Arizona’s Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail is Still Closed
Arizona is full of hidden gems. Maybe the most famous (or Insta-famous) is Havasupai Falls. While it’s still closed (pandemic-related), even when it’s open it can be impossible to visit due to a limited and very competitive lottery permit system.
Much more accessible are the clear waters of Fossil Creek and Fossil Springs. The cold, spring-fed waterfalls and swimming holes are a nice drive from the Phoenix area.
It’s now closed, at least into the fall of 2022, after a wildfire swept through the area. The flames moved through in June of 2021, and the damage still isn’t clear to the public.
Officials with the Coconino National Forest say the closure could extend into the fall, citing dangers from fallen trees and the risk of flash floods in the wildfire burn scar.
The Backbone Fire grew to 40,000 acres, and prompted evacuations in the nearby towns of Pine and Strawberry.
Forest officials told me the fire burned through the Fossil Creek area in a “patchy” way, meaning the lush vegetation around the creek isn’t totally charred.
Still, all permits have been canceled, and rehabilitation work is underway on the forest roads, and the area as a whole.
The Bob Bear Trail, near Strawberry, Arizona, is two hours north of Phoenix. From the parking lot, it’s all downhill. The hike in is about four-miles down to the water. It’s mostly open to the elements, with a few shady spots.
The spring itself is small. I can’t comprehend how the huge falls down the stream come from this one spring. The falls are impressive. The stream is cold and clear. The waters swirl under a cave, and when the light is right, it glows a vibrant green-blue.
The waterfall downstream from Fossil Springs
A blue lagoon in a cave down from Fossil Springs
It’s a strenuous hike out (all uphill, four miles), so bring plenty of water and maybe some food to have under the shady trees near the springs.
Permits are required April through October, and you can usually secure one a few weeks in advance on recreation.gov (especially mid-week).
These photos are from the Bob Bear Trailhead (formerly Fossil Springs). Keep in mind, Fossil Creek parking lot permits go to a different side of the area. The Creek side is much easier to hike, and still leads to beautiful, clear waters.
