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 rockclimbers use the granite cliffs above and adjacent to the lake for top-roping and lead climbing.
This place scores 46.3 out of 100, at medium confidence. No official visitor count is published for it, so the score rests on public interest and tourism significance, and is capped below the level a measured attraction can reach. The weighting is explained in full on the methodology page.
Note on the data: No official visitor count is published for this attraction.
The Granite Dells is a geological feature north of Prescott, Arizona. The Dells consist of exposed bedrock and large boulders of granite that have eroded into an unusual lumpy, rippled appearance. Watson Lake and Willow Lake are small man-made reservoirs in this formation.
Fort Whipple is a former United States (U.S.) Army post that was temporarily established at Del Rio Springs, north of present-day Chino Valley, Arizona, and later relocated to a permanent site near present-day Prescott, Arizona.
Rotating exhibits illustrated history and culture of regional Native American tribes. This plucky trove of local archaeology has a fascinating history. The "Smoki" name was invented by local settlers, not natives, as a made-up tribe which put on annual shows with appropriated Hopi rituals. From this, the archaeology grew, and the museum was founded in 1935.
Housed in the former Territorial Governor’s Mansion, this museum has exhibits illustrating the early history in the area of Native Americans and settlers. Its library and archives are open to the public, and it hosts numerous public festivals and lectures. There is also a gift shop onsite.
