Fossil Creek: day-use parking permits and alerts

What the parking permit covers

Your permit is valid only for the parking lot you reserve. Choose the lot you intend to visit: dropoffs at other lots are not allowed.

The permit holder must be at least 18 and travel with the group; identification is checked. One vehicle may carry up to 12 people, with a legal seatbelt for each person. Vehicles must be no longer than 22 feet, and trailers are prohibited.

Timing and seasons

Parking permits are required April 1 through October 1. No camping is allowed in the Fossil Creek permit area during that period. Permits are not required October 2 through March 31; check current Forest Service restrictions before travelling.

During the permit season, day-use hours are 8 am to 8 pm, with no overnight use. Reach the Highway 260/Forest Road 708 junction by 2 pm; the rough dirt-road drive takes at least an hour. The gate serving Lots 1–5 closes at 3 pm. Times are local Arizona time.

Reach the eight canyon lots on Forest Road 708 from Highway 260 near Camp Verde. The road from Strawberry does not reach these lots or the waterfall. Bob Bear Trailhead has a separate permit and a strenuous four-mile hike each way to the headwaters; it is not interchangeable with a canyon parking permit and does not reach the waterfall.

Bring your own drinking water and check road conditions. The official page recommends at least one gallon per person and a high-clearance vehicle; cell reception is poor. Check current access information with the Forest Service before leaving.

Parking lots we can watch

See everything we track in this park — live alert status included — on the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River coverage page.

Where Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River is

If Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River stays full

These are other places in our catalog, ordered by straight-line distance, not driving distance. Their permits, access routes and activities differ. Bob Bear Trailhead needs its own permit and hike; nearby camping reservations do not grant access to Fossil Creek.

• Bob Bear Trailhead

  ~5 miles · 1 location we can watch

• Rockin' River Ranch

  ~12 miles · browse coverage

• Tonto Natural Bridge

  ~12 miles · browse coverage

• Red Rock

  ~31 miles · browse coverage

• Dead Horse Ranch

  ~33 miles · 5 locations we can watch

• Soldier Pass Motorized Use Permit

  ~35 miles · 1 location we can watch

Cancellations and returned openings

An unprinted permit may be cancelled up to the reservation date. Recreation.gov says cancelling makes the space available to others; the $6 fee is non-refundable. A printed permit cannot be changed or cancelled.

We do not predict when a cancellation will appear. Watch only lots and dates you can use, then book on Recreation.gov when a matching opening is still available.

Common questions