The City of Prescott is announcing that portions of Watson Lake will be closed to the public, beginning at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, May 16, with a full closure of the area from Thursday at 10 pm through Sunday at 6 am. The park closures are due to event set up and implementation of the Pure Imagination music Festival.
Beginning at 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 16 and extending through Sunday, May 19, the following areas at Watson Lake will be closed to general public access:
- Upper and Lower ramadas
- Large event grassy area
- North boat ramp
- Hiking trails leading to the interior of the park
- Camping
- Disc Golf Course
The south boat ramp will remain open all day on Thursday, May 16, until 10:00 pm
A full closure of Watson Lake to the general public, will take place beginning on Thursday, May 16, at 10 pm, and will continue through Saturday, May 18, 2024. This includes the areas listed above, as well as the bocce ball and horseshoe courts and both boat ramps. The south boat ramp will reopen to the public on Sunday, May 19, at 6 am.
In addition to the closure of Watson Lake for this event, the Hwy 89 overlook parking area will be closed, beginning on Friday, May 17, at 6 am through Saturday, May 18. Both the Hwy 89 overlook parking area and the South boat ramp will reopen on Sunday, May 19.
Travelers on Hwy 89 should be prepared for increased traffic. Thru traffic should use the southwest lane (southbound traffic) or northwest lane (northbound traffic) for continued access on HWY 89 to either downtown or to Hwy 89A/ Chino Valley.
Goldwater Lake and Willow Lake will be open for hiking, kayaking, fishing and all other recreational uses.
