Yuma, Arizona – The” Sunniest Place on Earth.” A city bursting with life amidst and dry and barren desert.
Chris and I recently had an unexpected change in our rv travel plans that brought us to the Yuma area. Up until that point I had only heard of Yuma once in my life. Funny enough, it was the week before in Texas when our neighbor, Sophie, told us her plans to explore the area and travel over the border into Mexico.
Long story short, we were originally meant to be in New Mexico, but when those plans fell through the only campground available in our network was a 12-hour drive to Yuma. All of this made for a crazy travel weekend. You can hear the whole story here.
During our stay, I was able to explore the popular and remote natural areas that are scattered in and around Yuma. I loved the scenery so much that I compiled a list of my favorite spots to share with you. Here you go, friend!
What to Know Before You Go
Summer is brutal
It gets HOT in the desert during the summer months. I highly recommend visiting in winter or spring when the blazing hot temperatures are few and far between. If you plan to visit in the summer, try to explore in the morning before the sun has reached its peak or around sunset. It will still be hot, but at least the sun won’t be out to get you. Remember to drink LOTS of water no matter the time of year you’re visiting!
Follow the Leave No Trace Principles
As you explore the beauty in and around Yuma, please follow the Leave No Trace Principles (read about them here). These principles exist to help respect, support, and protect the incredible wildlife and habitats that call the area home. Not to mention, they also keep you safe!
Nature Spots + Hikes
Tumco, CA
A short 30-minute drive from Yuma lies the ghost town of Tumco. Formerly known as Hedges, the area was home to one of the earliest gold mine operations in California. Despite its early discovery, Tumco’s history wasn’t always golden. It experienced the ebb and flow of prosperity and poverty until it was abandoned in 1905. Since then, Tumco has been acquired by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The history of the town really is quite interesting, but I think the views are what make it special. The booming Cargo Muchacho Mountains line one side of the road while the Imperial Sand Dunes off in the distance line the other. Whether you visit Gold Rock Ranch, hike through the Cargo Muchacho Mountains, or experience the beauty from your car, a trip to Tumco won’t disappoint.
Pilot Knob Mesa
If you look to the West of Yuma, you will see the peak of Pilot Knob Mesa. It may stand alone, but it’s actually part of the Cargo Muchacho Mountains (mentioned in the Tumco section above), located directly across from I-8. If you’re looking for the best views of Yuma, Mexico, and the Imperial Sand Dunes, a moderate 1.4-mile out-and-back hike will get you there.
Even though it’s a shorter hike, you still gain 538 ft. of elevation, so be prepared for some steep inclines. I highly recommend following the trail on AllTrails since there are no signs for the hike. The trail can be confusing at times, but as long as you’re paying attention to the trail map on AllTrails, you should be fine. It’s unlikely you’ll encounter other people on the trail – I hiked it twice and didn’t see a single person – so not only do you get the incredible views, but you also get to experience the peace and quiet of an unpopular location.
Imperial Sand Dunes
Did you know that the largest mass of sand dunes in California is less than an hour away from Yuma? It’s like a never-ending playground for people of all ages. The sand dunes stretch more than 40 miles and average a 5-mile bandwidth. This is a popular destination for those with OHVs (off-highway vehicles), but you can also hike along the dunes! A section of the dunes called the “North Algodones Dunes Wilderness” is the perfect place to hike since all vehicles are prohibited from driving in the dunes.
If you’re planning on camping or using an OHV in the dunes from October 1 to April 15 you will need to purchase a recreational permit.
Picacho State Recreation Area
Like Tumco, Picacho was once a gold-mining town with a tiny population. Today, the Picacho area is a State Park and offers quite the adventure for people looking to get away from the city and out into the middle of nowhere. A beautiful middle of nowhere though, might I add.
To get to the recreation area, you will need to travel on Picacho Rd. from Winterhaven, CA. I made the mistake of traveling on Indian Pass Rd from Winterhaven (the short route to the recreation from Yuma on Apple Maps), and I don’t recommend following suit. California Department of Parks and Recreation advises only cars with 4WD drive on Piacho Rd. due to deep sand in some areas, so those without one may have to forgo this adventure (definitely second this).
If you have the vehicle and the time, then a Picacho State Recreation Area adventure (wow that’s a mouthful) is waiting for you! It’s a beautiful and quiet area – what more could you ask for on a beautiful day?
Telegraph Pass Trail
Whew. Just thinking about this hike makes me tired all over again. Great introduction, right? Listen, this hike is not for the faint of heart, but the views at the top are spectacular. You’ll gain over 1,400 ft. of elevation on this 5.3-mile hike, almost a thousand of which are gained in the last 0.5 mile up. Like I said, it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re thinking “yeah, that’s a big fat NO for me, Kaitlin,” don’t worry, you don’t have to hike all the way up.
You can stop and turn around before the section gets super steep, or you can grin and bear it and face the Mount Everest of Yuma – no, it’s not actually called that, but that’s exactly what it feels like when you’re ascending AND descending. Just to give you a glimpse of the steepest section, here you go ↓.
Yes, it’s insane. But all jokes aside it’s a great workout and the views from the top are out of this world. We’re giving you the thumbs up, so you got this! You can find the trail map on AllTrails here.
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge
If you’re up for a drive, Kofa National Wildlife Refuge is stunning. But don’t be fooled by the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge that pops up on Apple Maps like I was. Those directions will take you to an office building right outside of Yuma and nowhere near the actual wildlife refuge. My husband and I accidentally went there for a sunset one day and…let’s just say we didn’t actually make it to the actual wildlife refuge for sunset. The wildlife refuge is 40 miles north of Yuma, east of Highway 95, and it can take up to two hours to get there.
We drove out towards Kofa National Wildlife Refuge a couple of days later, and wow, the views were incredible. Adventuring there, you’ll find vast landscapes to explore and protected wildlife species like desert bighorn sheep, badgers, foxes, kangaroo rats, and more. There are many activities to do while you’re here, like hiking, biking, camping, birding, horseback riding, picnicking, and wildlife watching. It’s a great way to learn about and see the wildlife that calls Southern Arizona home, as well as some beautiful sights along the way!
Bonus: Our Favorite Food Spots
River City Grill
Are you looking to enjoy more of an upscale dinner? Then, River City Grill is the place for you. Its menu is filled with delicious and unique options from the Mediterranean, Pacific Rim, India, and the Caribbean. The quality of their food is outstanding because they focus on using fresh ingredients. Plus, they have plenty of options for my vegetarian and vegan friends (and they’re actually good options – not just a Beyond Burger).
Dog Haus
This place hit the spot after a long and tiring day of hiking. Their menu is jam-packed with hot dogs, sausages, burgers, and chicken served on Hawaiian rolls. Sounds like paradise, right? If meat isn’t your thing, don’t worry; there’s a whole section filled with fantastic vegetarian options. I highly recommend trying their Das Brat (it’s a classic) and the Sooo Veggie Brat. Both were out of this world!
What About You?
Where’s your favorite natural area and/or hike in Yuma? Let me know in the comments below!
