Highlights:
Small but scenic lake north of Prescott, mostly surrounded by an unusual landscape of large, rounded granite boulders, some semi-submerged forming promontories and tiny islands; part of the Granite Dells
Nearby town:
Prescott, 4 miles
Management:
City of Prescott
Location:
Seasons:
All year, though this region is cold and snowy in winter
Rating (1-5):
★★★★★
Featured Hotel
Motel 6 Prescott
Budget-priced, exterior corridor motel with outdoor pool, towards the east side of Prescott alongside highway 89; 4 miles from Watson LakeCheck Rates
There are many small reservoirs in the hills of central Arizona, but Watson Lake is perhaps the most unusual and photogenic, as most of the shoreline and the surroundings are formed of huge, rounded granite boulders, some of which are semi-submerged forming tiny islands or narrow promontories. Contrasting with the blue-grey waters and the brownish rocks are the emerald green leaves of aspen trees, found scattered amongst the boulders.
Similar granite landscapes are found in other places nearby, a few miles north and west of Prescott, including Granite Mountain, Granite Dells, and Willow Creek Reservoir, a mile from Watson Lake but not quite as scenic. Both lakes were created early in the 20th century, and are popular mostly for recreation, charging a small fee ($3, in 2024) for day use. Many people come here just for boating, fishing and picnicking, yet the scenery is quite special, enjoyable to explore and good for photography. Watson Lake is the most developed of the two.
Similar granite landscapes are found in other places nearby, a few miles north and west of Prescott, including Granite Mountain, Granite Dells, and Willow Creek Reservoir, a mile from Watson Lake but not quite as scenic. Both lakes were created early in the 20th century, and are popular mostly for recreation, charging a small fee ($3, in 2024) for day use. Many people come here just for boating, fishing and picnicking, yet the scenery is quite special, enjoyable to explore and good for photography. Watson Lake is the most developed of the two.
The Lake
Watson Lake lies on the north side of Prescott along AZ 89 (1.2 miles north of the junction with Prescott Lakes Parkway), and is managed as a city park, complete with such park-like facilities as a playground, bbq area, horseshoe pits, restrooms and a campground (summer only). Past the self-service entrance station, several short side roads lead to overlooks, shoreline access points and boat launch sites. The granite boulder piles extend all around the northwest and northeast shores, and line the exit stream (Granite Creek), which flows north across Chino Valley towards the Verde River. Rocks are similar in shape, color and form to the extensive outcrops in Joshua Tree National Park and many other places in the Southwest.
Trails at Watson Lake
The land on the southeast side of the lake is more traditional - flat, bushy and gently sloping, rising gradually towards 6,178 foot Glassford Hill. The park has a few short trails, carefully routed along fairly level terrain between the boulders, though it is more interesting to scramble around other locations, in particular along some of the narrow ridges that project out from the shoreline. Just as in Joshua Tree NP, the firm, abrasive surface of the boulders make them favorable for rock climbing.
Watson Lake - Nearby Places
- Granite Mountain (13 miles) - prominent granite peak, good for hiking
- Tuzigoot National Monument (35 miles) - Sinagua Indian ruin beside the Verde River
Watson Lake - Similar Places
- Barker Dam, Joshua Tree National Park, California - seasonal pool enclosed by granite boulders
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