Ron Dungan

The Republic | azcentral.com

If you want to go to Fossil Creek between May 1 and Oct. 1, you'll need a $6 permit.

The U.S. Forest Service has created a reservation system for the popular hiking and swimming area in central Arizona that gets hundreds of visitors on busy summer weekends.

The new system requires people to reserve a spot from May 1 to Oct. 1. Six reservations per person per year will be allowed and there is no camping during peak season. Those who violate the new rules may be cited.

Make a reservation at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777.

Hundreds of visitors flock to Fossil Creek on summer weekends. The Forest Service has struggled for years with trash, illegal fires, search-and-rescue operations and other problems created by heavy visitation.

RELATED:Visiting Fossil Creek soon? Know what you're getting into

The permit system will create 148 parking spaces. Each reservation will include a parking spot. Parking locations include Fossil Springs Trailhead, Waterfall Trailhead, Irving, Tonto Bench, Fossil Creek Bridge, Homestead, Sally May, Purple Mountain and Mazatzal.

During the summer of 2015, the area frequently hit full capacity by 7 a.m. on weekends. Hundreds of people were turned away each day and others waited for hours to get past roadblocks as earlier visitors departed.

Two roads lead to the creek. One of them, 3 miles from Strawberry, north of Payson, has been closed. That means visitors must hike a 5-mile trail to reach the water. Many visitors arrive unprepared for the hot, dry hike, leading to a large number of rescue operations.

The other creek access is reached via a long gravel road that begins near Camp Verde. This route eliminates the lengthy hike and frequently reached capacity by early morning.

See the order establishing the reservation system: www.tinyurl.com/zejf5fv.

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