Quartzsite Camping 2024

Camping in Quartzsite, Arizona 

Every year, thousands of visitors come to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities offered. With over a thousand vendors arriving each winter, Quartzsite is also known for its RV and OHV friendly atmosphere. With the influx of snowbirds, and 60 RV Parks, there's plenty to do all winter long. Seasonal Businesses and Restaurants, Multiple Swap Meets & Shows, Gem & Mineral Shows, Live Music, OHV Trails, Fine Art/Quilt/Arts & Crafts Shows, Bingo, Rock Hounding, Gold Hunting Gem & Mineral Classes, Dancing, Senior Activities, and the Famous Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show in Late January.  

Quartzsite has over 50 RV Parks offering a wide variety of amenities. If you'd like to camp in the desert, here are your options.

Quartzsite is surrounded by Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Arizona State Trust Lands. NO Camping is allowed in BLM DAY USE AREAS which are close to Town. Please only camp in designated areas only. State Trust Land is NOT Public Land. You must obtain a permit from the Arizona State Land Dept. to be on State Trust lands. You must obtain a permit from the Arizona State Land Department (ASLD) to be on State Trust lands. For current fees visit their website. 

BLM manages FIVE free camping areas around Quartzsite. Free camping not to exceed 14 days in a 28-day period is permitted in non-fee Quartzsite BLM areas. 

• Plomosa Road: Off 95 north of Quartzsite on north and south sides of Plomosa Road.
• Hi Jolly/MM112: About 3 miles north of Quartzsite on US Highway 95. 
• Dome Rock Mountain: West from Quartzsite about 6 miles.
• Scaddan Wash: About 3.5 miles east of Quartzsite. 
• Road Runner: On the west side of US 95, about 5 miles south of Quartzsite.

BLM maintains FOUR Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) south of town, where visitors may camp for as long as seven months. Winter visitors who wish to stay in an LTVA, must purchase a long-term permit. Long Term Visitor Area Permit is required from September 15th through April 15th each season. The cost is still $180.00 and is valid for up to 7 months. A Short-Term Permit can be purchased for a 14-day stay. This permit is $40.00. Permits may be purchased on site or at the BLM Yuma Field Office in Yuma, On Site at the Welcome Station, or Online at Yuma Field Office Blm Site Pass - Recreation.gov. Be sure to follow directions and print your receipt before arriving. The permit and decal(s) are valid at all Bureau of Land Management LTVAs, which include Hot Springs, Imperial, La Posa, Midland, Mule Mountain, Pilot Knob, and Tamarisk.

The LTVA was created in 1983 to fulfill the needs of winter visitors and to protect the local desert ecosystem from over-use. The campground is approximately 11,400 acres in size, flat landscape, sparsely vegetated with plants such as Creosote bushes, Palo Verde trees, Ironwood trees, Mesquite trees and various species of cacti. 

The Yuma Field Office manages 1.2 million acres of southwestern Arizona and southeastern California. The area includes 155 miles of the lower Colorado River, a destination for hundreds of thousands of visitors seeking water-related recreation year-round. In winter, the desert becomes a small city as long-term campers escape the northern winter.

The Yuma Field Office is part of the Colorado River District. For more details visit blm.gov/ or call 928-317-3200.

If you arrive after business hours, please park and set up your campsite at the LTVA, then proceed to one of the locations above the following morning to exchange your pass for a permit and decal(s). Passes are non-transferable, non-refundable, not replaceable if lost or stolen, and are void if altered or reproduced.

Enjoy your stay while visiting Quartzsite, Arizona!