Nomadland
Where Van Lifers Gather for Winter
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Table of Contents
Long-awaited destination
Quartzsite, Arizona
First impression
Camping
Downtown
Places to see
Finding community as a nomad
Long-awaited destination
After spending time in some of the more well known parts of Arizona, I took a shower at Planet Fitness in Phoenix and drove to a place I had been wanting to visit ever since I started van life, Quartzsite. I had passed through the town before on my way from Phoenix to Los Angeles, but I never fully stopped. I first learned about Quartzsite from the movie Nomadland (great movie btw, showcasing a side of van life that is not about fancy builds or influencers).
Quartzsite, Arizona
Quartzsite is known for two main things. A large nomad community that gathers here during the winter for the warmer weather, and rocks. Lots of them. The town is surrounded by massive BLM land where people can camp for free for up to two weeks, or longer if you pay a relatively cheap fee. It makes Quartzsite an ideal winter destination for people living in RVs, camper vans, and other mobile setups.
First impression
As soon as I exited Interstate 10 and entered town, I noticed that about half of the vehicles on the road were some form of mobile home. RVs, vans, truck campers, and school buses. The further I drove, the more obvious it became. There are conventional houses and buildings, but there is also a dense concentration of mobile homes spread throughout the area. The overall feeling was nomadic, relaxed, and friendly. People waved as they passed my van. It felt calming to be surrounded by like-minded people living the same way, without the constant worry of getting a knock on the door and being told to move along. I also noticed the population skewed older. Many seemed retired, working seasonal jobs, or simply living day by day.
If you have been to Moab, Utah, you would find the vibe to be similar. Both places have strong van life communities and are surrounded by impressive nature. That said, Quartzsite feels larger in terms of its nomad population. Moab has red soil, while Quartzsite is all desert. While I was there, daytime temperatures hovered around seventy degrees. It was comfortable without needing AC or heating.
Camping
I camped on BLM land along with many other van lifers. Scattered fire rings give you a sense of where people usually park and hang out across the wide open desert. It feels informal but oddly organized in its own way.
Downtown
Downtown Quartzsite is small, but it has almost everything you need to survive while living in a vehicle. There are grocery stores, fast food spots, laundromats, and churches. The only noticeable thing missing is an affordable shower option. You can shower at the Love’s truck stop in town, but it costs 18 dollars. I skipped it.
Places to see
There is not much in the way of traditional tourist attractions, but that is kind of the point. People come here to slow down, spend time outside, and let the days move at their own pace. Still, I checked out a few spots around town.
Hi Jolly Cemetery
This is probably the most visited site in Quartzsite.
Rock shops
Since the town is known for rocks, there are plenty of rock shops. The selection is impressive and the prices are reasonable. I picked up a piece of amethyst for myself.
Quartzsite Museum
The museum covers the local history of the town and the people who settled here. It is donation based, informative, and run by a very friendly guy (He lives in a van pictured in the last photo of this post).
Local markets
There are flea markets/swap meets that seem to pop up regularly. They make for some great people watching.
Finding community as a nomad
One moment kept sticking with me after leaving Quartzsite. Near Hi Jolly Cemetery, I saw a group of people sitting in camping chairs arranged in a circle next to their motorhomes. They were older than me, clearly. I wondered if they could live somewhere else. They probably could. But they choose Quartzsite because this is where they have found their people.
Making friends while living on the road is a lot harder than most people expect. A lot of folks assume van life makes it easy to meet others. In reality, it is similar to making friends while traveling anywhere. It is possible, but it takes effort and repeated chances. On top of that, van lifers are always moving. Even when you do connect, there is always the unspoken understanding that one of you will eventually drive off in a different direction. That nomad community, fleeting as it may be, is what makes a place like Quartzsite feel special.
That’s it for this week. It really motivates me if you like this post. Thank you and see you next week. Also, please text me know how you are doing! I would love to know.
