Fossil Springs Wilderness, Wilderness area in Coconino National Forest, Arizona

Fossil Springs Wilderness is an 11,550-acre wilderness area in Coconino National Forest, Arizona, at the bottom of a steep canyon at the edge of the Colorado Plateau, just south of the Mogollon Rim. Springs emerge here at about 2,700 cubic feet per minute, supporting more than 30 tree species among desert shrubs.

The Forest Service protected this land in 1984 to preserve its natural state and ecological value. The designation came to shield the springs and surrounding environment from development and resource extraction.

The name Fossil Springs refers to fossil-bearing limestone layers around the springs, and collecting fossils or minerals is prohibited under the wilderness rules. The perennial flow of about 2,700 cubic feet per minute made this canyon bottom a reliable water source in an otherwise dry region. Today the springs and their riparian corridor are valued chiefly as wildlife habitat within Coconino National Forest.

Be ready for steep trails and bring enough water, as temperatures can shift dramatically throughout the day. Camping requires permits, so plan ahead before heading out.

More than 30 tree species and over 100 bird species live here, making it one of Arizona's richest riparian zones. This diversity emerges because constant water creates an oasis where life flourishes in an otherwise dry landscape.