Scaddan Wash

Nice easy access. Quiet private..free.

You literally drive off the highway, make a few turns, and then park wherever. It was incredibly windy when we stopped and there isn’t much vegetation to help block. Some trash was around too. They said there was a host but he was off duty when we got there so we parked and slept. There are big gas stations at the exit.

We camped in Scaddan Wash area near Quartzsite AZ a couple times, once in late December 2020 and then again in late January into early February 2021. This is a HUGE BLM area. Many people camp in the most accessible areas right off the road, which is not desirable in my opinion because you can hear the traffic on I-10.  You get to the area via Riggles Rd, the eastern most Quartzsite exit. You go south by crossing over I-10 then turning left (east) onto Dome Rock Rd.  (You can also get to the area from the western Quartzsite exit near Love's by taking Dome Rock Rd. east from there.)  Once you get around a big curve in the road after which you will be running parallel to I-10 on your left the pavement becomes absolutely TERRIBLE. The BLM camp host station for Scaddan Wash is very close on the right side of the road. However if you want peace and quiet (no highway traffic noise) you need to continue down the horrible crumbled pavement on Dome Rock Rd. (Most people especially if you're towing a trailer will drive on the dirt shoulder of the road instead. It's bumpy too but not as bad as staying on the pavement.) You continue until the road ends where there's a sign then you turn right unto a dirt road (Mitchell Mine Rd.) . You can follow that dirt road back as far as you wish. We went back to a directional sign (at least a mile or two) and then turned right onto one of the side areas and drove back several hundred feet away from the dirt road.

I was camping there with a friend when my brother arrived on Christmas day (I hadn't seen him in at least 11 years so it was a special gift.) We camped together (while still social distancing in the era of Covid-19 for a few days. There wasn't anyone close by.  There were a few other campers hundreds of feet way. It was really nice. We had reasonable internet and no trouble with phone service.

Scaddan Wash is a 14 day camping area with NO amenities. Very close to town for everything you need though. Road noise from I-8 at all times, but after a few days it becomes background noise. :) Beautiful sunsets and sunrises if you get up early!  Pretty level area too. Good cell for Verizon, ATT and TMobile although the more people the more the towers in Quartzsite become congested and in time it will slow down service.

Scaddam Wash is a nice spot to camp while transiting to California or Arizona. It's located along the freeway so you will hear traffic noise but have good cell phone reception. Beware that the road leading into the wash is rough and not maintained. Most people now just drive on the side of the road which provides a smoother ride. 

There's a sign at the entrance that list a few of the rules of the area. There's a time limit on how many days you can stay; I think its 14 but not sure. 

In Jan-March there are plenty of RV and Van gatherings in Quartzside. The closer to the freeway you are the more people you will encounter camping. The further you are the less people. Choose what's best for you.

Cell Service: Great