Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
Fossil Creek
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. Read more...
View Fossil Creek & Fossil Springs Wilderness photo gallery [Flickr]
Permits Required April 1 to October 1
Spring-Summer Guide
April 1 - October 1
(PDF, 1.7 MB)
Mapa y guía de área de permisos de Fossil Creek (Español)
(PDF, 400 kB)
Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): A reserved, printed permit is required. Reserve a 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 current conditions, call
Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611
At a Glance
| Operational Hours: | Sally May, Purple Mountain, and Mazatzal Parking Lots: Parking lots are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
|
|---|---|
| Reservations: | |
| Area Amenities: | Fee charged for some activities, Parking |
| Fees: |
|
| Permit Info: |
|
| Open Season: | Year-round |
| Usage: | Heavy |
| Busiest Season: | Summer |
| Restrictions: | Camping:
|
| Closest Towns: | Camp Verde, AZ |
| Restroom: | Vault toilets |
| Operated By: | Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611; Red Rock Ranger District - 928-203-2900 |
| Information Center: | Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611 |
General Information
Parking:- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): 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 can NOT be purchased on-site. See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Fossil Creek reservations.
- Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): No passes or permits are required.
Parking Locations: Parking spaces accommodate 22' vehicles unless otherwise noted. A parking space at any lot can be reserved during the Spring-Summer Season:
- Creek-side on Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) - central creek-side lots accessed from Camp Verde, Arizona via SR-260: Waterfall Trailhead, Irving/Flume Trailhead, Tonto Bench, Fossil Creek Bridge, Homestead
- Creek-side on Forest Road 502 - southwestern creek-side lots on the road to Childs and Ike's Saddle, accessed from Camp Verde, Arizona on Fossil Springs Road via SR-260: Sally May, Purple Mountain, Mazatzal
General Notes:
Attractions: Trails for hiking and horseback riding, swimming holes, waterplay, unique rock formations, great scenery, wildlife viewing, photography, and a lush riparian area.
Notes:
- No trash service: Take all trash and other items with you to avoid fines for littering/trash dumping.
- Periodic closures of Fossil Creek Road may occur due to weather, health, and safety concerns.
- Mechanized vehicles, including mountain bikes and remote controlled aircraft, are NOT permitted in the Wilderness.
- This area can be quite hot in summer. Bring plenty of drinking water.
Fossil Creek Road Partial Closure Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) is closed between Fossil Springs Trailhead (just west of Strawberry, AZ) and the Waterfall Trailhead (east of Fossil Creek Bridge) indefinitely. See the Fossil Creek Road Closure Forest Order for information. For all the rules on Fossil Creek see Fossil Creek Map, Guide, and Rules (guía en Español).
- From Camp Verde, AZ: Use this route for creekside day use areas, Flume Trail, and Waterfall Trail access. High-clearance, 4WD vehicle strongly recommended.
- From Strawberry, AZ: The creek cannot be accessed from this side.
Directions:
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 - Bridge(Map): 34°23'39.6"N 111°37'48.1"W
Access via Camp Verde: From Interstate 17, exit 287, turn east on state Route 260 towards Payson and travel 10 miles. Between mile 228 & 229, Forest Road 708 (Fossil Creek Road) intersects SR 260 on the right, signed as Fossil Creek/Verde River. Travel 14 miles down this rough dirt road (high-clearance 4WD vehicles recommended) to Forest Road 502 (Childs Road).
A reserved, PRINTED parking pass is required for all creek-side sites and trailheads from April 1 to Oct. 1.
There is no access to the creek or waterfall by car from Strawberry, AZ. Know your destination and plan your route carefully before heading to Fossil Springs and Creek. Do not depend on online maps or your GPS for directions. Many people who do so find themselves lost and miles away from the creek.
Download seasonal recreation guides
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)
Activities
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing: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 FS 708 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.
Parking Pass: Reservation Required Spring-Summer Season
- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): 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 can NOT be purchased on-site. See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Fossil Creek reservations.
- Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): No passes or permits are required.
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Trail-No. 18
- Flume Trail No. 154 to Fossil Creek Dam
- Mail Trail No. 84
- Waterfall Trail on Fossil Creek
Parking
- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): 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. See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Fossil Creek reservations.
- Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): No passes or permits are required.
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- 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 (April 1 to October 1). See the Spring-Summer Guide (guía en Español) for more information.
- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): 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. See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Fossil Creek reservations.
- Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): 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.
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:- Bob Bear (formerly Fossil Springs) Trail-No. 18
- Flume Trail No. 154 to Fossil Creek Dam
- Mail Trail No. 84
Parking: Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) is very rough and not recommended for horse trailers.
- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): 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. See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Fossil Creek reservations.
- Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): No passes or permits are required.
Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:For more information, see Wildlife and Fisheries of the Red Rock District
Parking
- Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): 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. See Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Fossil Creek reservations.
- Fall-Winter Season (October 2 - March 31): No passes or permits are required.
Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming:Amenities
| Parking: | 9 parking lots (total 115 22' spaces). Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): Printed, reserved parking permit required. Parking permits not required in Fall-Winter Season. |
|---|---|
| Fee charged for some activities: | Spring-Summer Season (April 1 - October 1): $6 pre-purchased parking permit required. No fees in Fall-Winter Season. |
Related Information
Location
