Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park The "3:10 To Yuma" stops here. Take a walk through a big piece of Old West History where the Southwes Come experience this fascinating slice of Arizona history.
(1356)

On July 1, 1876, the first seven inmates entered the Territorial Prison at Yuma and were locked into the new cells they had built themselves. At Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park walk through the actual strap iron cells and solitary chamber of Arizona Territory’s first prison. Now a museum, the building houses photographs and colorful exhibits of those who once “involuntarily” stayed the

re and the prison life they had to endure. A total of 3,069 prisoners, including 29 women, lived within the walls during the prison’s 33 years of operation. Despite an infamous reputation, written evidence indicates that the prison was humanely administered, and was a model institution for its time. The only punishments were the dark cells for inmates who broke prison regulations, and the ball and chain for those who tried to escape. The park offers a museum with exhibits, a gift shop, video presentation, picnic area, and restrooms. SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Arizona State Parks strongly believes that social media is a tool for consumers and communities to receive updates. We encourage interaction and discussion on any of our posts. We believe firmly that social media must be a safe space for all participants to engage in full and fair dialogue. All posters are encouraged to agree or disagree on any positions on any of our social media outlets. We remind individuals who post, that children, youth and families have access to all of these posts and we want to maximize participation that is free from intimidation or bullying. Name-calling, intimidation or bullying of other social media participants will never be tolerated. Abusive, excessively disruptive and harassing posts will also be considered prohibitive of the fair and safe space we intend to maintain. Posts with unrelated information or political agendas will be removed. We will monitor communications and take appropriate action in order to ensure that these policies are consistently adhered to.

🎉🔒 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!

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!

🎉🔒 FAMILY DAY IN PRISON 🔒🎉Join us as we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the legendary Yuma Territorial Prison State H...
06/07/2026

🎉🔒 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!

🎟 Tickets available at: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/family-day-in-prison-celebrating-150-years

Happy Higher Education Day! Did you know that opportunities for learning don't just happen in a classroom? Right here in...
06/06/2026

Happy Higher Education Day!

Did you know that opportunities for learning don't just happen in a classroom? Right here in our community, young minds can explore science, engineering, history, nature, and problem-solving through hands-on experiences that inspire future careers and lifelong learning.

This summer, local children ages 5–12 can dive into STEM, environmental science, engineering, and history through the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area's Summer Camp program. From exploring the Colorado River and wetlands ecosystem to tackling engineering challenges and uncovering history at the Yuma Territorial Prison, campers will discover that learning can be an adventure!

🌞 Summer Camp spots are filling FAST for all June sessions:

🚜 June 9–11: Engineering the River
🌱 June 16–18: Wetlands & Desert Explorers
🔒 June 23–25: Prison Break Challenge at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

These engaging camps help spark curiosity, build critical thinking skills, and introduce children to educational opportunities that can shape their future—all right here in Yuma.

✨ Register for one week, two weeks, or all three before sessions fill up!

📍 Colorado River State Historic Park
🔗 Register today: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ycnha-june-summer-camp

Address

220 N. Prison Hill Road
Yuma, AZ
85364

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+19287834771

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park:

Shortcuts

Share