Yuma, Arizona is home to a variety of beautiful parks that offer residents and visitors alike opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and fun. With its warm, dry climate, Yuma enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year. This makes the city’s parks popular spots for outdoor activities almost year-round.
Whether you’re looking for a shady patch of grass, a playground, hiking trails, or spots for sports and events, Yuma’s parks have something to offer everyone. In this article, we will explore 10 of the most notable parks in Yuma and what each one has to offer visitors. From historical parks to expansive natural areas, Yuma’s parks showcase the beauty and diversity of the region.
Pilot Knob Park
Located just northwest of downtown Yuma, Pilot Knob Park is one of the city’s oldest and most historic parks. The land was originally set aside for public use in 1884 and has since become an 18-acre oasis in the city. At the center of the park is a large rocky outcropping known as Pilot Knob, which provides beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Shaded picnic ramadas, playground equipment, and open grassy areas make Pilot Knob a popular spot for families. It also contains a 1.25-mile loop walking trail that meanders through the dense stands of palm trees and allows visitors to take in the natural landscape. With its central location and nostalgic charm, Pilot Knob Park is one of Yuma’s most visited green spaces.
Mittry Lake
Covering over 1,200 acres just west of downtown Yuma, Mittry Lake offers visitors a taste of wilderness right in the heart of the city. The lake was built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps to be used for irrigation water storage. However, it quickly became a popular spot for recreation as well. Today, Mittry Lake contains over 7 miles of multi-use trails perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Nature lovers will enjoy glimpses of wildlife like herons, ducks, and coyotes. When water levels allow, swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing are also permitted. Mittry Lake is easily one of the most diverse and expansive parks in Yuma, providing opportunities for both active recreation and relaxation in nature. Large grassy areas, ramadas with picnic tables, and scenic overlooks of the lake make it an oasis in the desert.
Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park
Situated along the Colorado River near downtown Yuma, this 46-acre state park preserves the historic buildings and grounds of the Yuma Quartermaster Depot. From 1857 to 1883, it served as a vital U.S. Army supply base supporting troops along the Southwestern frontier. Visitors can tour some of the original adobe buildings dating back to the late 1850s including two storehouses, an officers’ quarters, and more.
Costumed interpreters are often on hand to explain daily life at the depot and its importance to the region’s history. The park also contains picnic areas and a segment of the original adobe wall surrounding the depot grounds. Wandering the grounds gives a real sense of what life was like for soldiers and workers stationed here over 150 years ago. It’s an intriguing look at Yuma’s rich military history.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
For those wanting a taste of untamed Sonoran Desert, the vast Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is just 30 minutes outside of Yuma. At over 500,000 acres, it’s one of the largest protected hot desert wildernesses in the US. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are popular here on over 100 miles of designated trails that wind through rugged mountains and sandy washes.
Birdwatchers will find over 200 species including wintering birds of prey like golden eagles. Sharp-eyed visitors may spot elusive desert bighorn sheep or wintering mule deer as well. While no facilities are available, the solitude and natural beauty make Kofa a superb spot for getting away from it all. Be sure to bring plenty of water, food, and sun protection for exploring this special pocket of pristine Sonoran Desert.
Somerton Marina and Picnic Area
For views of the majestic Colorado River and wide open skies, head to the Somerton Marina and Picnic Area just 7 miles east of Yuma. The marina is a busy put-in spot for watercraft exploring the lakes and backwaters downstream along the Colorado River. On land, visitors will find ramadas, tables, and barbecues perfect for family picnics or group gatherings. The spacious picnic grounds are shaded by sycamore and cottonwood trees, providing relief from the sun.
After your meal, take in scenic vistas of farm fields, willow islands, and the river from the shoreline walking path. On cooler winter days, it’s a prime spot for birdwatching thousands of migratory waterfowl that use the Colorado River Flyway. Whether you come for boating access or simply to spend a relaxing afternoon by the water, Somerton Marina’s natural beauty makes it worthwhile.
Good Samaritan Resource Center at Garden Avenue
Conveniently located just blocks from downtown Yuma, the Good Samaritan Resource Center features beautiful landscaped grounds and abundant recreational options. The 16-acre park contains lighted baseball fields, basketball courts, a large playground, and ramada areas perfect for group gatherings. Visitors will also find a multi-use area suited to sports like soccer, volleyball, and more. With ample open lawn space and shade trees, it’s an excellent spot for relaxing picnics or just enjoying the open air.
The resource center has also become a community hub, hosting free educational, cultural, and social service programs throughout the year. Whether you come to play sports, attend an event, or simply relax in lush green space near downtown, the Good Samaritan Resource Center provides opportunities for fun and community.
Frank L. Reid Regional Park
As one of the largest and most developed parks in Yuma, Frank L. Reid Regional Park has something to offer all ages and interests. Along with ramada areas, playgrounds, and open grassy fields, it boasts an 18-hole disc golf course, batting cages, a skate park, and lighted baseball and soccer fields. A 1.5-mile loop trail winds through desert and wetland habitats where birds like herons, ducks, and swallows are frequently sighted.
Special events like concerts, farmers markets, and seasonal activities take place throughout the year. The park is also home to the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area visitor center, showcasing the history of life along the Colorado River. With its vast size and diverse amenities, Frank L. Reid Regional Park truly epitomizes the best Yuma’s parks have to offer. It’s no wonder it has become a treasured community hub and destination.
Pilgrim’s Rest Campground
Nestled along the shores of east Yuma’s Pilot Knob Marina on the Colorado River, Pilgrim’s Rest Campground provides a tranquil outdoor oasis just minutes from downtown. The campground features over 100 individual campsites with full hookups, making it convenient for RV camping. Campers enjoy amenities like restrooms, hot showers, boat ramp access, and a small store for essentials.
Beyond the developed campground area, opportunities abound for exploring the Marina’s salt cedar-lined shoreline trails. Birders can frequently spot ducks, egrets, herons, and other water-loving species. Combined with beautiful desert and river views, Pilgrim’s Rest Campground offers the perfect home base for those wanting an outdoorsy mini-escape along the Colorado without straying too far from the city.
Conclusion
As this highlights, Yuma’s diverse collection of parks offers residents and visitors plenty of opportunities to experience the region’s natural beauty and history. Whether you’re looking for playgrounds and sports fields, trails in untamed desert wilderness, waterside relaxation, or camping amidscenery, Yuma’s parks deliver.
They showcase the city’s commitment to preserving open and recreational space for citizens and visitors to enjoy. With year-round excellent weather to spend time outdoors, Yuma’s parks are treasured community assets and highlights of the region’s appeal. They help residents stay active while also attracting tourism to experience all this sunny locale and its idyllic green spaces have to offer.