Plomosa Rd BLM – Quartzsite, Arizona

We are on our way to Southern California and Quartzsite makes a perfect stopover, especially during “The Quartzsite Sports, Vacation, and RV Show” (AKA the Big Tent Show). The annual show, usually held around the last week of January or so, is supposedly the largest gathering of RVs in the nation with an estimated 150,000 RVs or more stopping by for all the festivities. What sounds like a nightmare to many is to us a bit of fun. I call it “Burning Man for Seniors”.

The great thing about Quartzsite is there is plenty of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping which offers easy access to parking in the desert and many of the locations are free. This makes it easy to just pull in and park (after registration) and coming and going whenever you want. No check out times.

About 5 or 6 miles north of Quartzsite off Highway 95 is Plomosa Rd which is a free short-term BLM camping area. There is a host there where you can register for a 14 day permit and then choose your location anywhere amongst the desert (except where signs designate no camping or day use only). The area required for a permit are clearly marked along the road and is roughly between mile marker 0 and 4. With 4 miles of desert area you can usually find a spot you like but if you end up not liking it you just move!

Campground: Plomosa Rd BLM
Location: Quartzsite, Arizona
Site: NA
Cost: $0
Comments: A great, flat, desert area to camp, spend a few nights, meet up with friends, and go to the RV Show and visit the open air flea market.

There is camping on both the north and south side of Plomosa Rd and we have camped in both areas. We simply look for a spot that is level and we can easily fit in to. We like to walk around the area and drive around to check out who is there and what is gong on. Escapees Boomers were there having a rally along with many other organizations.