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RV Short Stops: Outdoor markets in Yuma

By Julianne G. Crane
3
Oregon RVer Jimmy Smith (far left) shops at an outdoor stall at the popular Arizona Market Place in Yuma. (Julianne G Crane)

The first shopping spree on any stopover in Yuma always includes the two big outdoor markets—Arizona Market Place and Yuma Swap Meet.

Arizona Market Place

Stephie’s Fashion is a typical lady’s wear shop at the Arizona Market Place. (Julianne G. Crane)

This season the Arizona Market Place is about half the size as the last time we shopped here before COVID. It is still a fun outdoor market with large walkways and plenty of places to sit and take a break.

Known for its bargain merchandise, food court, and rotating live entertainment, it opened for business in 2001. There are always vendors selling RV equipment and supplies, inexpensive warm weather resort wear, and caramel corn. It’s a perfect place to snag summer hats, casual dresses and cloth purses. It is always fun to browse, and I always find something to buy.

If you go

Where: Near Ave. 4E and 32nd Street in Yuma
Open: Thursday – Sunday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Admission: Free on week days.
Call: 928-328-1088
Free parking in large paved lot.  Lots of space for RVs and tow vehicles.

Yuma Swap Meet

RVer Jimmy Smith strolls through stalls at Yuma Swap Meet. (Julianne G. Crane)

Every weekend hundreds of vendors are selling, and thousands of shoppers are meandering through this family outdoor market and swap meet. Visitors listen to free live music while shopping. And, we munch on amazing, juicy, bacon-wrapped hot dogs. (Worth the trip alone.)

In operation since the early 1960s, there are bargains on a huge variety of items. There is always lots of local flavor. On one visit we picked up fresh produce, clothing and hand-made tortillas.

Julianne’s hand-painted Butterfly Hat.
Twice on our most recent visit, we got decent deals. Jimmy purchased a small high speed angle grinder for $7 less the marked price.  I fell in love with two hand-painted sun hats priced at $20 each. I was trying to decide on which to buy when  the merchant offered both for $35.  Yes. Ofcourse I took them both.

In addition to the outdoor market, there is a smaller swap meet section with colorful vendors selling everything from used tools to baby furniture.

If you go


Where: Corner of 4th Ave. and 40th Street in Yuma
Open: April – Sept., Sat. and Sun., 6 a.m.–2 p.m.
Oct. – March, Fri.–Sun., 6 a.m.–5 p.m.
Admission: Free (with online coupon) to $5.
Call: 928-726-4655
Free parking in a big dirt field.  Enough space for RVs, but would suggest using your toad.

— Julianne G. Crane
Read more of Julianne’s RV Short Stops posts here.
Read more about the RV Lifestyle by clicking on RVWheelLife.com

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Julianne G. Crane
Julianne G. Cranehttp://www.RVWheelLife.com
Julianne G. Crane writes about the RVing and camping lifestyles for print and online sites. She was been hooked on RVing from her first rig in the mid-1980s. Between 2000-2008, she was a writer for The Spokesman-Review newspaper in Spokane, Wash. One of her popular columns was Wheel Life about RVing in the Pacific Northwest. In 2008, Crane started publishing RV Wheel Life.com. She and her husband, Jimmy Smith, keep a homebase in southern Oregon, while they continue to explore North America in their 21-foot 2021 Escape travel trailer. Over the years they have owned every type of RV except a big class A. “Our needs change and thankfully, there’s an RV out there that fits every lifestyle.”
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Drew
1 year ago

Thanks for this. I’ll check it out if I go to Yuma.

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Rolling Coal
1 year ago

Nothing but over priced junk at both markets!

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Admin
RV Staff
1 year ago
Reply to  Rolling Coal

So, don’t buy anything and don’t go back. There. That was easy. Have a good day. 🙂 –Diane

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