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Quartzsite, Arizona

Quartzsite, incorporated in 1989, is sometimes referred to as "A Rockhounder's Paradise." The small desert town of 3,000 lies about 18 miles east of the Arizona-California border.

Tourism is the major economic factor in town with over 70 different mobile home and trailer parks in and around the area. These parks fill to capacity during the fall and winter months. People are drawn to town because of the numerous gem, mineral and swap meet shows spread out from October through March. It is estimated that nearly a million visitors flock to Quartzsite each year.

The Quartzsite shows are famous among professional and amateur lapidaries and jewelry artists. About 3,000 vendors from all over come to Quartzsite to sell virtually anything and everything, including serious dealers (about 500) of rocks, minerals, gems, fossils and jewelry. Of the ten or more shows happening simultaneously there are four that are strictly rock and mineral related: Desert Gardens Show, QIA Pow Wow, Prospector’s Panorama, and Tyson Wells Show. Prices are notoriously cheap and all shows have free admission and parking and no registration is required.

Attractions and Upcoming Events

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939 and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge encompasses 665,400 acres of pristine desert that is home to the desert bighorn sheep and the California palm, the only native palm in Arizona.

Quartzsite, AZ Wildlife Refuges

Palm Canyon Trail

Perhaps the only native palm trees in Arizona are tucked away in narrow, rugged canyons on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The Palm Canyon Trail is a short hike and takes you near a stand of these unique plants, called California fan palms, Washingtonia filifera.

Quartzsite, AZ Natural Attractions

Grave of Hi Jolly

There is an scattering of old landmarks around Quartzsite, but the big attraction is the grave of Hadji Ali (Hi Jolly), the Arab camel driver. In 1935, the Governor of Arizona dedicated the pyramid, which marks his gravesite. This pyramid is one of the most visited spots in the southwest.

Quartzsite, AZ Cemeteries


Tyson's Well Stage Station Museum

The original abode stage station was built in 1866

Quartzsite, AZ Museums

Things to do near Quartzsite, AZ

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

The Kofa Refuge protects 665,400 acres of mountainous Sonoran Desert habitat and encompasses the Kofa and Castledome Mountain...

Butterfield Golf Course

Surrounded by the Gila Mountains, pink sunrises, and orange sunsets, the Butterfield Golf Course holds eighteen holes (Par 3)...

Yuma Landing

The first plane to land on Arizona soil dropped out of the sky into a ball park between 1st and 3rd Streets on 4th Avenue, Oc...