Fossil Creek, Arizona: A Complete Guide to Permits, Hiking & Swimming

In sharp contrast to the deserts Arizona is known for, you’ll find a lush riparian landscape lining this pristine waterway in northern Arizona.

Around 60,000 people visit Fossil Creek each year.  It flows for 14 miles, through lands managed by both the Coconino and Tonto National Forests, from its source at Fossil Springs to the Verde River.

At the springs, 70°F water surges out of a 1,600-foot-deep canyon at an incredible 20,000 gallons per minute.

Rich in calcium, the water deposits travertine that coats the streambed. Over time, this creates the fossil-like formations that gave Fossil Creek its name.

Key Info on Visiting Fossil Creek

• You’ll need a $6 permit from April to September.
• Access is different from Fossil Springs.
• Enter from Camp Verde, AZ.
• You’ll drive 15 miles on a winding, bumpy, dirt road.

Fossil Creek Permits

You’ll need to get permits to visit Fossil Creek from April through September. 

The permits are only $6, but they’re in high demand, especially in the summer months.

Fossil Creek permits are only available on recreation.gov.

Permit Rules

• You must reach the Highway 260 / Forest Road 708 junction by 2 p.m. to use your permit.
• The gate to most lots closes at 3 p.m.
• Permits are granted for specific parking lots, which I’ll go over below.
• Permits cannot be transferred, and the permit holder must be present.
• You must print your full permit (three pages). The parking pass goes on your dashboard, and the permit holder must carry the permit.

How Fossil Creek Permits Are Released

• 80% of permits are released one month in advance, on a rolling basis.
• Permits are released daily from March 1 through September 1, corresponding to the same date one month later.
• Example: If you want a permit for August 4, you can first try to book it on July 4 at 8:00 a.m. AZ MST.
• 20% of permits are released 2 days in advance.
• If you didn’t get a permit one month out, you have a second chance: the remaining 20% are released two days before your visit, also at 8:00 a.m. AZ MST.
• Example:  If you still need a permit for August 4, you can try again on August 2 at 8:00 a.m. AZ MST.

If you see “NR” in the reservation system, it means the two-day-advance permits aren’t available yet. They will open exactly two days before the date at 8:00 a.m. AZ MST.

Where to Stay Near Fossil Creek

Fossil Creek is an easy day trip from Phoenix, Flagstaff, or Sedona.

You can plug your dates into this interactive map to check the best prices at hotels nearby:

How to Get to Fossil Creek

From Phoenix, Camp Verde is 90 miles north. The drive takes 1.5 hours.

To reach the eight Fossil Creek parking lots, you’ll take Forest Road 708 from Highway 260. You’ll enter the area from Camp Verde, *not* Strawberry.

The dirt forest road is rough, and you’ll be on it for 15 miles!  High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended.

The gate has a sign that says it opens at 8 am.  I haven’t been there earlier to see if it’s opened before 8.

The Fossil Creek Parking Lots

Your permit is valid for one vehicle only, and for a specific parking lot:

• Dixon Lewis (Waterfall) Trailhead
• Irving (Flume Trailhead)
• Tonto Bench
• Fossil Creek Bridge
• Homestead
• Sally May
• Purple Mountain
• Mazatzal

The Homestead Lot is large, with parking spots in two areas.  It’s quite a distance from Fossil Creek.

The other lots are much smaller, with room for only 20 or so vehicles.

Several of the lots have vaulted toilets, but no other services.

The Dixon Lewis Lot is closest to the waterfall, just over a mile away.  The road gets progressively bumpier, the closer you get to the trailhead.

Map of Fossil Creek Parking Lots

You can see in the map below: the Mazatzal lot is quite a walk from the Dixon Lewis lot, which is closest to the swimming area. As you’d imagine, permits for the closest lots go first.

Hiking to Fossil Creek Swimming Hole

The hike to the creek and swimming holes is fairly easy. You’ll find a trail from the Dixon Lewis Trailhead and parking lot. It starts a road up the hill, which is closed to vehicles.

From there, you’ll see signs that’ll take you down through a more rugged path.

The trail is easy to navigate, and first leads through a fenced-off area. I believe a wildfire swept through several years ago, and it’s in the regrowth process.

The trail goes under the trees, which you’ll appreciate if you’re hiking to Fossil Creek in the summer heat.

The trail will lead to Fossil Creek, and you’ll follow it to the waterfalls, passing other swimming holes along the way. These photos are from an autumn day, so it’s much more lush and inviting in the summer!

From above, you can see the series of smaller waterfalls along Fossil Creek, which you’ll hike by on your way to the main area.

The main waterfall is very pretty. The water is crystal clear, and there are areas around the swimming hole where people set up chairs and picnics for the day. It can get very crowded in the summer!

Camping at Fossil Creek

Camping is not allowed anywhere in the Fossil Creek permit area from April 1 through October 1. This includes all eight parking lots and all creek-access sites along Forest Road 708.

This seasonal ban is in place to protect the fragile ecosystem, manage heavy visitation, and reduce fire risk.

What About the Off-Season?

Outside the permit season (October 2–March 31), dispersed camping may be allowed in certain areas outside the closed zones—but only if fire restrictions and road conditions permit.

Campfires and charcoal grills aren’t allowed within 1/4 mile of the creek

Gas stoves are allowed.

Additional Rules at Fossil Springs

• No campfires, charcoal, or warming fires. Gas stoves only.
• No camping in the permit area from April 1 to October 1.
• Vehicles over 22 feet, vehicles towing trailers, and buses/vans over the limit are prohibited.
• Road access may change due to weather or fire restrictions.
• Glass food and beverage containers are prohibited within the entire Wild & Scenic River area.
• Keep pets on a leash at all times.

Fossil Creek vs. Fossil Springs

I personally prefer the Fossil Springs hike, along the Bob Bear Trail. 

Access is through Payson and Strawberry, AZ.  You’ll need a permit for that, too, and it’s a steep incline.  

While Fossil Creek is accessible to all, Fossil Springs requires a much more rigorous and challenging hike.

Still, the Bob Bear Trail leads to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole, with pristine water flowing right from the spring.  

Just downstream, you’ll swim against the current to get into a cove, where the sunlight reflects against the travertine riverbed to create an almost iridescent view.