Guest Author - Evanne Schmarder

Each year the last week of January brings RVers in the hundred thousands (no kidding) to the small desert town of Quartzsite, Arizona – about 20 miles east of the California border on I-10 – for what’s billed as the “largest consumer RV show in the US” – the Quartzsite RV Show. Vendors set up shop in and around the Big Top sharing the latest and greatest RV products while RV parks, state tourist bureaus and associations are sharing the benefits of camping in their states and parks. Organizations such as the California Land Management, Silver City Amusement Park, Disney, KOA and other RV parks look for eager workampers. Shoppers will even find a first-rate RV lot adjacent to the Quartzsite RV Show grounds offering everything from Class A’s to travel trailers. You could call the Quartzsite RV Show a one-stop-shop.

Walking up and down the busy aisles, show attendees are likely to find the expected RV products – sewer hoses, specialized cleaning formulas, towing products, RV vent covers and fans, lounge chairs, and more. Some unexpected goodies include mineral make-up, unusual desert friendly clothing, flag poles, Folgers coffee, leather goods such as wallets, purses, and fanny packs, and folding pet steps to help Fido or Fluffy make it into your camper. There’s a 75 foot houseboat here from Lake Powell – for sale or rent – and it’s a beaut! The most unique product I’ve seen is the Cruzin Cooler – strong enough to sit on and motorized so you can get around in style. Well, well!

As you might imagine, the big RV clubs are represented – Good Sam has a huge tent offering their products, of course, but also computers so attendees can check email, search for and compare RV prices to what they’ve found at the show or check local weather. FMCA, Escapees and Thousand Trails are here, too.

Food vendors and their flashy booths grace all four show entrances. Lunch on a smoked turkey leg, an Indian taco, fish and chips, burgers, soups and more. For dessert you might try a funnel cake or indulge in the most amazing ice cream (the pistachio is my fav). The prices are reasonable for “fair” standards with meals coming in at around $6.

So exactly where do hundreds of thousands of RVers camp in little ole’ Quartzsite? That’s the best part – the town is surrounded by acres and acres of BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land providing free desert camping. Groups and individuals alike pull their rigs off the road into any area that suits their fancy and park for free. There are no hook-ups so expect to see plentiful solar panels and jugs of water. A water service and a pump out service are available for a fee.

In addition to the Quartzsite RV Show there are several other “shows” – you might call them flea markets – close by. Tyson Wells and Main Event are both large and popular with RVers. Celia’s Garden is here as is a very unusual bookstore. There’s plenty to see.

I’ve heard the Quartzsite RV Show called “Spring Break” for RVers. That just about hits it on the head. Every RVer should come to the Quartzsite RV Show at least once - it’s a real trip.