Fun in the Sun

One of the best features of Yuma is the wide variety of outdoor options lurking right outside your door. Don't believe us? Here's a list of what Yuma has to offer - go outside and check it out!

Birds, butterflies and more ...
West Wetlands Park
The 110-acre nature preserve offers a boat ramp for access to the Colorado River and walking trails along the banks. There is also an equestrian area, lakes, bird sanctuaries and butterfly gardens, as well as unique vegetation throughout the park. It's also home to the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Playground, a great place to take your tikes to burn off some steam.

Directions: Take 4th Avenue north, turn left on 1st Street and look for the entrance on the right near 12th Avenue.

Beautiful scenery galore ...
Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge, adjacent to Martinez Lake on the California side, stretches nearly 30 miles along the Colorado River and is home to many species of wildlife. Enjoy fishing, bird watching, photography, open spaces and hiking the Painted Desert Trail.

The visitor center is open year round, Monday through Friday. Also visit Imperial Dam and the All American Canal/ Desalting Works Bureau of Reclamation and Imperial Irrigation building. The dam diverts water from the Colorado River into the canal in California and the Gila Gravity Canal in Arizona.

For more information, call 783-3371

Directions: Take Highway 95 north to Martinez Lake Road and follow the signs.

Time to go fishing ...
Mittry Lake Wildlife Area
Starting with an easy walk at Betty's Kitchen and spreading over 2,400 acres of marshland, this area has many things to offer. There is camping, fishing, swimming, hiking and wildlife.

Directions: Take Highway 95 east to Avenue 7E. Turn north and go approximately 10 miles until the pavement ends.

The first of many...
Laguna Dam
Completed in 1909, this was the first dam constructed by the U.S. government on the Colorado River.

The dam now serves to protect the toe of the Imperial Dam and for partial regulation of river flows. Historically interesting, it was the first rockfill-type diversion dam in the country.

Directions: Take 4th Avenue north to Imperial County Road 5-24. Follow the signs; turn left under the railroad track through the Quechan Reservation and the town of Bard.

A different kind of cooking ...
Betty's Kitchen
The over half-mile, fully-accessible interpretive trail winds through dense river vegetation, past a fishing pier and over a rugged metal bridge. Heavy vegetation and access to water attract many bird species, like herons, songbirds, waterfowl and egrets.

The trail includes shady picnic tables, a small outdoor classroom, armadas and a fishing pier. Open for day use only. There is a $5 daily fee per vehicle.

Directions: Take Highway 95 east to Avenue 7E. Turn north and follow this road for nine miles to just past Laguna Dam. Turn left and follow signs to the Kitchen.

Get sandy ...
Imperial Sand Dunes
Whether you are into off-roading or people-watching, the Imperial Sand Dunes is the place to be in the winter months. The recreation area offers campsites, vendors and an expansive area to play with your sand toys.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 west into California. The first exit for the dunes is Gray's Well Road, followed by Gordan's Well.

In memory ...
Armed Forces Park
Located at the site of the old railroad depot, this park honors Yuma veterans of all military branches with engraved plaques.

Directions: Located in downtown Yuma on Gila Street.

As the world turns ...
Center of the World
The development in Felicity, Calif., features an 18-foot pyramid that marks the Center of the World, according to the eccentric owner. Other features include the Granite Walls of the World Commemorative Center, including the History of French Aviation and the French Foreign Legion wall. Also featured are a section of the Eiffel Tower stairs and a sundial with Michelangelo's "Arm of God."

For more information, call 760-572-0100.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 west, turn right at Sidewinder exit 164.

Prospect for gold ...
Gold Rock Ranch
The ranch features camping and gold prospecting. Nearby is the ghost town of Tumco and the Ogilby Cemetery.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 west, turn right at the Ogilby Road exit and follow the signs.

Smooth sailing ...
Senator Wash Reservoir
Primarily a water adventure area for people with boats, jet skis, water skis and sail boats, this area also offers 470 acres of off-road vehicle trails, as well as camp sites and wildlife viewing. There's a $5 fee per day.

Directions: Take 4th Avenue north to Imperial County Road 5-24. Go north approximately 22 miles to Senator Wash Road. Take this road to South Mesa campground, then turn left and enter the access road to the park on the right.

Merging traffic ...
Colorado and Gila River Confluence
Where the Gila and Colorado Rivers meet there is a well-known party spot on the weekends. People have been spotted tossing Frisbees, playing river football, tubing and floating on the river, just enjoying the sun. It's a great place for younger generations to enjoy.

