Quartzsite, Arizona
A Rockhound's Paradise
Where to Stay | Shows Dates 2023 | History
Hotel Reservations | Show Dates 2023
Desert Gardens Rock, Gem & Mineral Show
Jan. 1st – Feb. 28th, 2023
The vendors at the show are eager to let everyone know the show will be open through the end of February. There is a huge variety of rocks, gems, minerals and crystals products for sale at the various booths. Raw rock and mineral specimens from all over the world are represented at this show. You will also find beads, jewelry, home décor products, art and much more.
There is something for everyone at this show!
Desert Gardens Gem & Mineral Show
Jan. 1st – Feb. 28th, 2023
1055 Kuehn St, Quartzsite, AZ 85346
Open 7 days a week from 9 am- 5 pm.
Photo by Barb Brown taken at the Desert Gardens Rock, Gem & Mineral Show
Photo by Barb Brown taken at the Desert Gardens Rock, Gem & Mineral Show
Photo by Brian Hornbeck of Tera Alchemy ~ Booth D 17, Desert Gardens Rock, Gem & Mineral Show
Location / Description
Quartzsite is located in western Arizona, just 20 miles east of the Colorado River on I-10. It's been a rockhound's paradise since the 1960s. These days, it's also a mecca to well over a million visitors each year, most of whom converge on this small town in a wave of RVs during the months of January and February.
At this time of the year, 2,000 vendors of rocks, gems, minerals, fossils and everything else imaginable create one of the world's largest open air flea markets in Quartzsite. Eight major gem and mineral shows as well as vendors of raw and handcrafted merchandise peddle their wares to snowbirds, collectors and enthusiasts, making Quartzsite the place to be the first two months of each year.
History
In 1856, settler Charles Tyson built a fort at the present site of Quartzsite to protect his water supply. Fort Tyson soon became a stopover on the Ehrenburg-to-Prescott stagecoach route, eventually becoming known as Tyson's Wells. After the stage stopped running, it became a ghost town.
A small mining boom revitalized the town and it became known as Quartzsite in 1897. It remained a mining town until 1965, when the Pow Wow Rock, Gem & Mineral Show initiated the rockhound winter migration to Quartzsite each year. These days, the population can swell to almost a million during January and February as rockhounders, jewelers and vendors, mostly in thousands of RVs, attend the eight major gem and mineral shows.
Population / Elevation
Quartzsite 3,714 people / 876 feet above sea level
Shows & Events for Fall 2022/ Winter 2023
Bookmark this page to find out what's happening.
Quartzsite Market Place Street Fair
Oct. 1, 2022 - March 31, 2023
Tyson Wells Market Center
Swap Meet
Oct 01, 2022 - March 31, 2023
Grease Wood Swap Meet
November 2022 - April, 2023
Desert Gardens - Gem & Mineral
January 01, 2023 - February 28, 2023
Prospectors Panorama
January 2023
Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
January 06- January 15, 2023- 9:00am-5:00pm 10 day show.
Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama
January 20 - January 29, 2023 - 9:00am-5:00pm
Sports, Vacation & RV Show (The Big Tent)
January 21st - January 29th, 2023 - 9:00am-5:00pm (3pm closing day)
Arts and Crafts Fair
February 3-12, 2023 - 10 days, 2.2 miles of aisle frontage
Quartzsite Gold Show
February 10th to 12h 2023 QIA building. Friday - Saturday 9-4 pm Sunday. 9-3pm
Weather / Climate
Quartzsite has a classic low desert climate with extremely low relative humidity and very high summer temperatures. On the average, it receives less than 4 inches of precipitation a year. Stores, shops, restaurants, theaters and homes are air-conditioned year round in Quartzsite. June, July, August and September temperatures are in the 100 plus ranges.
Side Trips For Rockhounds
Bradshaw Trail also known as the Gold Road to La Paz, is located in California's southeastern Riverside County. The trail was created in 1862 by William Bradshaw, and was the first trail that crossed the Riverside County desert all the way to the Colorado River. In 1863 it became a well-traveled overland stage route. Originating in San Bernardino, the trail was used to haul miners and other passengers to the gold fields at La Paz, Arizona (now Ehrenberg). More...
Hauser Geode Beds Take the Wiley's Well Road exit from Interstate 10 and continue driving south to the graded dirt road just past the state prison. You will pass Wiley's Well campground (9 miles south of I-10), and Coon Hollow campground (12 miles south of I-10). You will see a dirt road on the right with a marker indicating the route to the Hauser Geode Beds. (This is also the Imperial and Riverside county border.) More...
Opal Hill Mine Produced fire agate, and rock hounders frequented the mine for its gem-quality stones. The mine claim is currently closed to the public until the claim owner plan of operation is approved for the site. The BLM has banned all digging at the site until an approved operation plan is obtained. More...
Tumco/Hedges Ghost Town Driving Interstate 8 east of El Centro, California, after you pass through the Imperial Sand Hills, you can see off to the left a small group of mountains that appear dark brown. These mountains are known as the Cargo Muchacho Mountains. More...
Gem Trails Books
Hotels/Motels
There are hotels and motels in nearby (about 20 miles) Blythe, CA For more information and a complete list, click here. (Rates, availability and reservations Online.)
For Quartzsite Area
Camping & RV Parks
There are camping and a plethora of RV accommodations in and around Quartzsite. For more information, contact:
- Quartzsite Chamber & Tourism
1240 W. Main
Quartzsite, Arizona 85346
928-927-5200
http://www.quartzsitetourism.com - Arizona State Parks 602-542-4174
- Arizona National Forests 800-280-CAMP
Resources & Nearby Attractions
Cities & Towns
- Ehrenburg, Arizona: 17 miles west.
- Blythe, California: 25 miles west.
- Parker, Arizona: 35 miles north.
- Yuma, Arizona: 83 miles south.
- Wickenburg, Arizona: 111 miles northeast.
- Phoenix, Arizona: 125 miles east.
Parks & Monuments
- Joshua Tree National Park: 94 miles west.
- Riverside County river parks: 25 miles west.
- Buckskin Mountain Colorado River Park: 47 miles north.
- Lake Havasu State Park: 57 miles north.
- Alamo Lake State Park: 71 miles northeast.
Resources
Related Books & Gifts - Trading Post
Recreation & Wilderness Areas
- Kofa National Wildlife Refuge: 5 miles south.
- Cibola National Wildlife Refuge: 40 miles south.
- Imperial National Wildlife Refuge: 50 miles south.
Historic & Points of Interest
- Hi Jolly Memorial: 5 miles east.
- General Patton Memorial Museum: 86 miles west.
- Living Desert Reserve (Palm Desert)
- Imperial Sand Dunes
- Parker Dam: 50 miles north.
- Lake Havasu: 50 miles north
- Gold Road to La Paz: An Interpretive Guide to the Bradshaw Trail
- Other DesertUSA Resources
Related Books & Gifts - Trading Post
Riding Over Gold on Your ATV in Ocotillo Wells
Desert Rocks, Minerals & Geology Index
Desert Survival Primer
Desert Survival Kit
Desert Survival: The Solar Still
Geocaching
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