Quartzsite dump & water: free BLM areas vs. La Posa LTVA
Short answer: the free 14-day BLM camping areas around Quartzsite have no dump station and no water. The BLM facilities in the area are at La Posa LTVA, about 2 miles south of town on US-95. BLM lists a dump station with water, a dry dump station and 8 water faucets there. Using La Posa from Sept 15 to Apr 15 takes an LTVA permit: $40 for any 14 consecutive days (renewable) or $180 for the whole season.
The two ways to camp on BLM land at Quartzsite
1. Free short-term areas (no services). BLM's LTVA brochure says short-term camping near Quartzsite is limited to five designated camping areas. They're free, with a stay limit of 14 days in any 28-day period, and after that you move outside a 25-mile radius. BLM's La Posa map labels Scaddan Wash, Dome Rock, Hi Jolly and Plomosa Road. Local guides list Road Runner (around US-95 mile marker 99) as the fifth. Arrive with full fresh water and empty tanks.
2. La Posa Long Term Visitor Area (permit, has services). There are four LTVAs south of town on US-95: North, South, West and Tyson Wash. These are where the dump stations, water faucets and trash service are.
La Posa LTVA permit prices (verify current price)
| Season | Option | Price (BLM) |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 15 – Apr 15 | Short-visit permit, any 14 consecutive days, renewable | $40 |
| Sept 15 – Apr 15 | Long-term permit, whole season | $180 |
| Apr 16 – Sept 14 | Day use / overnight / annual, per vehicle | $10 / $15 / $75 |
Off-season prices cover up to 5 people per vehicle, plus $1 for each extra person. BLM's brochure says interagency passes such as America the Beautiful and Senior do not discount LTVA fees. Two short-visit permits ($80) cover 28 nights. Four short-visit permits ($160) cover 56 nights. Stay any longer than that and the $180 season permit is cheaper.
Can I just pay to dump?
BLM's La Posa page doesn't list a separate dump-only fee. During the LTVA season, the facilities are part of the LTVA permit. In the off-season, BLM lists a $10 per-vehicle day-use fee. Ask the volunteer host at the LTVA entrance station before you pull into the dump lane.
Truck stops in Quartzsite: don't count on a dump
When we checked the official location pages, neither of the big truck stops at I-10 Exit 17 listed an RV dump. Love's #286 does list bulk propane and propane tank exchange, so it's a good propane stop. Pilot #328 listed neither an RV dump nor propane.
Quick plan
- If you're boondocking free, arrive in Quartzsite with full fresh water and empty tanks.
- For dump and water, use La Posa LTVA and buy the $40 short-visit permit at the entrance station or online (Recreation.gov / BLM Yuma Field Office).
- For propane, Love's #286 on Quartzsite Blvd lists bulk propane.
- BLM says the area is busiest in January, during the Big Tent RV show and the gem shows. Expect lines then.
Listings
La Posa Long Term Visitor Area (BLM)
📍 US-95, about 2 miles south of Quartzsite, AZ (four LTVAs: North, South, West and Tyson Wash)
Access: Permit required. Facilities are for permit holders.
Fees: Sept 15 to Apr 15: $180 long-term permit (whole season) or $40 short-visit permit (any 14 consecutive days, renewable). Apr 16 to Sept 14: $10 day use, $15 overnight, or $75 annual per vehicle (up to 5 people; $1 per extra person). Per BLM, checked 2026-10-26.
- BLM lists: 10 ADA-accessible vault toilets, 8 water faucets, a dry dump station, a dump station with water, trash service, a dance floor and a ramada.
- BLM says LTVA permits are valid at all BLM LTVAs.
- BLM says interagency passes (America the Beautiful, Senior/Golden Age, Access) do NOT discount LTVA permit fees.
- Off-season (Apr 16 to Sept 14) maximum stay is 14 days in a 28-day period.
Love's Travel Stop #286 (Quartzsite)
📍 760 S. Quartzsite Blvd., Quartzsite, AZ 85346 (I-10 Exit 17)
Access: Open to the public. Love's lists the store as open 24 hours.
Fees: Not posted online. Ask inside.
- Love's lists Bulk Propane and Propane Tank Exchange at this store.
- Love's does NOT list RV Dump Service at this store (as of our last check).
☎ (928) 927-8570
Pilot Travel Center #328 (Quartzsite)
📍 1201 W Main St, Quartzsite, AZ 85346 (I-10 Exit 17)
Access: Open to the public.
Fees: n/a
- Pilot's location page does NOT list an RV Dump Station or propane at this store (as of our last check). Listed here so you don't count on it.
Sources
- BLM: La Posa Long Term Visitor Area (facilities, fees, directions)
- Recreation.gov: La Posa LTVA
- BLM: Long-Term Visitor Areas brochure (PDF)
- BLM: La Posa area map (PDF) showing Scaddan Wash, Dome Rock, Hi Jolly, Plomosa Road
- BLM: Camping rules (14 days in 28)
- Love's #286 Quartzsite
- Pilot #328 Quartzsite
- BLM Yuma Field Office LTVA business plan (PDF, 2024)