Point of Rocks RV Campground
Prescott, AZ
August 22, 2025
Nestled among the Granite Dells is Prescott's beautiful Watson Lake. It is a man-made lake created in 1915 when the Granite Creek Dam was completed. The hope was to build a canal system using water from Watson Lake as a source to irrigate thousands of acres of grain crops. In the weeks that followed, the lake filled and it was reported that wagon trails became submerged and that buildings required removal. In the end, the unlined canals consumed the majority of the water and the irrigation project proved unsuccessful. Hassayampa Alfalfa Company of Indiana built the dam with high hopes, but it soon went out of business. Watson Lake was named for the president of that company.
Today, Watson Lake is a picturesque outdoor paradise that offers boating ramps and canoe and kayak rentals, fishing for catfish, carp, and largemouth bass, birding with hundreds of varieties, and a host of walking/hiking opportunities. It averages 70 acres with a depth of 50 feet. It is just 4 miles from downtown Prescott and only a 10 minute walk from Point of Rock RV Park. If you drive, there is parking along Hwy 89 or for a small fee, you can enter Watson Lake Park with facilities, picnic areas, summer dry camping and a large lawn area. Watson Lake was our go to spot this visit for walks...sometimes with Lucy and sometimes just by ourselves. We enjoy it for many reasons.
Birding...
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| Great Blue Heron |
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Greylag Goose are big and loud with an orange-bill and nest in wetlands and lakes.
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| While Greylag Geese are very rare in North America, you will likely see domestic geese descended from Greylags in parks and other human settings. |
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| This is the classic goose of farmlands and nursery rhymes. |
Walking Lucy...
Exploring...
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| Follow the white dots... |
I grew up hearing "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." which was my moms way of telling me that what I think is beautiful might not be so beautiful to others. It is our life experiences, culture, and perspectives that influence what we find beautiful. Back in the day in Moab, a woman once said, "There is nothing here but red rocks. I am going home." My inner self wanted to shout, "Good riddance!" But everyone's opinion of beauty is valid so I politely replied, "Safe travels."
Beauty...
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| Amphibious Bistort |
This was not our first visit to Watson Lake, but it was our most enjoyable time there. It is nice being within walking distance. We think early mornings are the best when it is quiet with only a few folks here and there. Watson Lake has been described as a wonderland of rocks with beautiful shapes, colors, and sizes. We definitely agree!
Point of Rocks RV Park has quickly moved to the list of top five favorites.
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| Lucy had lots of room to play. |
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| A male Ladder-back Woodpecker was one of many birds that we saw in the trees just outside the window when we had breakfast. I took this photo from inside. |
Back at the oasis...
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| We enjoyed a couple of lazy, rainy days and nights. We sure needed it...being lazy and the rain! |
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| We saw two huge javelina...I'm not sure who surprised who the most. |
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| We added new tiles. |
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| We filled the birdbath and put out feed for the birds. |
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| And enjoyed our first sunrise back home. |
Until next time,
HAPPY TRAILS!
Lovely post Gay! And another "I need to go there" place! Glad you guys had such a nice vacation and that you had rain at the Oasis!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Janna…and thank you! Watson Lake is one of those places that never gets never get old and we love walking there. We have more chances for rain this week. Fingers crossed! Hope you are feeling better and have a great week!
DeleteSo many fabulous pics of a beautiful place I've yet to visit. Been close, didn't get there :-( Even with a few negative geese experiences in my past, your gray goose is so regal, and definitely has that Mother Goose vibe. Lucy with her rope is too precious. Welcome back to what is hopefully continued cooler temps.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Jodee and thank you! Watson Lake is a “must” stop for us. Whether you walk, sit or any combination of the two, it is peaceful and beautiful. Tessa would love zoomies at the grassy area! Geese are quite territorial and aggressive. I was careful not to get too close or make sudden movements. I had only seen white geese…not the gorgeous brownish grey geese. I see 80s in next weeks forecast…yahoo!
DeleteWe enjoyed our stop at Point of Rocks RV and Watson Lake also. It's been a while, we may just have to revisit it! I remember "follow the white dots" on the rocks! Prescott isn't so very far from us in Wickenburg, we often drive up for lunch.
ReplyDeleteWe, too, have had plenty of bad goose encounters, we give them wide berth! They were a constant annoyance in our youth....Dave's neighbors had a gaggle and when we'd try to sneak in, after curfew, the d mn geese would come rushing over, honking and hissing loudly , waking up the whole county! Sheesh.
Hi Sue! What a funny story! There you were trying to be sneaky and not get caught and those dang geese have really loud honks! Prescott (and PoRs RV Park) are awesome and fun to visit! I would go walking/birding there often if we lived closer.
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