Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park

Standing along the banks of the Colorado River in downtown Yuma, the Quartermaster Depot preserves one of the most important military supply posts in the American Southwest. From 1864 to 1883, this depot served as the primary distribution hub funneling food, equipment, and ammunition to every Army outpost across the Arizona and New Mexico territories. Steamboats navigated up the Colorado from the Gulf of California to offload cargo here — making Yuma the gateway to the frontier.

Today, visitors can explore several original and restored buildings, including the commanding officer’s quarters, the storehouse, and the commissary. Indoor exhibits trace the depot’s role in westward expansion, the steamboat era on the Colorado River, and daily life for soldiers stationed at this remote desert post. A restored garden and shaded grounds offer a quiet retreat along the riverfront.

The park does not offer camping, but Yuma has plenty of accommodations nearby, and the adjacent Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park makes for a natural pairing if you’re spending the day exploring the area’s frontier history.

The best time to visit is October through April, when Yuma’s brutal summer heat gives way to mild, sunny days in the 70s and 80s. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 110°F, so plan accordingly if visiting June through September.

With a 4.5-star rating across 444 reviews, the Quartermaster Depot rewards visitors who appreciate tangible connections to the West’s rougher, wilder past — no reconstructions or theme-park gloss, just authentic desert history on the river’s edge.

Explore Nearby

• Tonto National Forest — National Forest in Arizona
• Prescott National Forest — National Forest in Arizona
• Sky Island Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Arizona
• Red Rock Scenic Byway — Scenic Byway in Arizona
• Hassayampa River Canyon Wilderness — Public Land in Arizona