Written and Photographed by Jennifer Skinnell

Yuma, Arizona, is about as far southwest as you can go and still be in the United States. The area may be in the desert, but Yuma also has a prosperous agricultural business. Ninety percent of U.S. leafy products are grown in Yuma County. There are a lot of exciting locations in and around Yuma that you should check out.

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10. Visit Loren Pratt’s Little Chapel—Drive north on Highway 95, and you’ll find this adorable chapel on the left in the middle of an agricultural field. The front sign says, “Pause, Rest, Worship,” which thousands of people do yearly. Loren Pratt built this chapel on his farmland to honor his wife before she passed, and now his son, Cecil, maintains the farm and property. There are no services at this chapel, but you’re encouraged to enter, have a seat and reflect.

9. Visit the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground—Continue north on Highway 95 to the Yuma Proving Ground after visiting the Little Chapel. Because of security concerns, you must undergo a computer background check before entering the proving ground—unless you have a military identification card or Common Access Card (CAC) authorizing you to enter. They conduct these at the Visitor Control Center on Imperial Dam Road. If you do not wish to enter the grounds, there’s a free outdoor museum at the entrance to the facility. There you’ll see tanks and other equipment used in various conflicts.

8. Visit the Center of the World—Take a short drive from Yuma on I-8 to Felicity, California, and you’ll find the Center of the World; at least according to Jacques-André Istel, a Korean War veteran who bought this barren desert land and made his own town. He then declared Felicity the center of the world and began collecting artifacts that reminded him of his homeland of France. Along with a Korean War Memorial, you’ll find a set of stairs from the Eiffel Tower and the Church on the Hill at Felicity, which overlooks a fascinating use of granite. Master carvers are carving the History of the World on substantial granite slabs. This is a sight to behold, from replicas of famous paintings, memorials to fallen service members, the history of the United States, and so much more. And for a small fee, you can enter the pyramid and stand at the Center of the World.

7. Visit Historic Downtown Yuma—Visit historic downtown Yuma and get a sense of the town’s history, known as the “Gateway of the Great Southwest.” Shops featuring local artisans, a movie theater, several bars and local restaurants line the streets. Have a great Italian dinner at Da Boyz or go across the street and have a coney dog and milkshake at Lutes Casino. This longtime Yuma landmark has a rich history and vast menu, and the staff doesn’t mind telling you their own ghost stories that have made this location a stop on various ghost-hunting shows, including Ghost Adventures. Ask staff to share their favorite stories.

6. Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge—The name of this bridge is intriguing because there are no oceans near Yuma! So why the name? Located not far from downtown Yuma, the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge was the first vehicle bridge built to cross the Colorado River. There had been a railroad bridge, but until 1915, a ferry was the only way for traffic to cross the river from Arizona to California. It is still a one-lane crossing, with traffic lights at both ends directing traffic. Pedestrian walkways on either side allow foot and bicycle traffic to cross the bridge safely.

5. Los Algodones, Mexico—A short 22-minute car ride west on Highway 8 and south on CA-186 is a large parking lot just before the Mexican border. This is where many people park before walking across the border into the Mexican city of Los Algodones, or the Molar City. Los Algodones is home to more than 100 dentists, vision centers and pharmacies, all waiting to treat Americans and Canadians looking for low-cost healthcare and prescriptions. And with that are countless locals displaying their wares along the sidewalks, which can be a bit overwhelming and a little claustrophobic. There are two things to remember. You should take your passport to return to the U.S. and make sure you know the correct local time when the border will close for the day. You may be left in Mexico overnight if you aren’t across by then.

4. Jeeping in the Yuma Desert—If you love taking your Jeep out for long rides through the desert, Yuma may be just your place. Whether climbing the rugged trails above the agricultural fields, traversing the flatter trails south of Yuma or driving out to the Imperial Sand Dunes to the west, Yuma has something for everyone. There are various websites with maps of countless trails and even Jeeping clubs in Yuma that are happy to be your guide. Be sure to take plenty of water and food and have a way to air up your tires after a day of exploring because you’ll want to air down your tires for the sandy trails.

3. Visit the Colorado River State Historic Park—On the north side of Yuma, just south of I-8, sits the Colorado River State Historic Park on the Yuma Quartermaster Depot (QMD) site. Tour the QMD and learn about Army life in the desert in the late 1800s. The state park museum tells the story of the Yuma Project and how the Bureau of Reclamation took over the property in 1904 after the Army had vacated the premises. Yuma and the surrounding area needed water for irrigation purposes for the vast cropland, so water was redirected from the north along the Colorado River through a series of dams and canals, culminating with the Colorado River siphon which moved the water under the road through a large tunnel into Yuma. The museum also features a vast collection of sea, rail and road artifacts, including the Southern Pacific Railway.

2. Climb Telegraph Pass Trail—If you love hiking or if you love a challenge, the Telegraph Pass is for you. North of I-8 to the east of Yuma sits this challenge. From a distance, it’s not that intimidating. There are several one- to two-mile hikes around its base. These can also be a bit strenuous because it can be hard to follow the trail, and you can traverse the small canyons and hills. However, the challenge begins once you get to the base of Telegraph Pass and the paved section. With an elevation gain of about 700 feet in less than one mile and a steep 45-degree incline at times, this one will give you a great cardio workout. However, the views at the top of the surrounding farmlands below are worth the climb.

1. Yuma Territorial Prison Museum—In 1876, they broke ground for the prison. Prisoners were tasked with building their own cells. Home to some of the most unscrupulous criminals in the desert southwest, the prison was dubbed the “Country Club on the Colorado” because it had electricity, forced ventilation and running water on the property. Many of the surrounding homes didn’t even have that! They housed both men and women here. The prison and adjoining cemetery closed after 33 years due to overcrowding. However, many of their spirits are rumored to be still roaming the grounds. The prison is now part of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area.

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