Cities

Goldwater Lake

Take a pleasant walk in the woods in Prescott National Forest.

This local gem offers the ultimate forest getaway with hiking, boating and fishing surrounded by pine-scented air. Getting there is easy. From Highway 69 near downtown Prescott, head south on Mt. Vernon Street for just 4 miles through prideful neighborhoods to reach this refreshing lake. Families like this pretty little lake for its playground, sand volleyball courts and picnic ramadas. Watson Lake and the Granite Dells draw many visitors to the north side of Prescott, but Goldwater Lake offers a splashy retreat with many more pine trees.

Hike Around the Lake

The Goldwater Lake Loop Trail winds 2.5 miles along the banks of both the upper and lower lakes. On this easy trail, pass by two dams under the shade of the old-growth pine forest. Multiple connector trails are hard to resist in this mile-high outdoor playground. Mountain bikers get on the 50-mile Prescott Circle Trail for white-knuckle singletrack. The roller-coaster trail features steep ups and downs notched into mountainsides as well as natural rock obstacles and fast stretches with curved banks.

Cast a Line

Prescott Outdoors sets up shop in the main parking lot of Goldwater Lake to rent kayaks and canoes from April to October. Visitors can also pull in their own water toys and small boats with electric motors to head out to deep waters to fish for largemouth bass and channel catfish. Anglers can also fish from the floating fishing pier and the lake’s banks year-round. Stroll the loop trail to find an isolated beach to land rainbow trout and Gila trout, a species found only in Arizona and New Mexico.

Visit Prescott

After a day at the lake, head into Prescott to explore the historic courthouse square and visit the restaurants, bars and shops along Whiskey Row. Be prepared, locals pronounce it “press kit.” Stay the night in historic downtown hotels that range from opulent old beauties to quirky motor lodges. Or turn the trip into a campout at multiple sites in Prescott National Forest. On day two, check out another popular lake in the area. Watson Lake is known for its bewildering stacked boulders and refreshing water activities.

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