Live Cheap on Federal Land in the Desert ~ Imperial Dam LTVA
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มี.ค. 2017
- We are visiting the BLM Imperial Dam LTVA (Long Term Visitor Area) to share a location where folks are living cheap and tiny. RVs are a form of tiny home and one of our favorites because we love to travel. The LTVA is home to thousands of people throughout the winter and is a very affordable lifestyle.
Located along the Colorado River there are ample recreation opportunities; Fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife viewing and ATV trails.
freedomisthenewwealth.com
That land was origionaly used by migrant farmers who lived in their cars or tents while working the fields, I know because I lived there in the fifties, as a child of migrant farmers (field workers).
being on a fixed income that would be an awesome place to stay to help offset the rest of the year. $25.40 per month, you just can't beat that!
Driving around burning diesel fuel at $4.88 per gallon will offset much of that savings. Maybe all.
This is a review from the Imperial Dam LTVA website:
We arrived here on a Saturday evening. There is an office trailer (which was closed), the camp host was off duty, and across the street was a collection box where it said it cost $10 for day use and $15/night. We thought "THIS CAN'T BE RIGHT" as everyone was saying that it is $40 for up to 14 days. So we decided to NOT pay and just find a spot and go into the office on Sunday, when it would hopefully be open, or talk to the camp host, when he is on duty.
On Sunday morning the office was open. The volunteer said that luckily we didn't pay the $15 for the night, because that applies for just the campers down by the lake.
So this is my ONLY complaint about this place: there was NO fee schedule posted anywhere outside on the office trailer and no instructions on what to do after hours. If we were too eager to pay, we would have thrown the money into the wrong collection box. We later discovered a sheet of lots of words and their pricing (almost in fine print) on their bulletin board next to the office trailer -- but the bulletin board is so far away, that they should put a sheet right on their door, not in some disguised place far away.
Soooo.... if you come after hours, don't worry about paying but go to the office the next day.
When you'll pay, you will receive a decal sticker that goes onto your windshield and is good for either up to 14 days ($40) or 6 months ($180) on any of the LTVA's around. We intend to go to Quartzsite, AZ, to La Posa with this sticker, for example.
The volunteers were super friendly, in fact it was the best and friendliest info we EVER received anywhere about the place we were staying.
Next to the office trailer are 4 dump stations which don't have a curb, so your dump hose won't need to go upwards. Then further away is an assortment of garbage dumpsters, and even further away are 8 fresh water stations with a faucet on either side (so 16 faucets). They all work perfectly. This water is potable and tasting it without any filter, I must say that it tastes quite good.
If you desire a hot shower, there is Squaw Lake a couple of miles away from the office. With the LTVA sticker you can use their day use area and go into their shower. They sell tokens. The volunteer thought it cost $1 for 9 minutes, but he wasn't quite sure (we haven't tried them).
The place is HUGE. We were her mid-February and it was very windy. We wore sweaters. Didn't see any rattle snakes (too cold) but saw some burro poop. Apparently they sometimes come roaming around. There were MANY large 5th wheels and Class A's, and you would hardly know that anyone lives there because it was so quiet. But they don't camp, they decide to simply live here instead of where they have to shovel snow all day and night. So we would mostly see people who have dogs.
Surprisingly, EVERYONE PICKED UP THEIR DOG'S POOP!! EXCELLENT. We hiked around a lot, walked through the "urban" areas and the outskirts of this place, and we hardly saw dog poop.
We have AT&T and had to hunt a good signal down. The camp host said that they also have AT&T and it is very spotty. Yes, it was, but we were able to find a spot where we had connection for our cell phone as well as internet 24/7, uninterrupted. We were quite surprised.
Although this place is BLM Land, they have a few rules, like dog poop pickup for example. Another one is no generator use after 10pm. If you don't want to hear the neighbors, just drive out further..... there IS space to be further out!! Most people though are quite comfortable to stick together densly. To each their own.
Our van has quite low clearance and the main road is paved just beyond the office but becomes gravel later on. Not a problem. But the gravel road is graded out, meaning it has gravel pushed to each side. One has to drive over these berms to access the land where one can stay. So with our low clearance, there were a few berms that seemed to tall for us. But there is SO MUCH SPACE...... you WILL find space you can access!!
Thanks for the video. My wife and I stayed at Imperial Dam for about six weeks, from mid December through mid February with a short respite in San Diego. The BLM also has a deal for $40 for 14 days, and that is renewable, you don't have to leave or anything. It's probably my midwest upbringing, but I didn't find anything wrong with their water at all, we drank it as is. Of course, we had the runs for a month, LOL, just kidding, it was fine. I didn't even think about it so it tasted fine too! I loved the hummingbirds, coyotes and wild burros there, we put up hummingbird feeders and I got some video of them. It was a great place to hide out to let the worst of Winter pass us by on the cheap!!
