2 minute read
Yuma
A DAY IN YUMA
The true Southwest awaits you in Yuma. Come immerse yourself in the city’s rich culture and heritage, rooted in centuries of history. Soak in the blue skies and sun that shines 310 days a year — perfect for outdoor excursions.
3BEST BETS
YUMA TERRITORIAL PRISON
Voted as USA Today’s “Best Haunted Destination in the U.S.,” the Yuma Territorial Prison is a must-see for both ghost hunters and history buffs. Two-footthick adobe walls, studded with chunks of granite kept in (most of) the prisoners. It’s easy to imagine that even Russell Crowe’s character felt a shiver and hoped to not end up at the Yuma Territorial Prison, in the 2007 movie “3:10 to Yuma.”
yumaprison.org
VISIT DOWNTOWN YUMA
Downtown Yuma is very walkable, or you can move around easily by vehicle, too. Hitting all the historic sites in the downtown area is not hard to cover in a day or two, and it’s guaranteed you’ll learn a few things you didn’t know about Yuma along the way.
visityuma.com
COLORADO RIVER STATE HISTORIC PARK
The Colorado River State Historic Park is located on a portion of the grounds of the old U.S. Army Quartermaster Depot (QMD) established in 1864. This site is significant in the history of the Arizona Territory. The City of Yuma, through an Intergovernmental Agreement, supports operational costs at this Park. The purpose of the Park is to protect its historic structures and interpret the diverse history of the site.
azstateparks.com/colorado-river
5 MORE EXPERIENCES TO TRY
ENJOY THE COLORADO RIVER
From high-speed boating and jetskiing to silent sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, to finding your piece of beach for wading during a family picnic, the rver provides every opportunity to enjoy its green shores, wildlife, and cool waters.
visityuma.com
COCOPAH SPEEDWAY
Looking for motor-sport action? Head for Cocopah Speedway. Located seven miles south of Yuma with panoramic views of the west valley, this 3/8-mile semi-banked dirt and clay oval is one of the top dirt tracks in the country. It didn’t get the nickname Diamond in the Desert for nothing.
racecocopahspeedway.com
VISIT A CASINO
Feeling lucky? Check out Yuma’s three casinos — Cocopah Casino Resort & Conference Center, Paradise Casino, and Quechan Casino & Resort (“The Q”). You could be a big winner on slots, table games or Bingo. Other fun they offer ranges from concert venues, multiple dining, and bar options.
visityuma.com
RIDE THE IMPERIAL SAND DUNES
This natural sand box acts as a magnet for off-road enthusiasts in all but the hottest months and welcomes more than one million visitors every year. Movie fans will recognize the dunes as the backdrop for “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi,” “The Scorpion King,” and “Jumanji 3.”
blm.gov/visit/imperial-sand-dunes
KOFA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge was established from public lands on January 25, 1939, by Executive Order 8039 for the protection of desert bighorn sheep.
