Fossil Creek
- Elevation
- 3,500 ft
- Road
- High clearance
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Vehicle entry needs a reservation: required April 1 to October 1 via Recreation.gov (one permit per person per month, group max 12). Entry fee: $6 non-refundable Recreation.gov reservation fee per vehicle April 1 to October 1. Fossil Creek is a creek pool in Yavapai County, Arizona. See every spot on Fossil Creek.
Closures and warnings
Remote area with extreme heat danger, poor cell service, and flash-flood risk. No lifeguards. Check Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611 before travel (area closed 2026-09-28 for wet FR708 conditions). As of September 28, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Creek pool |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Water clarity | Calcium-rich travertine creek; USFS notes all creek access points have swimming opportunities. |
Access
| Road | High clearance |
|---|---|
| Road note | Vehicle access only via SR 260 to FR 708 from Camp Verde (about 14 miles dirt). No vehicle access from Strawberry; Bob Bear Trail is a separate strenuous hike. |
| Parking | Eight designated lots (Dixon Lewis, Irving, Tonto Bench, Bridge, Homestead, Sally May, Purple Mountain, Mazatzal). Max vehicle length 22 ft; no trailers in summer. |
| When it fills | Arrive at HWY 260/FR708 junction by 2 p.m. to use a permit-season reservation; recreate only at the reserved lot. |
| Fee | $6 non-refundable Recreation.gov reservation fee per vehicle April 1 to October 1; no fees October 2 to March 31 |
| Hours | Spring-summer day use 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; access gate closes 3 p.m. for lots 1-5. Fall-winter gates open 24 hours unless weather-closed. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Required April 1 to October 1 via Recreation.gov (one permit per person per month, group max 12). Not required October 2 to March 31. |
| Elevation | 3,500 ft |
| Managed by | US Forest Service (Coconino and Tonto National Forests) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | No |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Vault toilets at most lots; no potable water; picnic tables at the site. Pack out all trash. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Not allowed |
| Fires | Not allowed |
| Glass | Not allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Fossil Creek open?
Remote area with extreme heat danger, poor cell service, and flash-flood risk. No lifeguards. Check Fossil Creek Hotline 928-226-4611 before travel (area closed 2026-09-28 for wet FR708 conditions). As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Spring-summer day use 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; access gate closes 3 p.m. for lots 1-5. Fall-winter gates open 24 hours unless weather-closed.
Can you swim at Fossil Creek?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Fossil Creek.
How do you get to Fossil Creek?
The road in is high clearance. Vehicle access only via SR 260 to FR 708 from Camp Verde (about 14 miles dirt). No vehicle access from Strawberry; Bob Bear Trail is a separate strenuous hike. Parking: Eight designated lots (Dixon Lewis, Irving, Tonto Bench, Bridge, Homestead, Sally May, Purple Mountain, Mazatzal). Max vehicle length 22 ft; no trailers in summer. Arrive at HWY 260/FR708 junction by 2 p.m. to use a permit-season reservation; recreate only at the reserved lot.
Do you need a reservation for Fossil Creek?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Required April 1 to October 1 via Recreation.gov (one permit per person per month, group max 12). Not required October 2 to March 31.
Is there a fee at Fossil Creek?
The fee is $6 non-refundable Recreation.gov reservation fee per vehicle April 1 to October 1; no fees October 2 to March 31.
What facilities are at Fossil Creek?
Restrooms and picnic sites. No drinking water. Vault toilets at most lots; no potable water; picnic tables at the site. Pack out all trash.
What are the rules at Fossil Creek?
Dogs are allowed, camping is not allowed, fires are not allowed, and glass containers are not allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Fossil Creek is inside Coconino National Forest .
Just outside: Tonto National Forest (0.1 mi) , Mazatzal Wilderness (0.1 mi) .
Sources
2
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/recreation/fossil-creek-wild-and-scenic-river (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / elevationFt, access.roadSurface / roadNote / parking, access.permitRequired / reservationWindow / hours, access.amenities, rules.fires / glass / camping, rules.dogs, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterType / waterClarityNote, swimmerNotes.entryType)
- https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251919 (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee / parkingPattern, hazardNote)
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