Havasu falls is one of those places that is increasing in popularity and it’s on many people’s hiking bucket list. Whether you hike in and out with all your stuff or rented a mule for the hike, here is the ultimate Havasupai Falls packing list you will need to enjoy your time in this waterfall wonderland.
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Congratulation on scoring a reservation to this magical place! If you don’t have a reservation here is a guide to everything you need to know about hiking to Havasupai falls where you will find information on where to get a reservation, best time to go, where to stay prior to starting your hiking journey, and more.
I got my reservation back in 2020 but for one reason or another my reservation got delayed to 2024. I was bummed every year I found out my reservation was going to have to get pushed to the next year but that gave me plenty of time to prepare.
I usually over-pack for trips but since I decided to hike in and out without renting a mule, I knew it was going to be difficult carrying more than I can handle for 8+ miles so packing light was going to be key.
Havasupai falls packing list
table of contents
Hiking gear
Backpack
Finding a backpack that is right for you will be the most important decision you’ll have to make because you want a big enough backpack to carry all your gear AND be comfortable for the duration of your hike. You definitely don’t want to be extremely sore the first day you hike to Havasu falls that it will hinder you from enjoying your 4 day stay.
I recommend a backpack that has a 50-60L capacity for this hike. Keep in mind that the bigger the storage capacity, the more you’ll be tempted to over-pack and you don’t want to pack more than 20% of your body’s weight.
I wore this women’s Osprey backpack and didn’t have nearly as much soreness as I usually do with previous backpacks. My nephew wore this men’s Osprey backpack.
I love that this backpack came with a clean canvas on the front so you can modify the way you want to set up your elastic bungee shock cord according to your adventure. I does not come with the elastic bungee shock cord or cord locks but you can easily buy them in any color and thickness you want. This set of elastic bungee shock cord and locks was more than enough for me so I could fit my day pack and even more. It also came with a rain cover which you will need during the monsoon season. This backpack rain cover is very budget-friendly in case you need one.
NOTE: This backpack is made for women but this is the male version. Exact same look and features just made to fit a male’s torso better
If this is your first time buying a backpacking backpack or don’t know how to fit it properly to your body, go to an outdoor gear store like REI and ask for someone to help you with the fit for free!
Trekking poles
If you are hiking in and out with all of your stuff trekking poles aka hiking poles are a must for the hike in and crucial for the hike out. Even if you’re renting mules and just hiking out with a light pack I recommend packing them because you will be ascending almost 2000 ft the last mile to the Hualapai hilltop.
My nephew didn’t take any hiking poles and the day we hiked in his knee started to bother him the last mile to the village and immediately found relieve when I gave him my trekking poles. On our way out, when we got to the hualapai hilltop he learned that hiking poles are not just for old people, instead, they provide extra stability and reduce the amount of stress on your legs and knee joints by distributing the weight onto the poles through your arms. They also keep your arms moving and elevated which helps prevent swelling of the hands on long hikes, and increase endurance on the trail.
Daypack
You will need a day-pack to hold your water and miscellaneous items while you’re out hiking and exploring the falls. This day-pack is light, comes with a water bladder, and plenty of extra storage.
I was able to store my 2.5 L water bladder, towel, long sleeve shirt, sunglasses, my lunch, snacks, cash, chapstick, sunscreen, trekking poles, and cellphone while I was hiking Havasupai falls.
It’s also super light and I was able to pack it outside of my backpacking backpack with my water shoes inside a couple of things I packed last minute.
Headlamp + Lantern
There’s no electricity which means there’s no light at the campground after the sun goes down. Even though the sun sets later in the day, you will start to see the canyon getting darker around 3:30ish pm so it’s important to carry some light source around your camp and when nature calls.
- You will definitely want to add a headlamp to your Havasupai falls packing list, preferable one with a red light mode. Red light is not only less bright so you don’t disrupt your fellow camping neighbors but you won’t attract bugs to your face when you’re hiking in or out at an ungodly hour.