Directions: Take Avenue 4-1/2E north and follow the canal road. Cross the Main Yuma Canal and take the levee road a half-mile to the first river entrance on the right.

Yuma crossing ...
Gateway Park
Bring a small shovel and bucket, along with your imagination, and head to the Colorado River Beach to build a sandcastle. This unique park features ramadas below the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge.

Directions: Downtown at 1st Street and Gila Street.

Enjoy a river cruise ...
Yuma River Tours
Excursions on the Colorado River with historical narration and views of the scenic wilderness and ancient petroglyphs are available, with lunch and dinner cruises.

For more information regarding the tours, contact Yuma River Tours at 783-4400 or www. yumarivertours.com.

See an Arizona native ...
Palm Canyon Trail
Palm Canyon features a short hike about a half-mile long. The reward? A stand of perhaps the only native palms trees in Arizona. The path is easy to follow, but is steep with large rocks.

Directions: Take Highway 95 north. Turn right at the entrance for Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Follow the dirt road east for nine miles toward a large block mountain. Follow the signs to the parking lot.

Work those leg muscles ...
Telegraph Pass
The trail is actually a service road that leads to the antenna on top of the Gila Mountains near Telegraph Pass. The hike isn't for beginners, due to a steep and winding path toward the top of the mountain.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 east, exit at Fortuna Road. Turn left on Fortune, turn right on North Frontage Road. East on North Frontage Road for two miles until you reach the trail head.

A taste of Mexico ...
Los Algodones, Baja Calif.
Located seven miles southwest of Yuma, this border town offers visitors a marketplace with Mexican arts and crafts, as well as several historical attractions.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 west, to the Algondones/Andrade exit. Turn south on California Highway 186. Visitors can either drive into Mexico, or park at the parking lot on the right just before the border crossing.

Learn a little history ...
Yuma Territorial State Historic Park
The Yuma Territorial State Historic Park offers a glimpse of life for prisoners in Arizona from 1876 to 1909. Visitors can explore prison cells as well as learn the stories of some of the park's most famous inmates. The park also offers sweeping views of the Colorado River. Visitors can also take a short hike down into the old penitentiary cemetery.

Reach the summit ...
Picacho Peak State Park
One hundred years ago, Picacho was a gold mining town with 100 citizens. Today the site is popular with boaters, hikers, anglers and campers. The park offers diverse scenery, including beavertail cactus, wild burros and bighorn sheep.

Directions: Take 4th Avenue north to Imperial County Road S-24. The road to Picacho from Winterhaven is paved only for the first six of 24 miles. The last 18 miles are over a dirt road that is passable for cars and vehicles with trailers and motor homes.

Stop in awe ...
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Offering a wonderful mixture of birds, wildlife, canoeing, fishing and waterfowl, Cibola is perfect for the nature photographer. The refuge office is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily during the summer.

Directions: Take Highway 95 north for approximately two hours.

Buy, sell or trade ...
Quartzsite
The city is best known for its gem and mineral shows along with its massive, continuous swap meets during the winter season. However, the landmark and gravesite of "Hi Jolly" has brought the tiny town national exposure. The former Arab camel driver, Hadji Ali, came to the southwest with a pack of North African camels in 1859.

Directions: Head north on Highway 95.

Dig into some fresh seafood ...
El Golfo de Santa Clara, Son.
This sleepy little fishing village on the eastern coast of the Sea of Cortez offers the down-to-earth atmosphere of an island setting. Two cantinas, El Dolfin and El Capitan, serve the area's most popular dish: shrimp tacos.

Try to avoid the village on Memorial Day weekend, unless you're looking for the big crowds. The three-day weekend is a mini-Mardi Gras, with the beaches packed full of tourists and off-road and all-terrain vehicles spitting sand at all hours of the day.

Directions: Highway 95 south to U.S.-Mexico border, turn right on Mexican Highway 2, follow signs.

See the other side ...
San Felipe, Baja Calif.
On the west side of the Gulf of California, San Felipe offers sandy beaches mixed with volcanic rock formations. A good place for adventure hikes that switch between rocks and sand.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 west and exit west on California Highway 98 to Calexico, Calif. Turn south on California Highway 86 to the U.S.-Mexico border. In Mexico continue south on Mexican Highway 5 to San Felipe.

