Popular Arizona hiking, swimming area goes reservation-only this weekend
Apr 29, 2016, 1:24 PM | Updated: 4:43 pm
(Instagram Photo/@lapesi)
PHOENIX — Fossil Creek, a popular hiking and swimming area in north-central Arizona, will only be accessible by those with reservations beginning this weekend.
The swimming spot, frequently jammed with visitors during summer months, is moving to the reservation-only system through Oct. 1 to prevent overcrowding. It frequently filled by 7 a.m. on weekend days last summer.
“An increase in use and over-crowded conditions at the Fossil Creek and Fossil Springs area during summer months created traffic problems and safety issues for visitors to the area, which is why this reservation system is necessary,” Nicole Branton, district ranger for the Red Rock Ranger District, said in a press release.
Branton said the reservation system will not only limit crowds, but will save people time.
“Reservations will serve the public better because they will know if the area is full to capacity by whether or not there are permits available online,” she said. “This means they won’t have to spend time driving long distances to get to Fossil Creek, only to be turned around because the area is full.”
Forest Service officials said online and telephone reservation systems will allow users to obtain single-day parking passes and reserve parking spots. Permits cost $6.
The online system is available at recreation.gov and the phone number is 877-444-6777
Permits will only be required from May 1 to Oct. 1 in 2016 and from April 1 to Oct. 1 in following years. Visitors to Fossil Creek will not be required to obtain a permit and parking pass during other months.
There are 148 designated parking spaces at nine locations, meaning the area will see about 740 visitors per day while the reservation system is in place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.