Area Attractions
Yuma Area Attractions
Museums & Historic Sites
Cocopah Indian Museum, located 14 miles south of Highway 95, exhibits and sells articles of the Cocopah tribe, who have been called hunters, warriors, agriculturists and artists.
Quechan Indian Museum, contains many tribal artifacts, and the headquarters for the Quechan Indian Tribe. It is located in Fort Yuma, one of the oldest military posts in the Arizona Territory and offered protection for the settlers in the day and secured the Yuma Crossing. The Museum is on Indian Hill Road, across the Colorado River, near the Territorial Prison. Call (619)572-0661.
Casa De Coronado Museum, located on the hotel property, is rich with the history of the motel, Best Western, and tourism of Arizona, as well as Yuma.
Old Plank Road, was built near the turn of the century to facilitate travel over the Arizona/California sands. Made of wooden planks, it supported the wheels of pioneer wagons and early automobiles. You’ll find the monument, with remnants 17 miles west of Yuma, north of I-8.
Yuma Quartermaster Depot, is probably the oldest American-built structure in Yuma. Located on a bluff overlooking the Colorado River, it was used as a major supply center for troops during the Indian Wars of the 1870’s.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Park, Located at Giss Parkway and Prison Hill Road. Between 1876 and 1909, this penitentiary housed many of Arizona’s most dangerous criminals. Famed in literature, movies and television, the remains of the prison are now an Arizona State Park. The cells, main gate and guard tower have endured as grim reminders of frontier justice. Museum exhibits document the story of the prison. Open 8:00 am to 5pm. June1- August 31: Open Thurs.-Mon. Closed Tues. & Wed. June 1- August 31: 9am-5pm. Mon-Sat. Closed Sunday.
Arizona Historical Society Sanquinetti House Museum, Located at 240 Madison Avenue Yuma, Az. 85364, the Sanquinetti House Museum was constructed in 1870”s and was purchased in 1890 by pioneer merchant E.F. Sanquinetti. Calls can be made to (928)7882-1841.
Old Tumco Ghost Town and Gold Mine, is located 22 miles Northwest of Yuma, near Gold Rock Ranch. Once a roaring mining town of 3,000 people, between 1870 and 1909 it is estimated that Tumco mines produced $11 million in gold. Beware of open mine shafts. A four-wheel drive vehicle is necessary.
Yuma Art Center, Due to a tragic fire in 193 that claimed the building which hosed the Yuma Art Center, current cultural offerings are staged in various locations in town. For information on activities and events call (928)783-2314.
The Historic Yuma Theater, is located at 224 Main Street in a restored art deco building, circa 193. The original carbon arc projectors and excellent acoustics are still intact. The Gene Savage Memorial Organ was recently restored and installed and will be the only working theater organ in the state. Tours are available by request by calling the Cultural Council of Yuma.
Arizona Western College, the college Library and Gallery Milepost Nine. Can be found nine miles east of Yuma on I-8. The library is located at campus center, the gallery is located on the north side of the Fine Arts building. Call (928)726-1000.
Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive, located at the Pivot Point Interpretive Plaza, Engine #2521 was built in 1907 by Baldwin Locomotive Works, Schenectady, N.Y. and logged and estimated total of 2,500,000 miles, including service through Yuma. She is a “Class C-9” engine, weighs 193,700 lbs. loaded, exerted 45,470 lbs. of tractive effort in her heyday. She measures more than 79 ft.—stem to stern. She retired and presented to the city of Yuma in 1957. The Plaza now tells the many stories of the Yuma Crossing. The highlight of the plaza is the “Ghost Train” sound and laser system which brings to life the legacy of the Southern Pacific Railroad.
California Sand Dunes, also known as the ”Great American Sahara” are located on the California side of the Colorado River. The dunes have been featured in several American movies and are a must-see for visitors.
Mexico Algodones, located 7 miles southwest of Yuma. Take I-8 west to Algodones/Andrade turnoff, turn south (left) to the border. Shopping holds a special appeal for most visitors. Dozens of shops sell jewelry, pottery, glassware, leather goods, perfume, hand embroidered clothing and colorful handicrafts for which Mexico in famous. Time magazine wrote the people come from all over the world to get their dental work done there.
Picacho State Recreation Area, located 23 miles North of Yuma. Take 4th Avenue North across the 4th Avenue Bridge into California, past I-8, take S-24 and head North, but continue North on Picacho Road when S-2 turns right to Ross Road. A few miles past Ross Road, the road turns to gravel much of the way, but can be traveled by passenger cars. Check road conditions with Imperial County deputies at Winterhaven Substation, (619)572-0229.
Marine Corps Air Station, established in 1959, the Marine Corp Air Station, Yuma (MCAS) has access to 1.5 million acres of aviation training ranges and is the Corp’s premier aviation training facility. Ideal weather (flyable 98 percent of the time) allows units to accomplish more training in two weeks in Yuma than they could in many more weeks at their home bases. Approximately 4,000 Marines and sailors are aboard MCAS Yuma on any given day. There are also several hundred permanent civilian employees and contract employees at MCAS. With approximately 220,000 airfields operations annually, it is the fourth most active air station in the Navy.