Lying at the confluence of Arizona's two longest rivers, Yuma boasts a fast-growing metropolitan area of over 100,000. The rivers have turned much of the surrounding area into amazing spectacles of nature. In addition, with sunny weather that allows year-round play, Yuma has been rated by Golf Digest as the country's 7th-best golf city. And, since humans have gravitated toward water everywhere they have settled, Yuma boasts a long history of human settlement, so varied that Congress designated it a National Heritage Area (one of only two west of the Mississippi).
Nature and Adventure. Blessed with National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and the Colorado River, Yuma is one of the country's premier birding sites. Imperial NWR covers 30 miles of river, and has a viewing platform and interpretive trails. The 2.5-mile Goose Loop Road in Cibola NWR is the best place in Arizona to watch migrating Canada geese in the winter. In contrast, 660,000-acre Kofa NWR stars desert bighorn sheep and popular Palm Canyon, where Arizona's only native palm trees grow. Closer to town, Betty's Kitchen and the Mittry Lake Wildlife Area attract egrets and great blue herons. Mittry Lake is excellent for canoeing. The Yuma Birding and Nature Festival draws visitors from all over for bird- and bat-watching and nature tours. Many people explore the river on rented personal water craft, canoes and kayaks. Yuma River Tours takes groups through the Imperial NWR and visits prehistoric and historic sites. The paddle-wheeler Colorado King I relives the early river history for its passengers; many take sunset or birding cruises.
Culture and Heritage. The river that has made Yuma such a tremendous
nature destination has also contributed to the city's diverse historical and cultural
background. Prehistoric Native Americans left petroglyphs; Spanish Conquistador Hernando
de Alarcón passed through in 1540; and early pioneers and California gold miners flocked
to the river crossing. Steamships and paddle wheelers started plying the river in the
1850s and were the main supply source for Arizona and its military installations until the
railroad arrived in 1877. Recently restored Yuma Crossing State Park preserves the city's
early history.
Legendary Yuma Territorial Prison was built on a bluff overlooking the Colorado. Glorified
in books, movies and television, the prison was much tougher in real life. Today, with its
guard tower and its displays of frontier artifacts, it is the most-visited State Historic
Park in Arizona. Some early settlers' homes and buildings have been preserved,
particularly in the city's historic North End district. Pioneer E. F. Sanguinetti's home,
now the Century House Museum, displays artifacts of that era.
Golf and Sports. Thirteen golf courses grace the Yuma area, including the Mesa Del Sol (Arnold Palmer-designed) and Desert Hills (one of the state's top-rated) 18-hole championship courses. Yuma also hosts its own PRCA rodeo.
Starring in such movies as Return of the Jedi, the nearby Imperial Sand Dunes offer superb off-roading. Dune buggies and ATVs roar up and down sandy knolls, carving turns and performing acrobatic stunts. Staging areas and campgrounds are right off the interstate, and fill up fast on winter weekends.
Resorts to Ranches. Hotels abound throughout Yuma, including several national resort hotel chains. The historic Best Western Coronado Motel houses a museum in its lobby, while rustic Martinez Lake Lodge offers cabins on the waterfront. Camping is available near the river at Squaw Lake and Senator Wash, and in Kofa NWR for early-rising wildlife aficionados.
Shopping and Entertainment. Among the numerous choices for dining are some interesting finds. Yuma Landing Restaurant commemorates the first airplane landing in Yuma. The Garden Café features elegant outdoor dining in a historic garden. Lutes Casino in the North End serves burgers but no gambling, while two Native American casinos nearby scratch the gaming itch.
Across the border in Old Mexico, Algodones is a charming little town, just off the freeway. Parking is available near the border, and walking across may be the best choice. Brightly painted buildings beckon shoppers, while tree-shaded courtyards offer pleasant dining. San Luis, 23 miles to the south, offers even more shopping.
Yuma's calendar includes a hot-air balloon festival, the three-day Midnight at the Oasis classic car show, Yuma Lettuce Days (drawing around 40,000), and weekly farmers markets during the winter season.