Watson Lake and The Dells: A Landscape Photographer's Dream Near Prescott, Arizona
I have been to a lot of beautiful places with a camera in my hand, but the morning of May 25th at Watson Lake Park in Prescott, Arizona really surprised me. This place is genuinely special.
Watson Lake and The Granite Dells
Watson Lake sits right on the edge of The Dells, a collection of ancient granite rock formations that have been sculpted by millions of years of wind, water, and time. When those rocks meet the shoreline of Watson Lake, you get something that a landscape photographer could spend a lifetime trying to fully capture.
I was shooting with my Fujifilm X-T5 paired with the Fuji XF 16-55mm f/2.8. The 16-55 is a workhorse lens and it was exactly the right choice for this location. Wide enough to capture the massive scale of the formations, with enough reach to isolate interesting details in the rocks and their reflections in the water. The f/2.8 aperture gave me flexibility in the morning light.
Reflections in Watson Lake
Partly Cloudy: A Photographer's Double-Edged Sword
The morning was partly cloudy which is good and bad. When the clouds rolled in, the light got flat and soft, which can strip the drama right out of a scene this naturally dramatic. But when patches of blue sky opened up and the sun hit those granite formations at an angle, the texture in the rock came alive and the reflections in the lake was stunning. I worked through both conditions and came away happy with what I got.
If you are planning a trip specifically for photography, I would recommend targeting golden hour in the early morning. Getting there before sunrise and letting the light come to you as it breaks over the formations is the move.
The Shore is Great. But I Need a Canoe.
I shot from the shore the entire time, and there was no shortage of compelling compositions to work with. But standing there watching the way the boulders reach out into the water, I kept thinking the same thing: I need a canoe. Getting out on the water and moving between these formations, shooting back toward the shoreline or down into the reflections from lake level, would open up a completely different dimension to this place. That is on the list for next time. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at the park, and honestly that might be the best way to experience The Dells photographically.
Prickly Beauty on the Shore of Watson Lake
A Place That Demands Return Visits
One morning is not enough. Not even close. Watson Lake and The Dells are the kind of location where the scene changes completely depending on the season, the weather, and the time of day. I was there in late May with partly cloudy skies. I can already imagine what this looks like in the golden light of October, or after a storm when the clouds are dramatic and the rocks are wet and glistening, or in winter when the light is low and raking across the formations all day long. The reflections alone could be a photography project that spans years.
I want to come back at sunset. I want to come back when there is a full moon. I want to come back and spend three days and really work this place.
Canoe Rentals along Watson Lake
Why You Should Make the Trip
If you are anywhere near Prescott, Arizona, Watson Lake Park is a destination. The town of Prescott is a great base, with plenty of good food and lodging options, and the park is just a few minutes from downtown. There is an entrance fee of $5, but it is minimal and absolutely worth it. Beyond photography, it is a beautiful place to hike, kayak, and just exist in for a few hours.
For photographers specifically, this is a landscape that competes with anything I have seen in the American Southwest.. The combination of the water, the ancient granite formations, the desert light, and the sheer visual complexity of The Dells makes Watson Lake one of the most unique and rewarding locations I have ever pointed a camera at.
Get there. Go early. Bring a wide zoom with fast glass. And if you can, rent a canoe.
Gear Used:
Camera: Fujifilm X-T5
