Watson Lake and the Granite Dells
City Of Prescott Park · Prescott, Arizona
A reservoir just north of Prescott, surrounded by the Granite Dells — a maze of rounded, weathered granite boulders and domes that rise straight from the water. The dam was built in 1915 to store irrigation water, and the City of Prescott now runs the lake as a park. Paddlers weave kayaks through narrow channels between the rocks, hikers follow white painted dots over the boulders on the Watson Lake Loop, and the Peavine Trail follows an old railway bed along the eastern shore. It is one of the most photographed places in central Arizona, best at sunrise. In 2026 entry was $3 per vehicle, free on Wednesdays, and the park opened 6 AM-10 PM from April to October. Swimming is not allowed.
3101 Watson Lake Road, Prescott, Arizona, 86301, United States
Summer (1 April-31 October): 6 AM-10 PM. Winter (1 November-31 March): 7 AM-6 PM (2026). Check prescott-az.gov for closures and the campground season.
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