Every January, Quartzsite, Arizona, becomes a magnet for RVers and outdoor enthusiasts, with thousands of rigs filling the desert around town. In 2026, three headline events promise to make Quartzsite the winter capital of the RV world: Camelpalooza; the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show; and the QIA Pow Wow Rock, Gem & Mineral Show.
The big month begins with Camelpalooza on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST. At the heart of the one-day festival is the Hi Jolly Parade, which stages along Moon Mountain Avenue before rolling south at 10:00 a.m. sharp. The parade ends at the historic Hagely General Store Adobe, where the rest of the day’s festivities take place.
For RVers in town, Camelpalooza offers plenty to see and do. Highlights include camel rides and souvenir photos, live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and camel-themed merchandise. The event celebrates Quartzsite’s unique history with Hi Jolly, the legendary camel driver who worked with the U.S. Cavalry’s camel corps in the mid-1800s. It’s a small-town festival with a quirky twist, giving visitors a chance to enjoy local culture before the bigger RV gatherings begin.
Quartzsite RV Show 2026 dates
Just a week later, Quartzsite shifts gears for the main event that draws tens of thousands of RVers from across the country: the Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show, better known as “the Big Tent.”
The 2026 RV Show runs Saturday, January 17, through Sunday, January 25. Each day, gates open at 9 a.m., with the final day wrapping up at 3 p.m. Inside the massive tent, hundreds of vendors will be on hand selling everything from solar panels and batteries to jewelry, clothing, and pet supplies.
For RV buyers, the show offers the chance to tour more than 200 new and used RVs, presented by official dealer RV Country. Education is also a major draw. Daily seminars start at 9 a.m. and run each hour, including two sessions a day from sponsor Big Beard Battery.
Giant gem show overlaps with Big Tent
Meanwhile, overlapping with the RV Show is another Quartzsite tradition: the QIA Pow Wow Rock, Gem & Mineral Show, running January 21–25, 2026. Hosted by the Quartzsite Improvement Association, it’s the oldest gem and mineral show in Arizona. Hundreds of vendors will showcase everything from polished gemstones and handmade jewelry to raw minerals and mining gear. Collectors and prospectors can even shop for specialized equipment like sluice boxes and metal detectors. For hobbyists, dealers, and anyone curious about rocks and gems, the Pow Wow is a highlight of the Quartzsite season.
Beyond the tents and festivals, Quartzsite itself becomes a one-of-a-kind gathering. The surrounding BLM lands turn into a sprawling “RV village” where snowbirds boondock, form temporary neighborhoods, and share campfire stories. The overlapping events create a festival-like atmosphere unmatched anywhere else, with RVers, rock hounds, and curious travelers all mingling in the desert.
For RVers planning their 2026 route, Quartzsite offers a full calendar: Camelpalooza and the Hi Jolly Parade on January 10, the Quartzsite RV Show January 17–25, and the QIA Pow Wow Rock and Gem Show January 21–25. Together, they deliver the perfect mix of small-town fun, big-tent commerce, and rock-hound treasure hunting in the Arizona desert.
RELATED
- Alternative to Quartzsite: Low-cost AZ desert boondocking at Imperial Dam LTVA
- 7 reasons to RV in Quartzsite and 3 reasons not to
- Proposed Quartzsite price increases—$600 for boondocking?
- The top 8 day trips from Quartzsite
RVT1225b
Thank you for the scheduling information, Russ and Tina! May get by there one of these days. No hurry, though, given how mild our winters in the southern end of East Tennessee typically are. Have a great time there and then, a great day, and safe travels!
Been going to the Big RV Show for 20 years. We love seeing tried and true gadgets that have been around for several years, and all the new rv stuff too. We always find things we want and one of the highlights of the Q is having the BEST pizza we have ever tasted at Silly Al’s. I’m already thinking about it!!!
I wonder how the LTVA rate increase is going to effect attendance?
No rate increase this season