Granite Basin Lake Loop

Granite Basin Lake is a small, scenic lake in the Prescott National Forest, tucked below the boulder-covered slopes of Granite Mountain, about 20 minutes northwest of downtown. A short, easy loop around the lake makes it one of the best family hikes in the area, and the same trailhead is the starting point for bigger adventures in the Granite Mountain Wilderness. This is our guide to the Granite Basin Lake loop and the surrounding recreation area.

What to expect on the trail

There isn’t a single official “lake loop” trail. Instead, a popular route links several of the recreation area’s numbered trails into a loop of about 1.4 miles, with only about 100 feet of elevation change. Starting from the Metate Trailhead, the classic route heads counterclockwise on Metate Connector Trail #353. The surrounding trails are all rated easy by the Forest Service: #353 Metate Connector (0.6 mile), #351 West Lake (1.5 miles), and #350 Surprise Springs (1.3 miles), which the Forest Service describes as rolling terrain among big boulders and pines. For more of a workout, #349 Balancing Rock (3.2 miles) is rated moderate.

Several miles of trails here are open to hikers, horseback riders, and cyclists (e-bikes only on designated trails), and dogs must be on a leash. Shade is patchy: you’ll find pines and boulders in places and open chaparral in others.

The lake

Granite Basin Lake is small and man-made, set against a backdrop of Granite Mountain Wilderness boulders. It isn’t stocked, but anglers catch bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish (an Arizona fishing license is required for ages 10 and up). Boats are limited to paddle, oar, and sail craft and motors under 10 horsepower, and swimming is allowed away from the boat ramp.

Getting there, parking, and fees

From the intersection of Iron Springs Road and Williamson Valley Road in Prescott, head northwest on Iron Springs Road about 3 miles and turn right on Granite Basin Road (Forest Road 374). Continue about 3.8 miles; the Metate Trailhead and Day-Use Area is on the left along the one-way loop road. Metate has vault toilets and picnic tables, and other day-use sites around the lake include Playa, Wekuvde, the Boat Launch, and the Cayuse equestrian area.

Day use is $5 per vehicle per day, free on Wednesdays. The Prescott National Forest’s $20 four-month and $40 annual passes, and America the Beautiful passes, are accepted, and a day pass covers other Prescott National Forest day-use sites the same day. Hours are seasonal and posted at the entrance; plan on gates closing around dusk, as early as 5 p.m. in winter.

Insider Tip: Bring your own water. Forest Service sources disagree about whether drinking water is available at the day-use sites, so don’t count on it. A picnic by the lake after the loop is the perfect easy afternoon.

Camping

The nearby Yavapai Campground has 21 sites ($18 single, $36 double) and is open April 1 through October 31, a pleasant base for a weekend of hiking.

When to go

Granite Basin is a year-round destination. Spring and fall are the most comfortable; summer is best early in the day, before the heat and monsoon storms; and winter brings quiet trails, though the boat launch area can close after heavy rain or snow or when roads are icy.

Make a day of it

Ready for a challenge? The Granite Mountain Trail starts across the road from the Metate lot and climbs to one of the best viewpoints in the region. For more lake options, see our Prescott lakes guide.