Granite Dells

The Granite Dells are one of the more striking geological features in central Arizona — a landscape of rounded, stacked granite boulders rising from the shores of Watson Lake, about three miles north of downtown Prescott. The colours change with the light, going from pale grey at midday to deep amber and orange at sunset.

Watson Lake itself is the main access point. There are hiking trails through the boulders and around the lake, ranging from easy lakeshore walks to scrambles through the rock formations. The Granite Basin Recreation Area, to the southwest, offers additional hiking and some of the best views of the boulder fields.

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Watson Lake are popular in summer. The lake is not ideal for swimming but is very scenic. The Watson Lake Park area has picnic facilities and is worth a late-afternoon visit to catch the light on the rocks.

things to do sight
A story
The rounded granite boulders of the Dells were formed by a process called spheroidal weathering, in which water penetrates joints in the granite and chemically rounds the corners over millions of years. The result is a landscape that looks almost artificial — as if a giant had stacked enormous marbles across the hillsides. The boulders range in colour from pale grey to deep orange depending on the iron content of the rock.