Thnk u for taking time to reply.....nice to know. Yall stay safe ...blessed..and mostly loved..
Wow. Thanks for this. I've heard a lot about Imperial LTVA so it was nice to see it.
Awesome video! You just can't beat a drone for the ultimate overview. It's great how you started from underneath your awning & went over the lake. Google Earth is great, but it just doesn't give you the same perspective that a drone can.
Pretty sure I stayed there for a week back in the early 90's when I lived in a motorhome. It was fascinating to see a small village of RVs with people from all different backgrounds who got along with each other.
Thanks for the tour.
that's awesome. thanks for showing us. I will definitely go visit for 14 days just to see it! it looks so gorgeous! maybe i'll see you guys there so I can say hello & thanks!
Very neat place. It's nice to see another option rather than the typical Quartzsite locations.
Thank you both. Excellent information. Picture/ video superb quality. Y'all have a great channel.
An important note is that unless you have a 10 gallon minimum permanently affixed greywater tank you cannot stay at 3 of the LTVA sites. It is even difficult at the remaining 3 one of which is Imperial.
Love your channel. Keep up the good work.
That's awesome!
Thanks for sharing. The drone footage give a much better view than google earth.
Another fabulous video.
Congrats on the 6k subs!
this is awesome. what a place
Hi Guys.....been watching your videos for some time now and wanted to say keep up the very informative videos ! Thanks .....Eagle Eric also @ Imperial Dam LTVA during the winter of 2021
Thanks. . . Great video!
Looks like beautiful spot - will have to check this out :)
Nice video, Have ya'll done any hiking or gem stone hunting in the washes while you've been there... If you do you might record it... Glad your having a great time and thanks for all the info...
Well done, thanks.
Great video - thanks 👍👍👍
never been there got to check it out. thanks
Keep up the good work!
Good info. Thanks.
Schwan's way out there! Impressive. I recently started with Schwan's delivery to the house, and was thinking the way a lot of their meats come vacuum packed in individual servings, how it would be perfect for camp meals and such. That would make it a perfect area for restocking with some of my staples.
Are the scorpions bad? Hows the crime? I could stay there for a VERY long time. Throw up 1500 watts of solar and at least 1000 ah batteries. I'd be super set. Setup cameras inside and out for 24/7 surveillance and I can hangout in SD/TJ and check in on my place whenever. Motorcycle Hauler! Thanks for sharing this place
TY,Called Blue Boy tank.And yes a 55 gal water barrel is the way to go if you spending all winter there.Have fun,Do a video at the Q?TY73s
You must have been there in the Spring. You should have been there in the winter if you want to see how it really looks with all the people!
The Schwan's truck is smart, probably a 100 sales in busy season.
Wow as long there's water I can do this...I'll just bring my Brita filter pitcher 🚰
Great video guy!
Thanks. It’s a nice area to live on the cheap (in winter).
Hi guys great video and a beautiful place to hang out. What is the cellular reception out there ? We have Verizon. Thanks much and "Increase The Peace. 😎
Verizon works fine.....I get almost 20mbps downloads with my mobile hotspot too !!! Eagle Eric
I could do that! Very cool.
I stayed 3 months here in 09 lived it
Once you register in Quartzsite your permit is also good for there!
T shirt?
Excellent video clear and informative. Thank you
Thank you very much. I’m glad you liked the video.
Imperial looks great. Had solar installed on my 37' fifth wheel for boondocking, but really wont' start until this summer. For water, I was thinking a 50 or 76 gallon portable bladder in the truck bed might work. I'd need a water pump, because it's too heavy. I assume I can get a portable pump, or utilize the surflow pump on board. The pump I have drew antifreeze into the system, so I guess it will draw in water. Also, I'm thinking a 35 gallon tote with a macerator screwed onto my sewer line. I assume the macerator works on the tote and that it works off a 12 volt socket. These are my thoughts. Does this sound reasonable? You mentioned some other type of rolling tote?
google Barker Tote Tank. I think that was what he was talking about.
Thank You, for a great video. btw do they allow tent camping in LTVA imperial dam?
I know tents are allowed at other LTVAs, so I assume the answer is yes.
The location is a bit confusing because on Google Maps, it looks like it is on the California-Arizona state border line, but is north of Yuma.
If you havent seen it check out NJ Outdoors video Super Cool amphibious ( to 3' ) german RV. Woelcke T5 Autark 4 x 4 VW. Talks about shipping to S. Amer . Will ship from Halifax back to europe. super neat.
New subscriber here :)
they get 4g or wifi out there?
Water and electricity hookups included? You hit a jackpot. Guess what I will do for a sabbatical.
No and no. This is off-grid. But water is available.
Does it get decent cell coverage?
Hi guys,
Please can you tell me where I can get a Full list of these type of places that are available in America????
