Boondocking In Arizona

Boondocking is a term used to describe RV campers that choose to camp without any hookups or amenities that are found in RV Parks. Rather they choose to spend their time on public lands, truck stops, and even Walmart parking lots. Their rigs are self sufficient so they can explore the country. The use of BLM land is the most popular form of Boondocking and Arizona has a terrific selection of Boondocking spots for RVers.

BLM stands for Bureau of Land Management and they’ve established areas in the dessert where you can camp short term for free or long term for around a $1.00 a day. You can’t beat the rates! The short term permit allows you to spend 14 days out of 28 days in one area then you must move on outside of a 25 mile radius to a different location.

Short term BLM land offers no hooks ups and no electricity. There may be a shared water outlet and some BLM lands have a sewer disposal. Some of the long term BLM lands that offer no water or sewer disposal can be camped on for absolutely free but you still must move every 14 days. During the winter months Arizona is home to hundreds of thousands of boondockers from both Canada and the US who come to take advantage of this affordable way to enjoy the warmth Arizona has to offer.

The BLM recognized that many want to come stay on BLM land for longer periods so for around $150 you can buy a permit that allows you to stay in one spot for up to 6 months. In order to utilize your long term stay permit you must make sure the BLM land you are on is designated long term. Long term facilities offer dumpster, shared water, and sewer pump stations.

In these long term BLM facilities little communities erupt. Many return every year for the winter months and over the years they’ve built little towns. Some may even have basic groceries or a bookstore. They operate through the winter on the lands and when summer comes and everyone returns home they pack up their wares and return the following year. Very nomadic!

Originally Quartzsite was like a stop over for RVers on their way to California. This small town of 1900 residents soon became quite popular by the RVers and suddenly it was no longer a stop over but their main destination. The warm weather and the swap meets are a major attraction. In 1967 the first Pow Wow Gem and Mineral Show was held in Quartzsite and today there are 12 main Gem and Mineral Shows from November to March each year.

Quartzsite Arizona boasts the title of having the largest number of boondockers. Quartzsite is well known for its gem shows and huge swap meet. The population in Quartzite explodes during the winter months. Recreation is plentiful in Quartzsite offering ongoing activities such as rock hound expeditions or jewelry making classes. The Quartzsite RV Show, The Sports, Vacation & RV Show takes place in the big tent on from January 22 through January 30.There are hundreds of miles of dirt roads that you can hike or use your ATVs on.

Of course there are other areas in Arizona that are very popular for Boondocking. Some are free others charge just a nominal fee. You should check out the Hot Well Dunes Recreation Area located north of Bowie. The hot springs are nice and there is plenty of wildlife to enjoy as well. The Hot Well Dunes or the Woodall’s are also worth checking out.

So if you’re thinking of taking of in your RV and spending the winter in warmer climates then why not consider boondocking in Arizona?

Deon Melchior is the Editor and Publisher of Article Click. For more FREE articles for your ezine and websites visit ArticleClick.com. Article Click is a free content article directory. This means that as a publisher you may reprint the articles that are included in our site, as long as the article is unedited and the author box is included with it's live hyperlinks.