Fossil Creek In the News

Updated: March 1 , 2017

Press Releases, News, and Media

Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River is a popular summertime destination. Arizonans flock to this beautiful riparian area to escape summer heat, swim, sunbathe, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

 

Press Release: Fossil Creek permit reservations open March 1 for 2017 season

The public can begin making reservations through a seasonal permit system to visit Fossil Creek starting March 1, 2017. Seasonal reservations are required from April 1 through October 1, 2017, for day-use visitation in the Fossil Creek Permit Area, located within the Coconino and the Tonto national forests. Permits will now be available to reserve one month in advance on a monthly basis, which is a change from the 2016 season... Read the full press release

 

2016 Stories

Story: New Fossil Creek permits calming the waters

The northern Arizona map is peppered with attractions that, with the help of the Internet, word of mouth and media coverage, have proliferated into “It” destinations, once off the beaten path but now drawing people by the tens of thousands.... Read the full article at Arizona Daily Sun. The original story appeared July 3, 2016.

 

Press Release, May 26, 2016: Confirmed - Fossil Creek reservations 100% booked Memorial Day weekend (Saturday May 28 through Monday May 30, 2016)

The Fossil Creek reservation system is working. All 148 parking spaces within the Fossil Creek area have been reserved for each day of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

The Coconino and Tonto National Forests have required visitors to use the reservation system since May 1 for parking at the Fossil Creek area (Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River, AZ). The system helps manage the area better and allows visitors to reserve spots for the day during busy summer months, while reducing traffic and protecting the beautiful and fragile resources that make Fossil Creek special... Read the full press release

 

Story: Fossil Creek Fallout: Unprepared visitors spill-over into local sites

What solved one problem may have created another. Visitors flocking to Fossil Creek—many from out-of-the-area—are spilling over onto local sites when turned away from lack of permit... The original story appeared May 7, 2016, in the Camp Verde Bugle.

 

Press Release, April 29, 2016: Required parking permit starts Sunday, May 1, 2016 for Fossil Creek area

"The Coconino and Tonto National Forests now requires visitors to use a reservation system, starting Sunday, May 1 to park in the Fossil Creek area (Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River, AZ). The system will help manage the area better and allow people to reserve parking spots for the day during busy summer months. The public must reserve a parking permit to visit the area by vehicle. The reservation system can be accessed online at Recreation.gov, which allows the public to purchase a parking permit for $6 for the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River, AZ..." Read the full press release

 

Story: Fossil Creek begins reservation parking system

The Forest Service reports they had to turn away over 30,000 people last year because of the number of people present. It also reports that over 200 people were rescued from Fossil Creek last year alone, and that congested roads presented accessibility issues for emergency vehicles. The new system would eliminate those risks... The original story by KPHX 12 News appeared March 2, 2016.

 

Story: New limit on Fossil Creek visits

Visitation to Fossil Creek has soared since Arizona Public Service agreed to shut down a historic hydropower plant and return water from the travertine-rich spring to the streambed in 2005. The number of visitors grew from 20,000 in 2006 to 73,000 by 2010. The crush of visitors threatened to pollute the stream with human waste and set fire to the rare, intact riparian vegetation along the 17 miles of stream before Fossil Creek flows into the Verde River... Read the full article at Payson Roundup. The original story appeared March 1, 2016.

 

Story: Visiting Fossil Creek? You'll need a permit

Read the full story on azcentral.com This story originally appeared February 28, 2016.

 

Press Release, February 26, 2016: Reservation system coming online for popular swimming destination

"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 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..." Read the full press release

Read the Fossil Creek Interim Management Decision Memo mentioned in this article for details. This is the key document, which outlines the final management plan for the area.

 

Interview: District Ranger Nicole Branton on the Fossil Creek Recreation, River Management Plan, and Other Red Rock Country topics

In this January 28, 2016 interview on Verde Valley TV's County Wide, Nicole talks about Fossil Creek recreation, the upcoming reservation system, the River Management Plan, and other Red Rock Ranger District topics. Brady Smith also discusses winter snow play in the Flagstaff area.

 

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Interview: District Ranger Nicole Branton on the Fossil Creek Reservation System

In this October 2015 interview on Verde Valley TV's County Wide, Nicole shares some of the issues and challenges the District has faced with the increased traffic and use of the Fossil Creek and Springs area, and talks about the changes to managing this increasingly popular recreation destination.

 

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Story: Fossil Creek - Reservations Required

This story shows some of the safety hazards and environmental impacts brought by increasing popularity of the area, and talks about the upcoming reservation system. (Cronkite News, October 2015)

 

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Story: Visiting Fossil Creek soon? Know what you're getting into

Read the full article on azcentral.com. This article and video appeared July 1, 2015.

 

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