About this spot
From I-17, exit at Camp Verde and take exit 287 toward Payson on AZ 260. Head east on AZ 260 for approximately 10-15 minutes until you spot Fossil Creek Road on the right side. Note that the Forest Service may implement seasonal closures during summer months to manage visitor volume. The dirt road is rough but passable in standard two-wheel-drive vehicles. Continue for 21 miles to a fork; bear left and proceed upstream across the Fossil Creek bridge. The trailhead sits on the left just before the road closure point. From here, follow directional markers along the road past the closure gate to reach a descent toward the creek. The path follows the creek upstream to the falls via a straightforward 1.5-mile hike. The pool beneath the falls reaches depths of 20 feet with visibility throughout, and travertine formations rise around the cascade.