CAMP VERDE, Ariz. — Some changes are coming for one of Arizona's most beautiful waterways that visitors need to be aware of.
The Coconino National Forest modified the current parking permit reservation system for Fossil Creek to increase accessibility and cut down on the amount of no-shows they were getting.
Fossil Creek is one of Arizona's only two National Wild and Scenic rivers and has several Western Apache and Yavapai sites along its banks. The canyon is recognized as an Ancestral homeland.
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Under the new system, 80% of permits will be available on a one-month, daily rolling basis each day at 8 a.m. Visitors can get their permit up to one month in advance of the date of their visit.
The other 20% of permits will be released three days in advance. These permits are also available starting at 8 a.m.
Permits are only required from April 1 to Oct. 1. You can only get one permit per person per calendar month, and all permits are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Access to Dixon Lewis, Irving/Flume, Tonto Bench, Fossil Creek Bridge and Homestead parking lots closes at 3 p.m. The maximum group size per permit is 12 people.
There is no camping in the Fossil Creek Permit Area from April 1 to Oct. 1. To reserve your permit, visit the Coconino National Forest website here.
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