Quartzite, Arizona
The sun shines 300 days a year in Arizona. This is a fact that thousands of vacationers rarely take advantage of. Warm winters, few visitors, and beautiful natural scenery make the western part of the state a surprising and wonderful destination.
Some time ago I spent a winter in a little town no one has ever heard of called Quartzsite in western Arizona. If you’re looking for a secluded experience that offers a taste of the Royal West and all the history and natural beauty you could want, this secluded corner of the world is the vacation spot for you.
About 120 miles west of Phoenix on Interstate 10 you’ll find Quartzsite. It is a town that seems tiny. Blink and you could miss the exit. The city is located south of Parker and Lake Havasu, north of Yuma, and about 10 miles from the California border right on the Colorado River.
Timeshares and vacation resorts are closed, but not immediately to this small town. I guess 90% of the city is made up of campgrounds that cater to a variety of budgets. Whether you’re traveling with a tent or a coach, or anything in between, you’ll find a place that’s perfect for you.
The city hosts an annual Rock and Gem Show that runs from Thanksgiving through the spring of each year. Collectors and dealers bring in mineral samples in every conceivable quantity and size to display and sell. The fairgrounds are reminiscent of an old bazaar with merchants offering just about anything you can imagine.
Hot air balloons and glider rides are available regularly so guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding Sonoran Desert. A walk out of the city in any direction takes explorers past abandoned mines, gold diggers’ tombs, ancient Spanish constructions, and my favorite, engravings as old as the Nazca drawings that are best viewed from the air.
Nearby is Parker, Arizona. Located on an Indian reservation, this small town offers casinos, river cruises, and local cuisine. A little further north is the town of Lake Havasu, home to the famous London Bridge, which was moved from England. A drive south brings guests to the historic city of Yuma, just across the border from Nogales, Mexico.
The real charm of the area is its natural beauty and history. The region is so untouched and unexplored that explorers may stumble upon a mine or structure in the desert that hasn’t been touched for hundreds of years.
On an excursion I came across tracks left by armored units that hadn’t been touched since the desert was used for training during World War II. On another occasion I discovered a trail that led to an ancient stone ledge that was home to Native Americans possibly thousands of years earlier. The discovery included pottery and a grinding stone that had not been touched since it was last used. (A word to the amateur archaeologist: these are wonderful objects to find. When you find them, leave them untouched for future generations.)
A quick Google search for Quartzsite will return a wealth of information, including nearby theme parks, golf courses, resorts, and other accommodations. If you’re looking for a new vacation spot, want to travel in the winter to keep costs down, or are just adventurous by nature. I highly recommend exploring this little Arizona town and its surroundings. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.