Fossil Creek

A Prescott Valley man drowned while trying to swim through a travertine tunnel at Fossil Creek. Multiple people have died while attempting to swim through the underwater opening in recent years.

An estimated 45,000 people visit Fossil Creek every year to hike, swim and cool off. Amid the rugged conditions and remote location's busiest time of year, search and rescue calls spike.

Officials with the Coconino National Forest are monitoring a colony of bats that have been roosting in the historic Child’s Power Plant building since a dam was decommissioned along Fossil Creek in 2005. Recent vandalism may pose a threat to them.

Arizona officials say high levels of E. Coli have declined in Fossil Creek following a prolonged closure of the area because of wildfire.

The Coconino National Forest will reopen the Fossil Creek recreation area Thursday after it was closed in July 2021 because of the Backbone Fire.

Coconino National Forest officials say the lower Verde River has reopened to recreationists.

Officials with the Coconino National Forest say the Fossil Creek recreation area will remain closed for the foreseeable future as it continues to recover from the impact of the 2021 Backbone Fire.

Forest Service officials have released a long-awaited management plan for Fossil Creek.Officials say it’s been in the works for a dozen years and focuses…

Land managers and wildlife biologists say the Fossil Creek area suffered only moderate damage in this summer’s Backbone Fire, which forced the evacuations…

Coconino National Forest officials say Fossil Creek recreation area will remain closed at least through the rest of the year because of post-fire…