Description

Totally natural spring that pours out of the side of an escarpment. This spring is located in Tonto National Forest. I was told by the Gila County Hydro-Geologist that this is some of the best water to drink in all of Arizona!

Additional Information: http://www.hohokamhiking.com/hiking-arizona/fossil-springs.php

Nearest Address

Strawberry, Arizona

Directions from Nearest Address

Directions to Fossil Springs

Take Highway 87 towards Payson. You’ll pass Payson, Pine, and then you’ll come to Strawberry. At Strawberry take a left on Fossil Creek Road. Stay on it for about 5 miles. The first 2 miles or so is paved, the next 3 miles will be on a well-maintained dirt road that any car can drive on. After about 5 miles on Fossil Creek Road you’ll see a turnoff that leads to a parking lot on the right side. That’s where you begin.

The trail is fairly down-hill right from the start. While you are descending you get a clear view of the Mogollon Rim. The trail is also filled with beutiful vistas of the pine forests that surround this area and the desert mesas that jut upwards out of the valley. The hiking is fairly easy going since it is mainly downhill and the trail is well-traveled. As you are descending you will see from a distance a strip of brillant green vegetation. This is where Fossil Springs is flowing.

When you are nearing Fossil Springs you will come across a rocky river bed that you must cross. It was fairly dry during our trip but the boulders are probably large enough you can walk across without too much difficult even if there is water.

When you start to recognize the change in vegetation from pine to leafy trees, you will come across the first spot where a spring pours from the ground. This is an excellent place to get your water. You can also ask some local folks about a few other locations where the water pours directly out of the limestone formation.
Trailhead GPS: N 34 24.402′ W 111 34.106′
GPS Location of Destination: N 34 25.457′ W 111 34.400′
Trailhead Elevation: 5600 ft.
Elevation at Springs: 4320 ft.
Elevation Change: 1280 ft.
Nearest Town: Strawberry, AZ
Length: 7 miles round trip
Difficulty (10=hard, 1=easy): 6

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Unknown

GPS:

N 34 25.457′ W 111 34.400′

Map Link: Fossil Spring Map

Submitted by: Andrew Fiala