Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River
Fossil Creek, one of two "Wild and Scenic" rivers in Arizona, seems to appear out of nowhere, gushing 20,000 gallons a minute out of a series of springs at the bottom of a 1,600-foot-deep canyon. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine.
Coconino National Forest: Sally May, Purple Mountain and Mazatzal
Tonto National Forest: Bob Bear Trailhead
Active Alerts
Reservations
Reservations must be made in advance on Recreation.gov.
General Information
2025 Spring-Summer Season: Open to permit-holders Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from April 1 to October 1.
2025-2026 Fall-Winter Season: No fees or permits required from October 2 to March 31.
2025 Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1):
Sally May, Purple Mountain, and Mazatzal Parking Lots:
- Parking lots are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Homestead, Fossil Creek Bridge, Tonto Bench, Irving (Flume Trailhead), Dixon Lewis Trailhead Parking Lots:
- Parking lots are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- The access gate closes at 3 p.m. daily; however, you may still exit the parking lot after 3 p.m.
2025-2026 Fall-Winter Season (October 2-March 31):
- Gates are open 24 hours unless there is a weather-related closure.
2025 Spring-Summer Season (Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays April 1 - October 1):
- Printed permit is required for parking at all creek-side sites and trailheads
- Reservations must be made in advance through Recreation.gov.
2025-2026 Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31):
- No passes or permits are required.
Camping:
- Spring-Summer Season
- Camping is prohibited anywhere in the permit area.
- Fall-Winter Season
- Camping is prohibited between Fossil Creek Bridge and Fossil Creek Dam.
Campfires and Glass Containers:
- Campfires and glass containers are prohibited throughout Fossil Creek in its entirety.
Additional Information:
- No trash service. Take all trash and other items with you to avoid fines for littering/trash dumping.
- Mechanized vehicles, including mountain bikes and remote-controlled aircraft, are NOT permitted in the Wilderness.
Contact Name: Fossil Creek Hotline
Contact Phone: 928-226-4611
Address: 8375 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86351
Phone: 928-203-2900
Hours: Wednesday 12 p.m.-4:30 p.m. All other days, open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.Cof_Webmail@usda.gov
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 34.394022
Longitude: -111.631749
Directions
Location: Fossil Creek is located about 22 miles southeast of Camp Verde (86 miles south of Flagstaff) down a dirt road.
- This pin will get you to the top of Fossil Creek Road (Forest Road 708).
Access via Camp Verde: From Interstate 17, take Exit 287. Head 10 miles east on state Route 260 toward Payson. Then, from SR 260, head south on Fossil Creek Road between mile markers 228 and 229 (signed as Fossil Creek / Verde River). Drive 14 miles to the intersection with Childs Road (Forest Road 502).
- Use this route for creek-side day-use areas, Flume Trail and Dixon Lewis Trail access.
Access via Payson: From Payson, head about 27 miles north on state Route 87. Take a left on state Route 260 and travel 24 miles. Then from SR 260, head south on Fossil Creek Road between mile markers 228 and 229 (signed as Fossil Creek / Verde River). Drive 14 miles to the intersection with Childs Road.
Once on Fossil Creek Road:
- Continue straight on Fossil Creek Road to head to Homestead, Dridge, Tonto Bench, Irving or Waterfall
- Take a right on Childs Road to head to Sally May, Purple Mountain or Mazatzal.
Access via Strawberry:
- There is no access to the creek or waterfall by car from Strawberry.
Travel Considerations
- Know your destination and plan your route carefully before heading to Fossil Creek.
- Do not depend on Google Maps, other online maps or your GPS for directions.
- A high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is strongly recommended for Fossil Creek Road.
- Area roads may be extremely muddy, slippery and treacherous after it rains.
- Fossil Creek Road is also known as Forest Road 708. Childs Road is also known as Forest Road 502.
Parking
Parking spaces accommodate 22-foot vehicles unless otherwise noted. A parking space at any lot can be reserved during the Spring-Summer Season.
- Creekside on Fossil Creek Road: Central creek-side lots accessed from Camp Verde via state Route 260: Dixon Lewis Trailhead, Irving/Flume Trailhead, Tonto Bench, Fossil Creek Bridge and Homestead
- Creekside on Childs Road: Southwestern creek-side lots on the road to Childs and Ike's Saddle, accessed from Camp Verde on Fossil Springs Road via state Route 260: Sally May and Purple Mountain Mazatzal
Recreation Opportunities
Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Hiking
Horse Riding and Camping
Outdoor Science and Learning
Water Activities
Fishing - River/Stream Info
Fishing Regulations
For current fishing information refer to Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations. Fishing is allowed seasonally, from the first Saturday in October through April 30. Fishing is allowed between the waterfall located approximately 1 mile above the Flume Trailhead parking lot along Fossil Creek Road and the downstream-most power line crossing (immediately below Sally May Wash). Catch-and-release only for roundtail chub.
Roundtail chub must be immediately released unharmed; no chub may be kept; artificial fly and lure only; single barbless hooks only.
Hiking Info
Day Hiking can be done on the following trails:
- Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Trail-No. 18
- Dixon Lewis Trail on Fossil Creek
- Flume Trail No. 154 to Fossil Creek Dam
- Mail Trail No. 84
Backpacking is available on the following trails:
- Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Trail-No. 18
- Flume Trail No. 154 to Fossil Creek Dam
- Mail Trail No. 84
Camping is prohibited between Fossil Creek Bridge and Fossil Creek Dam year-round.
Camping and overnight parking are prohibited anywhere in the Fossil Creek permit area during the Spring-Summer Season.
- Spring-Summer Season: A permit is required for parking at trailheads in the permit area. Parking overnight at trailheads in the permit area is prohibited. You must bring printed permits and passes to the site. Permits cannot be purchased on-site.
- Fall-Winter Season: No passes or permits are required. Overnight camping is permitted in some areas in and around the Wilderness, and overnight parking is permitted at trailheads.
Horseback Riding Info
The following trails are conducive to horseback riding:
- Flume Trail No. 154 to Fossil Creek Dam
- Mail Trail No. 84
Parking: Fossil Creek Road is very rough and not recommended for horse trailers.
- Spring-Summer Season: Permit is required for parking. Reservations for a specific parking lot must be made in advance. Visitors must bring printed permits and passes to the site. Permits cannot be purchased on-site.
- Fall-Winter Season: No passes or permits are required.
Boating - Non-Motorized Info
Whitewater paddling in packrafts is most commonly run from the Dixon Lewis Trailhead to the Fossil Creek Bridge. Hardshell kayaks can damage delicate Travertine formations. Reach out to the Fossil Creek manager with more questions, Rebecca Miller, 928-821-9881.
Swimming Info
All creek access points have swimming opportunities.