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Camelback Mountain Hike: A Local’s Review

Camelback Mountain Hike: A Local’s Review

by daniellenfairbanks | Feb 27, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Phoenix

Camelback Mountain Hike: A Local’s Review Camelback Mountain Hike: A Local’s Review Craving panoramic city views and a satisfying dose of desert challenge? Look no further than the iconic Camelback Mountain hike. This Phoenix landmark, with its distinct...
Elephant Arch Arizona: How to Find It!

Elephant Arch Arizona: How to Find It!

by daniellenfairbanks | Jan 27, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Phoenix, Superstition Mountains

Elephant Arch Arizona: How to Find It! Hidden within the rugged beauty of Arizona’s Superstition Mountains lies a remarkable natural wonder: Elephant Arch in Arizona. This unique rock formation, sculpted by the forces of nature actually does represent an...
Hike to the Shaka Cave in the Superstition Mountains

Hike to the Shaka Cave in the Superstition Mountains

by daniellenfairbanks | Jan 23, 2025 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Phoenix, Superstition Mountains

Hike to the Shaka Cave in the Superstition Mountains The Shaka Cave in the Superstition Mountains is a wonderful short hike with amazing views. I always love a hike that ends in something cool- whether it’s a summit, a waterfall, or a CAVE like the Shaka Cave....
West Fork Trail in Sedona: Most Beautiful Trails in Arizona

West Fork Trail in Sedona: Most Beautiful Trails in Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Dec 15, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Sedona

West Fork Trail in Sedona: Most Beautiful Trails in Arizona Ahhh, the lure of Sedona and its beautiful red rocks. Sedona, Arizona sees over 300,000 visitors per year (source-visit sedona). What attracts people to Sedona? I’d say the famous “vortexes”...
Horseback Riding in Phoenix, AZ: What’s the Best Tour?

Horseback Riding in Phoenix, AZ: What’s the Best Tour?

by daniellenfairbanks | Dec 4, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Food, Stays, & Experiences, Phoenix, Superstition Mountains

Horseback Riding in Phoenix, AZ: What’s the Best Tour? Who is ready to go HORSEBACK RIDING IN PHOENIX, AZ? Arizona is part of the American Desert Southwest, and here we have lots of old western cowboy history. Horseback riding is a favorite activity of Arizona...
The Best Local Phoenix Souvenir Shops

The Best Local Phoenix Souvenir Shops

by daniellenfairbanks | Nov 30, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Food, Stays, & Experiences, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Shops & Restaurants, Tempe

The Best Local Phoenix Souvenir Shops Looking for unique PHOENIX SOUVENIR SHOPS? I got you covered! The magnets and trinkets are reat, but when I travel, I like to get unique, local gifts that last! Things that I can wear consistently, or things I can work into my...
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this hidden oasis in arizona feels unreal ๐Ÿ’ง fossi this hidden oasis in arizona feels unreal ๐Ÿ’ง

fossil springs & fossil creek are amazing water hikes for summer in arizona!

fossil creek (camp verde side): the dixon/ waterfall trail is about 2.1 miles out and back, pretty mellow, and you end up at this wide cascade with a swimming hole right at the base. 

fossil springs (strawberry side): the bob bear trail is closer to 9 miles out and back with real elevation gain. you will feel every mile on the way back up. same water source, completely different vibe

if you want to read more, comment ๐Ÿ’ฆ for my blog post review on both!
everything you need to know about fossil springs i everything you need to know about fossil springs in arizona ๐Ÿ’ฆ

fossil springs is the larger/ more dramatic waterfall accessed via bob bear trail in strawberry โ€” while fossil creek is the smaller spot near camp verde. fossil springs is absolutely worth the extra effort, the views are unreal!

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ: $6 per vehicle purchased online either 1 month or 48 hrs in advance! print & bring your permit โ€” rangers WILL check. parking opens at 8, you have to be in by 4

๐Ÿš—: the drive is much more manageable than fossil creek โ€” paved roads to the trailhead. no high clearance needed!

๐Ÿฅพ: 8.6 mile total out & back, ~1,400 ft gain โ€” this one is a real hike! plan for it

๐Ÿถ: allowed!

๐Ÿšฝ: at the trailhead, but pack out your trash

๐Ÿ’ง: the trail drops steeply to the creek โ€” going down is easy, coming back up in the heat is brutal. start early!

โ˜€๏ธ: itโ€™s HOT. we started at 8-9am, out by noon and it was already scorching. do not underestimate arizona heat!

โฐ: 2+ hr drive from phoenix, 4+ hrs hiking โ€” make it a full day (or camp!)

gear:
๐ŸŽ’ @rei daypack
โ˜€๏ธ @mountainhardwear sunshirt
๐Ÿ‘™ @rei trailmade shorts
๐Ÿ‘Ÿ @teva water sandals & @dannerboots
they literally built the worldโ€™s hot springs in ut they literally built the worldโ€™s hot springs in utah ๐ŸŒ๐Ÿซง

worldsprings at zion has 50+ pools inspired by the most iconic thermal destinations on earth โ€” and you can experience all of them in one day ๐Ÿ‘‡

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ blue lagoon, iceland
๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ด dead sea
๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rotara-tuapo, new zealand
๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท vichy, france
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง bath, england
๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต hokkaido, japan
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท osaek, south korea
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ bali, indonesia
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ grutas tolantongo, mexico
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡น fuentes georginas, guatemala
๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ yarrangobilly, australia
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kereshehir, turkey
๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น chiancianco therme, italy
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ iron mountain hot springs, co
โ€ฆand thatโ€™s not even all of them ๐Ÿ˜ญ

right outside zion national park in la verkin, utah โ€” this place is so underrated it actually hurts

save this for your utah bucket list ๐Ÿ”–
everything you need to know about fossil creek in everything you need to know about fossil creek in arizona ๐Ÿ’ฆ

fossil creek is a great water hike & swimming hole to cool off in summer โ˜€๏ธ fossil creek is the smaller/ shorter waterfall accessed via an easier hike from camp verde while fossil springs is accessed via bob bear trail in strawberry. both are beautiful!

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ: $6 per vehicle purchased online either 1 month or 48 hrs in advance! the dixon lewis lot is closest fyi! you should print & bring your permit with- you will be checked by rangers! parking opens at 8, you have to be in by 4

๐Ÿš˜: 14 mile washboard dirt road, rocky at the end. high clearance is best! 

๐Ÿฅพ: 2.1 mile total, 136 ft gain

๐Ÿถ: allowed!

๐Ÿšฝ: at parking lots, but trash is pack out

๐Ÿ’ฆ: people die or are injured yearly here. donโ€™t swim under the waterfalls! water sandals to change into make a huge difference for walking through the water! 

โ˜€๏ธ: itโ€™s hot as crap ok! we hiked at 830am, out by 11 and it was 80 and felt like 100.

โฐ: 3 hr drive to trailhead from phoenix, 3+ hours hike & swim, so thatโ€™s a 9 hour minimum day!

gear:
๐Ÿงข @cotopaxi bucket hat
๐ŸŽ’ @gregorypacks 
โ˜€๏ธ @mountainhardwear sunshirt
๐Ÿฉณ @aerie shorts & sports bra
๐Ÿฅพ @teva water sandals & @dannerboots 

leave any other questions below ๐Ÿœ๏ธโœจ

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