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Hotel Review: High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff, Arizona

Hotel Review: High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff, Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Jul 10, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Food, Stays, & Experiences, Flagstaff, Lodging

Hotel Review: High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff, Arizona When you’re planning a weekend or holiday trip, it’s hard to decide where to stay. Hotel? Cabin? Camp? Even if you narrow it down, it’s hard to know if a place will be as good as the photos...
Summer in Arizona: How to Stay Cool!

Summer in Arizona: How to Stay Cool!

by daniellenfairbanks | Jul 8, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Seasons, Flagstaff, Grand Canyon, Payson/ Pine/ Strawberry, Pinetop-Lakeside, Sedona, Water Hikes

Summer in Arizona: How to Stay Cool! We all know Arizona is HOT, HOT, HOT. I remember the first time I visited Arizona in summer and I could literally feel a burn on my foot between my thin flip flops and the black top. I’ve been living here for a decade now and...
Things To Do In Strawberry & Pine, Arizona

Things To Do In Strawberry & Pine, Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Jul 2, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Destinations, Payson/ Pine/ Strawberry

Things To Do In Strawberry & Pine, Arizona I’m all about small towns. I’m from one, for one. I also live in the big city, Phoenix, as I’m sure many of you who are reading this are as well. There’s something special about small towns- the...
Humphreys Peak: Hiking to Over 12,000 ft in Arizona

Humphreys Peak: Hiking to Over 12,000 ft in Arizona

by daniellenfairbanks | Jun 27, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Flagstaff

Humphreys Peak: Hiking to Over 12,000 ft in Arizona Looking for adventure this summer? Hiking Mt Humphreys Peak is a bucket-list feat that many Arizona adventurers aspire to. It isn’t for the faint of heart, but many can achieve it with proper preparation....
Best Swimming Holes in Sedona (2026 Guide for Summer)

Best Swimming Holes in Sedona (2026 Guide for Summer)

by daniellenfairbanks | Jun 22, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Arizona Seasons, Northern Arizona, Sedona, Water Hikes

Best Swimming Holes in Sedona (2026 Guide for Summer) If you’re visiting Sedona in the summer, finding a good swimming hole is essential. While Sedona is known for its hiking, some of the best experiences here involve cooling off in the water—whether that’s sliding...
Water Wheel Falls Near Payson: An Awesome Summer Hike

Water Wheel Falls Near Payson: An Awesome Summer Hike

by daniellenfairbanks | Jun 4, 2024 | Arizona, Arizona Hikes & Outdoor Adventures, Northern Arizona, Payson/ Pine/ Strawberry, Water Hikes

Water Wheel Falls Near Payson: An Awesome Summer Hike Summer in Arizona is all about beating the heat with trips to the north and enjoying water hikes. Hiking near Payson, Arizona and the Mogollon Rim is one of my favorite places to do this, and Water Wheel Falls is a...
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this hidden oasis in arizona feels unreal 💧 fossi this hidden oasis in arizona feels unreal 💧

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 💦 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 💦

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

🎟️: $6 per vehicle purchased online either 1 month or 48 hrs in advance! print & bring your permit — rangers WILL check. parking opens at 8, you have to be in by 4

🚗: the drive is much more manageable than fossil creek — paved roads to the trailhead. no high clearance needed!

🥾: 8.6 mile total out & back, ~1,400 ft gain — this one is a real hike! plan for it

🐶: allowed!

🚽: at the trailhead, but pack out your trash

💧: the trail drops steeply to the creek — going down is easy, coming back up in the heat is brutal. start early!

☀️: it’s HOT. we started at 8-9am, out by noon and it was already scorching. do not underestimate arizona heat!

⏰: 2+ hr drive from phoenix, 4+ hrs hiking — make it a full day (or camp!)

gear:
🎒 @rei daypack
☀️ @mountainhardwear sunshirt
👙 @rei trailmade shorts
👟 @teva water sandals & @dannerboots
they literally built the world’s hot springs in ut they literally built the world’s hot springs in utah 🌍🫧

worldsprings at zion has 50+ pools inspired by the most iconic thermal destinations on earth — and you can experience all of them in one day 👇

🇮🇸 blue lagoon, iceland
🇯🇴 dead sea
🇳🇿 rotara-tuapo, new zealand
🇫🇷 vichy, france
🇬🇧 bath, england
🇯🇵 hokkaido, japan
🇰🇷 osaek, south korea
🇮🇩 bali, indonesia
🇲🇽 grutas tolantongo, mexico
🇬🇹 fuentes georginas, guatemala
🇦🇺 yarrangobilly, australia
🇹🇷 kereshehir, turkey
🇮🇹 chiancianco therme, italy
🇺🇸 iron mountain hot springs, co
…and that’s not even all of them 😭

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

save this for your utah bucket list 🔖
everything you need to know about fossil creek in everything you need to know about fossil creek in arizona 💦

fossil creek is a great water hike & swimming hole to cool off in summer ☀️ 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!

🎟️: $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

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

🥾: 2.1 mile total, 136 ft gain

🐶: allowed!

🚽: at parking lots, but trash is pack out

💦: people die or are injured yearly here. don’t swim under the waterfalls! water sandals to change into make a huge difference for walking through the water! 

☀️: it’s hot as crap ok! we hiked at 830am, out by 11 and it was 80 and felt like 100.

⏰: 3 hr drive to trailhead from phoenix, 3+ hours hike & swim, so that’s a 9 hour minimum day!

gear:
🧢 @cotopaxi bucket hat
🎒 @gregorypacks 
☀️ @mountainhardwear sunshirt
🩳 @aerie shorts & sports bra
🥾 @teva water sandals & @dannerboots 

leave any other questions below 🏜️✨

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