This post was most recently updated on December 18th, 2017
desert scene in Quartzite
Each year in January, we drive from San Diego, CA to Yuma, AZ to visit family. I have an aunt and uncle who are “snowbirds”, and my husband has an aunt who lives there year-round. We never go during the summer, because that would be craziness (I’m not really into those 115-degree temperatures!). There’s not a whole lot to do in Yuma except visit the historic prison, check out the flea markets, or buy a date shake. We do enjoy visiting family, but we thought it would be fun to combine a family visit with some exploring. After asking around, we learned there was a rock and mineral show in nearby Quartzite, Arizona. I thought to myself, “I’m not much into rocks and minerals.” It must have showed in my expression, because I was then assured it was much more than a couple tents full of rocks!
So let me tell you about Quartzite…
Quartzite was founded in 1897 as a small mining town and remained so until 1965 when the first Pow Wow Rock, Gem and Mineral Show was held. That was the beginning of the annual rockhound winter migration (mostly January and February) to Quartzite. Now there are nine annual rock and mineral shows held that draw 1.5 million visitors. The population of Quartzite swells from a permanent population of just under 4,000 to 30,000+, mostly via a huge RV city that sprawls into the surrounding desert. (For more information about the rock and mineral shows, look here)
photo courtesy of qzchamber.com
So we made the 76-mile drive from Yuma to Quartzite with the hope that it would be worth the drive.
It was.
Going to Quartzite is like going to a HUGE never-ending flea market with food vendors, homemade crafts, fields of antiques, lots and lots of rocks, jewelry, fossils, petrified wood, and so much more. And the people? Oh my! All kinds of people, too! Almost all are very friendly. I’m not sure how to explain it, but there’s definitely a unique culture in Quartzite. Perhaps it’s the arid heat that brings out the grit in people.
We began by looking at the rocks. Thousands of them in every color you can imagine. Things made out of rocks, too, like jewelry, knick-knacks, chess sets, candle-holders, furniture…I can’t begin to list them all! I think my favorites were rocks with fossils or the beautiful crystal suncatchers.
(click on any picture to enlarge)
Not just gemstones…
As fascinating as the rocks and gems were, it didn’t end there. There were rows and rows (hundreds? thousands?) of vendors selling anything from RV steps to dog-grooming aids to homemade aprons to saber blades. And everything in between. Kind of like a huge outdoor Walmart!
What else is there in Quartzite?
We got in the car and drove around Quartzite a bit, just to see what else we could find. Lots of motorhome sales. And cactus and odd street names. And then I found my “happy spot”!
Wait for it…
“Best Swap Meet”
This was basically an open field, absolutely full of antiques from all over the United States. Vendors would travel the midwest in their trucks or campers, buying antiques and then driving across the country to sell at this swap meet in Quartzite. You know me–I LOVE old things! And the more rusty and authentic, the better. I was in heaven walking around looking at everything and taking photos. I met some great people and heard their stories about how they collected the antiques, too. And my husband was so good about just letting me go crazy with my photo-taking!
These were my favorites…
Finally, as the sun was setting, we began our trek back to San Diego. Exploring Quartzite was a fun adventure for us — a great little detour in the Arizona desert. Would I go again? Definitely!
sun setting as we head out of Quartzite
Please share your little side-trips with us. You know — those off-the-beaten-path explorations you have made (for better or for worse). I’d love to hear about them!
And if you’d like to learn what there is to do in Yuma, AZ, be sure to read this post:
Looks like fun! Not sure I would go out of my way to visit quartzite, but if it was just a short detour away, I’d be all in!! 🙂
Well, Heather, when you have six hours to kill, like we did (and no reason to hurry home), it was a pleasant alternative!
This is my first time to your site and I must say you take lovely pictures! Quartzite definitely does sound quirky! And infact I collect those type of mineral stones…and I wonder perhaps if any of mine came from around there!
Thanks for visiting, Samantha! Glad you enjoyed the post 🙂
Looks fun! 🙂 Wonderful post…I blog on Italy at
http://www.ishitasood.blogpsot.in
Ive never heard about that show before. Glad you enjoyed the detour!
I love that area of the country even though I have only recently begun traveling to it. It is like nothing I have experienced before and in the heat of summer it is just the best. Last year did a road trip in Death Valley and over to the Az border. Was hot and more than interesting.
Looks like an interesting side trip – even though I would never come to think about a place like that as a side trip, to be honest!
How fun that there is actually a place called Quartzite! I love rocks and geology, so I’m sure I could happily poke around here for a couple of hours, it’s always good visiting the more quirky places!
Fascinating place! I went to places with many of these things before, but can’t remember it was all so big! Looks cool though 🙂
It looks like fun wandering around this place.
.oh that big rock with fossils looks amazing.
This sort of environment was featured prominently in Fallout: New Vegas, you can really tell that time has stood still in this place. Pretty awesome, thanks for sharing!
This looks like such a fun, quirky place to visit!
Simone
http://www.theaussieflashpacker.com
To tell you the truth I haven’t heard of this place before but I am a huge fan of flea markets and this one looks great!
I love these little old towns in the US, the history is fascinating and it’s like stepping back in time. Thanks for sharing this wonderful place that I would have otherwise never known about!
One of the best parts of reading so many travel blogs is discovering those places I’d NEVER heard of before!
This is fantastic! I am going to Las Vegas in September and was thinking of renting a car and heading to Arizona I just wasn’t sure what area.After reading your post and seeing the pictures this is a place I need to see!
Pingback: Yuma, AZ - Not Just Passing Through - Postcards & Passports
Interesting! I can’t tell you how many times we’ve driven through going to Phoenix, and I had no idea there were things to see.
I love to learn, and I certainly had no idea about Quartzite! I’ll get back to AZ one of these days!
I love Pinterest and enjoyed reading your blog. My parents used to be snowbirds and they were always staying in/around Quartzsite. More around than in because they like privacy while boondocking. My daddy has MS and it is progressing making it hard for him to travel now. Next year my husband and I are going for the first time it’s going to be in March for a week. We are excited about going. It’s almost an 9 hour drive away.
So glad to hear from someone else who has heard of Quartzite! Sorry about your Dad, but glad you’ll finally get to go visit.
Quartzsite is my second home. Lots to do. You just touched the surface of our unique little town.