Fossil Creek Wilderness Area

Fossil Creek flows from several natural springs. The water is cold year round and offers multiple swimming areas along the creek side hikes. The waterfall at the end of the waterfall trail is absolutely beautiful and offers swimming, cliff diving, places to sit, relax and cool off in the hot Arizona heat. The Waterfall trail head is 2 miles round trip, but then you have to hike the road back to your designated parking area.  The area is heavily used on the weekends during summer months. Weekdays are best. Temperatures during summer months will get above 100° so pack accordingly. There is no trash service so PLEASE pack it in and pack it out! Pack light with lots of water and you'll want to bring a pair of old shoes, water shoes or sandles to swim in. The creek bottom is rocky and slippery I'm most places. Most people hike in shorts or some sort of bathing suit as there is multiple places to take a break and go for a swim along the hike. Plan on spending the day there. Once you get to the waterfall you won't want to leave. 

You need to purchase a parking permit to access the area. There are 5 parking areas to choose from and those closest to the waterfall fill up fast. Homestead, the furthest away from the waterfall trail head is about 2 miles away on a forest road. Waterfall Trail Head parking area is the closest at the trail head. Permits can only be bought a month in advance. At the beginning of each month you can start to purchase for that month. Park rangers do check permits in 2 spots on your way in and go from parking area to parking area checking cars. Gates open at 8am and close at 4pm for entering. They close at 8pm for exiting. Permits can be purchased at:

www.recreation.gov 

Directions:

From Interstate 17, exit 287, turn east on State Route 260 towards Payson and travel 10 miles. Between mile 228 and 229, Forest Road 708 (Fossil Creek Road) will intersect 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 the intersection with Forest Road 502 (Childs Road). From here stay on 708 and until you reach your designated parking area.