West Wetlands Park, Yuma Travel Guide

4.7 (2401)

Discover Yuma's premier riverfront park: a revitalized space offering recreation, nature, and community spirit along the Colorado River.

Home
Travel Guides
Arizona
Yuma
West Wetlands Park

West Wetlands Park in Yuma, Arizona, is a 110-acre public park located along the Colorado River. Once a city landfill, it has been transformed into a popular recreational area with restored wetlands, a fishing pond, playgrounds, and walking trails.

A brief summary to West Wetlands Park

282 N 12th Ave, Yuma, Arizona, 85364, US
Click to display
Click to display

Monday 6 am-11 pm
Tuesday 6 am-11 pm
Wednesday 6 am-11 pm
Thursday 6 am-11 pm
Friday 6 am-11 pm
Saturday 6 am-11 pm
Sunday 6 am-11 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring West Wetlands Park.

Bring your fishing gear! The pond is stocked with various fish, but a fishing license is required.
Visit the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground (Castle Park), a unique and imaginative play area for children.
Explore the hummingbird garden and burrowing owl habitat for a chance to see local wildlife.
Enjoy a walk or bike ride along the paved multi-use trails, offering scenic views of the park and the Colorado River.
Pack a picnic to enjoy at one of the ramadas or picnic areas throughout the park.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more about listing your business on Evendo

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

Colorado River State Historic Park

Historic Downtown Yuma Gateway

Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens

Yuma City Water Tower

Explore West Wetlands Park on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near West Wetlands Park, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From the Yuma Main Street area, head north on 1st Avenue, then turn left onto 3rd Street. Continue west on 3rd Street, crossing under the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway Bridge. Turn right onto 12th Avenue and continue north for several blocks. The park entrance will be on your left. The walk is approximately 1 mile and should take about 20 minutes. No costs are associated with walking.
Public Transport

Yuma County Area Transit (YCAT) routes 4 and 4A stop near West Wetlands Park. From the YCAT Transit Center, take either route 4 or 4A and exit at the 3rd Street and 17th Avenue stop. From there, walk north on 17th Avenue, then turn left onto 12th Avenue. The park entrance will be on your right. A one-way fare on YCAT is $1.50. Exact change is required.
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Yuma. From Yuma International Airport, a taxi or ride-share to West Wetlands Park will cost approximately $10-$15. The ride is about 5 miles and should take around 10-15 minutes, depending on traffic.

Discover more about West Wetlands Park

West Wetlands Park is a testament to community revitalization, transforming a former city landfill into a thriving riverfront park. Opened in December 2002, the park spans 110 acres along the Colorado River, offering a diverse range of recreational and natural attractions.The park's history is remarkable. From 1910 to 1970, the area served as Yuma's landfill. After its closure, the site became blighted and inaccessible. In the 1980s, local citizens envisioned a riverfront park, and after years of planning and fundraising, the dream became a reality. Community volunteers played a crucial role in constructing the park.Today, West Wetlands Park features restored native trees and grasses, a 15-foot-deep fishing pond stocked with various fish species, picnic areas, and walking paths. A highlight is the Stewart Vincent Wolfe Creative Playground, also known as Castle Park, designed with inspiration from local elementary school students and built with the help of thousands of volunteers. The park also includes a hummingbird garden, a solar demonstration garden, and a burrowing owl habitat with a viewing platform. Visitors can enjoy Centennial Beach along the Colorado River, a boat launch, and various water activities.West Wetlands Park is managed by the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area Corporation and maintained by the City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department. It stands as a symbol of Yuma's commitment to environmental rehabilitation and community engagement.