Scaddan Wash, Quartzsite, Arizona

The Scaddan Wash 14-Day Camping Area is located about 3 1/2 miles east of Quartzsite, Arizona. This is one of the five free 14-day camping areas near Quartzsite. It is situated on a vast desert plain surrounded by mountains. There’s a multitude of great spots for camping. The level “desert pavement” makes setting up camp a breeze. There are no designated campsites and you can camp anywhere within the Scaddan Wash 14-Day Camping Area.

RV camping at the Scaddan Wash 14-Day Camping Area

Camping on good ole desert pavement at Scaddan Wash

Cactus on a hill overlooking the La Posa Plain — Cacti on a hill overlooking the La Posa Plain

Vendor tents at Tyson Wells in Quartzsite

Geodes on display and for sale at Tyson Wells in Quartzsite

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Where in The World?

Camping Elevation: 970 feet

GPS Coordinates: N 33 39.956’ W 114 11.111’

Directions to Camping Area: From Quartzsite, Arizona take South Riggles Avenue (I-10 exit 19) south to East Kuehn Street, then turn left at this T-intersection. Follow the road back around to the interstate and you will see the entrance to the Scaddan Wash 14-Day Camping Area on your right.

Scaddan Wash Camping Area Map

This is the entrance to the Scaddan Wash 14-Day Camping Area.

Scaddan Wash RV Camping Journal

December 9, 2010

I haven’t seen very many people out where I’m camped – just the occasional ATV or SUV. I had to cross a few washes to get to this spot, so it’s probably not easy for larger motorhomes and travel trailers.

Hiking is pretty easy as the area is very flat with only the washes creating small dips to cross; there are no canyons. The mountains to the east are only 3 miles away and easy to hike to.

The Scaddan Wash Camping Area is a bit too close to the noisy interstate for my liking. Except for the noise from I-10, this is a peaceful place to camp. I’m looking forward to moving to one of the Long Term Visitor Areas (LTVAs) tomorrow. The LTVAs are a couple miles south of the interstate (and hopefully more peaceful).

There aren’t too many campers yet, just a few here and there. This is a large desert and it’s hard to imagine it could ever become crowded…but I suppose I’ll see in January as that’s when the masses typically arrive and the big shows in Quartzsite begin.

Weather: It’s early December. I had some cooler weather last week and a light overcast sky on several days which stole a lot of heat from the sun. Now it’s sunny with highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s.

Cell Signal: Verizon mobile broadband internet works great here; no external antenna needed. I have a very strong cell phone signal too.