9 Best Things To Do in Yuma, Arizona

If you’re looking for things to do in Yuma AZ, this is the place for you!

Over the last five years, my wife and I have been traveling the USA full time in our vintage Airstream. We’ve found that Arizona is a great winter travel destination. Yuma, in particular, offers so many fun activities.

The city has an amazing culture, tasty treats, lots of hiking trails, and craft beer galore.

Today we’re sharing the best of what’s around.

Let’s dive in!

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Price:  $8 for adults, $4 for kids, free for ages 6 and under

Why You’ll Love It: Exploring the historical prison that made Yuma famous is like taking a step back in time. From 1876 to 1909, over 3,000 prisoners served sentences here, including famous stagecoach robber Pearl Hart.

Today, local community members take pride in keeping the living museum in good condition for visitors. Small enough to visit for an afternoon, but packed with enough stories and historical tidbits to hold your interest for an entire day.

Address:  220 Prison Hill Rd, Yuma, AZ 85364

What’s the Word: Pete on TripAdvisor says “What a great piece of history to experience. If you are in Yuma it’s a must-see!” 

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 10/10 Inexpensive and tons of historical value.

Castle Dome Mine Museum and Ghost Town

Price: $15 for adults (ages 12 and up), $7 for kids, free for ages 6 and under

Why You’ll Love It: The rugged Old West vibes are strong in this remnant of a mining town that was once larger than Yuma in the 1800s. Take a tour of the mine shafts or catch a gunfight reenactment on Main Street. 

Address: Castle Dome Mine Rd., Yuma, AZ  33°02’55.6″N 114°10’36.9″W 

What’s the Word: R. Ortiz on Google Reviews says, “This is a hidden gem in Yuma! Full of history and frozen in time! I loved it and I haven’t even done the mine tour!”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 7.5/10 Off the beaten path and full of historical artifacts.

Imperial Sand Dunes National Recreation Area

Price: Permits required from October 1 through April 15. Permits are $35 per week in advance or $50 per week if purchased onsite. Season permits are $150.

Why You’ll Love It: Just over the California border, this is the biggest expanse of sand dunes in the state. The 40-mile stretch of dunes is a popular spot for OHV riding, but all vehicle recreation is welcome in most of the area with a permit. The dunes also offer solitude with unique scenery, and opportunities to see rare plants and animals.

Address: 32.97321, -115.17314 Access to the Imperial Sand Dunes is best made along Highway 78 East of Brawley, California or along Interstate 8 West of Yuma, Arizona

What’s the Word: A recent TripAdvisor reviewer said, “We were surprised by these dunes while driving along I-8. They are beautiful from a distance and even more so as you get close. We camped on BLM land a few miles away and went to see the dunes twice.”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 9.2/10 The vast expanse of sand seems endless. 

Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park / Colorado River State Historic Park

Price: Adults $6 (age 14 and older), $3 active duty and retired military, $5 senior citizens, $3 for kids ages 7-13, kids age 6 and younger free

Why You’ll Love It: Part of the Colorado River Historic Park, this former army depot stored supplies for forts all over Arizona. It features restored buildings full of artifacts from a former life in Yuma, such as a historic adobe corral house.

Address: 201 N. 4th Avenue Yuma, AZ 85364

What’s the Word: Barb on Google Reviews says, “I enjoyed walking through the displays in the buildings, they were very comprehensive. This should be done with the prison tour to get a terrific overview of the importance of Yuma in the development of the west.”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 9.7/10 Friendly docents enrich the visit!

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Price: Free

Why You’ll Love It:  This site encompassing the prison and Quartermaster Depot is significant in the history of the Arizona Territory and celebrates 500 years of transportation across the Colorado River.  Bonus: Take a trip down the Colorado River with Yuma River Tours down the Colorado River to enhance the educational experience!

Address: 180 W 1st St, Yuma, AZ 85364

What’s the Word: Carla Ivey on Google Reviews wrote, “This is another MUST SEE in Yuma!! On the weekends in winter there are demonstrations. Ever wonder how women stayed cool with all those clothes without AC?”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 9.6/10 A former gateway to the West!

Brewery: Prison Hill Brewing Company 

Price: $11 and up

Why You’ll Love It: Situated in Historic Downtown Yuma, this AMAZING brewery and restaurant should definitely be on the top of your list! Their Headshot IPA is the best. Get beer-to-go or delivered to you!

Address: 278 S Main St, Yuma, AZ 85364

What’s the Word: Rebecca Brinkman on Google Reviews wrote, “What a cool place to eat! I’m sure everyone here constantly hears prison jokes from patrons”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 9.8/10 Great atmosphere. Nice food. Awesome beers!

Winery: Old Town Wine Cellar

Price: Varies

Why You’ll Love It: Take your pick of their selection of over 300 wines from all over the world, plus craft and imported beers too!

Address: 265 S Main St E #1441, Yuma, AZ 85364

What’s the Word: Yuzi Rozen on Google Reviews says, “Are you looking for a nice bottle of wine? Then this is the place. They have a wine tasting as well. You’ll meet lots of fun people there, nice social place.”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 9.5/10 For awesome selection, customer service, and atmosphere.

Campground: Cocopah RV and Golf Resort

Price: $50 a night, $309 a week, or $656 a month

Why You’ll Love It: There is something for everyone at this golf-course based RV park with added amenities like a pool & spa, huge dog park, and craft classes. 

Address: 6800 Strand Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364

What’s the Word: Dave Bagwell on Google Reviews says, “A very nice place, great golf course, and nice people.”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 8.5/10

Hotel: La Fuente Inn and Suites

Price: Starts at $99 a night 

Why You’ll Love It: A favorite place for Yuma visitors, this clean and well-maintained hotel offers a leisurely pool and spa, free wifi, and an impressive complimentary breakfast. They aren’t lying with the tagline “where tropical elegance meets modern comfort.” 

Address: 1513 E 16th St, Yuma, AZ 85365

What’s the Word: Jonathan Christensen on Google Reviews says, “This place was actually deceiving. When we pulled up we figured it was a run of the mill spot to crash for the night but boy were we wrong. The experience was amazing from the moment we walked in the doors.”

Yuma AZ Vibe Score: 9.1/10 Comfortable and conveniently located!

Trip Routing to Yuma

If you’re traveling with an RV (or large vehicle), trip planning to Yuma is essential.

With RV Trip Wizard you can get a much better understanding of what to expect for a travel day. After spending a big amount of money on an RV, you don’t want to run into a low hanging bridge!

We use RV Trip Wizard to route our cross country trips. With tools like budgeting, fuel planning, and avoiding bridges, we can easily travel safely through the USA.

Here’s how to sign up to RV Trip Wizard for free.

Discover the Best Free Camping in America

To be honest with you, we hate paying for camping. There are so many free campsites in America (with complete privacy).

You should give it a try!

As a matter of fact, these free campsites are yours. Every time you pay federal taxes, you’re contributing to these lands.

Become a FREE CAMPING INSIDER and join the 100,000 campers that love to score the best site! 

We’ll send you the 50 Best Free Campsites in the USA (one per state). Access the list by submitting your email below: