Quartzsite, Arizona

A Rockhound's Paradise

Where to Stay | Shows 2019 | History

Hotel Reservations | Show Dates 2019

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.

Population / Elevation

Quartzsite 1,900 people / 876 feet above sea level

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 temperature are in the 100 plus area.

History

In 1856, settler Charles Tyson built a fort at the present site of Quartzsite to protect his water supply from attacks by Native Americans. 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.

Shows and Events

2018 - 2019

Quartzsite Market Place Street Fair
Oct. 1, 2018 - March 31, 2019

Tyson Wells Market Center Swap Meet
Oct 01, 2018 -April 1, 2019

Grease Wood Swap Meet
November 2018 - April, 2019

Desert Gardens - Gem & Mineral
January 01 - February 28, 2019

Prospectors Panorama
January 01 - February 27, 2019

Annual Hi Jolly Daze Parade - Town Park

QIA Pow Wow - Gems, minerals & jewelry
January 16 - January 20, 2019

Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
January 04 - January 13, 2019

Tyson Wells Sell-A-Rama
January 18 - January 27, 2019

Sports, Vacation & RV Show (The Big Tent)
January 19 - January 27, 2019

Tyson Wells Arts and Crafts
February 01 - February 10, 2019

Gold, Treasure & Craft Show - QIA 9 am - 5 pm
February 8 - 10, 2019 tbc

Quartzsite Quilt Show - Quartzsite SR Center
February 1 - 2, 2019 tbc

Quartzsite Gold Show
February 8-10, 2019 QIA building. Friday - Saturday 9-4 Sunday.

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 is stillproducing fire agate, and rock hounders still frequent the mine for its gem-quality stones. The mine is privately owned but open to the public for a fee. With some hard work and effort, almost everyone leaves Opal Hill satisfied with the fiery agate they take with them. 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...

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

Shows Events 2018

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

Gem Trails of Arizona

Gem Trails Southern California

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
  Gem Trails of Southern California Book
  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

Share this page on Facebook:

DesertUSA Newsletter -- We send articles on hiking, camping and places to explore, as well as animals, wildflower reports, plant information and much more. Sign up below or read more about the DesertUSA newsletter here. (It's Free.)

The Desert Environment
The North American Deserts
Desert Geological Terms