Fossil Springs Wilderness
Fossil Springs Wilderness is a 10,431-acre wilderness area in Coconino County, Arizona. It rises from about 4,034 to 6,832 ft. The nearest town is Strawberry, 2.3 miles away in a straight line.
Fossil Springs Wilderness map
Fossil Springs Wilderness boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restriction orders for this unit are not tracked here yet. Restrictions change with the season, so check the current orders before any campfire, stove or target shooting.
Common questions
- Strawberry, AZ is the nearest town, 2.3 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance).
- The highest ground in Fossil Springs Wilderness is about 6,832 ft, and its lowest about 4,034 ft (USGS 3DEP elevation model).
Who manages Fossil Springs Wilderness
| Agency | Acres | Permit | Group size | Stay limit | Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Service | 10,431 | Not on record | Not on record | Not on record | Red Rock Ranger District, 928-282-4119 |
Getting to Fossil Springs Wilderness
- Strawberry, AZ is the nearest town, 2.3 miles in a straight line from the boundary (not a driving distance). (US Census places, accessed 2026-09-29)
Trailheads at Fossil Springs Wilderness
- Dixon Lewis (0.28 mi outside the boundary, 3,817 ft), at 34.4049, -111.6138
- Irving/Flume (0.42 mi outside the boundary, 3,780 ft), at 34.4028, -111.6173
Trailhead locations: Forest Service recreation sites layer , accessed 2026-09-29. Elevations from USGS 3DEP.
Named summits, canyons, and springs in Fossil Springs Wilderness
- Calf Pen Canyon canyon
- Sandrock Canyon canyon
- Natural Spring spring
- Oak Tank lake
Features whose official location is inside the boundary, from the USGS Geographic Names Information System, accessed 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Fossil Springs Wilderness
- National forestFossil Springs Wilderness lies inside Coconino National Forest.
- National forestFossil Springs Wilderness borders Tonto National Forest.
- Wilderness areaMazatzal Wilderness is 0.5 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- Wilderness areaWest Clear Creek Wilderness is 2.7 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
Other wilderness areas in Arizona
- https://wilderness.net/visit-wilderness/?ID=192 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/Elevation/1/TIFF/current/n35w112/USGS_1_n35w112.tif (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://prd-tnm.s3.amazonaws.com/StagedProducts/GeographicNames/DomesticNames/DomesticNames_AZ_Text.zip (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_04.txt (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://apps.fs.usda.gov/arcx/rest/services/EDW/EDW_InfraRecreationSites_01/MapServer/0 (accessed 2026-09-29)