I was watching a few other videos today, Bob Wells, I did not know these types of places were around!
How do I find a full list of these type of places in different states???
I'm from Britain, currently in Wyoming and wanting to live in an RV Etc for a while until I find land to buy for a cabin build.
Many thanks!
Wow good luck and live free
Search for "Bureau of Land Managment LTVA areas" and their page will come up.
Can you live in a van in the LTVA places or do you have to have an RV or big motorhome?
You can camp in whatever you have car, van, tent ect
IF the LTVA has porta potties you must camp within 300 ft. of them (if your rig doesn't have a 11+ gallon poop tank). If the LTVA doesn't have porta potties your rig must have the aforementioned black tank. Quartzsite has porta potties at their LTVA's.
Looks like a nice place. I wonder if the Long Term section books full in the winter?
It wasn't full when we were there during the height of Winter, from mid December to mid February. I have a video on my channel about leaving Yuma that has some pictures of where we were setup. There is a lot of room there.
No there is Almost always room
If you pay the fee to stay in the LTVA area , does that also include staying in the regular non LTVA areas? I want to pay the fee but stay the 7 months in a BLM non LTVA area that's just next door
You have to pay to stay in the LTVA. 2 weeks (free) at a time for most other BLM areas. But you have to move 25 miles from the last BLM area to keep staying in BLM areas all year
I had to google schwans to find out what you were talking about.
Do you ever have any concerns leaving your RV unattended while away in those places?
Not if you know your neighbors. Have you heard about problems?
Maybe this a STUPID Question(I'm new at this)but if you stay the 14 day limit, but want to stay longer, but don't think you will or want to pay the $180.00,for 7 months,do you pay and come back anytime during the 7 month period, or pay stay 2 months and get pro rated for the time you don't use or what?
Thanks, it says on the website,that after 14 days you must move 25 miles away, and stay away 14 days during a 28 day period,Question is there free camping,Arizona/California approximately 25 away or is it mostly private land.
@@gregoryadkins2213 You're mixing up two different camping options offered on federal lands. This is LTVA camping, which is $180 for the winter and does not require you to move during those months. At all. This is available only at a handful of LTVA areas, generally in Arizona / California. Dispersed camping is rural camping on federal lands, usually either BLM land or NFS land...nationwide. That camping is NOT in a developed campground. It requires you to move at least 25 miles every 14 days, and it is FREE.
What do people do there so they do not get bored?
group sex ??
I wonder if the water is all dried up now. :-O
The water information is probably public and a Google search might show current levels.
Read through comments - what State????
That whispering
If you can do this here for 6 months for 180, what are the options for somewhere else up north during the other 6 months? Is there somewhere else you can go up north for cheap also like Montana or North Dakota etc?
BLM and National Forest Service allow what they call "dispersed camping" on many federal lands. This is off-grid camping in very rural places. Generally you can stay 14 days, then you must move your camp at least 25 miles. After 28 days, I believe you can return to the previous camp, or go to another that's at least 25 miles away. So yes, you could go north and find places to camp for free.
thank you@@jshepard152
Is it for TVs only
You are 4min. into your 5min video before we hear you say "Yuma" so I have to guess you are in Arizona!!!! We don't know where senator wash or imperial dam is.
this is just looking for thank you can you tell me the name of the place and the name of the town that is near by
Imperial Dam Long Term Visitor Area - Imperial County, California
Any chance of providing GPS coordinates? :)
LOL, I did that right after I posted this and found them.
How is the various "cell service" there?
As of last winter.
ATT does not work well or at all. Verizon seems to be the one that works there.
Is tent camping allowed with a home porta-potty?
Yes and there are restrooms available. Showers at Squaw Lake 5 minutes for a buck
Only at LTVA's with restrooms.
Is that in Kansas
That blm, ltva land is owned by each and every American citizen. We hired the BLM to manage it for us.
OK.. I most be dumb..What state are u talking about? I never heard you say ;"oh, we're in Texas??? " So what state are you in?
California side of Colorado River
Senator Wash Rd.
Winterhaven, CA 92283
928-317-3200
Official Website
GPS: 32.9014, -114.4933
www.campendium.com/imperial-dam-ltva
I love you guys. I was born in Yuma Arizona. My aunt and uncle and cousins grew up right at Imperial Dam.That place has such a special meaning to me. It brings back such great memories! Love your guises videos keep up the great work guys.
I notice that too about these types of videos. The people posting the video assume everyone knows every little area they are filming from based on the name of the park or lake etc.
@@stevebrooks1355 THANK YOU!
Can you fish on the lake there?
Yes, I live in Yuma and there are bass, catfish, carp and tilapia in the lakes. The lake you saw is called Senators Wash, and the Squaw lake is on the Colorado river right next to it.
Fantastic price for 7 months!!!!
