Major city · United States
Dateland
Stop for 1–2 hours, not a night: dates, a milkshake and a fuel top-up on I-8 between Gila Bend and Yuma. Sleep in Yuma or Gila Bend unless you have an RV.
Dateland is a farm settlement of about 250 people on Interstate 8 in Yuma County, Arizona, and it exists because of dates: Medjool and other varieties grown in the surrounding desert since the 1920s. There is one shop, one RV park and no hotel. Treat it as the best leg-stretch between Gila Bend and Yuma, plus two free BLM petroglyph sites within 30 minutes.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Sep (40 °C (104 °F)+ afternoons)avoid Jun–Sep (104 °F (40 °C)+ afternoons)
- Airports
- YUM · PHX
- Nights
- 0
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Dateland911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Yuma County Sheriff (non-emergency)928-783-4427
- BLM Arizona Strip / Lower Sonoran field office623-580-5500
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dateland, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-crime, very low-population desert stop.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 928-783-4427 Yuma County Sheriff (non-emergency) · 623-580-5500 BLM Arizona Strip / Lower Sonoran field office
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYUM Yuma International Airport (About 1 h 15 min west on I-8; small schedule, mostly connections via Phoenix).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or cold drink$3–6
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
- Budget bedDateland RV Park hookup, a night, per roomUS$35
- Mid-range bedDateland RV Park hookup, a night, per roomUS$50
- High-end bedDateland RV Park hookup, a night, per roomUS$70
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$70 · High US$150
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YUM Yuma International Airport (About 1 h 15 min west on I-8; small schedule, mostly connections via Phoenix) · PHX Phoenix Sky Harbor (About 2 h 30 min east via I-8 and AZ-85; the practical gateway for most trips)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dateland: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
3 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
2 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Sep
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. I-8 is the only real access and the town is a strip of exits; the date shop and RV park sit off the same frontage road. Distances between the shop, the ghost town and the petroglyph sites are 6–30 miles, so plan fuel before you leave the interstate.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sears Point petroglyphs
goDoor to door: About 45 min each way
Drive I-8 east, then follow the signed BLM access road; about 19 miles northeast of Dateland
Free, open 24 h, hundreds of petroglyphs on basalt above the Gila River; many visible from the parking area. Paths are unmaintained.
Painted Rock Petroglyph Site
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Drive east on I-8 then north on Rocky Point Rd
BLM site with hundreds of pre-Columbian petroglyphs, picnic tables and vaulted toilets; day use about $2, primitive camping about $8 a night, no water. Busiest Oct–Apr.
Aztec ghost town
cautionDoor to door: About 15 min each way
Exit 73 off I-8, about 6 miles east
Free roadside remains of a Southern Pacific stop: two standing buildings and foundations. A 10-minute look, not a destination.
Yuma
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
I-8 west
Where the beds, restaurants and riverfront are; see the Yuma guide.
Gila Bend
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
I-8 east
Motels and fuel; little else.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dateland RV Park
The only beds in town, and they are hookups, not rooms: electric and sewer, showers and laundry, register at the gift shop. No tent-only or motel option.
Yuma
About 1 h 15 min west on I-8. Full range of motels and chain hotels; the default base for this stretch.
Gila Bend
About 1 h east on I-8. Small motel cluster, useful if you are heading to Phoenix or Tucson.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–60 excl. bed (fuel, one shop stop, picnic)
- Mid
- $60–120 excl. bed (fuel, shop, sit-down meal in Yuma)
- High
- $120+ excl. bed (fuel, shop, hotel in Yuma)
Trip budget
| Motel room in Yuma1 × 1 night × US$110 | US$110 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$70 | US$140 |
| Fuel top-up, one tank1 × US$55 · Prices here are reasonable for the distance, but do not pass on a quarter tank. | US$55 |
| Date shop stop (dates, milkshake, postcards)2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Painted Rock day use1 × US$2 | US$2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$38 |
| Trip total≈ US$208 per person per day, bed included | US$415 |
1 h 15 min west on I-8.
2026 estimate in US dollars; this is a stop, not a stay. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Date milkshake at the date shop | $6–9 |
| Box of Medjool dates | $10–25 |
| Coffee or cold drink | $3–6 |
| Fuel, per gallon on this stretch | $4–5 |
| Painted Rock Petroglyph Site day use | about $2 |
| Painted Rock primitive camping, per night | about $8 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $15–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fuel is scarce on this stretch: fill up at a quarter tank or better, and do not pass Dateland low.
- Summer afternoons regularly pass 40 °C (104 °F); carry water and do not walk far from the car.Summer afternoons regularly pass 104 °F (40 °C); carry water and do not walk far from the car.
- Rattlesnakes are active at the petroglyph sites, most often in warm months — watch where you put hands and feet.
- Sears Point footpaths are not maintained; keep the car on the road and stay on the paths.
- Cell coverage is patchy between exits; download offline maps before the drive.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Yuma County Sheriff (non-emergency)
- 928-783-4427
- BLM Arizona Strip / Lower Sonoran field office
- 623-580-5500
Pocket card
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DatelandDateland
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Yuma County Sheriff (non-emergency)928-783-4427
- BLM field office623-580-5500
Embassy
No consulates here; nearest are in Phoenix and Tucson. Check your country's embassy in Washington, DC for the full list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dateland → Yuma, I-8 west: about 1 h 15 min by car
- Dateland → Gila Bend, I-8 east: about 1 h by car
- Dateland → Phoenix via I-8 and AZ-85: about 2 h 30 min by car
Say or show
- Where is the gas station? — Where is the gas station?
- How much is a box of dates? — How much is a box of dates?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Is there water here? — Is there water here?
- How far to the next town? — How far to the next town?
Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink. The date shop is a counter stop, so a tip is optional.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dateland. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Sep (40 °C+ afternoons) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YUM and PHX: last sensible departure, drive time and an overnight rung in Yuma.
- Walking cluster for the date shop and RV park, with a fuel and water anchor at each exit.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees for the date shop, Sears Point, Painted Rock and Aztec.
- Heat and monsoon fixtures so the summer verdict can go red on its own.
Sources
Ask about Dateland
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