Flume Trail No. 154 to Fossil Creek Dam

• Visit Fossil Creek
• Site Tour
• Permit Information
• FAQs

 

Destinations

• Fossil Creek
• Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Trail
• Flume Trail
• Waterfall Trail
• Fossil Springs Wilderness
• Other places to go
• Make Reservations

The Flume Trail starts at the old Irving power plant location and follows the line of the removed-flume that used to carried the water to the power plants for generating electricity. The trail ends at the old dam, a 5-mile trek one way. The trailhead is located on Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) north-east of the Fossil Creek Bridge at the Irving/Flume Trail parking lot. There is a shallow (knee deep) creek crossing at at the trailhead. No access to Fossil Creek access between the water crossing near the trailhead , unti lyou get to the Fossil Creek Dam. To hike this trail use sturdy footwear, sun protection and water for the whole day!

 

Permits Required April 1 to Oct. 1

Spring-Summer Guide
April 1 - Oct. 1
(PDF, 1.7 MB)

Mapa y guía de área de permisos de Fossil Creek (Español)
(PDF, 400 kB)

Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - Oct. 1): A reserved, printed permit is required. Reserve a parking spot at Recreation.gov for any of the parking areas in the Fossil Creek area. During the Spring-Summer Season, the Fossil Creek and Springs area is day use only. Camping, campfires, and glass containers are prohibited.

See Fossil Creek Reservation System Information for videos, news, and more!

For current conditions, call the Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611

 

General Information

Attractions: Trails for hiking and horseback riding, swimming holes, waterplay, unique rock formations, great scenery, wildlife viewing, and lush riparian area.

Notes:

• There is no creek access along the five mile trail between the creek crossing at the parking lot and the end of the trail at Fossil Creek Dam.
• Mechanized vehicles, including mountain bikes and remote controlled aircraft, are not permitted in the Wilderness.
• This area can be quite hot in summer, and drinking water is not available. Carry at least one gallon drinking water.

Location: Fossil Creek is located about 22 miles southeast of Camp Verde (86 miles south of Flagstaff) off paved and dirt roads. Fossil Creek Rd. (FR 708) and Childs Rd. (FR 502) are steep and very rough. These roads may be extremely muddy, slippery, and treacherous after it rains.

GPS (Map): 34°24'11.6"N 111°37'02.4"W

Access: I-17 to Camp Verde. Exit southeast on Highway 260 (FH 9). Turn right on Fossil Springs Rd. (FR 708). Travel 14 miles down this rough dirt road (high-clearance 4WD vehicles recommended) to the trailhead. (Flume Trailhead cannot be accessed from the Strawberry, AZ end of Fossil Springs Rd. due to an indefinite closure just past Fossil Springs Trailhead.)

Download seasonal recreation guides for Fossil Creek and Fossil Springs Wilderness

Spring-Summer Guide
April 1 - October 1
(PDF, 1.7 MB)

Fall-Winter Guide
October 2 - March 31
(PDF, 1.6 MB)

Mapas y guías de área de permisos de Fossil Creek (Español)

Guía para la primavera y el verano
1 de abril - 1 de octubre
(PDF, 220 kB)

Guía para el otoño e invierno
2 de octubre - 31 de marzo
(PDF, 250 kB)

Parking

• Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - Oct. 1): Permit is required for parking at the Flume Trailhead (Irving parking lot). Reservations must be made in advance. Visitors must bring printed permits and passes to the site. Permits cannot be purchased on-site. See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Fossil Creek reservations.
• Fall-Winter Season (Oct. 2 - March 31): No passes or permits are required.