Overview
Quartzsite is a former mining town in La Paz County, Arizona. In 2020, it hosted a permanent population of 2,400 people, but during the balmy winters from December to February the population explodes to well over 100,000 as RV campers descend in droves in recreational vehicles to camp on the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Lands surrounding the town. Quartzite is also well known for gem shows, which draw over a million visitors yearly.
5 sights · 4 things to do · 4 places to eat · 7 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Quartzsite
Hi Jolly Monument
A tribute to camel driver Hadji Ali, enlisted in an unsuccessful 19th-century attempt by the US Army to use camels in the southwest.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
Managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, this area is home to over 400 desert bighorn sheep. Recreational opportunities include hiking and camping, particularly in the winter months.
Quartzsite Historical Society
Visit this location to learn more about this town. This location is where the original adobe stage station was built in 1866. It was a vital way station on the California-Arizona line because it provided water and grass …
Dripping Springs petroglyphs
This site has hundreds of pre-Columbian petroglyphs. Look for the ruined stone cabin; nearby is a cave with the springs. A path leads off from here to the cliff base, where many petroglyphs can be seen.
Tyson Wash grinding holes and petroglyphs
More pre-Columbian petroglyphs, on both sides of the wash.
Bouse Fisherman
The outline of a pre-Columbian geoglyph on the desert floor, portraying a fisherman. Walking a bit further you can find a Native American lookout and the ruins of a stagecoach station. The site is under the protection of…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Nov–Apr. Summer highs reach about 109°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Very hot (May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jan and Feb.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HII Lake Havasu City Airport, Lake Havasu City — 63 mi away. Directions
- YUM Yuma International Airport / Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Yuma — 74 mi away. Directions
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix — 129 mi away (major hub). Directions
I-10 and Hwy 95 are the main thoroughfares into and through town.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $70–$120 a night (typical $95), from 4 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$110, mid-range ~$170, comfortable ~$290.
Options are grouped as Lodging, Camping in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Hi Jolly Monument, Quartzsite Historical Society, QIA Pow Wow Gem & Mineral Show
- Lunch Big Market
- Afternoon Quartzsite Roadrunners Gem & Mineral Club, Tyson Wash grinding holes and petroglyphs
- Dinner Stagecoach Motel & Restaurant
Day 2
- Morning Bouse Fisherman
- Lunch Coyote Fresh Foods
- Dinner Silly Al's Pizza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Quartzsite of 1850 and Quartzsite of today are the same: Quartzsite is a crossroads.
Climate
Quartzsite is located on the La Posa Plain, an arid desert region that receives little average precipitation. Winter temperatures can be mild while summer temperatures can be hot.
Get in
I-10 and Hwy 95 are the main thoroughfares into and through town.
By car
Interstate 10 (I-10)/Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Fwy passes through Quartzite in an east/west direction. It is the main stopping area when traveling from Phoenix and before crossing into California. Quartzite is accessed from Exits 11 and 31 with Exit 17 and 19 specifically into town. Main St serves as local road access from Exit 17 of I-10, through downtown Quartzite to Riggles Ave where it connects back to I-10 at Mile 19. The old US Routes 60 & 70 that used to go (concurrently) through town as Main St before the freeway was built.
& Central Blvd divides the town in directional quadrants at its intersection with Main. Central divides east from west and Main divides north from south. Going north on US-95, it goes concurrently on I-10 to Blythe, CA (at Exit 242) and through the eastside of Blythe on Intake Blvd towards Needles at I-40. Going north on Central Blvd the road becomes AZ-95 towards Parker and to the south as US-95 towards Yuma.
begins/ends at Mile/Exit 31 of I-10 which is another 12 mi east on I-10. It goes northeasterly towards Wickenburg and then into Phoenix through Peoria and Glendale concurrent with US 93 (from Wickenburg). US 60 and 70 (which ran concurrent) used to continue west from here toward Los Angeles on the present I-10. US 70 now ends in Globe and 60 ends here.
By bus
Go Greyhound
Greyhound connects El Paso to Los Angeles (via Las Cruces, Lordsburg, Tucson, Phoenix/Mesa, Quartzsite, Blythe, Indio, San Bernardino). As this just a pick-up and drop-off point, tickets should be purchased beforehand online or over the phone. Passengers going towards Yuma would typically transfer in San Bernardino, Indio or Phoenix as they are the next nearest major stops from here. They don't have a bus traveling US 95 between Quartzsite and Yuma. Check schedules.
Go Quartzsite Camel Express
Once or twice monthly bus to Blythe via Ehrenberg, Arizona; Yuma, Lake Havasu and Parker on different days of the week. Check schedules closely before using this option. More frequent local service to Quartzsite Rainbow Acres.
Get around
As there is no public transportation, a car is essential.
See
See Dripping Springs petroglyphs
This site has hundreds of pre-Columbian petroglyphs. Look for the ruined stone cabin; nearby is a cave with the springs. A path leads off from here to the cliff base, where many petroglyphs can be seen.
See Tyson Wash grinding holes and petroglyphs
More pre-Columbian petroglyphs, on both sides of the wash.
See Bouse Fisherman (Fisherman Intaglio)
The outline of a pre-Columbian geoglyph on the desert floor, portraying a fisherman. Walking a bit further you can find a Native American lookout and the ruins of a stagecoach station. The site is under the protection of the Bureau of Land Management; see website for driving instructions.
Do
Eat
Eat Stagecoach Motel & Restaurant
Call ahead to check on hours, as they close for months at a time.
Groceries
Sleep
Most accommodation in Quartzsite is in the form of RV parks; a list is maintained by the Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce. The other limited options are listed below.
Lodging
Camping
Stay BLM La Posa Long-Term Visitor Area (La Posa LTVA)
Four long-term camping locations operated by the US Bureau of Land Management (La Posa North, La Posa West, La Posa South, and Tyson Wash LTVAs). All provide open space for long-term RV camping under primitive conditions (no hookups for power or water, limited refuse removal or sanitary dump facilities).
Nearby
Blythe
City / town · 15 listings · 22 mi away
Parker Dam
City / town · 1 listings · 43 mi away
Lake Havasu City
City / town · 15 listings · 57 mi away
Yuma
City / town · 42 listings · 71 mi away
Dateland
City / town · 5 listings · 72 mi away
Topock
City / town · 8 listings · 74 mi away
Slab City
City / town · 9 listings · 77 mi away
Wikieup
City / town · 7 listings · 80 mi away
My experience
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