🌤 Weather at Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52–97 °F | 69–109 °F | 50–104 °F | 44–75 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Yuma Quartermaster Depot, 0 mi away, elevation 160 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🚢 The Gateway to California — Where Steamboats, Soldiers, and Dreamers Crossed the Colorado River — Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park (Colorado River State Historic Park) in Yuma, Arizona, established 1864, U.S. Army supply depot serving frontier posts across AZ/NV/UT/NM/TX, Colorado River steamboat landing, restored storehouse/commanding officer’s quarters/corral, Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area, oldest buildings in Arizona — Yuma County, AZ
For two decades — from 1864 to 1883 — every bullet, every bag of flour, every nail used by the U.S. Army across the entire Southwest came through this spot on the Colorado River. Goods arrived by ocean vessel to the Gulf of California, traveled upriver by steamboat to Yuma, and were loaded onto mule-drawn wagon trains bound for frontier posts from Texas to Nevada.
The Yuma Quartermaster Depot was the supply hub of the American frontier — the logistical chokepoint that made military operations in the Southwest possible. Today, its restored buildings are among the oldest surviving structures in Arizona.
What to See
| Building | Details |
|---|---|
| Storehouse | Massive supply warehouse now housing exhibits on the Colorado River steamboat era. Scale models of the stern-wheelers that brought supplies upriver from the Gulf of California |
| Commanding Officer’s Quarters | Restored to 1870s military life. Period furniture, personal effects, and the reality of frontier command — 120°F summers, isolation, and supply shortages |
| Quartermaster Office | Exhibits on Army logistics, frontier uniforms, and the depot’s later use as a telegraph station and U.S. Weather Service post |
| Corral House | Where hundreds of mules were housed for the wagon trains. Now features Colorado River natural history exhibits |
| Grounds | Shaded grounds along the Colorado River. Interpretive paths connecting all buildings. Part of the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area |
The Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| ~1540 | Spanish explorer Hernando de Alarcón reaches the Yuma Crossing — already an ancient Quechan crossing point |
| 1849 | California Gold Rush. Thousands of “49ers” cross the Colorado at Yuma — the only practical crossing for hundreds of miles |
| 1850 | Fort Yuma established on the California side to protect the crossing |
| 1864 | Yuma Quartermaster Depot established on the Arizona side. Becomes the central supply hub for all Army posts in the Southwest |
| 1864–1883 | Steamboats bring supplies up the Colorado from the Gulf. Mule trains carry them to frontier posts across five territories |
| 1877 | The Southern Pacific Railroad reaches Yuma. The steamboat era begins to decline |
| 1883 | Depot closes. The railroad has made steamboat supply obsolete |
| 1997 | Yuma Crossing designated a National Heritage Area — one of the most historically significant river crossings in America |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Best For |
|---|---|
| Winter (Nov–Feb) | ☀️ Perfect Yuma weather — 70s°F, sunny, dry. Peak season for Arizona snowbirds |
| Spring (Mar–Apr) | 🌵 Comfortable before the heat arrives. Desert wildflowers. Colorado River at its best |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | Cooling down from summer. Good touring weather returns |
| Summer (May–Sep) | Extreme heat — 115°F+. Yuma is one of the hottest cities in America. Not recommended |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Yuma so important?
Geography. The Yuma Crossing was the only practical crossing of the Colorado River for hundreds of miles. Every 49er heading to California, every soldier heading to a frontier post, and every supply wagon heading west had to pass through here.
What were the steamboats like?
Shallow-draft stern-wheelers that navigated the Colorado River from the Gulf of California to as far north as present-day Nevada. They carried supplies, soldiers, and civilians. The depot’s storehouse museum has scale models and photographs of these vessels.
Are these really the oldest buildings in Arizona?
Among the oldest surviving structures. The depot buildings date to the 1860s–1870s, making them some of the earliest permanent American-built structures in what was then Arizona Territory.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (a short drive away) and Colorado River State Historic Park (elsewhere in the state).
🚢 Every Supply for the Southwest Came Through Here
Steamboats. Mule trains. 120°F summers. The Yuma Quartermaster Depot supplied the entire frontier — from the Gulf of California to the deserts of Nevada.
Wildlife & Nature
Yuma QM Depot SHP — a Civil War-era military supply depot (1864-1883) on the Colorado River. The depot’s historic buildings, river, and desert support roadrunners, cactus wrens, and migratory waterfowl.
Nearby Attractions
Yuma — adjacent — one of the sunniest cities on Earth. Yuma Territorial Prison SHP — nearby. Colorado River — at the park.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Dogs are allowed at most Arizona State Parks on trails and in campgrounds, though allowances vary by park and visitors should check individual park pages before traveling.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Dogs must be tethered on a leash 6 feet or shorter at all times.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No single statewide swim-beach rule; some parks provide designated dog beaches (e.g. Cattail Cove's dog beach).
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pet-friendly cabins and camping are offered at several parks (e.g. Alamo Lake, Dead Horse Ranch, Lyman Lake); dogs are not allowed in the cabins at Lost Dutchman State Park.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Buckskin Mountain and River Island State Parks have fenced off-leash dog parks for registered guests.
Are dogs allowed at Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park?
Dogs are allowed at most Arizona State Parks on trails and in campgrounds, though allowances vary by park and visitors should check individual park pages before traveling. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via azstateparks.com. More: Arizona state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
