Yuma dates back to the founding of two spanish missions in 1779 at this easily accessible crossing of the Colorado River into California by Father Garces. The original settlement was decimated by the last major uprising of the Yuma Indians. In 1864, the US Army established a major base here.

• Arizona Historical Society Century House Museum and Gardens
  240 Madison Ave, Yuma, AZ 85364; 782-1841
  Hours: 10-4 Tues- Sat / Free Admission
  Late 19th-century home of pioneer merchant E.F. Sanguinetti. Contains many period furnishings, decor, gardens, aviaries. Special exhibits on early Yuma history.

• Sahati Camel Farm and Desert Animal Breeding Center
  15672 S. Ave 1E, Yuma, AZ 85364; 627-2553
  Guided Tours only at 10AM and 2PM Oct thru May; $3 Fee
  Facility dedicated to the conservation of Arabian desert wildlife includes camels, water buffalo, ibexes, oryxes, and desert foxes.

• Yuma Crossing State Historical Park
  206 N. 4th Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364; 329-0404
  Hours: Daily 10-5 / $3 Admission
  10 acre sites includes several restored buildings of former U.S. Army Quartermaster Depot (1864-1883). This facility distributed supplies to military outposts of the Southwest.

• Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
  4th Ave. Yuma, AZ; 783-4771
  Hours Daily 8-5 / $3 Admission
  Late 19th century prison located on bluff above the Colorado River held up to 3,000 prisoners from 1876-1909. Visitors can see the cellblocks and museum made with thich adobe bricks.

• Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
  P.O. Box 77217, Yuma, AZ 85364; 783-3371
  Open Daily Dawn-Dusk / Free Admission
  25,125 acres on straddling both sides of the Colorado River. Home to Canadian Geese, ducks, egrets and eagles. The Arizona section is reached 40 miles north of Yuma by taking the Martinez Lake Road turnoff from US-95. Other area can only be reached by boat. Hunting season opens on Labor Day. This area is popular for hunting, hiking, fishing and boating.

• Kofa National Wildlife Refuge 783-7861
  Open Daily Dawn-Dusk / Free Admission
  Great expanse of the Arizona Desert between Yuma and Quartzsite encompassing the Kofa and Castle Dome Mountains which are home to desert bighorn sheep and native Arizona desert palms. Access limited to off-road vehicles. No firearms allowed except during hunting season.