Last winter, wandering in Arizona—and a little corner of California—did not disappoint. I travelled in my van, chasing sunshine, warmth, and wide-open spaces. From the vast Sonoran Desert to petroglyph-filled canyons, I found beauty, community, and more than a few memorable campsites. After travelling through Texas my Arizona journey unfolded.
Starting Out: Wandering in Arizona
Willocx, Arizona – After leaving Texas I kicked things off with a stop in Willcox where I enjoyed walking through the small town Christmas fare. After a buying a new sun hat and sipping a delicious coffee I headed to the nearby lagoon for the night.
Much to my surprise the lagoon was filled with 1000’s of sandhill cranes. I enjoyed my evening watching the cranes flying around and playing in the water. Stunning!
I also did my good deed for the day and made some new friends. An older couple’s car wouldn’t start so I pulled out my jumper cables. First time I used them! With a little help from the manual we got their car started. Helping fellow travellers always makes for a great travel day.
Freeman Road BLM (Dec 15–18) – Tucked inside the Sonoran Desert National Monument, this spot quickly became one of my favorites. This area seemed very remote even though I could see trucks on the highway in the distance – the best was I could not hear them.
The cell service was excellent—always a win for staying connected and doing some remote work while on the road. The stunning desert landscape stretched endlessly in every direction making this a perfect spot for a few days while I was wandering in Arizona.
Painted Rock Petroglyph Campground (Dec 19–20) – At just $8 a night, this little campground was a gem. Good cell service, sunny spots, and the chance to explore ancient petroglyphs right nearby made it worth every penny.
This expansive BLM campsite is near Gila Bend, Arizona. The petroglyph site has thousands of petroglyphs on a pile of hundreds of basalt boulders.
I had lots of questions – why here, who was communicating to each other and what were the pictures saying? A truly thought provoking stunning spot to visit.
The Yuma Area: Wild Camping
Wild Camping (Dec 21) – East of Yuma, I found a quiet wild camping spot with gorgeous views but poor cell service. Good cell service is one of my saftety must haves but after a long day of driving some compromises had to be made. The area didn’t feel the best the next morning and was really dusty so I decided to move on.
Mohawk Mountain (Dec 22) – Continuing my wandering in Arizona I found more boondocking just a few miles away. I parked on the west side of Mohawk Mountain at a perfect spot. This area had better cell service, not dusty, was quiet and had incredible desert sunsets.
Tier Drop RV Park in Wellton (Dec 23) – After a stretch of boondocking, I treated myself to a $35 USD stay with electricity, a hot shower, and cheap laundry – all were desperately needed. There’s nothing quite like clean clothes and a fully charged battery bank.
The RV park was mainly filled with permanent trailers and people were coming over to say hi before I was even out of my van. I was invited for a Christmas movie night at the clubhouse which I thoroughly enjoyed. A fun evening meeting new people!
Exploring Kofa & Quartzsite: More Wild Camping
BLM near Kofa Wildlife Refuge (Dec 24–28) – This was my base for Christmas week. Just outside Kofa, near the Border Patrol station on Highway 95, it had good cell service and beautiful mountain views.
I had been to this area before a few years ago. It is a lovely wide open area with other campers dotted around in the distance. No one is too close but sometimes it is nice to see other campers nearby so I don’t feel too alone.
I spent the week walking with Lucky, enjoying the sunrises, quiet days relaxing, reading and then the beautiful sunsets at the end of each day. This is the beautiful calm part of vanlife!
Palmosa Road BLM – Escapees New Year’s Event (Dec 29–31) – I signed up with Escapees as a way to meet more likeminded campers so headed towards the event site. The cell service here wasn’t great, but the community was. I rang in the New Year surrounded by fellow travelers, campfires, and laughter under the desert sky.
The New Year: More Wandering in Arizona
BLM Road Runner (Jan 1) – A classic Quartzsite area camping spot just north of Quartzsite. After the New Year’s event I moved just a few miles to a quieter area. The cell signal was just okay, but it’s an easy base for exploring the area.
Return to Kofa (Jan 2–6) – I couldn’t resist coming back to my Christmas campsite for a few more days of mountain serenity and reliable service. I also needed to catch up on some remote work.
BLM Road Runner (Jan 7) – Another quick stop here before moving closer to Quartzsite.
Palmosa BLM North of Quartzsite (Jan 8–17) – This became my mid-January hangout. Endless room to spread out and plenty of friendly faces drifting in and out.
During this time I enjoyed the 5 day Rubber Tramp Rendevous Event. It was a fun time connecting with fellow travellers, getting some great information from experts, listening to live music and shopping at the “free” tables. A really informative event and I made some new connections!
Up the Colorado River: Lucky's Favorite
Earp, California BLM (Jan 18–21) – Just west of Parker, Arizona, this spot was technically in California but had all the Arizona desert vibes. Great cell service, a lovely little town nearby, and a slower pace.
Lucky loved this area for her walks. I even let her off leash a few times! A lovely quiet area to relax, read and just be by myself after a week of lots of people and lots of stimulation. I do need my alone time!
Mojave Desert Heritage Trail BLM (Jan 22–28) – My last big stop wandering in Arizona (actually in California), and one of the best. Fantastic cell service, wide-open views, and the stark beauty of the Mojave Desert made it a perfect wrap-up to my winter wanderings.
This was one of my most remote stops. The nearest towns were both over an hour away, Needles, California to the north and Blythe, California to the south.
Here Lucky and I took long desert walks while hunting for quartz and beautiful rocks. I was not disappointed!
Final Thoughts
Over six weeks, I hopped between wild desert camps, friendly RV gatherings, and the occasional amenity-filled stop. Some places had amazing cell coverage, others not so great—but each offered something unique.
Wandering in Arizona in winter is a vanlifer’s dream: mild temperatures, endless free BLM land, and the kind of sunsets that make you forget everything else. If you’re looking to explore the Southwest on wheels, you might just fall in love with it, too.
Happy Travels!