Overview:
Fossil Creek flows from its source, at Fossil Springs, 14 miles to its confluence with the Verde River downstream of the historic and decommissioned Childs power plant. Fossil Creek is one of two Wild and Scenic rivers in Arizona. Its 70 degree F water pours at 20,000 gallons per hour from springs at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon. Over the years these calcium rich waters have laid down huge deposits of a material called travertine. That rock-like substance encases whatever happens to fall into the streambed – forming the fossil-like formations for which the area is named.
Fossil Creek is a rare riparian area within an arid landscape. Many plants and wildlife depend on Fossil Creek for habitat, including otters, beavers, leopard frogs and black hawks. Native fish populations have been successfully restored to some segments of Fossil Creek.
Fossil Creek has a number of Dilzhe’e (Western Apache) cultural sites. The Dilzhe’e lived along Fossil Creek for generations and still consider this to be part of their homeland.
Due to its beauty and year-round water, people are drawn to this area. The lushness of the riparian area strikes a sharp contrast to the dry and sparse desert vegetation that surrounds it. Fossil Creek recreation sites can be accessed via State Route 260 near Camp Verde, Arizona, and along Forest Road 708 (14 miles of rough dirt road) to designated parking lots and creek access sites near Fossil Creek; or via hiking 4.5 miles (strenuous) one way to the headwaters of Fossil Creek from the designated Fossil Springs Trailhead parking lot outside of Strawberry, Arizona.
Fossil Creek Permit Area
Advance permits are required to park a vehicle within the Fossil Creek Permit Area from April 1 through October 1. During this season and dependent on availability, a maximum of one permit per person per calendar month may be reserved (one permit = one day). Permits are made available one month ahead of time, on the first of the month. For example, permits for the month of April will be available to reserve beginning March 1. The permit allows parking for one vehicle only at one of nine designated parking lots. The maximum vehicle length is 22 feet. All persons listed on the permit must be accommodated inside the vehicle with a legal seatbelt on. The permit guarantees a parking space within the specified parking lot, but specific parking space assignments are not made. Parking spaces are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis.
Permits are not required from October 2 through March 31.
Equestrian users may reserve a specific parking space to accommodate a vehicle and horse trailer, located at Fossil Springs Trailhead only. These parking spaces are not first-come, first-served; they are assigned spaces. There are only three of these parking spaces at Fossil Springs Trailhead for equestrian use. The maximum vehicle and horse trailer length combined is 50 feet. All persons listed on the permit must be accommodated inside the vehicle with a legal seatbelt on.
The Fossil Creek area has very few developed facilities and visitors should be prepared for rustic and remote conditions. There is no camping in the Fossil Creek Permit Area.
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Directions
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GPS Coordinates
Latitude 34° 25′ 16.0000″ N
Longitude 111° 34′ 32.9999″ W