Coconino National Forest officials say Fossil Creek will open at half of its capacity through July.
Beginning this Friday through Sunday portions of parking lots will open but will stay closed Monday through Thursday each week in July.
“We feel very strongly about our responsibility to maintain recreation access to as many areas on the Coconino National Forest as possible,” said Red Rock District Ranger Amy Tinderholt. “The best we can do right now with the resources we have is to allow half of the normal crowd access to Fossil Creek. At the end of July we will re-assess and decide if we’re able increase capacity in August.”
Officials say the decision is due to limited seasonal staffing and the statewide spike on coronavirus cases. Fossil Creek and several other sites were closed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic but many have since reopened.
Permits are required to visit Fossil Creek and a limited number can be reserved at recreation.gov.
