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Quartzsite gem shows 2027: dates, venues and camping

Updated . Dates come from the organizers where they publish them; check again just before you go.

Quartzsite does not have one gem show but a whole season of them, from January 1 to the end of February. The biggest dates in 2027 are the Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show in early January and the QIA Pow Wow in late January. Most visitors camp on BLM land just south of town.

Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show
January 1–10, 2027
QIA Pow Wow Gem & Mineral Show
Listed for January 20–24, 2027; not confirmed by the organizer
Desert Gardens show
January 1 – February 28, daily 9 am–5 pm
Camping
BLM La Posa LTVA: $180 for the season or $40 for a short visit

2027 show dates

Show2027 datesAddress in QuartzsiteAdmission and hours
Tyson Wells Rock & Gem ShowJan 1–10Tyson Wells, 121 W. Kuehn St.Not stated by the organizer
Tyson Wells Sell-A-RamaJan 15–24Tyson Wells, 121 W. Kuehn St.Not stated by the organizer
QIA Pow Wow Gem & Mineral ShowJan 20–24*QIA Building, 235 E. Ironwood Ave.Free; daily 9–5*
Desert Gardens Rock, Gem & Mineral ShowJan 1 – Feb 28**1055 Kuehn StreetDaily 9 am–5 pm; free admission and parking*
Tyson Wells Desert Drifters Swap MeetJan 29 – Feb 7Tyson Wells, 121 W. Kuehn St.Swap meet, not only rocks

* From the XPO Press show directory. The Quartzsite Improvement Association’s website could not be reached when we checked, so its dates are not confirmed by the organizer.
** The Desert Gardens website lists these dates without a year; the XPO Press directory lists them for 2027.

The XPO Press directory also lists Prospectors’ Panorama (January 1 – February 28) and the Quartzsite Gold, Treasure & Craft Show (February 12–14). We found no 2027 dates for the Main Event.

Camping at La Posa

  • Where: four BLM Long-Term Visitor Areas (North, South, West and Tyson Wash) on Highway 95, with entrances about 2 miles south of town.
  • Permit season: September 15 to April 15. A long-term permit costs $180; a short-visit permit costs $40 and can be renewed as many times as you like.
  • Rest of the year: $10 per vehicle for day use, $15 overnight or $75 a year.
  • Facilities: vault toilets, water faucets, dump stations, trash service, a dance floor and a ramada.
  • Office: BLM Yuma Field Office, (928) 317-3200. The BLM page shows no date for these fees, so confirm them before you go.

Rockhounding near Quartzsite

  • On BLM land you may generally collect reasonable amounts of rocks and minerals for noncommercial use, which means not selling them.
  • Not allowed: collecting on developed recreation sites, on active mining claims, or where the mineral rights are privately owned.
  • Ask first. The BLM asks collectors to check with the local office about restrictions.
  • More: rock collecting rules by type of land and rockhounding in Arizona.

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Questions

When is the Quartzsite gem show in 2027?

Quartzsite hosts several shows rather than one. The Tyson Wells Rock & Gem Show runs January 1–10, 2027; the QIA Pow Wow Gem & Mineral Show is listed for January 20–24, 2027 by the XPO Press directory; and the Desert Gardens show runs from January 1 to February 28.

Is the QIA Pow Wow free, and where is it?

The XPO Press directory lists free admission, daily from 9 to 5, at the Quartzsite Improvement Association Building, 235 E. Ironwood Ave. We could not confirm this on the association’s own website.

What are the Desert Gardens show hours?

From 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week, at 1055 Kuehn Street. The XPO Press directory lists free admission and free parking.

Where can I camp near Quartzsite during the shows?

At the BLM’s La Posa Long-Term Visitor Area, about 2 miles south of town on Highway 95. From September 15 to April 15 you need a permit: $180 for the season or $40 for a renewable short-visit permit.

What facilities does La Posa have?

Vault toilets, water faucets, dump stations, trash service, a dance floor and a ramada. It is managed by the BLM Yuma Field Office, (928) 317-3200.

Can I collect rocks on public land near Quartzsite?

On BLM land you may generally collect reasonable amounts for noncommercial use, meaning you do not sell them. Collecting is not allowed on developed recreation sites, on active mining claims or where the mineral estate is privately owned. Check with the local BLM office first.

Sources

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