Watson Lake, Arizona, USA

Also known as:  Watson Reservoir

Watson Lake is one of two reservoirs (Willow Creek Lake being the other) located within the Granite Dells just outside of Prescott in North Central Arizona. The Granite Dells are a unique geological feature consisting of massive granite boulders that have eroded into rounded bumpy and unusual shapes giving the rocks a rippled appearance. The two lakes combined with numerous hiking trails offer a great place for…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Watson Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Watson Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Watson Lake, AZ

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Arizona - North Central Arizona -

    Watson Lake is one of two reservoirs (Willow Creek Lake being the other) located within the Granite Dells just outside of Prescott in North Central Arizona. The Granite Dells are a unique geological feature consisting of massive granite boulders that have eroded into rounded bumpy and unusual shapes giving the rocks a rippled appearance. The two lakes combined with numerous hiking trails offer a great place for boating, picnicking, hiking, and birding. For those who remember the movie, Billy Jack, Watson Lake was used for many scenes in the film.

    Watson Lake, named after Senator James Watson of Indiana, a principal investor in the Arizona Land and Irrigation Company, is a 380-acre lake that was formed in the early 1900s when the Chino Valley Irrigation District built a dam on Granite Creek. The City of Prescott bought the reservoir and surrounding land in 1997 to preserve it as recreational land. Watson Lake is located about four miles from downtown Prescott and features fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking rock climbing, camping, birding, and day picnicking.

    Boats with gas powered and electric powered motors are allowed on Watson Lake, but there is a maximum five mile an hour “no wake” speed limit. The calm water is perfect for kayaks and canoes which are available for rent if you do not have your own. There is one boat ramp for easy access onto the lake.

    Anglers can fish from boats or from the shore of Watson Lake. Fish varieties include largemouth bass, crappie, yellow bullhead, bluegill and sunfish. May and June are the best months for sunfish activity. Kids will have a great time fishing from shore or from a floating dock. A fish cleaning station is available for anyone thinking of having fish for lunch or dinner.

    Overnight and RV camping is allowed on Watson Lake during the summer months only. There are no hookups on Watson Lake but there are other campgrounds near the lake that offer water and electrical hookups. Restrooms, showers, picnic tables, BBQ grills, covered gazebos, horseshoe pits, and playground equipment is available for visitors to Watson Lake. Although the water is clear and the air is warm, swimming is not allowed in the lake.

    Hikers visiting Watson Lake will want to explore the Prescott Peavine National Recreation Trail which runs along the southeastern side of the lake and into the scenic Granite Dells region. The nearly level, packed-gravel trail is well used by joggers, walkers, cyclists, and equestrians. The Peavine Trail intersects with the Iron King Trail which continues on into the Prescott Valley. A 125-acre Watson Woods Riparian Preserve is located near the Peavine Trail and offers bird watchers a chance to spot hundreds of bird species including eagles and hawks.

    Rock climbers will want to tackle the challenging granite formations that surround Watson Lake. Mountain rescue groups use the area for training.

    If primitive camping isn’t your idea of fun, the city of Prescott offers all sorts of vacation rentals. Just four miles from Watson Lake, Prescott is a small, but thriving city on the northern edge of the rugged Bradshaw Mountains. Prescott weather offers four mild seasons and low humidity throughout the year. Restaurants, shopping, and multiple golf courses are available throughout the city. If you are interested in doing some traveling, Phoenix is 75 minutes away and you can make it to Las Vegas in just under four hours. The Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, and other national parks and lakes are also within close range of Watson Lake.

    Located in the beautiful Granite Dells, Watson Lake offers breathtaking scenery and quiet spots for kayaking, hiking, fishing and daydreaming. Just minutes away from downtown Prescott, you can wander through an art gallery, listen to a concert, plan a picnic or just enjoy a peaceful solitary day on the water. With so much to see and do, the choices are endless.

    Things to Do at Watson Lake

    These are some activities in the Watson Lake, AZ area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Rock Climbing
    • Horseback Riding
    • Birding
    • National Park
    • Playground
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Watson Lake?

    Watson Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Yellow Bullhead
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Watson Lake

    If you’re considering a Watson Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Watson Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Watson Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Watson Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: City of Prescott

    Surface Area: 380 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 5,100 feet

    Average Depth: 50 feet

    Maximum Depth: 75 feet

    Water Volume: 4,600 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1914

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Watson Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    San Carlos Lake, AZ

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Val Vista Lakes

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Willow Lake, AZ

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Watson Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Watson Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Watson Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Watson Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Watson Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: