Plomosa Road Camping Area

We rolled onto Plomosa Rd after seeing the HiJolly BLM location looking like an RV park! We were able to find a place to camp very easily but we just got the "spring break" vibe even though we were 2 weeks after the Big Tent and RTR. Just not our scene. No one bothered us....a coyote ran through our camp one evening and the sunsets were lovely! Very quiet at night but a VERY busy road during the day. We wanted to get a "feel" for the area but now that we have experienced it....We'll go elsewhere in the future. Happy that we stayed in the area though as we were able to take a day trip to Yuma.

We were definitely impressed by the dispersed camping options along Plomosa Road. Plomosa road is paved, side roads into the camping areas are dirt/gravel. Register with the camp host for 14 days free camping. No amenities. There are huge areas on both sides of Plomosa Rd for about 4 miles that allow you to be as close to or as far way from your neighbors as desired. We found a large, level spot next to a wash that gave us a sandy area for Riley to play since the rocky surface was hard on his feet. We also had gorgeous unobstructed views of the mountains. Stayed 13 days and were sad to go.

We stayed here over the Big Tent RV Show in Quartzsite. Loved all the signs as groups met and we had a great time attending several of the Escapees RV Club functions.

There was a trail next to our campsite (1.8 miles from the entrance on the right) and we rode our bikes down it until it connected with the Sunkist trail (a part of the Arizona Peace Trail) which then intersected with Plomosa Rd for a 12 mile loop. Great ride although the sandy washes can be challenging.

We used RV Pit Stop to dump and fill the water tanks when we left. We were also able to fill our 5 gal water jug there repeatedly during our stay which helped us make it 15 days on our tanks – a personal best. Lol.

We had 2-3 bars of Verizon 4G, although reliability could vary throughout the day.

End of October 2021. Not too many folks around. This is free BLM land and all the RVs parks close to town are super busy. There are a few trees and shrubs here. While there are a few somehow visible paths, you kind of make your own as you try to locate a spot you like. The ground is very rocky. Off the main trail, you are driving on the moon, or a river bed. Because of lots of rocks and small pebbles, it is easy to think the ground is hard packed. Not at all, the slightest wheel spin reveals deep sand. Big rigs are close to the road where it is full exposure with zero shade. Small vans like mine go a bit deeper in nature. But beware, you can get into trouble. Everything has thorns, even trees. I found a spot with a bit of shade on the West side from mid-afternoon. My roof mounted solar panels are facing South and are getting charged from morning til late afternoon. While it is 90 degrees, there is a cool Northern breeze that is precious. While there is a tiny bit of road noise every 10 minutes, it is very quiet. I parked in such a way, I don't see anyone else. I have about 250 yards of clear zone around my van. I have Verizon and get about 2-3 bars, or 4 bars with booster. The view is great. There are mountains within 10 miles all around. I always wanted to experience Quartzsite, so happy to be here. I think in order to share the vanlife community experience, one might need to be closer to town and maybe earlier in January. Might be still be too hot for most folks. I normally do dispersed camping in very remote areas. This time, I was hoping to socialize way more. Not happening here today. About 6 miles North of HW 10, here on Plomosa.

Dates of stay were 4 March 2021-9 March 2021 -
This location was suggested by my friend Anne and I’m so glad we came. It was beautiful, quite, great sunsets and dark skies. A quick drive to town for anything that may have been forgotten was a plus.
I recently had modifications done to our little Victor including 300 watts of solar installed so this was our test run before our big cross country trip to Ohio with stops in Texas and Missouri. Everything worked out as planned. Perfect.
We needed a fairly level area for my daughter’s wheelchair but I also wanted a tree or at least some tall vegetation for a bit more privacy and wind break and luckily we found it.
Our closest neighbor, whom we never saw, was about a block away. All others at least a quarter of a mile. We were near the road but the little bit of traffic from Plomosa Rd didn’t bother us at all. Can’t wait to come back for a longer stay.

I stayed in 3 different areas in La Posa LTVA. After returning from Alamo Lake State Park, I decided to try Plomosa. WOW!! The internet was so much better and there were far fewer campers. The area I stayed at was just off the main road but far enough away that I didn't hear any traffic. You still don't get away from the OTV's because they come with the territory. The parking areas have a natural stone that is not as dusty like the gravel at La Posa. I still used the water, dump, and trash area at La Posa because I had the long-term pass. Quartzsite is a quirky town but has most necessities. If I return to Quartzsite, I will come back to Plomosa instead of the La Posa area. CELL SERVICE - I have a WeBoost. Verizon had great service but no service with T-moble during my entire stay in Quartzsite (January - March). T-Mobile's service map shows good service so I called them several times. After 2 hours, they told me the cell tower was being repaired. Lame!

Head down Plomosa a few miles and you will come to a “No overnight camping beyond this point” sign. Guess where all the people who want more space are? Just beyond that point. A half mile or so in on the left the best spots start appearing.

I like the Quartzsite area for its rugged beauty and the weather in Southern AZ Oct-Mar. The town and the activities don’t really do it for me, nor does socializing with fellow RVers. What I love is the desert, the peace, the terrain, the sun and the silence.

Here are my coordinates in case anyone wants to cut and paste into a map nav, to get to where I took the photos below Feb 2021.

33°46'23"N 114°10'03"W

🌵☸️🌍

Considering it’s free there’s really nothing to complain about. Roads back to camping areas are good enough for a car. I went out in my Nissan and tent and stayed out in middle of nowhere. The view night and day is breathtaking. My only complaint would be the jet noise at night. From 8-12 it’s like grand central station in the sky's above. Non stop jets back and forth that steal all good signal strength.