Why to Avoid Quartzsite, Arizona!!

I spent two months in Quartzsite (Jan 6-March 10 2023) as a brand new nomad/vanlifer. I mainly wanted to experience RTR, meet new people, and I did. Everything you said was spot on. It's not for me past my one-time extended experience. It was mostly enjoyable, but one time was more than enough to check it off my list. I have no desire to return. It is what I call the "ugly" type of desert compared to other types of breathtaking desert landscapes out there. The few stores they have are ridiculously overpriced ($8 for a single bag of chips!). Some decent restaurants but nothing spectacular. I met a smorgasbord of interesting people. Not knocking QZ, but unless you are a "joiner" type (which I am not), one time was perfectly enough to say "been there, done that."

Great information! I’m an introvert and can’t tolerate large crowds, dust, overcrowded campsites and disrespectful ATV users. I would rather camp on a mountaintop any day!

I had a friend tell me about a restaurant once. Said it was always overcrowded, overpriced, and the food wasn't really that great. I tried it for myself, and had a wonderful experience. Point bein'... If you don't go and see for yourself, you ain't never going to really know.

Really enjoying Quartzsite, my first year. However some dog owners think because it's the desert they don't have to pick up after their dogs. Not only have I been picking up after my dog but also the disrespectful people that don't. Remember the waste stays for a long time in AZ. What you think is no man's land may well be someone's future camp spot. Be responsible dog owners!!

I love camping period. One thing I love about dessert camping is the absence of insects / mosquitoes.

Currently here and have plenty of elbow room at the moment..... For people new to the nomad life I think its a great way to give it a try.

I went to Quartzsite for the first time last year. I camped with a couple of different groups. It does encourage community. I enjoyed lots of live music, campfires and the most beautiful sunsets. It is worth a try.

This sounds like a good assessment for people trying to make a decision about going to Quartzsite. You provided a balanced assessment. I like your sweatshirt. Thanks.

Thank you for your video! Quartzsite needs a fair, but honest representation. All I heard was the hype of South and RTR, which is held at the city park, thankfully not La Posa South. I was curious, but here for one reason and one reason alone... putting away pension for a year in Alaska. I've been here since September 18 and plan to leave April 8. As for the town, I have made connections with very kind people, especially at Coyote Fresh Foods, the library and The Outpost. It isn't for everyone and how many people, especially in January/February, is a drawback. I lasted to mid-October and moved from La Posa South to Tyson Wash, with a handful of other campers. A few days before Christmas it is still not populated. I love it on this side, people are respectful of the quiet hours! I've only observed or experienced a few speeding blowing up horrible dust. At South, it was constant, making it much worse of an experience. At Tyson Wash sites are more off the side roads than South. There is a church service on Sundays, at South at the pavilion. I find the people to be a mix of welcoming and friendly. Many are rude and most are not. If you want your space, that will be respected, too. I am in a tent and used to the desert, but I have found camping in the desert and living in it required adjusting! Being a native CA dealing with Santa Ana winds all my life to mid 30s, I do not love the wind gusts, but I am in a tent. It is not regular, but can last for days. If you do not like the crowds and partying, avoid South. The people are often inconsiderate and exhibit inappropriate behaviors. The current camp host is basically absent from duties (the vault buildings were regularly out of toilet paper or cleaned. The last one, where I was, was vandalized twice in one month. The camp office was never opened to report and the ranger had to be called. For one week, the building was increasingly covered with feces and the second time lock due to vandalism, spray paint I believe. I also started to feel uneasy. There is a drug issue, meth, in the back areas of South. I was 1.5 miles in. There was a constant issue with someone screaming, conversationally, in the middle of the night, for hours. TRY TYSON WASH. I feel safer there. It is closer to the mountains, so the wind is far less. This year the cost is $180, and I've heard the cost for LTVA will be $300. North, East and South have a newly paved road to the water and dumpsters (South, not sure how far for the other two. Tyson is getting a new dump, a large one that is currently in process of completion. This may change the nature of Tyson Wash when open. Remember, with a permit you can go to any of the 7 sites, so going to South to fill up on water is convenient. The vendors that begin set up on November 1 (first day of town's official season) includes a discount grocer of nonperishable dry goods and other household, hygiene items, with phenomenal prices. The Walmart is in Parker, 37 miles away, keep in mind, it IS NOT close! The Post Office is awful, with the exception of one clerk America... the locals will roll their eyes, verifiable! If you enjoy rocks and gems, you will love Quartzsite. If you love history, you will enjoy Quartzsite's. There is a senior center with lunch and other activities, many churches and the laundromats are great, particularly the one on Central, past the Arizona Bank. Emmet's is not as friendly as told, one made me feel like I couldn't afford to have an oil change! So, I went to Parker instead. I also had to be towed for a flat tire and the AAA tow in Quartzsite is awesome! There are regular activities in town, yesterday evening was the Uke Christmas Concert. I attended the Quartzsite Fall Festival and had a great time. Not much with vendors, but great food trucks, two and the band was fabulous, Casandra Long's Band. She is an incredible versatile singer, and her band is really good! Quartzsite and Parker libraries are open four days a week, closed on Fri, Sa, Su! There is a new mail service people seem to like. I have rented a PO box; my mail service is in my domicile, and I rarely have mail. Yuma is 80 miles away and Buckeye 103. Buckeye has just about anything you would need, Walmart & Lowe's, restaurants & shopping, Bank of America. Keep in mind, as well, all of October may still have 100 degree weather... the area is gorgeous, with amazing sunrises and brilliant sunsets! The mountains never get old, nor does the night sky! This is just my experience, observation and of those I have met, both sides of the coin. Quartzsite La Posa is just like everywhere else, imperfect with flaws, deal breakers, fun and beauty.

