Kayaking on Watson Lake, Prescott, AZ

K A Y A K I N G on Watson Lake in PRESCOTT, ARIZONA

View of Watson Lake

Photo by Jenn Agema

I had visited the beautiful area of Watson Lake in Prescott a few times before, but always admired it from up top, while navigating the rock formations on the outskirts of the lake. This time, we wanted to see it from the bottom-up! We found out that you could rent kayaks and paddleboards lakeside by the hour. With a storm looming in the distance, we took our chances – and we began our relaxing exploration. With each swish of the paddle it brought us closer to the unique granite boulders, some of which are right in the middle of the lake. It was neat to look around and see so many people visiting the area and absorbing its beauty both high and low, land and ‘sea,’ from every level.

Watson Lake

Photo by Jenn Agema

Fun Fact: Watson Lake is one of two reservoirs at the Granite Dells, in Prescott, Arizona, 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. Local rock climbers use the granite cliffs above and adjacent to the lake for top-roping and lead climbing. The lake is also the home of TriCity Prep Rowing Crew, a local high school team and the only rowing team in Northern Arizona.

Watson Lake

Photo by Jenn Agema

My family decided to go to a higher spot with our camera and see if they could capture me on the lake as a tiny speck. I was able to wave to them as I heard them shouting, and I could see them, although they were dwarfed by the looming boulders. What a great change in perspective. As I made my way across the lake and around the formations, the dark clouds started to roll in. With a flash of light the crack of thunder I sudenly felt the motivation to increase my speed and row like a bona fide athlete! It was a fun challenge to try and beat the rain to shore and make it to the car in time. As our kayaking adventure came to an end, it ‘sparked’ the idea (perhaps it was the bolt of lightning in the distance?) of visiting the main square in downtown Prescott just 15 minutes up the road.

Prescott's Historic Courthouse

Photo by Jenn Agema

My daughter reminded me that it was National Ice Cream Day and of course I said we needed a photo – so now we were on an Instagram-worthy mission… we headed immediately to the Treat Center on Whiskey Row! We enjoyed our cold scoops, snapped some colorful photos, and closed out our day with a final ‘post’.

www.prescottoutdoors.com www.treatcenter.com

Story and Photos by Jennifer Agema