Tips, Tricks & Advice
Volunteering waives LTVA fee for snowbirds

LTVA volunteers work just a couple of days a week.

As many snowbirds know, fee hikes are scheduled for the Bureau of Land Management's seven long-term visitor areas (LTVAs), located in southeastern California and southwestern Arizona. Starting next Sept. 15, the season permit for the LTVAs goes up from the current $140 to $180, and the 14-day short-term permit will increase from $40 to $50. The season runs from Sept. 15 to April 15.

Although $180 for seven months is still a great deal--less than a dollar a day--some snowbirds on a very tight budget can avoid the fee altogether  by serving as LTVA volunteers. With hundreds of RVs to look after, hosts rely on volunteers to help with routine chores. Volunteers (husband and wife usually work together) wear BLM vests and typically work two days a week in a BLM building, collecting fees from newcomers and answering questions and handing out literature for prospective residents.

The host expects a certain minimum commitment, such as three months. In exchange for the service, the season fee is waived, both at that LTVA and others for the remainder of the season.

The BLM often rewards volunteers who stay the season with an appreciation barbeque and a cash reward or gift certificate. More subtle benefits include making friends with other volunteers and becoming part of the BLM community.

Of course, snowbirds can stay for free in dispersed camping areas without volunteer work. After 14 days, though, campers are expected to move to a new area at least 25 miles away and not return to the first site for 28 days. Also, dispersed camping areas lack the services some LTVAs provide, such as dump stations, restrooms and drinking water.

For more information about volunteering at LTVAs, call the Yuma BLM field office at (928) 317-3200 for

These snowbirds are in the Imperial Dam LTVA in California.

the Imperial Dam and La Posa LTVAs; the El Centro office at (760) 337-4400 for the Hot Spring, Tamarisk and Pilot Knob LTVAs, or the Palm Springs office at (760) 251-4800 for the Midland and Mule Mountain LTVAs.