- Bringing a lantern or a flashlight is more of an optional item in my opinion. I packed a solar Luci lantern that doubled as a charging station but when I tested the battery life and the charging power I knew I would only be able to use it as a plain lantern. I used it one time when we were playing cards and I enjoyed the lighting modes but I wouldn’t bring it again on this trip.
Camping Gear
Tent or Hammock
Havasu creek runs all throughout the campground and trees are everywhere along this creek so there are two different ways you can set up your camp. You can sleep in a tent or if you want to shed some weight off your pack, you can sleep in a hammock.
I love hammocks and I’m used to taking my little siestas in them but I’ve never actually slept in a hammock for more than an hour and half so I chose to bring a tent to sleep in.
I took this 2-person tent+footprint (trail weight is 3 lbs. 15 oz.) and split the weight but you can always take this 1-person tent with a trail weight of 2 lbs. 2 oz! if you’re going solo or just want have your own privacy within your group.
NOTE: I highly recommend renting your tent from an outdoor store if you don’t have an ultralight tent.
If you’re looking into packing a hammock, opt for a 3-1 hammock. I talked to multiple people that were sleeping in their hammocks and more than three people swore by this All-in-one Hammock set up, but majority slept in a hammock they already owned and just bought the bug net to keep the bugs out. Add your sleeping pad for extra comfort or to keep yourself warm during the colder months.
Tent vs Hammock
Tent
Pros:
- Privacy when you change.
- Clearly marks your campsite so other people don’t set up theirs too close to yours.
- Can keep valuables and you’re able to lock it with a combination or key lock.
- Shelter from bugs without having to buy extra items.
Tent
Cons:
- Ultralight tents tend to be pricey.
- Some areas away from the creek might have soil that is too hard to stake down with your just your hand.
- Depending on the size of your tent, it might take you a while to find a spot to camp in sought after after areas like “the island” or closer to Mooney falls
Hammock
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up and take down.
- Some people I talked to said it was very comfortable to sleep in them
- Sleep above ground critters.
- Great for the summer months at Havasu falls.
Hammock
Cons:
- Can’t easily mark your campsite.
- Little to no privacy for changing
- Difficult to change in.
- Requires you to look for a campsite that has at least two strong trees to set up and handle your weight.
- Need to get a bug net or tarp.
Sleeping bag or Blanket
Depending on what time of the year you are going you will need either a sleeping bag or a blanket to keep you warm at night when temperatures drop.
I went the first week of May where the highs ranged from 71-81 °F (22-27 °C) and the lows were anywhere from 40-52 °F (4-11 °C) so I decided to bring my NEMO Forte 35 sleeping bag because it is spoon shaped which allowed me to move around freely since I like to sleep on my stomach in a “Running man” pose and I usually run cold at night when I go camping so I didn’t want a draft to keep me from getting rest.
I wasn’t able to find this sleeping bag on Amazon or REI but this is a similar sleeping bag.
You can rent your sleeping bag at some outdoor gear stores but their sleeping bag options are usually mummy shaped.
For the colder months at Havasupai falls I highly suggest you to take a 3 season sleeping bag or a sleeping bag that is rated for 20-30 °F (-7 to -1 °C), however, during the warmer months were the lows range from 50-60 °F (10-16 °C) you could get away with bringing a good sleeping pad with an R value higher than 4 and a weather resistant warm blanket or this ultralight sleeping bag.
Note: If your sleeping bag didn’t come with a compression sack, I HIGHLY recommend getting one so you can fit all your gear.
Sleeping pad
Do not skip packing a sleeping pad, you not only need the sleeping pad for comfort but you also need it to insulate you from the cold ground.
There are a couple things to consider when buying a sleeping pad if you don’t already own one. You want to think about the shape, the R-value, and the rating of your sleeping bag.
Sleeping pads have an R-value from around 1 to 7, the higher the number the more insulation it provides from the cold ground.
