For More Information . . . 

Or to comment or become involved in the longterm planning for Fossil Creek, contact:

Coconino National Forest

1824 S. Thompson Street

Flagstaff, AZ 86001-2529

Phone: (928) 537-3600

Or Visit:

www.fs.usda.gov/coconino

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs 

and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where 

applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual 

orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an 

individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited 

bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means 

for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should 

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY). To file a complaint 

of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence 

Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-

6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Slightly revised and printed on recycled paper • May 2013

United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service

Southwestern Region

RG-R3-04-4

Fossil Creek . . . 

Change is Here

New Regulations

to Protect Fossil Creek, 

Coconino and Tonto 

National Forests

Attention—

New Rules for You at Fossil Creek

The Forest Service has new rules for camping, 

fires, and off-road driving for the Fossil Creek area. More 

than 90,000 people visit this area each year. Because of 

the heavy use, Fossil Creek is being “loved to death”—

damaged by wood cutting, fires, new roads, trash, and 

human waste.

What Makes 

Fossil Creek Special?

Fossil Creek is one of only two wild and scenic 

rivers in Arizona.

Fossil Creek is fed by springs coming from the 

cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. Over 30 million gallons of 

water are discharged each day at a constant 70 °F. 

The high mineral content leaves travertine dams and 

deposits, giving rise to fossil-like features.

In 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) 

decommissioned the Fossil Creek Dam and Flume, 

restoring full flows to Fossil Creek.

Fossil Creek is a rare riparian area within an 

otherwise arid landscape. Many plants and wildlife 

depend on Fossil Creek for habitat, including otters, 

beavers, leopard frogs, and common black hawks.

Fossil Creek has a number of Dilzhé’é (Western 

Apache) cultural sites. The Dilzhé’é lived along Fossil 

Creek for generations and several families consider this 

to be their homeland. 

Native-Only Fishery 

After massive efforts, Fossil Creek is now a native 

only fishery. It is illegal to introduce, release, or move 

any fish, amphibian, or crayfish into or around Fossil 

Creek. Fossil Creek is a seasonal catch and release 

fishery for roundtail chub and headwater chub. It is an 

artificial fly and lure fishery, and only single barbless 

hooks may be used. It is your responsibility to know 

and observe Arizona Game and Fish Department 

regulations.

Roundtail chub by John Rinne

In 2009, Fossil Creek was designated by Congress 

as a national wild and scenic river. The Forest Service 

must, by law, protect this special place. Over the next 

few years, the Forest Service will work with the public to 

develop a long-term plan for the area. In the meantime, 

interim rules aim to protect the Fossil Creek area. Please 

respect and abide by the rules listed on the map side of 

this brochure.

How Can You Help?

• Obey all camping and fire rules.

• Stay on designated roads and trails.

• Use the provided porta-potties or bury your 

waste 6 inches deep and at least 200 feet 

from any water source.

• Bag your trash and take it home.

The Arizona Water Protection 

Fund Commission has funded all or 

part of this brochure. The views or 

findings presented are those of the 

Forest Service and do not necessarily 

represent those of the commission, 

State, or Arizona Department of Water 

Resources.

Please respect the river!

Funded by a 

grant from the 

United States 

Environmental 

Protection Agency 

and the Arizona 

Department of 

Environmental 

Quality.
Fossil Creek Area

Old Fossil Creek Dam

Fossil Creek

Bridge

Fossil Creek

Road

Fossil Creek

Road

Childs

Road

708

Strawberry

3 miles

Camp

Verde

21 miles

708

Old Corral

N

0 .5 1

scale in miles

502

Fossil

Springs

Irving

Flume Trail TH

Stehr Lakebed

Sally May

Homestead

F

o

s

s i l

C r e

e

k

F o s s i l C r e e k

Coconino

m

m

m

m m

m

m

Purple Mountain

Fossil Springs 

Trail TH

Head of 

Fossil Creek

(No water)

Mazatzal

m

Fossil

Springs Trail

8 miles round trip

Not recommended 

for day hike.

Legend

Closed to camping (between Fossil 

Creek Dam and Fossil Creek Bridge)

Open to camping if your camp is at least 

100 feet from Fossil Creek

Road (high-clearance vehicles recommended)

Road closed to vehicle traffic

Trail

Trailhead m

Gate

Creek access

Campfires are prohibited between the 

head of Fossil Creek and Ike Saddle.

Tonto

Waterfall TH

Waterfall Trail

Flume Trail

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

OK

RESTRICCIONES PARA FUEGO

Necesita Permiso Para Estufas

Tonto Bench

m

I

I

Road Closed to

Motorized Vehicles

Ike Saddle

I

TH

TH

TH

Fossil Creek Area Regulations

It is your responsibility to know and obey 

national forest rules. Violations are punishable by a 

fine of up to $5,000 and/or 6 months in jail.

• Camping is prohibited within a quarter 

mile either side of Fossil Creek from the 

Old Fossil Creek Dam, downstream to

Fossil Creek Bridge.

• Camping is allowed downstream of 

Fossil Creek Bridge if your camp is 

at least 100 feet from the edge of the 

creek. Camping is also allowed upstream of the 

Old Fossil Creek Dam.

• Campfires are prohibited within a quarter 

mile of Fossil Creek from the head of 

Fossil Creek, downstream 12 miles to 

Ike Saddle near milepost 4 on Forest 

Road 502.

• Driving off road is prohibited.

• The construction of new campsites or the 

improvement of existing campsites is prohibited.

Camino de FS 708

El camino de Servicio Forestal 708 

está cerrado del lado de Strawberry hasta el 

aviso adicional. Este cierre debe asegurar 

en efecto la salud pública y la seguridad.

FS Road 708

Forest Service Road 708 is closed 

from the Strawberry side until further notice. 

This closure is in effect to provide for public 

health and safety.

 Regulaciones del Área de Fossil Creek

Es su responsabilidad conocer y obedecer las 

normas del forestal nacional. La violación de dichas 

normas será sancionada con una multa de hasta 

$5,000 y/o 6 meses de cárcel.

• Se prohíbe acampar dentro del 1⁄4 de milla 

de Fossil Creek (desde el viejo Fossil 

Creek Dam hasta rio abajo de Fossil 

Creek Bridge).

• Se permite acampar desde el río abajo de 

Fossil Creek Bridge. El campo se tiene 

que encuentrar más que a 100 pies de 

la orilla del Río. Se permite acampar superior del 

viejo Fossil Creek Dam.

• Se prohíbe hacer fuegos dentro del 1⁄4 de 

milla de Fossil Creek (desde la cabeza de 

Fossil Creek hasta 12 millas del río abajo 

de Ike Saddle cerca del poste de la milla 4 

en FR 502).

• Se prohíbe conducir por fuera de la carretera.

• Se prohíbe la construcción de nuevos campos o 

mejorar de los antiguos campos.

Information Hotline: (928) 226-4611