Quartzite, Arizona

Saturday we drove from Mesa, AZ to Quartzite, AZ. Quartzite is near the California border and I-10 runs right through the middle of it. Quartzite is a small little desert town with a population of around 3,400. It was settled in 1856 by Charles Tyson and became a stage stop. A mining boom in 1897 temporarily revitalized the town. It then languished until 1965 when rock hounds held the first rock and gem show. The area has drawn ever increasing winter crowds since that first show.

The winter population begins to swell in December, but is mostly gone by April first. There is no accurate count, but estimates (some official) put the peak at more than a million. Quartzite is surrounded by open desert, generally flat with mountains in the distance in every direction. Mostly public lands, it is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. RVers come from all over to spend a few days, weeks, or even the whole winter. They park their rigs everywhere, spread out over thousands of acres.

Visitors come for many reasons. There are the rock hounds, the desert sportsmen (4-wheelers), and those that just love the desert. Many come for the warm winters and the cheap stay. Winter daytime temps are usually in the 60’s and 70’s. Staying on BLM land ranges from free to less than $200 for the entire winter. The drawback is that there are none of the basics to which most RVers have grown attached (water, electric, and sewer hookups).

The real draw has to be the near circus like atmosphere. It is no longer just a rock and gem show. There are acres and acres of flea markets catering to an RVers every need. There are RV dealers that set up seasonal lots with hundreds of units. There are antique and classic car shows. Food courts abound. All these sales “villages” are temporary (tents and trailers) and is all packed up and gone by April first.

Quartzite is certainly a unique gathering spot for “Snowbirds”. That is what locals call those who flee their home during the winter months in search of a place where the snow doesn’t fall and they can wear t-shirts and shorts.