Major city · United States
Quartzsite
Go only in Jan–Feb for the gem shows and RV desert scene, or as an I-10 fuel-and-food stop. Otherwise skip: summer hits 40°C (104°F)+ and most businesses close.Go only in Jan–Feb for the gem shows and RV desert scene, or as an I-10 fuel-and-food stop. Otherwise skip: summer hits 104°F (40°C)+ and most businesses close.
Quartzsite is a crossroads town of about 3,700 people on I-10 in western Arizona that swells past 100,000 in winter when RVers camp on the surrounding BLM land. It is a winter-only destination built around rock, gem and mineral shows in January and February. Outside that window there is little open and the heat is dangerous.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jan–Feb (shows and full services); Nov and Mar for quiet desert camping
- avoid May–Sep (extreme heat, many businesses closed)
- Airports
- PHX · BLH
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Quartzsite911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Quartzsite, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyQuartzsite is a small, low-crime town and feels safe by day.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPHX Phoenix Sky Harbor (About 2 h 15 min by car on I-10 east; the usual arrival airport).
- Getting aroundThere is no public transport in town: a car is essential.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–5
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedBLM primitive camping (own RV or tent), a night, per personUS$0
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$95
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$45 · Mid US$95 · High US$180
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor (About 2 h 15 min by car on I-10 east; the usual arrival airport) · BLH Blythe Airport (Small field about 45 min west in California; no scheduled airline service (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Nov. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Dec (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest Apr (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Quartzsite: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
2 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Jul
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
2 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
2 rd
Sep
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 rd
Dec
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
There is no public transport in town: a car is essential. I-10 runs east–west with town exits at 17 and 19; US 95 heads north to Parker and Lake Havasu City and south to Yuma. Main St is the local spine through downtown.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Drive south on US 95, then dirt roads into the refuge
Desert bighorn sheep country; winter hiking and free primitive camping. Bring water and a spare tyre.
Bouse Fisherman intaglio
goDoor to door: About 1 h
North on AZ-95, right on Plomosa Rd for about 10 km (6.2 mi), then a short walkNorth on AZ-95, right on Plomosa Rd for about 6.2 mi (10 km), then a short walk
Pre-Columbian geoglyph on the desert floor; BLM-managed, free, no shade.
Lake Havasu City
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
AZ-95 north via Parker
River town with the London Bridge; a full day or an overnight.
Yuma
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
US-95 south
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep there and continue.
Oatman
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
I-10 east, then AZ-95 and old Route 66
Historic mining town with wild burros; pair with a Colorado River stop.
Dateland
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
I-10 west into California
A date-shake roadside stop, not a destination on its own.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main St motels
The two or three in-town motels sit on or near W Main St; book weeks ahead for show weeks.
BLM free camping areas
Dome Rock, Roadrunner and Scadden Wash: no water, no hookups, 14-day limit, free.
La Posa Long-Term Visitor Areas
Four BLM LTVAs south of town on US 95; long-stay permit, primitive conditions.
RV parks in town
Most beds in Quartzsite are RV sites; winter rates rise sharply in January.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $40–70 excl. bed (BLM camping is free)
- Mid
- $80–130 excl. bed
- High
- $150+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 2 nights × US$95 | US$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$95 | US$380 |
| Fuel, one full tank for local driving1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Gem show parking and impulse buys2 × US$40 · Shows are free to enter; parking and purchases are not | US$80 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$74 |
| Trip total≈ US$204 per person per day, bed included | US$814 |
Rates jump during show weeks
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–5 |
| Pizza or burger meal | $12–20 |
| Gallon of fuelcheck | $3.50–4.50 |
| Motel room, winter show week | $90–150 |
| BLM camping | Free (14-day limit) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat is the main hazard: plan any walking or desert site before 10:00 and carry more water than you think you need.Summer heat is the main hazard: plan any walking or desert site before 10:00 AM and carry more water than you think you need.
- Free BLM camping has no water, no hookups and a 14-day limit; pack out all waste.
- Petroglyph and geoglyph sites need high-clearance or 4WD roads; do not drive a normal rental car onto them.
- Many restaurants and shops close for months at a time outside winter; call before you rely on one.
- Cell coverage is patchy away from town and on the BLM lands.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
QuartzsiteQuartzsite
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Quartzsite; nearest consulates are in Phoenix. US visitors: your own embassy is in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, Quartzsite: about $3.50–4.50 per gallon (check)
- Motel room, show week: $90–150 per night
- BLM camping: free, 14-day limit
Say or show
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest fuel?
- Is there drinking water here? — Is there water here?
- How far is it to the next town? — How far to the next town?
- Can I camp here overnight? — Can I camp here?
- Is this road paved all the way? — Is this road paved?
- I need help, please call 911. — I need help
Show your hotel or RV park address to a driver; many are on Main St or off I-10 exits 17 and 19.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Quartzsite. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jan–Feb (shows and full services); Nov and Mar for quiet desert camping · avoid May–Sep (extreme heat, many businesses closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PHX: last sensible departure time, rental-car desk hours, overnight rung in Blythe or Phoenix.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main St downtown, the museum and Hi Jolly, the BLM camping rings, the petroglyph and geoglyph sites.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (QIA Pow Wow, Desert Gardens show, Quartzsite Historical Society, Hi Jolly Monument) and eat pages with last orders.
- Show-week and heat-wave fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTown of Quartzsite
- officialBureau of Land Management — La Posa Long-Term Visitor Area
- officialUS Fish and Wildlife Service — Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
- officialQuartzsite Improvement Association — Pow Wow
- officialQuartzsite Historical Society
- officialGreyhound
- secondaryWikivoyage: Quartzsite, revision 5204192 (CC BY-SA 4.0)