Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs)
The Bob Bear Trail provides access to the headwaters of the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River and the Fossil Springs Wilderness on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests. The trail begins at an elevation of 5,700 feet on Deadman Mesa near the town of Strawberry and descends 1,500 feet over 4 miles into the Fossil Creek canyon. The trail offers a remote, backcountry experience and is steep and extremely hot during the summer, but rewards visitors with access to one of Arizona’s most spectacular riparian areas.
No water and little shade are available for the first 3.75 miles of the trail. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees F. Cell phone coverage is unreliable. Visitors must come prepared for being out a full day, with plenty of food and water (at least a gallon per person is recommended), sturdy footwear (no flip flops!), and good physical fitness. Every year unprepared visitors require rescue from this trail, risking the lives of themselves and emergency responders.
Reserve a spot at Recreation.gov for any of the parking area of the Bob Bear Trailhead. During the Spring-Summer Season, the Bob Bear and Springs area is day-use only. Camping, campfires, and glass containers are prohibited. See the Coconino National Forest Fossil Creek Reservation System Information for videos, news, and more.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
Download seasonal recreation guides for Fossil Creek and Fossil Springs Wilderness
Download seasonal recreation guides.
April 1 - October 1 (PDF)
October 2 - March 31 (PDF)
Brochures for the Bob Bear Trail
Year-round
Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): $6.00 per vehicle per day. Permits are not issued on-site. Reservations for for this trailhead must be made in advance on Recreation.gov.
Fall-Winter Season (October 2 – March 31): No fees, permits, or reservations are required.
Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): Parking permit required for parking in the Bob Bear Parking area. Reservations for this parking lot must be made in advance through Recreation.gov. Visitors must bring printed permits and passes to the site. Permits cannot be issued on-site.
Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): No fees or permits required.
Camping:
- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): Camping is prohibited anywhere in the permit area.
- Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): Camping is prohibited between Fossil Creek Bridge and Fossil Creek Dam.
Campfires and Glass Containers: Campfires and glass containers are prohibited.
Getting There
Trailhead/Starting Points
Five miles west of Strawberry, Arizona off of Forest Road #708 Fossil Creek Road: 34.406641, -111.567917
Directions
From Strawberry, AZ, take Fossil Creek RD. and make a right to Bob Bear Parking lot. Between April 1 and October 1 a parking permit is required to park at this trailhead.
Additional Information
Operated By
Payson Ranger District
