Goldwater Lake

Point of Rocks RV Campground

Prescott, AZ

August 23, 2025

Sunrise over the Granite Dells at Point of Rocks

Just a short drive from historic downtown Prescott is a one of the town's local gems.  It is a small 15 acre lake surrounded by tall Ponderosa Pines in the Prescott National Forest. Goldwater Lake is named after Morris Goldwater who was the mayor of Prescott between 1879 and 1927.  Water, or the lack thereof, was an issue back in his day and he led the effort to construct the dam in 1923 that resulted in the reservoir known today as Lower Goldwater Lake.  Later, a second dam was built and Upper Goldwater Lake was created.

Senator Highway is a gentle climb with lots of fun twists and turns.  

Goldwater Lake Park, located at the Upper Lake and is maintained by the city and offers picnic tables, a playground, fishing, boating, hiking and birding.  Puppies on a leash are welcomed so Lucy went too.  There is a $3.00 day pass fee (credit card kiosk) per vehicle and ample parking. 

Goldwater Lake Road is a narrow road that leads to the park. We had a heavy rain the night before and the air was wonderful... cool, crisp, and clean.   

The loop trail winds its way 2.5 miles along the banks of both lakes. It is considered easy with shade from the pine forest. 

We opted for an in-out walk with Lucy...a mile which took us to the other side of the lake before we turned around. 

 

I got photos of some of the birds we saw.  Some of them I could not make a definite ID.  Any help would be appreciated.  My phone gave names, but when I googled All About Birds some of the characteristics did not match. 

Phone ID had two names...Grosbeak and Western Bluebird
I could not find a good match.

Dark-eyed Junco...Adult Red-backed form of the southwestern U.S.

Grey headed Dark-eyed Junco

Pygmy Nuthatch

The three of us really enjoyed our walk at Goldwater Lake.  Definitely on the list when we return.  We arrived early and enjoyed the walk mostly to ourselves.  There were several fishermen/women/children enjoying the morning sun down by the lake with lines in the water.  By the time we were ready to leave, the Ramadas and picnic areas were filling up.  Note to self, the weekends are for the locals so another day would probably be better if you do not go early. 

 

Back at Belle and Point of Rocks the afternoons flew by.

Shrub Oak

Spotted Towhee 

Virginia Creeper 

We celebrated Lucy's first birthday...

Morning playtime at Willow Creek Doggie Park and eye on the ball!

We did make it back to the oasis in time to see the barrel cacti blooming.  We drove the Cactus Loop Drive at Saguaro NP East.  I love all the cactus blooms, but the glow on the barrels is my favorite. 

   

I got a haircut and afterwards Joe and I enjoyed brunch on the patio at Teaspoon. 

Crab eggs Benedict with breakfast potatoes and fresh greens with a yummy vinaigrette.

Lucy got a haircut too.  No brunch for her, but she did get a screaming chick! 

We have enjoyed some much needed rain and the skies.

A haboob...a desert dust storm rolled our way. It was very windy!

Backyard birds this week...

An immature female Cardinal

A pair of Cactus Wrens

An Oriole

A Gila Woodpecker

And wildflowers on our walk this morning...

Until next time,

A Spotted Towhee at Goldwater Lake

Goldwater Loop Trail

HAPPY TRAILS!

Watson Lake

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...

Great Blue Heron

 

Greylag Goose are big and loud with an orange-bill and nest in wetlands and lakes.
 

While Greylag Geese are very rare in North America, you will likely see domestic geese descended from Greylags in parks and other human settings.  

This is the classic goose of farmlands and nursery rhymes.  

Walking Lucy...

Exploring...

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...

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. 

Lucy had lots of room to play.

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...

We enjoyed a couple of lazy, rainy days and nights.  We sure needed it...being lazy and the rain!

We saw two huge javelina...I'm not sure who surprised who the most.

We added new tiles.

We filled the birdbath and put out feed for the birds.

And enjoyed our first sunrise back home.

Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS!