solution for escaping the colder climates. There is always something to do and people keep coming back year after year. The warmth of the desert by day and the awesome view of the stars at night makes for a memorable experience. Staying around Quartzsite just might be an annual habit that you too will develop.