Great that they have garbage dumps, and water Etc, how safe are these types of places??
I believe the LTVA areas are considered quite safe.
Is this Long Term Place safe?
yes
sorry but where is this
California side of Colorado River
Unfortunately it’s in California and I won’t go there!
Hows the weather is it hot and snakes and mice?
The temps are very comfortable November-February. We didn’t have any trouble with mice in the desert. We really started to see the snakes become active in March.
Rhnk u for the info stay blessed stay safe
Silly question but can you kayak in that area ? Is fishing allowed? Is there place to ride atv?
Yes, the LTVA is not on the water though, you would need to drive it to the lake. There are lots of sloughs and back waters on the river as well.
Tons and fishing for large/small mouth, striper, catfish, carp, etc..
There’s lots of ATV exploration to be had.
I'd not last a day without TV, Phone and Internet heh
You could have all three.
4:58 what is a schewans truck?
interesting - never heard of such a thing
Schwann's sells food, ready-to-eat meals I believe...
Where is that at
Imperial Dam LTVA, it will show up on Google.
What state please
Arizona
How is the wifi there?
I believe it’s a Verizon area.
@@outliersoverland Thank you! Wife and I work remotely, do you think is possible to have a good wifi from there? We have a wifi booster, just wondering if is possible to work while staying there. Thanks for the video by the way, it helps a lot of folks.
m 11 we work remotely as well and ATT is non existent there but In March 2017 we had an unlimited Verizon hot spot it worked great there. Boosting always helps as well.
If you have a Class C RV , can you come and go as you please?
Yes you can.
Cool, thanks for the reply.🚙
Yuma is 22 miles BUT its a snakey road all 22 miles!
whats blm mean?
Bureau of Land Management.
Thanks for watching.
You never said what state you were in. I am guessing that you are in Arizona? If you could give better more thorough information it would be very helpful.
Yuma and Quartzsite were mentioned..... but LTVA's are on both sides of the CA/AZ border right there. There's always Google.
Why would anyone drink tap water when they could pay six dollars a gallon for little bottles at the Walmart? That's just crazy.
It's not. And most of the water you buy at Walmart is tap water.
Federal? It’s state land not Federal our Federal Government can’t own and land but in a Washington DC. But that’s cool looking place to chill
I think the correct term is, "Public Land". Public Land managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management).
another truck th-cam.com/video/GKhOa9UecLQ/w-d-xo.html
i'm new to the channel. Why are people trying to get you to buy these trucks?
No matter how cheap, unless you are desperate, i cannot see how living in a barren desert environment would be any fun after about a month. Unless, there is something new to do every week, but, i suspect you have to travel a lot to do/see anything, and that can add up quick in costs .
Of course you can't stay there for the full seven months. Probably mid-November through February and a sprinkle of March - well, unless you are a lizard. The super-heated days cannot be good on those glued, screwed, and caulked rigs made with parts provided by the lowest bidder. I have plans to travel to one of those LTVAs in AZ in a future "winter" season as I have a friend that crawls about with his tongue hanging low in that area and we have not seen each other for over 30 years. As you may have guessed, I hate heat. GIve me a cool mountain breeze with 40° temps and I am a happy camper - but I am very taken with Ehrenberg, AZ. For some reason, my brain is telling me to go to one of those RTR rondezvous events. Be well.
For those who don't know what "RTR" is, it's a free, yearly gathering held every January by Bob Wells of Cheap RV Living. Past locations have been in Western Arizona. Google subject for Bob's website and more info.
Or just go to slab city free 200%
What a dump. After 7 days I would be bored out of my mind.
Sorry guys just looks like and ugly desert to me. Not my cup of tea. But many folks disagree. I like a lot of green wherever I am camped. Just me I guess.
I used to feel that way, and like you, still prefer the green of northern climes, but I have to say, staying at the Imperial Dam LTVA this year for a couple of months changed me, I began to appreciate the desert. The coyotes howling as the sun set, and wild burros wandering around and all the plants, not to mention the hummingbirds that visited constantly. I'm pretty sure we'll be back again next year. Our spot was isolated to the point that most of the time, it seemed like we were the only ones there!!
Well, maybe I will learn to appreciate the desert as my oldest daughter lives in Arizona. But for now, it looks like the other side of our state, just a bunch of sand and scrub bushes. But may people love it and I am not knocking them.
So are you gonna tell us where this lush campground is that only costs $180 for seven months?
I did, it’s in the video.
Imperial Dam LTVA.
His and Hers VLOGS I was asking the other commenter where to camp in lush green for the same price.
It's great, except it's Commiefornia. I like firearms and freedom, not compatible.
I think it's Arizona though.
@@brianferrick1447 It's not. Some LTVAs are in Arizona, but this is just over the line in CA.
@@jshepard152 Thanks, my mistake.
Thanks but would never visit CA at any price