Yuma, Arizona is a historic frontier town located in southwestern Arizona along the Colorado River near the borders of California and Mexico. Despite its small size, Yuma offers visitors a variety of interesting attractions, activities, and landscapes to explore. From history museums to outdoor adventures, here are 10 top things to do during a visit to this unique desert destination.
1. Visit the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
Get a glimpse into Arizona’s wild west history at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. This historic site preserves one of the most notorious frontier prisons, which operated from 1876 to 1909. Take a guided tour of the prison buildings to learn about the harsh conditions prisoners endured and see the original cells. Interpretive exhibits provide context on the prison’s role in America’s western expansion and punishment practices of the time. Outdoor areas allow you to walk the prison yard and explore remnants of the guard tower. History buffs will find the prison’s tales of escapes and frontier justice utterly fascinating.
The park does an excellent job bringing this chapter of Arizona’s past to life. Guided tours run daily and cost just $7 for adults. Be sure to allow at least an hour to take it all in. You’ll leave with newfound respect for the courage and determination of those who survived incarceration in this rugged desert prison.
2. Go Birdwatching at the Colorado River
The Colorado River corridor surrounding Yuma is a major flyway for migratory birds, offering incredible birdwatching opportunities year-round. Hundreds of species flock to the habitat preserves and wildlife areas along the river each winter, making it one of the top birding destinations in North America. Popular spots include the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, Mittry Lake, and the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge just north of Yuma in California.
From November through March, you’ll find concentrations of ducks, geese, cranes, hawks, and other waterfowl resting and feeding. Bring binoculars to scan flocks for rare sightings. Spring and fall also bring impressive bird migrations. Guided birding tours are available through the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. For the best wildlife viewing, visit early in the morning or late afternoon when birds are most active. Be prepared for chillier desert temperatures during winter birding season.
3. Explore Outdoor Activities in the Wetlands
The aquatic habitats along the Colorado River offer unique outdoor adventures beyond just birdwatching. Popular activities in Yuma’s wetlands include hiking trails, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. One of the top spots is the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, protecting lakes and marshes ripe for exploring. Rent a kayak or canoe to paddle quiet backwaters in search of herons, egrets, and other waterbirds. Hiking trails lead past salt cedar forests with painted buntings and vermilion flycatchers.
For fishing, the Colorado River is renowned for its largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Outdoor outfitters rent gear and guide fishing excursions. Or pack your own rod and aim for Mittry Lake, one of the top freshwater fishing destinations in the Southwest. Families will enjoy the relaxed pace of wetlands recreation and opportunity to spot exotic aquatic plants and animals among the tule reeds and cattails.
4. Attend a Winter Event
Winter is prime time for special events in Yuma celebrating its status as the �Sunset City.� From November through March, pleasantly warm weather makes Yuma a welcome escape for snowbirds. Top winter events include the Yuma Birding & Nature Festival in mid-January. This 4-day celebration features field trips, workshops and lectures by expert birders and naturalists. In February, the Colorado River State Historic Park stages the Valentine’s Fair, a living history weekend with encampments, lectures and crafts demonstrations.
For family fun, don�t miss the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Festival in March. This free 3-day festival has outdoor concerts, guided hikes, interactive exhibits on the region’s history and culture. Or check the event schedule at the historic Butterfield Theater, restored from the 1850s, for musicals and plays. So whether you enjoy the outdoors, history or live performances, Yuma offers great reasons to visit in the sunny winter months.
5. Check Out the Museums
Yuma’s museums showcase the area’s unique mix of Indigenous, Mexican and American frontier influences. The Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park explores Yuma’s strategic importance during territorial westward expansion along the Butterfield Overland Mail route. Authentic period buildings house exhibits on desertexplorer Kit Carson and American Indian artifacts. Over at the Yuma Historical Society Museum, discover pioneer and military artifacts plus a recreated late 1800s general store.
For a window into the native cultures that first inhabited this region, visit the Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum. Artworks, tools and oral histories portray the Luber, Cocopah and Quechan peoples. Kids especially enjoy the hands-on activities like basket weaving. Outdoor exhibits include traditional dwellings. Together, Yuma’s small but impactful museums offer a thought-provoking glimpse into the diverse heritage that has shaped this corner of the Southwest over millennia.
