Address: 220 Prison Hill Rd, Yuma, AZ 85364
Situated on a bluff in Yuma Arizona overlooking the Colorado River stand the ruins of Arizona’s famous Territorial Prison. In 1849, countless immigrants crossed by Ferry from Yuma to California. The territorial prison was authorized by the legislature in 1875. The first few prisoners were law violators such as the legendary stagecoach robber Pearl Hart and continued in operation for 33 years where all inmates were moved to a new facility in Arizona due to overcrowding.
It took us about 10 minutes to get to Yuma Territorial Prison from our Hampton Inn Hotel. It was very hot and humid at the time of our visit. We were greeted by the staff members and we paid an entrance fee of $14 for adults(14+), $8 for youth(7-13 yrs), and free for children (0-6 yrs). The staff member escorted us outside and briefly explained what to see, expect, and safety rules. It was a self-guided tour and we just followed the arrow or signs from each area of interest. I even saw the famous Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge built in 1915 and is a through truss bridge spanning the Colorado River in Yuma, Arizona. It was the first highway crossing of the lower Colorado and is the earliest example of a through truss bridge in Arizona.
The surrounding area is well maintained and clean with some benches available to sit down, rest and enjoy the view. One of the best part of our tour was the air conditioned Museum where it showcased or stored some of the inmates history, background including the women prisoners. They even have a room where to show a movie about the prison’s history.
The most interesting and memorable experience was going inside the individual cell, dark chambers, seeing their beds how the prisoners daily life back in the days. We even saw a guard tower near the entrance which provides a good view of the Colorado River and the local areas.
Tips: Bring bottled water as the weather is hot and humid in the summer. There is also a pathway leading down to the river underneath the Ocean to Ocean bridge where people were swimming and having a picnic.
Let me know if you have any questions, comments or what you think about the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park after your visit in the comments below. And kindly share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.