Watson Lake Park, near Prescott, Arizona, is a stunning destination that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities. With its picturesque lake and impressive rock formations, it’s a fantastic place for those looking to escape the heat and enjoy some fresh air.

The campground features sites that are simple yet functional, perfect for tent camping or RVs. Visitors rave about the breathtaking views and the calm waters, making it an ideal spot for kayaking at sunset. One camper described it as “absolutely stunning,” highlighting the easy hiking trails that lead to great rock climbing opportunities.

For those who enjoy photography, the surrounding landscape provides countless scenic spots to capture. The park is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Many campers appreciate the clean facilities, including showers and toilets, which make for a comfortable stay.

If you’re up for exploring, the nearby town of Prescott offers additional attractions and supplies. Whether you’re planning a short hike or a longer camping trip, Watson Lake Park is a beautiful place to unwind and connect with nature.

Watson Lake Park

Looking for the best campgrounds near Prescott, AZ? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Prescott. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Prescott. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Prescott

The Best Camping Near Prescott, Arizona

This is probably the most unique lake in Arizona! Incredible views! Rock formations instead of shoreline make this a little less user friendly, but worth the effort. 

Not what you'd expect from an AZ lake

What a cool little park.  The campground was nothing fancy, but the park and lake were beautiful! The sites were a nice size and layout of the campground.  Seemed like a place that tent camping would be best, but there were campers and RV's there too.

stunning lake

This park is such a beautiful place and escape the Arizona heat. You can't go in the water but they rent kayaks at the park and there's plenty of places you can stand with your feet in the water. The park has large boulders you can scramble/boulder up for climbers, and there's a few big empty fields perfect for playing sports or having a picnic. This park is a great place to spend time even just for a day.

Beautiful space

We tried to stay somewhere else in the area that was full but the caretakers recommended this nearby place. Totally different from most of AZ, even though it’s not a huge huge lake it is very distinctive and pretty. I don’t know if they allow kayaking but we were wishing we had one to explore the water and rock formations. The park is very small and close to a small town Prescott in case you need supplies. The campground itself is simple and not very big so I expect it’d fill up with mostly locals on summer weekends. Great place to visit for a short hike around the water when you’re in the area even if you don’t plan to camp. Enjoy!

Pretty city park 

Watson Lake is surrounded with great climbing areas, as well as beautiful hiking trails and fantastic photography spots!

Prescott Dells

Great place. Make reservations. Excellent staff..

Oasis in Prescott

Such an incredible place to visit. Very serine &amp; tranquil with beauty beyond what the eyes can see. The rock formations are amazing, they truly take your breathe away. Not only is the town of Prescott a must see but there’s so much surrounding it as well

 Beauty beyond measures 

Absolutely stunning views. incredible calm lake to kayak on at sunset. Hiking through the rocks is easy to get lost, but going to the bottom of the dam for some rock climbing was definitely worth it

A must 

Great campsite! Clean restrooms with shower and toilets. 2 boat ramps at the lake, hiking and biking available. Can be a little cozy when busy but overall very clean and friendly

Photos of Watson Lake Park

Real photos from real campers