Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, 180 W 1st Street STE E, Yuma, AZ.

At the Colorado River State Historic Park, history isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you can still conn...
06/14/2026

At the Colorado River State Historic Park, history isn’t just something you read about—it’s something you can still connect to through the tools and trades that once kept life along the river running. One of those essential trades was blacksmithing.

In the early days of the Colorado River crossing and surrounding settlement, blacksmiths played a vital role in daily survival and industry. They forged and repaired tools, horseshoes, wagon parts, and equipment needed for river transport and frontier life. At a time when everything depended on durability and repair, the blacksmith’s shop was one of the most important working spaces in the area.

It’s a reminder that behind every journey up and down the Colorado River, there were skilled hands shaping the iron that made it possible.

While the forge may be quiet now, its story still echoes through the park—inviting guests to imagine the clang of hammer on anvil and the steady rhythm of a trade that quite literally held frontier life together.

🎉🔒 FAMILY DAY IN PRISON 🔒🎉Join us as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the legendary Yuma Territorial Prison State H...
06/14/2026

🎉🔒 FAMILY DAY IN PRISON 🔒🎉
Join us as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the legendary Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park with a day packed full of family fun, history, laughs, and ice cream!

📅 July 11
⏰ 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
🎟 Park admission applies

Bring the whole family and experience a one-of-a-kind celebration inside one of Arizona’s most iconic historic sites! Enjoy interactive activities, explore fascinating stories from the past, and make unforgettable memories together.

🍦 FREE Ice Cream Social (10 AM – 3 PM)
🔐 Try to unlock a puzzle box for prizes
😂 “What Was Your Crime?” — discover your hilarious offense
📖 Hourly Storyteller Museum Tours
(10 AM, 11 AM, 12 PM, 1 PM & 2 PM)
⛓ Find out if YOU are related to a former inmate!

Celebrate 150 years of history, adventure, and community with us at this special anniversary event. Whether you’re a local family, history lover, or just looking for a fun summer outing, there’s something for everyone!

The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area would like to thank Fort Yuma Rotary for their generous donation and support of...
06/13/2026

The Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area would like to thank Fort Yuma Rotary for their generous donation and support of our organization. We truly appreciate your commitment to our community and helping us continue our mission. Thank you for your generosity!

Happy National Loving Day! Today, we celebrate the people, places, and communities that bring us together. At the Yuma C...
06/12/2026

Happy National Loving Day!

Today, we celebrate the people, places, and communities that bring us together. At the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, we have a lot to love—and a lot to be proud of.

We love the opportunity to preserve and share the stories that make Yuma unique. Through years of dedication, collaboration, and community support, we have worked to restore and protect some of Yuma's most treasured landmarks, including the historic Yuma Territorial Prison, the Colorado River State Historic Park, and the beautiful Yuma East Wetlands.

From safeguarding historic structures and creating engaging exhibits to restoring natural habitats along the Colorado River, each project reflects a commitment to honoring our past while investing in our future.

This National Loving Day, we're grateful for the staff, volunteers, partners, donors, and visitors who share our passion for preserving the places that connect us to Yuma's rich history and natural beauty.

What do you love most about Yuma? We'd love to hear your favorite memories of the Yuma Territorial Prison, Colorado River State Historic Park, or the Yuma East Wetlands in the comments below!

Following the completion of the investigation into the recent fire, the Yuma East Wetlands team immediately got to work....
06/11/2026

Following the completion of the investigation into the recent fire, the Yuma East Wetlands team immediately got to work. Their dedication and hard work made it possible to quickly remove debris and restore accessibility to the affected area in a remarkably short amount of time.

We are incredibly grateful for their efforts and commitment to this special place. While there is still work ahead, we are now focusing on the next phase—revitalizing and restoring the affected area.

Stay tuned for updated photos as we continue the restoration process and share the progress being made in the Yuma East Wetlands.

At the Colorado River State Historic Park, visitors can step right up to a remarkable piece of river history—the lifesiz...
06/11/2026

At the Colorado River State Historic Park, visitors can step right up to a remarkable piece of river history—the lifesize steamboat helm that once guided vessels along the Colorado River.

This authentic-style helm offers a hands-on photo opportunity that helps bring the past to life. Standing behind it, you can get a true sense of scale and imagine what it felt like to command a steamboat as it made its way through the powerful currents of the river—transporting people, supplies, and stories through the desert frontier.

Before highways and railroads shaped travel in the region, the Colorado River was a vital lifeline, and steamboats were at the heart of that movement. The helm represents that era of exploration and commerce, when skilled pilots navigated winding waterways under the heat of the Sonoran sun.

Today, it’s more than just an artifact—it’s an interactive moment in time. Guests are encouraged to step in, take a photo, and picture themselves at the wheel of history, steering through a river route that helped shape the Southwest.

06/10/2026

☀️ What an awesome way to kick off the first day of Summer Camp! We truly enjoyed spending the day with all of the amazing kids and can't wait for all the fun, learning, and adventures still to come this summer.

If you haven't registered yet, there's still time to join us! Don't miss out on the opportunity to make unforgettable summer memories.

🔗 Click the link below to register today!
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ycnha-june-summer-camp

It's National Call Your Doctor Day!Today serves as a great reminder to schedule those important check-ups and prioritize...
06/10/2026

It's National Call Your Doctor Day!

Today serves as a great reminder to schedule those important check-ups and prioritize your health. But did you know that the Yuma Territorial Prison played a unique role in the history of healthcare in our community?

When the Prison opened in 1876, it became home to some of the earliest organized medical care available in Yuma. In fact, the Prison housed what is considered the first hospital-type facility in the Yuma area, complete with a prison physician who was responsible for caring for inmates suffering from illness, injury, and the harsh effects of life in the Arizona desert.

While medical practices have come a long way since the Territorial Prison days, the importance of having access to healthcare remains just as vital today.

Have you visited the Yuma Territorial Prison and learned about the many unexpected stories hidden within its walls? From medicine and rehabilitation to daily prison life, there's always more history to discover.

Summer Camp has officially begun!Today we kick off our first week of Summer Camp, and we couldn't be more excited to wel...
06/09/2026

Summer Camp has officially begun!

Today we kick off our first week of Summer Camp, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome both new and returning campers for a season full of fun, creativity, and unforgettable memories!

Haven't registered yet? There's still time to join the adventure! Don't miss out on all the exciting activities, new friendships, and hands-on experiences we have planned this summer.

Click the link below to sign up today—spots are limited, and you won't want to miss the fun! ⬇️
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ycnha-june-summer-camp

Celebrate 150 Years of History in Style! There's no better way to show your Yuma pride and celebrate the 150th Anniversa...
06/08/2026

Celebrate 150 Years of History in Style!

There's no better way to show your Yuma pride and celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Yuma Territorial Prison than with official Prison merchandise!

From apparel and accessories to unique gifts and collectibles, every purchase helps support one of Arizona's most iconic historic landmarks while allowing you to carry a piece of Yuma history wherever you go.

Whether you're a longtime supporter, history enthusiast, former Yuma resident, or proud local, now is the perfect time to stock up on exclusive Yuma Territorial Prison swag and commemorate this historic milestone.

🛒 Visit yumaprisonstore.com today to browse our collection and find your favorite Prison gear.

Every purchase helps support the preservation, maintenance, and continued operation of the Yuma Territorial Prison for future generations to enjoy.

Thank you for helping us celebrate 150 years of history and for supporting the Yuma Territorial Prison!

Address

180 W 1st Street STE E
Yuma, AZ
85364

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(928) 373-5198

Website

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