Quartzsite: Desert Landscape, Minerals and Winter Events

Quartzsite offers several distinct reasons to visit: the desert landscape and outdoor opportunities at the La Posa Long Term Visitor Area, mineral and mining history at the Quartzsite Museum, and seasonal vendors and events. For planning purposes, it helps to think of the landscape, museum and winter season as separate highlights. This lets you tailor your stay to the subject that interests you most.

La Posa: Desert Landscape and Directions

The La Posa Long Term Visitor Area was established in 1983 for winter visitors and is intended to protect the local desert ecosystem from overuse. Its camping area covers approximately 11,400 acres of flat, sparsely vegetated desert landscape. Creosote bushes, palo verde, ironwood and mesquite trees, as well as various types of cacti, shape the vegetation.

The entrances to the four La Posa areas—North, South, West and Tyson Wash—are located about two miles south of Quartzsite. Access is via Highway 95 after exiting Interstate 10 at Quartzsite. If La Posa is a highlight of your trip, this information can help with route planning; check current road conditions before you set off.

Outdoor Activities

The La Posa Long Term Visitor Area offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and rock and mineral hunting. Quartzsite also has hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, cycling and ATV exploration. Both highlights include hiking; La Posa adds wildlife viewing and mineral hunting, while Quartzsite's trail network also includes cycling and ATV exploration.

Minerals and Mining History

The Quartzsite Museum features a blacklight exhibit of fluorescent minerals commonly found in the region. The museum grounds also include the original assay office from the Mariquita Mine. The exhibit focuses on minerals, while the assay office offers a tangible connection to the mine.

Winter Vendors and Events

During the winter season, thousands of vendors gather in Quartzsite. They offer rocks, gems and minerals, as well as jewelry, clothing, home accessories and other goods. The winter vendor offerings therefore include both minerals and a wider range of goods; individual vendors and dates may vary.

The PowWow Gem and Mineral Show takes place in Quartzsite every January. It focuses on minerals, while the influx of vendors lasts throughout the winter season and covers a wider range of goods. You can encounter minerals in different contexts: as the subject of the museum exhibit, the January show and the winter offerings.

The annual Hi Jolly Parade commemorates Quartzsite's historic connection to the U.S. Army Camel Corps, led by Hadji Ali, who was nicknamed “Hi Jolly.” The parade includes live camels, themed floats and participation by the local community; individual program items may vary. If you're planning your trip around an event, check its specific date and program in advance.

For the broader travel overview: La Paz County.