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Yuma
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Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

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Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

See all things to do
See all things to do
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
4.5
1,442
#1 of 41 things to do in Yuma
Historic Sites • State Parks • History Museums
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Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
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. Today 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 prison houses photographs and colorful exhibits of those who once “involuntarily” stayed there and the harsh life they had to endure.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,442 reviews
Excellent
837
Very good
515
Average
74
Poor
12
Terrible
4
harryatkck
Kansas City, KS875 contributions
A Great Experience
Feb 2022
Life was not easy here & this museum does a great job of telling what it was like to be incarcerated here. There is a lot to see here & much of the original prison remains. What I really appreciated is that I am a disabled veteran & this is one of the few places I have been that give admission discounts to disabled veterans. Thank You!
Written March 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
EugeC
San Diego, CA237 contributions
Woth a Stop to See
Mar 2022
Very well done! Interesting and informative way to spend an hour or two. The Yuma Territorial Prison park is a must-see for children and adults, men and women visiting Yuma. In addition to the special experience of seeing an old prison up close and learning about a slice of Yuma's history (along with learning about some characters and prisoners), visitors can also enjoy scenic views from the park grounds.

Visitors should note that there is no hot food or much in the way of outdoor shaded seating at the park. The premises do include an air-conditioned building with well-researched and engaging exhibits plus a small movie theater with seats.
Written April 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
NF2013_13
Orlando, FL827 contributions
Welcome to the Big House
Jun 2020
While in Laramie, four of us took a short drive to this historic prison site. We were the only ones there aside from 2 volunteers and the lady in the gift shop, which was great considering this is the year of Covid. The volunteer at the front gate gave us some interesting background on the site. We then entered to begin our self-guided tour. Wow, the interior was amazing and knowing the facts on prison life here made us wanting to learn even more. There were even 19 women incarcerated here within the time the prison was functioning as such. We then moved onto the Broom Factory, learning how that was built at the prison as a viable business where many of the prisoners worked. Butch Cassidy is the most famous outlaw to have been incarcerated here. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a look-see.
Written July 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KathyTX
Gold Canyon, AZ134 contributions
See the Prison
Oct 2021
Amazed at all the historical data available. The museum was fascinating. All photos of the inmates lots of women charge with adultery. Couldn't believe all the crafts these prisoners made during their incarcerations. It was really well presented. The entrance fee was very low we paid $6.00 each for seniors. The cells were available to look at.
Written October 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sal_Paradise767
Durham, NC5,295 contributions
Worth Being Sentenced To
Feb 2021
This is a fun place to explore. They have done a good job combining both the historical buildings from the prison along with information so you learn a lot. It's presented in a fun but historical way and their docents are really helpful and knowledgeable. A lot of it is also outside which is never a bad thing in this current climate.
Written February 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Colin M
Edmonton, Canada139 contributions
Very interesting and informative
Jan 2020
Our prisons are mansions compared to this one. Just cant imagine being in this back in the 1890's it gives a sense of what it was like being incarcerated at the turn on the century. Having to live with 6 people in a small cell would have made it difficult and if you did not behave you were sent to the "Dark Cell"...No thanks
Written January 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Zoom_Gotti
Henderson, NV1,343 contributions
Presents A Nice History of Old Yuma
Mar 2021
Worth visiting for a bit. Gives you a nice history of the old West in this region. Much of the original grounds are gone, but the museum has photos to give you a good sense of the layout. Also histories of some of the inmates as well as their jailers. Most of the site is outdoors as you overlook the Colorado and what is now a refurbished wetland area. You can walk into osme of the cells. The short movie in the museum is worth watching. And I always though the Earps were good guys until I read a little about them here. To get here you'll need to find Prison Hill Road. After, you can park down in the park and explore the river area a bit. Don't forget to visit the cemetery area below the parking.
Written March 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Shane
25 contributions
A gem of Western History
Mar 2022
We were passing through Yuma and decided to make the stop to check this out. Having recently finished a book about Pearl Hart, who was housed here for robbing a stage coach, made it that much more interesting. Much of the prison remains and they do a wonderful job through audio at the cells in telling the 'story' of the inmates. You can see it all in less than an hour (though you could easily spend more time) so even if you're just passing through it's an interesting place to stretch your legs and check out some real western history.
Written March 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Creeping_Death_LA
Los Angeles, CA4,147 contributions
Love these type of landmarks
May 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has this park closed at the moment. We walked around the area and visited the old cemetery with no names on the grave sites. Despite the pandemic they should open up the prison and allow only a certain number of people inside at a time.
Written May 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Diane S
Cushing, WI9 contributions
Great tour!!
Feb 2022 • Couples
I loved touring this prison. The stories of the inmates and the prison itself gave oneself a feel for what life was like back then. The darkroom was very errie with a haunting like feeling.
Make sure to check out the cemetery when you visit
Written February 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park
Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park is open:
  • Thu - Mon 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM