20 Attractions to Explore Near Fossil Creek

Fossil Creek is a Wild and Scenic River that can be accessed via Fossil Creek Road near Gila County's community of Strawberry, Arizona. It is one of only two streams in Arizona included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The creek and its riparian corridor provide habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, some listed as endangered or otherwise imperiled. Its former power-plant complex is listed as a National Historic District.

Waterfall Trail is the most popular area at Fossil Creek. The one-mile trail follows the creek to a natural waterfall, where crowds spend the day swimming. This rewarding hike showcases the beauty Fossil Creek has to offer. However, swimming and cliff diving near the waterfall is extremely dangerous, and has led to several drowning deaths and severe injuries. Fossil Creek offers miles of gorgeous water features and secluded, crystal clear swimming holes

Fossil Springs Wilderness is an 11,550-acre wilderness area within the Coconino National Forest in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is at the bottom of a steep canyon at the edge of the Colorado Plateau, just south of the Mogollon Rim. Here, water emerges at the surface at the rate of about 2,700 cubic feet per minute. The perennial water supply supports one of the most diverse riparian ecosystems in the state, with more than 30 species of trees set among native desert shrub.

The Strawberry Schoolhouse is a historic one-room school building located in northwestern Gila County, Arizona, in the small mountain community of Strawberry. Built of pine logs in 1885, the Strawberry Schoolhouse is reputed to be the "oldest standing schoolhouse in Arizona" and now functions as a fully restored local history museum, complete with a late-19th century classroom exhibit.

Fossil Springs Wilderness is an 11,550-acre wilderness area within the Coconino National Forest in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is at the bottom of a steep canyon at the edge of the Colorado Plateau, just south of the Mogollon Rim. Here, water emerges at the surface at the rate of about 2,700 cubic feet per minute. It also creates a haven for abundant wildlife, including elk, deer, javelina, coyote, skunk, racoon, ring-tailed cat, fox, mountain lion, black bear and more than 100 bird species.

Fossil Creek is a perennial stream accessed by forest roads near the community of Camp Verde in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is one of only two streams in Arizona included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The creek and its riparian corridor provide habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, some listed as endangered or otherwise imperiled.

Tonto Natural Bridge is widely believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.Located between Payson and Pine, the bridge arches 183 feet above the sparkling Pine Creek and is surrounded by pine trees. Upstream, flowing springs and fern-draped grottos line the narrow canyon. It stands over a 400-foot-long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point and reaches a height of 183 feet.

The Pine-Strawberry Museum in Pine, Arizona, was opened in 1979 for the purpose of displaying artifacts related to the prehistory and history of Pine and its twin among the pines, Strawberry. Much of what is displayed in the Pine-Strawberry Museum today is in tribute to the dedication and hard work of their founding families.The museum relocated to its current location in 1990 from a single room in the Isabelle Hunt Memorial Public Library in Pine.

Pine Canyon is a 1.2 mile trail through Fishlake National Forest. It can be accessed by foot, bicycle, and horse. It is one of the iconic attraction with natural beauty and also there are so many other things to see and do.

East Verde Picnic Area is a picnic area in East Verde Estates, AZ on East Verde River and Sycamore Creek in Mogollon Rim, Tonto National Forest. It is a perfect for any day trip that you have planned. You can see a variety of wildlife along with the beautiful scenery that Payson has to offer.

Green Valley Lake is a reservoir connected to two smaller lakes in Green Valley Park. These lakes were constructed from 1993 to 1996 for ground water recharge.Green Valley Lake attracts visitors seeking clean air, blue skies, crystal-clear water, and the serenity and calm beauty of a quiet forested community.

Green Valley Park is a beautiful 45-acre recreation area that is used year-round for all kinds of activities and events, including walking, fishing, boating, picnicking, skating, and general recreation and relaxation. The park has a large grassy area & an amphitheater that is utilized for events such as summer concerts and holiday events. It also has picnic ramadas, outdoor cooking facilities, and a playground. The park features a memorial to Arizona Veterans.

The Rim Country Museum and Zane Grey Cabin are located in Green Valley Park in Payson Arizona, beneath the beautiful Mogollon Rim.The Zane Grey Cabin is a replica of the cabin that Zane Grey built in 1921 near the top of the Rim. The original cabin was destroyed in the 1990 Dude Fire.The Rim Country Museum is a 2-story museum that covers the history of the area from the Ancient Peoples, Apaches, rodeo, ranching, mining, and much more.

Montezuma Castle National Monument protects a set of well-preserved dwellings located in Camp Verde, Arizona which was built and used by the Sinagua people, a pre-Colombian culture closely related to the Hohokam and other indigenous peoples of the southwestern United States.

Montezuma well is a detached unit of Montezuma Castle National Monument. It is a natural limestone sinkhole near the town of Lake Montezuma, Arizona, through which some 1,500,000 US gallons of water emerge each day from an underground spring.

The Shoofly Indian Ruins were believed to have been occupied between A.D. 1000-1250. At an elevation of 5,240 feet, Shoofly Village once had a total of 79 structures of which the rock outlines, once the base of the walls, are still visible.At the center of this site is where a larger structure once existed, believed to have been a building with 26 rooms averaging 37.4 square meters each. In clusters around the core area were 39 smaller structures and 14 more were scattered about the general area

This is the largest known petroglyph site in the Verde Valley of central Arizona, and one of the best-preserved. The rock art site consists of 1,032 petroglyphs in 13 panels. Acquired by the Coconino National Forest in 1994, the site is protected and kept open to the public by the US Forest Service.

Barnhardt Trail is considered to be one of the "expressways" to the Mazatzals. It starts at Barnhardt trailhead and proceeds westward to the ridge of the Mazatzal range or "Divide" where you intersect the N-S Mazatzal Divide Trail, which is part of the Arizona Trail. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

The Cypress Trail has a moderate climb of 1000 feet before dropping down to beautiful Lake Eiler and the lower lakes. This large trailhead offers the best equestrian access for the Thousand Lakes Wilderness. Plenty of parking and turn around room for vehicles and trailers. This trail is great for hiking, walking, and other nature trips, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.

Agua Fria National Monument is in the U.S. state of Arizona. There is over 450 distinct Native American structures have been recorded in the monument, some of large pueblos containing more than 100 rooms each. The enhanced protection status also provides greater habitat protection for the numerous plant and animal communities.