6. Relax Along the Waterfront
On the banks of the lazy Colorado River, slow down and unwind taking in Yuma’s scenic waterfront area. Stroll the pedestrian Riverwalk Trail running between a grass lawn and the river shore. Watch herons, ducks and other waterbirds wading in skirts of wetland vegetation. Public boat launches and fishing piers dot the trail for launching your own activities. Further down, pilings remain from the historic territorial ferry that once carried passengers across the wide murky waters.
For a break, stop in the picnic shelters amid salt cedar forests or hit the playground. Outdoor exercise classes and concerts also take place here in warmer months. As evening falls, complete your waterfront relaxation by watching the sunset paint the river and Colorado mountains rose and gold. It’s easy to see why locals consider this green ribbon of nature a treasured community sanctuary in the heart of the desert city.
7. Shop Historic Downtown
Wandering the historic downtown district offers a glimpse of Yuma’s charming earlyarchitecture and local businesses. Stop in mom-and-pop shops stocking Southwestern art, gifts and clothing reflecting Native American, Mexican and frontier influences. Browse antiques, home decor and Western-style apparel. Don’t forget to sample specialty foods like dried fruits or salsas made with locally grown produce. Some shops even sell fresh dates straight from surrounding groves.
Also be sure to admire the early 20th century building facades along Main Street. Spanish Renaissance Revival architecture mixes with Western styles reflecting Yuma’s transition era. Street side murals and plaques provide context. And definitely allow time to explore Territorial Prison-era buildings in the State Historic Park component of downtown. Whether you’re looking for souvenirs or just soaking up small town atmosphere, Yuma’s historic shops and sights offer a taste of local character.
8. Watch the Sunset over the River
One of the most magical sights in Yuma is watching the sunset paint the Colorado River and agricultural fields in vibrant hues. The best sunset viewing spots lie just west of town. A top choice is the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, where picnic tables perched on riverbanks offer front-row seats to fiery skies. As the sun dips, sprays of colors dance on water ripples. At mitty Lake, ducks and birds gather at water’s edge for final feeds before roosting.
Farther west, the agricultural fields outside town become patchwork quilts of pink, orange and gold. Pull over safety for photos capturing craggy Kofa Mountains softly silhouetted against the inferno of the setting sun. With this grand desert artwork daily, it’s little surprise residents call Yuma the “Sunset City.” Be sure to allow enough time before dusk hits to fully appreciate nature’s light show over nature’s waterway.
9. Experience the Wild Southwest at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
Venture 25 miles west of Yuma to discover true unspoiled Sonoran Desert scenery at the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. This rugged landscape shields bighorn sheep, golden eagles and other wildlife within its remote mountain fastnesses. Hiking and dirt roads wind through desert wildflowers, palms and limber pines up to scenic vistas. Look for signs of miners who once prospecte gold andsilver veins in these craggy heights above the Colorado River plain.
Rangers lead monthly guided hikes and nature programs showcasing Kofa’s biological and cultural heritage. Be sure to bring your own provisions, as services are limited this far into the desert. It’s also critical to carry extra water, as temperatures climb significantly higher than in Yuma. The raw scenic beauty and solitude of Kofa Refuge offer a true taste of untamed Southwest wilderness just an afternoon’s drive from town.
10. Sample Yuma’s Agricultural Bounty
The fertile delta lands where the Colorado River meets the Gila have made Yuma one of America’s richest farm regions. Luscious vegetables, grapes and dates grow year-round thanks to the moderating climate. Savor the harvest by visiting U-Pick farms, farmers markets, roadside stands and natural grocers stocked with local produce. Top-selling items include berries, citrus varieties, lettuce, carrots, cole crops and of course sweet Arizona dates. Buy direct from farmers for the freshest flavors.
For a real treat, sign up for a field tour and learn cultivation practices alongside samples. Scheduled during peak growing months like November through April, these educational farm visits end with to-go bags of produce. With 95 percent of the nation’s winter vegetables, Yuma truly cultivates the world’s winter garden. Be sure to stock up on healthy snacks representative of this iconic farming community.
Whether you’re visiting Yuma’s historical attractions, soaking up its scenic environment or sampling agricultural delights, there’s a wealth of rewarding activities to turn your visit into a truly memorable southwestern experience. The blend of wilderness, culture and year-round climate make Yuma a one-of-a-kind Arizona destination.