Location: Yuma
Top Things to do in Yuma
10 Things to do Good for Couples in Yuma That You Shouldn't Miss
Once a busy river port sending military supplies shipped from California to forts and camps in the Southwest to fight the Apache wars, today Yuma is a winter retreat for thousands of visitors craving its warm, dry and sunny climate. With warm weather comes golf, and the city has several excellent courses. Bird watchers will enjoy the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, which is rich in migratory bird life and also offers hiking, fishing and boating facilities. For a step back in time to the days of frontier justice, visit the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, whose prison dates back to 1876, or the Yuma Crossing State Historic Park, for a walk through restored historic buildings. If these sites whet your appetite for more pioneer lore, check out the Century House Museum, which is chock full of pioneer artifacts and exhibits. And, speaking of appetite, be sure to stop for burgers and fries at Lutes Casino, Arizona's oldest pool hall, where old movie memorabilia graces the walls.
Restaurants in Yuma
1. Desert Horse Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By graciek257
We had an amazing time with desert horse adventures. We didn’t have much of any experience with riding prior to, but after our lesson and trail ride, we felt very confident, comfortable and safe. We loved being able to ride the horses through the river and enjoyed the freedom of being able to ride side by side through certain areas of the trail. Highly recommend you check them out!
2. Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Stretching 30 miles along the Colorado River, and encompassing desert and wetlands, this site has plentiful plant and animal life and is a great place for bird watching, hiking, boating and fishing.
Reviewed By Tetonsnow - Tulsa, United States
Super hiking trails, bring lots of water and sunscreen. Lots to see if you enjoy peace and quiet, nature and geology!
3. Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,418 reviews
On July 1, 1876, the first seven inmates entered the Territorial Prison at Yuma and were locked into the new cells they had built themselves. Today at Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park walk through the actual strap iron cells and solitary chamber of Arizona Territory’s first prison. Now a museum, the prison houses photographs and colorful exhibits of those who once “involuntarily” stayed there and the harsh life they had to endure.
Reviewed By Road_Tripper49
This is definitely a must see for anyone interested in understanding the early history of Arizona and Yuma. You take a self-guided tour around numerous buildings including the cell blocks and a great deal of artifacts from inmates. You can go at your own pace and will leave better understanding what prison life and the impacts of the environment both in prison and in the surrounding area, must have been like. Bravo to the community for ensuring this history lives on!
4. Colorado River State Historic Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 205 reviews
Once a major military supply point, this site contains the quartermaster depot and officers' quarters as well as restored historic buildings commemorating five centuries of transportation across the Colorado River.
Reviewed By GypsyNovice - Auburn, United States
We very much enjoyed learning the history of Yuma and the student created Yuma crossing self guided tour app was well done! The community support of youth participation is a great way to bridge generations. It was sad to hear the Back in Time pie shop was forced to close from the covid distancing restrictions. The pie lady relied heavily on tea party income and the pie sales were not paying the rent. The museum tour took us about 1 hour and December temperature was 65°.
5. Telegraph Pass
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By rickysmom - Yuma, United States
This is a two part hike. Part one is from the end of the north frontage road to the gate where the utility road goes to the top. From the parking lot to the gate is 3.2 miles round trip. Not terribly difficult. Lots of uphill and down hill on well worn trails or you can take one of the dirt roads. There is lots of loose gravel. Wear sturdy hiking shoes. As the weather gets warmer you might see rattlesnakes on or near the trail. When you get to the gate, this hike gets much tougher. It's approximately 1 mile straight uphill to the top. I use hiking poles. Well worth the cost. There is also a dirt trail which starts to the right of the gate. I haven't tried it but I see people on it often. Again, as the weather gets warmer, the earlier you start the better. At the top of the road, down a small incline is a metal box on a pole where an anonymous hiker keeps a notebook for others to write down their date of hike and experiences. I've never found it full and have no idea who takes take of that. If you want to hike a little further up to the various utility buildings you can find other places to sit and take in the view. Heading back down is much harder on the knees. Take your time. Do not RUN!!!! I have seen more that one serious injury from people falling because they lost control, started running, couldn't stop and face planted. I am 61 and the quickest I've made the roundtrip is 2 hours and 40 minutes with a brief stop on the top to eat an orange and re-hydrate. Bring plenty of water. I see all kinds of people. Families with young children, teenagers, seniors like me and much older. Be prepared and have fun!
6. Castle Dome Mines Museum & Ghost Town
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 438 reviews
Please call for reservations during the warmer months "What you will see here is a remnant town which stood larger than Yuma in 1878. Her weather beaten buildings remain great day trip in the lower Colorado river in an area little changed from the 1800's. The mills stand silent, housing original boiler, stamp mill, and elevator, as if tomorrow they will awaken to the thunderous roar of steel crushing rock. The boardwalks still creak, the church bell rings out, the five saloons just await the story of their last shootout. Over 50 building in 3 areas are now open, with more history being added. April 15 through September you will need to call for hours. October 1st through April 30th we are open 7 days a week.
Reviewed By DonnaJ7777 - Issaquah, United States
The location is about one hour from Yuma but the terrain along the way made for a pretty drive. As you get closer to the museum, you have to drive on this unpaved road but it was an easy trip. The ghost town had the original buildings with information on what each was used for. There was a dentist office, a hotel, a saloon, a dressmaker shop, a blacksmith shop among a lot of other types of businesses. It was interesting to see how people lived in those days. The mine tour was cool - the tour guide was a wealth of information. At one point, he turned off the lights inside the mine and turned on these lights that showed blue, red and green colors on the walls. The whole tour takes about 4-6 hours plus driving there and back. Try to get on the mine tour first, then walk through the ghost town because the mine tour takes the longest. Well worth the time to see.
7. Yuma East Wetlands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
Reviewed By 466nickyl - Bury, United Kingdom
We spent a lovely couple of hours here walking a few trails along the wetlands, quiet and peaceful, wildlife haven and a lovely spot to picnic, unspoilt beauty
8. West Wetlands Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Home to the treasured Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground, the 110‐acre West Wetlands Park is a well beloved jewel of the citizens of Yuma. The 30 acres of the “lower bench” are restored with native trees and grasses and offer beautiful walking paths for people to enjoy. The additional 30 acres of the “upper bench” are developed with a pond, picnic ramadas, playground areas and more.
Reviewed By karenfurg
This park is well-maintained and felt safe. A lovely place to see and photograph wildlife and desert plants, along the Colorado River bank. Plenty of shady spots for relief from Yuma’s sun. We saw rabbits, ground squirrels, lizards, and quail. I grew up in Yuma before this park existed, and was thrilled to experience it while visiting decades after I moved to the east coast. Thank you, City of Yuma, for proving a nice place for residents and visitors to enjoy.
9. Martha's Gardens Medjool Date Farm
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 338 reviews
Reviewed By oldsgm - Hinesville, United States
It's easy to see why one needs to reserve a seat for the tour days in advance. This is an awesome tour for anyone with even the slightest interest in agriculture. Our tour guide provided us with a truly memorable experience by talking us through an entire date growing season over the course of our two-hour tour. Well worth the time and cost. I highly recommend this tour.
10. Yuma River Tubing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 247 reviews
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