Cool drink of water ...
Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness
The area, a four-hour drive from Yuma, is named after its early inhabitants, a fierce tribe of the Apaches, and has a colorful history populated by miners, ranchers, hunters and naturalists. Continuous flowing water and a variety of wildlife are additional attractions.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 east to Interstate 10 west; exit at State Route 60 east; exit at Arizona Highway 77.

The wilderness area is off the Highway 77 between Mammoth and Winkleman.

Find peace and quiet ...
Saguaro National Park
The park preserves saguaro cacti and other Sonoran Desert vegetation in two regions, one east and one west of Tucson. Hiking trails, visitor centers and scenic drives are available. For information, contact Rincon Mountain District at 520-733-5153 or Tucson Mountain District at 520-733- 5158.

Directions: Interstate 8 east, merge with Interstate 10 and continue east.

Camp with the cactus ...
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
This site is named for the rare organ pipe cactus species found primarily in the Sonoran Desert. An unpaved circle drive provides scenic views. The visitor center and its museum are open year- round except for the Christmas holiday. Camping is available.

For more information, call 520-387-5834.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 east to Highway 85 south and head 35 miles south of Ajo.

Big fun, small town ...
Puerto Peñasco, Son. (aka Rocky Point)
This small town has big fun to offer and has become one of Mexico's newest tourist sensations. A spring breaker's paradise, Puerto Peñasco offers luxurious resorts and hotels, beautiful golf courses and some of the finest seafood around.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 east to Gila Bend, head south on Highway 85 to U.S.-Mexico border. Take Mexican Highway 8 to Puerto Peñasco.

Room with a view ...
Julian, Calif.
This picturesque mountain town holds quaint antique and gift shops downtown. There's even an old-fashioned soda fountain at one of the local shops. The drive offers panoramic views of the countryside, Lake Cuyamaca and the valley that leads into the town. Some of the areas around the town were ravaged by forest fires in October 2003, but new growth has already begun to blossom.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 west to the Pine Valley exit, north on California Highway 79.

Drive with the devil ...
Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge
A primary protector of the Sonoran Desert ecosystem, this park is excellent for the outdoor wildlife enthusiast. Animals such as bighorn sheep, Sonoran pronghorn and long-nosed bats and countless birds and plants can be seen along the Camino del Diablo, or "Devil's Highway." Open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the park offers free permits to visitors who wish to venture into limited access areas on the refuge.

Directions: Head south on Highway 85. Approximately 2-1/2 hours from Yuma.

Watch the matadors ...
Mexicali, Baja Calif.
The capital of Baja California, Mexicali is known for its huge shopping center, Plaza Cachanilla, and the finest in national and international dining. It's also home to one of the largest bullfighting rings in northern Mexico.

For more information, contact the Mexicali Visitors & Convention Bureau at 1-888-COTUCO-2.

Directions: Take Interstate 8 west, exit west on California Highway 98 to Calexico, turn south on California Highway 86 to U.S.-Mexico border.

Bit of Old England ...
Lake Havasu City
Shipped from England and reassembled stone by stone, the London Bridge graces this resort town. An English-style village offers a colorful shopping experience. Water sports enthusiasts find plenty to do at Lake Havasu State Park. North of town, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is a treat for bird watchers and other nature lovers.

For more information, call 855-2784.

Directions: Take Highway 95 north.

Walk along the river ...
Parker
Research material on ancient and modern Indians complements baskets and other artifacts at the Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum. Campsites, picnic areas, hiking trails and water recreation entice visitors to Buckskin Mountain State Park and River Island Unit, 11 miles north of the city. Take a self-guided tour of the Parker Dam and Power Plant, the world's deepest dam.

For more information, call 667-3232.

Directions: Take Highway 95 north.

Roll through the valley ...
Phoenix area
Although Arizona's capital offers a cosmopolitan array of museums, ethnic restaurants and nightlife, Phoenix also honors its Old West roots with rodeos and Indian celebrations.

Get a feel for the past at the Arizona History Room or the restored turn-of-the-century heritage homes in Phoenix, or take a guided tour through Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West in Scottsdale.

Pan for gold at the Arizona Museum for Youth in Mesa or take a steamboat cruise on Canyon Lake. Be sure to catch a Diamondbacks game at Chase Field or hike along the trails at South Mountain Park. Other highlights include The Phoenix Zoo, Pueblo Grande Museum and Desert Botanical Garden.