Take a trip through Old West history and visit the cellblocks, guard tower, museum and riverside parkland of this notorious former prison.
The Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is a fascinating destination where you can discover the stories of the Wild West’s lawbreakers amid the desert plains. Explore the 19th-century prison to see what life was like as an inmate within the stonewalled maze or visit the prison’s museum to learn what happened here during the prison’s 33-year tenure.
Begin your visit with a trip to the top of the guard tower, situated at the park’s entrance. This reconstructed tower has magnificent views of the historic site and surrounding parkland, including the Yuma East Wetlands. Stroll down to Sally Port, one of the few remaining original structures of the 1876 complex. This restored adobe structure was the sole entry and exit point for prisoners. Imagine being a 19th-century offender beginning your sentence as an inmate within this forbidding structure.
Walk through a small garden to the entry of the Yuma Territorial Prison Museum. Explore the various exhibits to learn about the 3,069 prisoners who were locked up within the site’s stone cells over the years. See photographs and relics that help paint a picture of the grim prison, which was hand built during the Great Depression. See a digital exhibit that focuses on the prison’s Mormon inmates.
Explore the original stonewalled cells of the cellblock and get insight into what life would have been like for an inmate sharing these confines with five other prisoners. Peer into the Dark Cell to see the infamous punishment chamber for the prison’s rule breakers.
Guided tours and video presentations add to the learning experience at the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park. You can also visit the gift shop or bring some lunch to enjoy at the picnic area. Take in stunning views of the Colorado River and the Yuma Crossing’s granite outcrops from the prison site’s view deck.
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is a 10-minute drive northeast from downtown Yuma. It is open daily in winter, and closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the summer schedule. There is a small admission fee. Explore the surrounding parklands via the designated nature trail, which leads past the prison cemetery, riverside parks and wetlands.
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