After visiting Quartzsite at the beginning of December to scope out the boondocking areas and upcoming show setup, we came back to actually attend the assortment of shows the town is known for, and to observe the madness firsthand. During this time (Jan – Feb), Quartzsite is brimming with tens of thousands of visitors, vendors, winter residents, boondockers and snowbirders. They come not only for the various shows and huge swap meets, but also to enjoy the scenery and to gather around a campfire with friends. There were more than 10 shows ongoing while we were here.
Although we were warned the traffic would be crazy during the various shows, it was not bad at all by our California Bay Area standards – just a few minute’s delay in the area south of town. However, it was helpful that we had been here before so we knew a couple of routes around the worst of it, and also the general area where we wanted to set up camp. This time we actually dropped the car south of town so I could scout things out and report back via phone in advance of Betsy’s approach – it worked out well for us.
As we entered the Dome Rock area to the west, I knew immediately we could not stay at the same spot we had before, since a group had already set up camp there. But, I lucked out by finding another spot nearby that had only a small spot that was level, which kept other’s from parking near us. So, we had our own little piece of desert paradise for a few days!
Although there were thousands of RVrs descending into Quartzsite, we really did not feel cramped for in this vast desert one can park anywhere for FREE within the BLM areas. While here, we felt the festive mood in the air as everyone was having fun and were very friendly. At night, not only were the stars aglow but the desert was filled with campfires and colorful lights as various clustered RVers were gathered around to party. As newbies in the RV world, we came here to experience what its like to be in the midst of the biggest RV gathering on earth. It was fun being a part of it.
The RV show itself, known officially as the Sports, Vacation and RV Show (Jan 19-27) was ok, but not the best we have ever attended. Probably because admission to the show is FREE, there’s no money for printed materials or information booths that would have been helpful in locating the many vendors within the giant tent. We had a plan outlining what we wanted to shop for and in what order, and we entered the tent at 9:00am sharp on the first day. By 11:00am when it started getting extremely busy, we were done inside and continued our shopping around the outside of the tent. By 1:00pm or so we were finished – mission accomplished! People arriving late and just wanting to browse through had a rough time of it due to the crowds.
Steve dropped off our Blue Ox tow bar at their tent to take advantage of the $25 special to inspect and service their units. We had to wait two days to get it back, but it was a good deal and gave us piece of mind that our car will stay firmly attached back there in the future.
In another part of town just a mile away from the RV Big Tent Show was the Desert Gardens Gem and Mineral Show (Jan 1-Feb 28). Now this one was quite fascinating, for on display and for sale are various sizes, colors, shapes and rock formations from around the world. I was overwhelmed and for a while wished I was a rockhound so I could collect all these amazing specimens. Steve was underwhelmed and stayed home to install goodies into Betsy. Every now and then he throws a rock, but that’s about it.
We’ve done the show now, but we’d definitely come back to meet up with friends again in the future. You come here not only to shop but also to party. And that’s just what we did. Our friends Al and Ingrid of Live Laugh RV were nearby and invited us to join their group “Boomers” for a happy hour in the desert. We met several seasoned RVrs at this gathering who shared their stories of being on the road. It made us smile!
As for hiking, we took a long walk up a trail toward Dome Rock, and at some point Steve got the idea to try for the top. Well, he made it! In the little logbook at the top, he wrote his name and some thoughts comparing the view to what we saw at the Picacho Peak summit that we climbed recently. There are many miles of trails here for walking into the hills, or just make your own as your heart desires.
All in all, Quartzsite is a cool place to visit, party and shop till you drop. Check this one off our bucket list!
Lowes Travels 
We’re arriving today. Don’t know if you guys have left yet, but if not we’ll see ya there.
Nina
We left yesterday after our shopping spree. We are slowly heading east.
We’re staying in QZ until the 28th or 29th. Can’t beat the price, the views, or the company. Folks we met last year at Lake Pleasant rolled in. So gotta catch up with them. FYI, it’s already getting less croweded. Safe travels 🙂
Wow, looks like you are really having a great time in the desert. So how was your trip to the big tent? Did you buy anything ? We met another blogger here at Casa Grande, Hans and Lisa of Metamorphosis road. It was quite an interesting meeting at the pool 🙂 We hiked again at Picacho Peak but not to the summit and a soak to the hot tub was in order:)
I occassionally follow Hans and Lisa. We’ll be staying in QZ until Feb 1 when we move to Cave Creek. Saturday a group is relocating to Dome Rock for Geocaching……we’ll remain bystanders. This boonie lifestyle is really budget friendly. Went to the big tent. Didn’t find anything I needed….even more friendly on the budget.
If you want to camp with a large group of RVs check out Burning Man Festival in Nevada. Tickets go on sale in February. http://burningman.com
I think we will pass on this one for we are now heading east.
Mona Liza our blog is: metamorphosisroad.blogspot.com See you after dinner for a ….another glass of wine! Hans and Lisa
Hey it was really neat meeting you at the pool today and of course at the happy hour. See you again for another round of CA wine.
Sounds like a lot of fun! That’s great you got to meet up with Ingrid and Al! Happy Trails. -Maureen
Thanks Maureen, we are heading to Patagonia in a couple of days. Are you guys still at CSP or has moved on.
We have always wondered if it was worth it to be in Quartzsite during the show, jostling the crowds. Looks like you can have a little peace and quiet out in the desert, even with so much happening all around. We may have to experience this at least once. Safe travels. 🙂
We were pleasantly surprised that we can have little peace and quiet amidst all the action. We can now check this off our list. Safe travels too as you are now heading to AZ.
Awesome post on Quartzite, thank you. Trying to learn more about it in the hopes that our schedule will have us there at some point in the future so we can see it for ourselves. Until then, we live vicariously through your post. Thanks again!
Thank you for riding with us. Yes Q is quite some gathering to be in and have fun despite all the various happenings going on.
Will you be heading through San Antonio? If so, contact us. We’d love to meet. Just started reading your blog. I love how outdoorsy you are.
travelbug-susan.blogspot.com
Yes, San Antonio is on our way as we head east. We might skirt around the city but sure we can meet. If you have places and things to do around the area that you can recommend do tell us and we will check it out.
If you haven’t walked the Riverwalk we highly recommend it. We especially like the north Riverwalk heading up toward San Antonio Art Museum and the Pearl Brewery. Walking the Riverwalk downtown is fun too if you’ve never done it.
Okey, we will this in mind. Thanks
Quartzsite looks as crazy as thought it would be!!! Still on our bucket list – maybe next year. We’ve been trying out this snowbird thing this winter and while it is very nice here our feet are itchy and we find we like being on the road better than the snowbird thing. We are reading you travel journey with envy!!
We feel we are moving too fast like we did in AK and the longest we have stayed so far in one place is two weeks! Q was fun we had an opened mind going in.
Just started following your blog. We had Hans and Lisa (from Metamorphosis) over for dinner and they were telling us about meeting you. Checking out your blog, I see you are hikers like us. We have several blog friends in common such as Wheeling It. Maybe someday we will hit the same area. Happy travels!
Oh great. This blogging thing turned out to be really a great way to meet new friends. Yes we do like to hike to keep us active 🙂 I hope so too one day our path will cross again. For now we are heading east.
Where are you headed east? We are originally from PA. We’ll be heading back sometime in July. We’ll winter in FL next year.
All the states on the east and PA is on the list. We will ask for recommendations once we hit there. We will winter in FL this year 2013. Looks like our chances of meeting has just widen. 🙂