Want to hike to Fossil Creek? The permit reservations system opens Thursday 8 a.m.
Day-use permits are required for anyone who wants to visit Fossil Creek, a sought-after hiking spot located in the Coconino and Tonto national forests, between April 1 and October 1.
Starting Thursday, reservations will be open for the entire month of April.
Reservations can be made one month in advance beginning on the first day of the month (March 1 for April, April 1 for May, May 1 for June, etc.) at 8 a.m. This is new for 2017.
To make a reservation, visit the Fossil Creek page on Recreation.gov. Permits cost $10 and reserve a parking space for the holder for one day in a specific lot.
A max of one permit per person per calendar month can be reserved, according to the Fossil Creek page.
2016 was the first that the permit system was in place. The forest service said the system was key for managing such a high-demand location.
“The amount of trash, the numbers of vehicles waiting to park, and the volume of law enforcement incidents all declined substantially, and visitors were very happy to know they had a guaranteed parking spot,” said Nicole Branton, district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District, in a release.
What you need to know about Fossil Creek permits
The site is accessed two ways:
• A drive through State Route 260 near Camp Verde, Arizona, and along Forest Road 708 (high-clearance vehicles are recommended)
• A 4.5-mile, one-way hike to the Fossil Creek waters from the designated Fossil Springs Trailhead parking lot outside of Strawberry, Arizona.
There are three permit types available:
1. Vehicle Parking (includes Waterfall Trailhead, Irving, Tonto Bench, Fossil Creek Bridge, Homestead, Sally May, Purple Mountain, and Mazatzal parking lots)
2. Park and Hike (Fossil Springs Trailhead)
3. Horse Trailer Parking (Fossil Springs Trailhead)
More on the permit:
• You must print the permit in advance and place it on your dashboard once parked.
• Permits are not sold at the gate
• Phone images of your permit are not sufficient
• Permits are not required from October 2 through March 31
Pack it in, pack it out
No garbage service is available at Fossil Creek, so hikers should carry out any garbage when they leave. In addition, campfires, charcoal grills and glass containers are prohibited.
Day use only
Camping is only allowed in the off season, from October 2 to March 31. Between April 1 and October 1, camping is allowed downstream of Fossil Creek Bridge and upstream of the historic dam site.
