Desert Gardens Local Attractions
Desert Gardens RV Resort is the perfect destination for snowbirds, locals, travelers, UTV/ATV enthusiasts and nature lovers alike!
Quartzsite History
Quartzsite is a rock hunter’s paradise. Precious gemstones and mineral rocks like agates, limonite cubes, gold, and quartz are just a few of the varieties that can be found all over the surrounding areas.
To the south of Quartzsite you’ll see the beautiful Kofa Mountains. Historic and scenic areas include the Spanish Wall, Crystal Hill, Tyson Tanks, and Tyson Wells Museum.
South of the Kofa Mountains is Palm Canyon, a tight gorge and home of Arizona’s only native palms, reached by a steep but rewarding climb.
There are many points of interest including historical sites, day trips and many off road ATV trails.
Historical Sites
Blythe Intaglios
Located about 35 minutes from the park, the Blythe Intaglios are massive figures carved out of the Colorado Desert floor to make human and animal shapes. No one is sure who made them or why, but some have suggested that they were created by either the Mohave or the Quechan Native American Indian tribes for ceremonial purposes.
Learn more about the intaglios here.
Harquahala Mine and Cemetery
Harquahala road provides a scenic drive on good dirt roads for a high-profile 2-wheel drive vehicles past numerous deserted gold and copper mines. The mining camp cemetery is marked with wooden crosses. One of the richest strikes in the area was Harqua Hala Bonanza Mine. Herbert Hoover visited these mines for a San Francisco investment company around 1896. It is said that Wyatt Earp mined in the vicinity.
Tomb of Hi Jolly
Just a short 5 minutes drive from the park, this roadside historical attraction is a must-see! In 1856, 70 camels were imported to the Southwest U.S. to transport freight and people across the desert, along with their Syrian caretaker, Hi Jolly. Although the project was ultimately abandoned, Hi Jolly's legacy remains!
Swansea Ghost Town
Located about 50 miles from the resort, you can explore the ghost town of Swansea. Explore the ruins of this one-time copper producing mining town on your ATV. At one time over 500 miners lived and worked at this site. It’s not recommended to drive off the unmarked roads.
Get more info about this ghost town here.
Joseph Cone’s Cabin
Drive west from Quartzite on the frontage road that parallels I-10 on the south, 1.5 miles beyond Love’s Truck stop Gas Station. Turn left on the asphalt road (which leads to rainbow acres) for 1.1 miles until you see a dirt road taking off to your left. At this point the cabins are visible a short distance away.
Off Roading Trails
Arizona Peace Trail
Explore the new Arizona Peace Trail, a loop system of off-highway trails from Yuma to Bullhead City.
Alamo Lake State Park
Located just 38 miles north of Wenden, Alamo Lake offers excellent bass, bluegill and catfish. Take in all the nature that this state park has to offer. Wildflowers bloom in the spring. All year round you can spot wildlife such as fox, coyote, mule deer, wild burro, javelina bald, golden eagles and waterfowl.
Kofa Queen Canyon
Turn on Palm Canyon road. Go approx. 4.5 miles to Kofa Queen Canyon. Take fork to the left (N), travel 4 miles until you reach the mouth of the Canyon and the base of the Signal Peak (3800″ rock mountain rises like a crown off desert floor).
The Canyon lies along the northern base of Signal Peak and follows an easterly route into the heart of the Kofa Mountains. 4-wheel drive rough road, unmaintained roads, only foot & horseback travel is permitted in areas bordering these trail. (go approx. 4 miles to original site of Kofa Queen Mine.)
Museums & Attractions
Tyson Wells Swap Meet
Tyson Wells has something for everyone with the 3 shows in January & February, seasonal vendors, food vendors, and one of the best stocked game stores in the state. Find vendors selling tools, t-shirts, women’s clothing, DVD movies, custom wooden signs, pet supplies, gold by the inch, R.V. supplies, leather goods, jewelry, novelty items and much more!
Joanne’s Gum Gallery
Quartzsite resident Joanne Brunet began collecting gum with her sister, Carolyn Bee, in the 1940’s. See 600 sq. feet of history with the earliest specimen dating back to 1914! Admission is free. To set up an appointment and get directions to Joanne’s Gum Gallery, call 928-916-0905.
Learn more here!
Celia’s Rainbow Gardens
Celia's Rainbow Gardens is located in the Quartzsite Town Park. The gardens were inspired by the dreams of Celia Winer, an 8-year old girl whose goal in life was to make the world a better place. Her love of nature, her desire to save the environment, and dreams of people working together have been taken to heart by the Quartzsite community.
Reader’s Oasis Bookstore
Quirky and eclectic, Reader’s Oasis Bookstore is a must-stop for avid readers and lovers of used books! Only a short 8-minute drive from the park, it’s the perfect stop on your way to the next roadside attraction.
Quartzsite Museum
Also known as the Tysons Well Stage Station Museum, the Quartzsite Museum provides an introduction to the pioneer and mining history of Quartzsite including the mining equipment and the Assay Office from the Margarita Mine. Larger mining equipment is displayed in outside exhibits.
(Open November thru March)
Day Trips
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
Just south of Quartzsite, AZ is the magnificent Kofa National Wildlife Refuge! Enter the refuge through the Crystal Hill entrance just 30 minutes from the park, or head further south for the main King Rd. entrance off US-95. The best time to see wildlife is dawn and dusk! Don't forget to observe from the sidelines, bring binoculars, and practice patience. Try sitting quietly in one good location to allow wildlife to get used to your presence and animals that have hidden may reappear!
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Visitors have an opportunity to connect with nature in multiple ways. The lower Colorado River and its backwaters provide numerous outdoor recreational opportunities as well as a vital resource: water!
Rockhounding
Crystal Hill
Just 30 minutes south and into the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge you can find lots of beautiful quartz crystals at Crystal Hill!
Since the location is within the refuge, tools are not permitted. However, keep an eye on the ground as you won't have to dig much for this quartz!
Bear Hills
Just a short 20-minute drive east of the park, Bear Hills offers an abundance of jasper to mine! With extensive color varieties of this mineral, Bear Hills is the perfect spot to start your prospecting journey!
Hauser Geode Beds
Become a prospector at the Hauser Geode Beds! About 70 miles southwest of the park, this is the perfect spot to see why rockhounds love the area. Make sure to take collecting buckets, hand picks and a shovel!
Middle Camp Mountain
Middle Camp Mountain, located approximately 15 miles north of Quartzsite, is a BLM area* where you can find apache tears, otherwise known as obsidian. The area is accessible by dirt road and is open to the public for rockhounding.
*It's important to note that rockhounding and mining on public lands may require a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which manages public lands in the Quartzsite area. Additionally, it's important to practice Leave No Trace principles and respect any private property.