The dry desert washes around Quartzsite have been producing gold since the first miners discovered gold in this area well over 150 years ago. Considerable mining has taken place in this part of Arizona.

In the early days, miners struggled to work the auriferous gravels effectively. Water was hard to come by (to say the least!) and it was nearly impossible to mine efficiently. Miners either had to work process gravel using dry methods, or pack in water from the Colorado River.

 

Middle Camp & The Dome Rock Mountains

 

There has been considerable gold mined from the Middle Camp placers just west of Quartzsite. Most of the mining has taken place in the vicinity of Middle Camp Mountain and Marquitta Pass. The dry gulches just north of Interstate 10 have been worked extensively with dry washers.

 

La Cholla Mountain

 

The La Cholla diggings are found scattered throughout the area around La Cholla Mountain. Gold is commonly associated with fine quartz veining that must be crushed to release the gold for extraction.

 

La Paz Placers

 

The La Paz Placers were the first to be worked in this area. The location is west of Quartzsite, a few miles west of the Middle Camp placers. They are located on the gulches and benches east of the Colorado River, on the western flanks of the Dome Rock Mountains.

Primarily north of Interstate 10, almost all of this rich gold area is now off-limits because it is on Colorado River Indian Tribe (CRIT) land. You will be at the risk of serious trouble if you prospect here without proper permission.

 

Plomosa Mountains

 

The Plomosa Mountains east of Quartzsite have seen extensive mining activity, almost all of which has occurred south of Interstate 10. Two noteworthy areas are the drainages of Plomosa Wash and Italian Wash.

Gold Mining in the Sonoran Desert

This Arizona Mine was the Richest in the State