I'm with you Brian on Quartzite. My first time there was 1998. Had fun but learned on subsequent visits to avoid the place in December, January and early February. I too love the desert but can certainly do without the crowds and noise of the ATV'S. Have a good holiday.

I'm really surprised more people don't stay the winters in New Braunfels,Texas. The weather is about the same as Quartzsite Arizona. Beautiful landscape and long term visitor camp available.

Great, informative video, as usual. My first "winter" of full time RVing, (January 2018) I found myself in Quartzite and was totally overwhelmed by the crowds. I only stayed a couple of nights before moving on to other more attractive (to me) parts of rural Arizona, where I continue to spend the winter months. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you, Brian! Glad to see Hobbs so attached to you and you to him!

The American Southwest deserts aren't boring; they're subtle. Then again, the difference between boring and subtle can be pretty subtle, too. It's definitely not for everyone.

There’s still plenty of spots in the vastness of the LTVA’s to get away from the crowds. You just need to know how to find them off the beaten path. ❤

My best experience in the Q was meeting a young man named Brian from the YouTube channel Adventure Van Man. Love you Brian. Betty Bear

I HAVE to go to Quartzsite at least once in my lifetime. When I was 10, my mom, sister, and I, went to Mecca CA, via I-10. We went past Quartzsite and I wanted to stop so bad to see the quartz and other rocks. We didn't stop and I was so disappointed. I've never been on that section of I-10 ever again. That was 52 years ago.

I've been going to Quartzsite for around 20 years now. I like late-Oct, all of Nov, early Dec to visit... skip all of January.... then maybe get a trip in during late Feb, early March. That's my winter camping season visiting Quartzsite, all for the same reasons - avoiding the crowds. Things to do while there - Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is close, and Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is a little further away along the Colorado River, but both are easy day trips. Watch the weather forecast and plan accordingly, and winter desert camping is really nice with mild daytime temps and cool evenings with a campfire. Enjoy and cheers. Pete in Arizona - KI7LIL

Nice to see that you and the dog bonded so well ! He loves you ! Not a big crowd fan here. Don't own an ATV and hate blowing dust . More mountains and coastline and family is what myself and my wife of 38 years seek. Don't have full time plans we just go camping for a month at a time. We both retired in 2020 and purchased our second camper . We owned the first one from 1986 until 1992. Then returned to camping in 2020 for retirement. Love your channel !

Thanks for passing along some great long time experience, it is good to hear info from someone that has had years of experience.

Really good thorough overview Brian, thanks