YUMA AZ?

[gnarledwolf]

Hello, 
I've been advised all over the place that Washington state doesn't get too cold, but it does rain like crazy come winter.... and constant wet at 40 degrees means misery so we're trekking back to Az this year.  We were thinking of Yuma this year instead of Quartzsite... which seemed really limited and depressing last year.  I'm told Yuma actually caters to people like our group and it's got many more options, including a Safeway we can probably transfer to from the Safeway up here where we work.  Anyone know the reality of staying the winter in Yuma compared to Quartzsite?
Matt

 

[rvwandering]

You have been advised correctly about Washington state. :-D

Yuma is warmer, greener and has more options for almost everything as compared to Quartzsite. There are some nice free camping sites nearby too. Although I can't speak from experience it seems like it would be easy to get a job over the winter because so many retirees head there which should open employment opportunities.

 

[gnarledwolf]

job opportunities in Quartzsite were easy.... took us 2 days. We've spent the summer working at Safeway.... so hopefully that will make getting a job in winter in Yuma easy too... I don't want to work all the time, but i like having the options

 

[Hippiechk]

I prefer the Yuma area myself. I will probably end up in Quartzsite due to friends that live there year round but I found it easier to run in to Yuma & be sure I could get all my supplies than having to hope it's available in one of the satellites from Quartzsite.

 

[mockturtle]

I don't recall there being a Safeway in Yuma. But, yes, it's much nicer than Quartzsite.

 

[gnarledwolf]

Safeway or one of it's affiliates  Vons, or one of the others.

 

[mockturtle]

No Von's, either. Albertson's, Fry's, Food City, Del Sol and some non-chain markets.

 

[Iggy]

I spent several weeks in the Yuma area last winter and really liked it. It's technically illegal to street camp but I did find a couple spots where I got away with it. Gateway Park was a good place to hang out during the day, under the bridge for shade. I showered at the homeless shelter and ate there a couple times, too. Next to the shelter is an outlet store with cheap groceries.
The city is very spread out so it's easy to put on some miles if you're not careful. That said, I do want to explore it more next winter.
I also boondocked a few miles west in California, between the Indian casino and the Algodones border crossing. It was fun to pop across the border into Mexico for some tacos and ambiance, then return to the US around dark. Can't wait to be in that area again!

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[Optimistic Paranoid]

Just don't take the 3:10.  That never ends well . . .

 

[highdesertranger]

"Just don't take the 3:10. That never ends well " I guess it depends on what side of the law you are on. I never saw the remake but the original is great. highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

With Fortuna Pond only 10 minutes drive outside of the north end of town, I'm not sure why anyone would want to try to stealth camp IN town!

The rangers do patrol it so staying a whole winter is not likely going to be an option, although they did seem to be rather lenient. There are other BLM areas around as well as cheap camping at the Legion IIRC. The other BLM lands are further out of town so commuting for work might  not be that great depending on the work schedule and rate of pay.

 

[blars]

The pilot knob ltva is about 10 miles from the north end of yuma, and the indian tribe charges some, that's the only cheapish long-term legal spots I know of. I like the Tumco ghost town area, but 14 day limit applies.

Yuma has high unemployment.

 

[akrvbob]

Parker, just north of Quartzsite and Lake Havasu north of it both have a Safeway and tons of free camping very near town. They both have a Walmart also. Personally, I'd choose either of them over Yuma. Bob

 

[TrainChaser]

Yuma is Snowbird Central.

 

[USExplorer]

Yuma is warmer than Q, being only at 200 feet of elevation. I visited for a few days in mid February, temps were already hitting 90 but that was somewhat unseasonal. Yuma is a small city that feels like a small town, very laid back, neat little downtown and greenway along the Colorado River. I slept one night in the downtown parking lot in my Ford Explorer, had the tailgate popped open, no one bothered me. Also parked near the Colorado River levee on the far side a couple times (still in AZ due to discrepancy in state line). Be careful not to overnight on Indian land though, Google Maps shows it in gray. Also unadvisable is overnighting near the Mexican border. High unemployment is due to the massive number of seasonal workers picking America's salad veggies every winter. Don't go there if you don't like the sun. 75% of years the temps never hit freezing.

 

[akrvbob]

Yuma has more days of sunshine than any other place in the USA.
Bob

 

[MrNoodly]

I've spent chunks of two winters in the greater Yuma area. It's usually the warmest place in the country. Since it's an actual city it has everything you'd want or need. You can do the LTVA thing, or cross the river into California and enjoy all the free boondocking you want along Olgiby Road. It's a quick, easy hop over the border to Los Algodones to get your optical, dental and medication needs fulfilled at a fraction of US prices.

The downside is that the streets and parking lots get choked with slow moving, bad driving snowbirds. I'm an easy going guy, but the traffic gets me honking and screaming. And some of the markets are worse. Clogged aisles, people just standing there in a daze...

Fortuna Pond has been mentioned. Sometimes you can get a spot, but in high season it's clogged with large RVs. And locals come to fish and camp. Some of them are noisy and badly behaved. There are a lot of RV parks, though, if you want that sort of thing.

 

[gnarledwolf]

Thanks. you've all given me something to think about. the heat and the slow moving traffic would be enough to keep me away.... I'll look around the map some more and see. I recall parts of Arizona got hit by snow, so I'll still have to stay somewhat southerly...

 

[Canine]

The best thing about Yuma is it's proximity to Algodonas.Yuma has several vets clubs and a large Moose club.Unfortunately,the vets clubs all allow smoking,so you will leave stinking.

 

[Iggy]

With Fortuna Pond only 10 minutes drive outside of the north end of town, I'm not sure why anyone would want to try to stealth camp IN town!

The rangers do patrol it so staying a whole winter is not likely going to be an option, although they did seem to be rather lenient. There are other BLM areas around as well as cheap camping at the Legion IIRC. The other BLM lands are further out of town so commuting for work might  not be that great depending on the work schedule and rate of pay.

There are many reasons to stay in town versus camping outside. Saving gas, being close to grocery stores, restaurants, library, places to shower or use restroom, being sociable, simple preference. I like both cities and rural areas, and find much to interest me wherever I am. I'm not apologetic for breaking a law that is immoral. That said, I do my best to choose a parking spot that will not bother any neighbors and do not leave any mess behind. To each, their own.

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