Bob Bear Trailhead
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.
Reservations
Make parking permit reservations at Recreation.gov (See Permit Info below)
General Information
Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1)
Fall-Winter Season (October 2 – March 31)
Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1)
- Bob Bear Trailhead Parking Lot: Parking lots are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The access gate closes at 4 p.m. daily; however, you may still exit the parking lot after 4 p.m.
Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): Gates are open 24 hours unless there is a weather related closure.
Permit Info:
- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): Parking permit required for parking in the Bob Bear Trailhead 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.
Restrictions:
- 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 are prohibited.
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.
Address: 1009 E. Highway 260, Payson, AZ 85541
Phone: (928) 474-7900
Hours: Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (closed noon to 1:30 p.m.) Passes, permits and products not sold after 4 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 34.40598187
Longitude: -111.5676862
Elevation
5,600 Feet
Directions
Location: Five miles west of Strawberry, Arizona.
From Payson: 18 mi north on Hwy 87 to Strawberry, then headWest on Fossil Creek Road for 5 miles then a right turn to the Bob Bear Trailhead.
From Camp Verde/I-17: Exit 287, 34 mi east on Hwy 260 toward Payson to intersection with Hwy 87. Right on Hwy 87 and drive 8 mi, then headWest on Fossil Creek Road for 5 miles then a right turn to the Bob Bear Trailhead.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Picnic Tables
Picnic tables are not available at this site.
Horse/Pack Animal Information
Horse/Pack animals are allowed at this site.
Equestrian users may reserve an assigned parking space for a vehicle and horse trailer. The maximum vehicle and horse trailer length combined is 50 ft.
