Return to
Home Page

See these Other Web Sites

RV Basics
Full Time RVing
RV Internet Access
RV Net Links

Quartzsite...
every RVer should go at least once.

Second on your list of places to RV, just below a trip to Alaska, should be Quartzsite. It’s hard to explain why though. Unlike a road trip to Alaska which most RVers can relate to, Quartzsite is a unique experience to each RVer who visits. But there are at least two experiences that every RVer who makes the pilgrimage share.

The first is the amazement of seeing thousands of RVs parked in various size clusters spreading out for miles around. No matter how many times I see it I can’t help being awestruck.

Secondly, they experience the overwhelming feeling of positive energy that comes from being one of a million RVers that visit Quartzsite each year. Being surrounded by so many happy RVers you just can’t help feeling you’re in a special place.

Okay, I’ll admit Quartzite isn’t every RVer’s favorite destination but I’d bet that most will say ‘you have to go at least once... just to see it’.

---

If you’ve been enticed to visit Quartzsite, I’d like to take you a little farther north to the Parker Strip. Stretching about 15 miles along the Colorado River from Parker, Arizona to Parker Dam the Strip is truly an oasis and is on my list of my favorite places.

There are lots of RV parks along the strip both on the Arizona and California sides of the river. RVers generally agree that Buckskin Mountain State Park, on the Arizona Side is one of the best places to stay but I like River Island State Park just up the road about a mile and a half. A small campground tucked between two red hills, it has a special charm hard to find in other parks.

When we drove by last year River Island was closed for what looked like major construction. It’s open now but we’ve not been there yet to see how much it’s changed. I hope it managed to keep it’s charm.

Anyway, River Island is first come first served so plan to arrive early in the day and you’ll have a much better chance of finding a space.

Once you’re settled at a park be sure to take a drive along the river. You can make a complete loop traveling along both sides in less than two hours even driving slow so it makes a nice outing. If you travel Parker Dam Road on the California side as the sun begins to set you just may see a herd of wild burros who are happy to pose for photos and eat any carrots you might have.

Outings to Lake Havasu and even Laughlin are easy to do from the Parker Strip as well so there is lots to do.

This article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2004 issue of
RV Companion Magazine as part of Steven Fletcher's Curbside column.
Used with permission.