Keywords: arizona coconino national forest coconinonationalforest forest service forestservice fossil creek fossilcreek fossil springs fossilsprings fossil springs trail fossilspringstrail fossil springs trail #18 fossilspringstrail18 fossil springs trail no. 18 fossilspringstrailno18 fossil springs wilderness fossilspringswilderness red rock ranger district redrockrangerdistrict tonto national forest tontonationalforest usfs verde valley verdevalley autumn canyon creek desert fall fall color fallcolor fall colors fallcolors fall foliage fallfoliage forest hiking outdoors riparian trail water wilderness camp verde campverde united states unitedstates outdoor Fossil Springs begin approximately a half mile above the old Fossil Creek Dam. A series of springs gush 20,000 gallons a minute year-round at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon, creating a lush riparian oasis rich with life, and feeding Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine, creating deep pools for miles along the creek. The springs, creek, Wilderness, and surrounding area are on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests, and are managed by the Coconino National Forest. During the spring-summer season, camping is prohibited in Fossil Creek recreation area, and a reserved parking permit is required to park at the trailheads that access the springs and wilderness. See Fossil Springs Wilderness and Fossil Creek on the USFS Coconino National Forest website for maps, regulations, permit reservations, and other details. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, November 3, 2016. Source: USFS Coconino National Forest. Fossil Springs begin approximately a half mile above the old Fossil Creek Dam. A series of springs gush 20,000 gallons a minute year-round at the bottom of a 1,600 foot deep canyon, creating a lush riparian oasis rich with life, and feeding Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River. Over the years these calcium laden waters have laid down huge deposits of a type of limestone called travertine, creating deep pools for miles along the creek. The springs, creek, Wilderness, and surrounding area are on the Tonto and Coconino National Forests, and are managed by the Coconino National Forest. During the spring-summer season, camping is prohibited in Fossil Creek recreation area, and a reserved parking permit is required to park at the trailheads that access the springs and wilderness. See Fossil Springs Wilderness and Fossil Creek on the USFS Coconino National Forest website for maps, regulations, permit reservations, and other details. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, November 3, 2016. Source: USFS Coconino National Forest. |