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!
