About this spot
Fossil Creek Falls is the signature swimming hole and cliff-jump spot on spring-fed, travertine Fossil Creek between Camp Verde and Strawberry, Arizona. A parking permit (about $6/vehicle via Recreation.gov) is required April 1-October 1, and it's tied to a specific lot you pick when booking — Dixon Lewis is closest to the falls (roughly a 1-mile walk), and Sally May is a solid creekside choice. Permits release a month ahead and two days ahead and sell out fast. From Camp Verde the approach is Fossil Creek Road (FR 708): about 14 miles of rough washboard dirt — plan on 45-60 minutes from pavement to the ranger checkpoint, high clearance helps, and some lot gates require arriving early afternoon. A 25-foot waterfall drops into a deep emerald pool with ledge jumps beside it -- but swimming and cliff diving here have caused several drownings and serious injuries, so know the pool before jumping. Water stays cold year-round and the travertine gets slick.
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Watch & read
- r/ Reddit — Bob bear to fossil creek falls, AZ, USA
- ▶ Watch — GoPro: Cliff Jumping at Fossil Creek
- ▶ Watch — INSANE Fossil Creek AZ Cliff Jumping
- ↗ Read — The Outbound: Cliff Jump at Fossil Creek Falls
- ↗ Read — AZ Swimming Holes: Fossil Creek
