Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park occupies the grounds of Arizona Territory's first prison, opened on July 1, 1876, along the banks of the Colorado River in Yuma, Arizona. The original stone and adobe structures — including the cellblocks, main guard tower, and entrance gate — still stand, framing a setting unlike any other event venue in the Southwest. Operated today as a state historic park and museum, the site is managed by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. Manicured grounds surrounding the historic structures are available for weddings and private events, offering backdrops that include the prison's distinctive tower and views of the iconic Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge. The rustic Old West atmosphere gives gatherings here a one-of-a-kind character rooted in more than 150 years of regional history. The park also houses exhibits interpreting the lives of the 3,069 inmates who served sentences here between 1876 and 1909 — context that makes every event held on the grounds a genuinely memorable experience.