Fossil Creek - Reservations

[joebartels]

Reservation system coming online for popular swimming destination

Camp Verde, Ariz., Feb. 26, 2016, For Immediate Release - The Coconino and Tonto National Forests have signed a decision that puts in to place a reservation system at Fossil Creek that will help manage the area better and allow people to reserve spots for the day during busy summer months.

The public will be able to use the reservation system online at http://www.recreation.gov<http://www.recreation.gov> on March 1, which will allow the public to purchase a permit for $6, entitling the permit holder to a single day parking pass and reserve a spot for the day. Reservations can also be made by calling 877-444-6777. The permits will only be required from May 1 to Oct. 1 in 2016 and from April 1 to Oct. 1 in the following years. Visitors to Fossil Creek will not be required to obtain a permit and parking pass during other months of the year.

There are approximately 148 designated parking spaces within the permit area, which equates to having about 740 visitors per day within the permit area. Parking locations include Fossil Springs Trailhead, Waterfall Trailhead, Irving, Tonto Bench, Fossil Creek Bridge, Homestead, Sally May, Purple Mountain and Mazatzal.

"An increase in use and over-crowded conditions at the Fossil Creek and Fossil Springs area during summer months created traffic problems and safety issues for visitors to the area, which is why this reservation system is necessary," said Nicole Branton, district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District. "Reservations will serve the public better because they will know if the area is full to capacity by whether or not there are permits available online. This means they won't have to spend time driving long distances to get to Fossil Creek, only to be turned around because the area is full."

During the summer of 2015, the Fossil Creek area had reached full capacity by 7 a.m. on most weekends, and hundreds of people were being turned away each day. Many of the visitors had driven more than two hours to reach Fossil Creek and expressed strong support for a reservation system that would guarantee entrance to the creek upon arrival.

Individuals who are 18 years or older can make reservations to visit Fossil Creek up to six months in advance and may only park in the parking lot assigned on their parking pass for the day reserved. Only six reservations per year are allowed per person.

To see the full Decision Memo and more details, please visit http://tinyurl.com/zejf5fv.

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NOTE TO MEDIA: Forest Service personnel will be available Wednesday morning for interviews at Fossil Creek to show you the sites and discuss the new reservation system. If you are interested in covering this story, please RSVP to Brady Smith at bradysmith@fs.fed.us<mailto:bradysmith@fs.fed.us>. The time and location to meet Wednesday morning will be provided when you RSVP.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC ... 492908.pdf

[chumley]

Glad they finally did something.

Not thrilled about
1. The $6 fee or ~740 visitors per day
2. No difference in permit for driving to the creek from the west versus those hiking the 8 mile r/t Fossil Springs Trail from Strawberry (though presumably the reservation will have to specify where you will be guaranteed a spot to park).
3. New day-use only designation/prohibition of camping anywhere in the management area (see map).

But it's better than it was before, and for that I'm happy.

[te_wa]

~740 visitors per day

did i just read that right?? insane. it should be 74 a day.

[outdoor_lover]

Another Interesting Aspect that may change the Dynamic Slightly, is the fact that you have to be 18 to get a Permit....

It will be interesting to see, now that people Parking on the West Side are Paying "Customers" whether they will Improve that Road at all, or at least Maintain it enough so you don't need High Clearance and Beefy Tires to drive it....

[chumley]

@Outdoor Lover
It's a parking permit, not an entry permit. In Arizona if you are under 18, you can't have anybody else under 18 in the car with you anyway, so I can't imagine this will have a large impact. Probably not a ton of 16 and 17 year olds out there causing problems.

It's probably more about needing to be 18 to get a credit card to pay the man! $$$

[joebartels]

Last time in the area when it was packed busy I'd guestimate 30% under 18 or right near 18. Of those groups it seemed there was one or more 18 year olds. They'd just figure that part out in my opinion.

Doubt the fees go to anything except administration / patrol. I'm still shocked at the ridiculous $$ figure they say it costs to run Lost Dutchman Park each day. Something like $3k, where they mention garbage services and such. Applying that highly scientific un-researched memory thought, 148x6 might pay for daily padlock maintenance on one gate.

[Tortoise_Hiker]

@joe bartels
Can you give them a buck off and a free trash bag to fill up and bring out.
Speaking of Lost Dutchman state park... The State Park people moved out of the little pace they had downtown. They are at 23751 N 23rd Ave. Ste. 190 Phoenix, AZ. 85085. It's north of Pinnacle Peak rd. Not far from the park and ride. They have a little gift area and some displays.

[azbackpackr]

Um...so, why bother?

[trekkin_gecko]

article on fossil creek permit system:

http://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/a ... /80991290/

[ddgrunning]

In Arizona if you are under 18, you can't have anybody else under 18 in the car with you anyway

Drivers under 18 can have no more than one other passenger under 18, but that restriction only applies for the first six months after they get their license (and there are exceptions for siblings, etc.). A.R.S. §28-3174(E). After that, they are free to pack the car with other minors ....

[trekkin_gecko]

article on impact of permit system:

http://azdailysun.com/news/local/new-fo ... d8e5c.html

[PrestonSands]

If you know anyone ages 18-30 looking for a paid internship at Fossil Springs with the Forest Service this summer/fall, shoot me a PM.

[louie]

Is this new where the creek is now closed during the week for peak season in 2025?
Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in April through September
Spring-summer season.
Parking permit required.
No camping allowed.
Closed Mon-Thurs
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconin ... 0on%2Dsite.

[chumley]

@louie I have seen no news release addressing the weekday closure, nor any forest orders related to it. Questions about it have not been replied to on the forest social media pages. However, wreck.gov spells it out pretty clearly:

Fossil Creek will be open Friday- Sunday throughout the 2025 permit season (April 1st-October 1st). Fossil Creek will be closed Monday - Thursday and vehicles will be prohibited from parking along the roadway within the permit area or at any of the following parking lots: Sally May, Purple Mountain, and Mazatzal on the Coconino National Forest and Bob Bear Trailhead on the Tonto National Forest.

[louie]

@chumley
I haven’t paid enough attention the last few years, but since initiating the permit system is it the norm to close it off during the week?

[chumley]

@louie 2025 is the first year where a weekday closure has been in effect during the current parking-permit access system.