You cannot do a hiking blog in Prescott without including the iconic Watson Lake Loop Trail!
I park near the Humane Society on Sundog Ranch Road off of Prescott Lakes Parkway. Parking here is $3 daily (except for Wednesdays when parking is free). I normally take a clockwise route on the trail starting and ending on the Peavine Trail. Head north on Peavine for about 1/3 of a mile and then take a left on the path that leads through the Watson Woods Riparian Reserve.
I park near the Humane Society on Sundog Ranch Road off of Prescott Lakes Parkway. Parking here is $3 daily (except for Wednesdays when parking is free). I normally take a clockwise route on the trail starting and ending on the Peavine Trail. Head north on Peavine for about 1/3 of a mile and then take a left on the path that leads through the Watson Woods Riparian Reserve.
Keep following the trail along the State Route 89 and pass by the dock and newer parking area. I followed the Prescott Circle Path until I got to the road to the boat ramp and then walk all the way down to the boat ramp. The Watson Lake Circle Trail picks up just to the left of the ramp. Now is when the fun starts!
Make sure you have on you hiking boots as you will be climbing over the boulders and will need shoes that can give you traction on the rocks.
Make sure you have on you hiking boots as you will be climbing over the boulders and will need shoes that can give you traction on the rocks.
The instructions are to follow the white dots and that is how you navigate where there is no obvious trail.
You then circle the lake first on the North Shore Trail. They you come to the "Secret Cove" behind the dam. Feels and looks like a tropical forest.
The Trail then continues on the Over The Hill Trail. This is by far the most difficult part of the hike but very fun at the same time.
You then circle the lake first on the North Shore Trail. They you come to the "Secret Cove" behind the dam. Feels and looks like a tropical forest.
The Trail then continues on the Over The Hill Trail. This is by far the most difficult part of the hike but very fun at the same time.
The newest part of the circle is the Lakeshore Trail. They have done a great job on this trail and it does make it worth doing the full circle as there were previously any view of the lake once you get to this side. If you are given a choice of going right or left on the trail, typically you would continue right towards the lake as left takes you to the Peavine Trail. You can always back-track if you end up on the Peavine to find the missed turn on the Lakeshore trail.
The total distance for the Watson Circle Trail from the Sundog parking area is 6 miles and took me about 2 hours and 15 minutes, but plan on longer as you will want to take a lot of pictures. There is little shade on the trail, so make sure you bring sunscreen, a hat and lots of water.
Of course this trail gets 5 boots and you need to include it on your must-do hikes!