We have been to the Bob Bear (Fossil Springs) Waterfall trail in Arizona five different times now and we are completely awed every time we go. This is one of our favorite places to cool off from the summer heat. This hike is not easy, it will test you with your endurance (especially when it is 105 degrees in the summer). For us, we enjoy the challenge and we enjoy the people we are with at the bottom of the hike because everybody went through the same hike as you did. It is important to remember that Bob Bear (Fossil Springs) Waterfall is different than the Fossil Creek Waterfall in Camp Verde.
In this post, you will be able to find everything you need to know for making an epic adventure day at the amazing Bob Bear (fossil spring) waterfall.
Where is Bob Bear (Fossil Springs) Waterfall / Getting to the Bob Bear (Fossil Springs) Waterfalls Trail Head
Bob Bear (Fossil Springs) Waterfall can be accessed from Strawberry, Arizona and also Camp Verde, Arizona. Any kind of car will be fine from the Strawberry trail head. If you take the flume trail head from Camp Verde, there will be 17 miles of unpaved dirt road. I would recommend bringing a 4 wheel drive vehicle if taking the Camp Verde trail head.
Directions to Fossil Springs Falls from Phoenix, Arizona
From Phoenix, Arizona, it will wake a little more than 2 hours. There are two ways to get there. One by taking the 17 North and the other by taking the 87 North. I recommend taking the 87. It is more scenic and a bit shorter. You will pass through Payson, Arizona which has a decent population with a Safeway, Wal-Mart and a few different restaurants.
From Phoenix, take the I-10 E, jump on the 202 loop and get off on exit 13 towards AZ-87 North. Stay on AZ-87 North for about 95 miles, turn left on a road called “Fossil Creek”. It will then be about 5 miles and you will reach your destination. You will see signs saying that permit is required. You will then see a park ranger at the end of the road where you have to show the printed permit.
How to Get a Fossil Springs Waterfall Permit
It is required to have a reserved printed permit when arriving into the parking area between April and September. The permit cost $6.00 and will cover everybody in the vehicle. The permit for the Strawberry hike is called the “Bob Bear Trail” or “Lot 09 Fossil Springs Trail Head Parking”. The permit is worth it and it is great because it limits how many people are allowed access. The person who booked the permit may have to show there ID to the park ranger, then the park ranger will mark you down as arrived. To reserve a parking permit go to Recreation.gov.
During this season and dependent on availability, a maximum of one permit per person per calendar month may be reserved (one permit = one day). Permits are made available one month ahead of time, on the first of the month. For example, permits for the month of April will be available to reserve beginning March 1.
Can I Go Without a Reservation?
You can go with no permit from October to March 31st. In some cases in the summer months where a permit is required, I have seen people with no permit, park at the area where the park rangers sit, then they will start hiking down the dirt fire road. This is not advised, and will be an additional hike to the trail head.
The Trail to Fossil Springs Waterfall
The trail at fossil springs is not a walk in the park. It is a 1,300 feet descent that is 4.5 miles of hiking (one way). The hike is 9 miles round trip (4-6 hours of hiking round trip) from Strawberry and 10 miles round trip from the flume trail head in Camp Verde. I have never done the flume trail hike to the water fall, but it is on my list to do in the future.
The hike from Strawberry starts off nice and easy with a fire road and a few switch backs then gradually get steeper. You will pass multiple signs warning you about the 200 plus search and rescues that have been done in the hike and it will tell you to bring at least 1.5 gallons of water. A few signs will also state that it does not lead to the waterfall. I remember first reading that sign thinking that I am on the wrong hike, but in reality it does lead to a “dam” which I think most people would call this a waterfall. The hike is advertised as leading to a water spring. You will see a sign 4 miles down saying that the Water Spring is to the left and the “Toilet Bowl” is to the right. Go right if you want to go directly to the waterfall “dam”. When you make a right, it is about another half mile to the waterfall dam. You will start to hear the raging waterfall and then you see it – a waterfall oasis awaits you.
Cliff Jumping at Bob Bear Fossil Springs, Arizona
Take your time hiking down to the rock area, as it is pretty steep. There is a rope ladder that helps you get to the lower portion of the creek which has a beautiful grotto cave to swim in. The water is refreshing in summer time and it will cool you down nicely after the hike. Enjoy your time swimming with the fish.
You will see a few people jumping off the top of the water fall. There are warning signs that say to not jump. If you are going to jump make sure you jump off far enough into the whitewater from the raging waterfall. If you do not jump off far enough, there is a rock nose that sticks out a bit. The water is not too deep either, maybe only about 7-9 ft. Diving should not be done. There is also an area called the “toilet bowl”. There is a warning sign there that clearly states danger. I do not recommend going in the “toilet bowl”. I consider myself a strong swimmer and I know my limits. I have seen people jump in and panic and almost drown. I do not understand why people want to go in there either. It is not much of a thrill and you are really just putting your life in danger. It sucks you around and you cannot climb out unless you swim under the rock to the safe swimming area. The rangers have been removing ropes if they see them in the toilet bowl area to try and control people not to enter. The rope can save somebody’s life, but I believe that the park rangers think that nobody should be entering the toilet bowl area in the first place and a rope will only tempt people to enter.
What Gear to Bring on your Fossil Spring Waterfall Hiking Trip
I recommend traveling light and bringing only the essentials that you’ll need. Remember you will have to hike back at the end of the day after being a bit tired from swimming and exploring the area. This area gets extremely hot in the summer, bring enough water and sunscreen. Water bottles can be filled up at the natural water spring. I recommend topping off all your water bottles before hiking back up to the car park at the end of the day. The park services say that the spring water is not suitable for drinking on the website – but I drink the water every time I go and never have gotten sick. I have also spoke to a park ranger before we hiked down and he mentioned that the water is clean to drink and recommends for everybody to fill up their water bottles before they hike back up.
- Comfortable Hiking Shoes / Water Shoes
- Sunscreen
- Food & Water
- Trash Bag – Bring your trash with you
- Swimming Suit / Swim Trunks
- Camera – Action Camera to take crystal clear underwater pictures
- First Aid Kit
- Hammock
Extras
- Floaty
- Goggles
REMINDER TO ALWAYS PICK UP AND CLEAN UP YOUR TRASH BEFORE LEAVING. PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT
Other Tips For Bob Bear Fossil Springs Falls
There is a free campground north of Payson called “Flowing Springs Campground” . I have had a good experiences there. Typically pretty quiet and friendly people.
Take your time – brings lots of water – know your limits – understand that you have to hike all the way back to the car park art the end of the day.
Dogs are allowed to be on this trail but they are supposed to be on a leash.
No mechanized vehicles, mountain bikes, remote controlled aircrafts (drones) are permitted.
Leave no trace and keep this a special place for everybody to enjoy.
Let us know what you think – Leave a comment and have a blast at this desert oasis!
