Quartzsite, Arizona – Boondocking BLM La Posa LTVA

Every January, thousands of RVers converge on the tiny desert town of Quartzsite, Arizona to boondock, socialize, and stock up on gear. It’s a seasonal migration that transforms a sleepy little town into what some call the Boondocking Capital of the World. For many full-time RVers, visiting Quartzsite—especially La Posa LTVA—is a rite of passage.

And we get it. We spent a few days out there during the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show, and while it’s not something we plan on doing every year, it was absolutely worth experiencing.

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Quartzsite: From Ghost Town to RV Mecca

Originally known as Tyson Wells, the town was renamed Quartzsite after mineral discoveries in the 19th century. But it wasn’t until the RV boom that Quartzsite earned its fame.

Most of the year, this place is quiet—maybe a few thousand locals and some wandering lizards. But come late fall through winter, over 250,000 RVers descend upon the area. The flat desert stretches are filled with every kind of camper imaginable: tent campers, vanlifers, skoolies, and million-dollar rigs alike.

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What Makes La Posa LTVA So Popular?

It’s a simple equation: cheap camping + open space + a big RV show + warm (mostly) weather = Quartzsite.

La Posa LTVA is part of the BLM’s Long-Term Visitor Area (LTVA) program, meaning you can stay longer than the typical 14-day BLM limit. The season runs from September 15 to April 15, and here’s what it’ll cost you:

• $180 for the full 7-month season
• $40 for a 14-day permit

These passes include access to potable water, dump stations, and trash dumpsters—a big upgrade from dry camping on typical BLM land.

The LTVA is divided into four zones:

• La Posa Tyson Wash
• La Posa North
• La Posa South (the only one with water/dump facilities)
• La Posa West

Our Boondocking Experience at La Posa South

We camped at La Posa South LTVA from January 18–22, 2021, hoping to soak up the Quartzsite scene. We bought our LTVA permit on Recreation.gov, but learned the hard way that it’s easier (and cheaper) to buy your pass in person. We paid an extra $4 in service fees and still had to exchange it for a sticker at the Tyson Wash Contact Station.

Once we got squared away, we crossed Highway 95 and found a decent spot near some friends who had arrived earlier. The roads are unmarked desert trails, but wide enough for even the biggest rigs. We picked a flat, rocky site near a wash with a fire ring—though we stuck with our propane fire pit.

Lithium Upgrade, Generators & Lessons Learned

We quickly realized our old AGM battery setup wasn’t going to cut it. Our generator was running 20 minutes every hour just to keep the basics powered. So we decided to upgrade to lithium batteries right there at the RV show—two 150Ah Life Blue Lithium units from Discount Solar.

Game changer. With the new setup, we had over 60% charge left each morning and barely heard the generator hum.

Before leaving, we used the nearby dump station and topped off our water. Pro tip: One side of the dump station has a black tank rinse connection—the other doesn’t. Choose wisely!

The Quartzsite RV Show: Fun or Flop?

Honestly? It’s a little underwhelming.

The “Big Tent” is packed with vendors, but most of them are hawking random gadgets and “As Seen On TV” stuff—not a ton of actual RV products. Still, it’s fun to browse if you go in with low expectations.

RV Show Tips:

Go midweek or the second weekend—it’s far less crowded.

Be patient. The crowds move slowly.

Check out the flea market and the Grocery Tent across the street. The grocery tent is a treasure trove of discounted and nearly expired items.

So, now your next question is probably, What do I need to bring?

The answer is, EVERYTHING! The nearest Walmart is 40 miles away in Parker, AZ.

Living the Boondocking Life

Power

If you don’t have solar, you’ll need a generator. But be warned: generators are noisy, fuel-hungry, and not ideal for daily use. We burned about 20 gallons of fuel in four days before switching to lithium.

Water & Trash

There’s a freshwater fill and dump station at La Posa South, along with trash dumpsters. If you’re camping in the free 14-day BLM areas outside the LTVA zones, you’ll need to haul water in and pack trash out.

Groceries

Local options are limited. Roadrunner Market is the best in town, but we recommend stocking up before you arrive. The closest Walmarts are in Parker or Blythe, about 40 miles away. Glacier Water refill stations are common and handy for topping off gallon jugs.

Cell Service & Connectivity

Cell coverage is hit or miss. We had a decent T-Mobile signal with a booster at our site, but streaming Netflix? Forget it. The towers get overwhelmed during peak season.

Services That Come to You

Quartzsite knows its audience. You’ll find mobile RV services galore:

• Freshwater delivery
• Tank pumping
• Propane refills
• RV repairs
• Solar installs
• Pressure washing
• Windshield and awning services

We had our batteries installed by Discount Solar, and they did a solid job.

Mail Delivery? Good Luck.

The local post office is chaos. General Delivery service is only available from 12–1 pm, and the line wraps around the building. We didn’t even try. Instead, we waited to get our mail forwarded to our next stop in Yuma.

Fun Fact: Camels in the Desert?

Yes, really. Quartzsite is home to Hi Jolly’s Tomb, a tribute to Haiji Ali—a camel driver brought to the U.S. in the 1850s for the military’s desert camel experiment. While the program was abandoned, the camels (and Hi Jolly) became local legends.

Final Thoughts

Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Quartzsite was our first real taste of boondocking, and we walked away with a better battery setup, a greater appreciation for solar, and some dusty but fond memories. The sunsets were magical, the people were friendly, and the RV community vibe was in full force.

Will we return? Probably—but not every year. It’s something every RVer should experience once or twice. Just go prepared, go patient, and go with an open mind.

And, to be clear: we think Quartzsite is a Rite of Passage for RVers, and you should definitely try it out for yourself!