I sleep on my stomach and toss and turn a lot when I sleep so I knew the mummy style fit was not going to work me. I decided to splurge on this item and was willing to carry the extra weight if it meant I was going to wake up well rested which I did. When I went the first week of May, I took this ultralight regular wide sleeping pad from Thermarest (R-value of 7.3 and weighs about 2 lbs) and coupled it with my 35 °F sleeping bag and had no issues at night.
The mummy version of the same sleeping pad is lighter and cheaper too but if you don’t want to splurge you can always get the budget-friendly Klymit sleeping pad and pair it with a 4 season 20°F sleeping bag for the colder months or with a 50 °F sleeping bag during the warmer months.
Tip: If you’re going to rent a sleeping pad, make sure to rent one with an R-value greater than 4 from an outdoor gear store.
Pillow
I love to sleep comfortably so I can allow my body to rest and recover after a long day of hiking and I knew that bringing a pillow was a must for me. I packed my Nemo pillow which is a mixture of an inflatable pillow and a foam pillow. It packs very small and weights half a pound! Best camping pillow by far.
Optional Camping gear
There are a few items you really don’t need to include in your Havasupai falls packing list and are considered more of a luxury item to have, but are great to have if you bring them.
- Chair– While some campsites do have picnics tables where you can sit down without getting dirt all over yourself, others don’t have them. It’s nice to have a lightweight chair that you can use around your campsite and also bring to the falls.
- Hammock– This lightweight double hammock was my ultimate luxury item and I’m very glad I packed this. It was so relaxing to hang in the hammock drinking coffee in the morning and it was incredibly helpful when we needed to elevate our legs after a long day of exploring Havasupai.
Clothes
Depending on what time of the year you’re going, you will need to adjust your Havasupai falls packing list.
If you’re going during the colder months you will want to add a few more layers, stick to wool base layers (women/men) like this set and a Patagonia fleece (budget-friendly fleece jacket) or puffy jacket (women/men) to keep you warm. If you’re going during monsoon season you’ll want to add a rain jacket (women/men) which can double as a windbreaker or you can pack a poncho.
°
This is what I packed for my latest Havasupai falls trip for the first week of May:
- Hat– I recommend a regular baseball cap even for the colder months
- Sunglasses – I met a girl that broke her expensive sunglasses and a guy that lost his so bring the cheap sunglasses!
- A long-sleeve Hooded sun shirt– This was great when the sun is blazing down. Here is the budget-friendly version.
- (2x) Quick-dry active tank tops
- Lightweight puffer jacket– I used it briefly when I started the hike in since it was cold around 5am but I took it off by 6am. I also planned on using this at night but I didn’t because we would get in the tent early and pass out from being so exhausted after dinner, however, my nephew used it as a pillow and it worked for him. I would probably not bring one next time if I go in May.
- 5x pairs of underwear
- 2x pairs of sports bras with adjustable straps.
- Quick drying leggins.
- A pair of yoga shorts that are quick dry. Anything with a high polyester percentage will work. Shorts are important even in the colder months, they come in handy when you have to hike to Beaver falls since you will be crossing the creek more than a few times and some areas get knee to thigh high depending on the time of the year.
- A bathing suit– Think about colors that will pop out against those beautiful turquoise waters like white, red, black,The water’s temperature stays pretty consistent throughout the year (60°- 70° F).
- Towel– If you’re planning on swimming at the falls I suggest you pack a microfiber towel. I packed the small size and it worked great but it does come in different sizes so you can choose the one that fits you best.
- A pair or hiking socks – I highly recommend this brand, I didn’t get a single blister on the hike in or out thanks to these bad boys.
- A pair of these no-show toe socks – The entire time I was exploring the falls and climbing the rocks I was wearing these socks with my sandals and didn’t get a blister or scrapes.
- An oversized t-shirt and sleep joggers as my pjs.
- Gloves with good grip on the fingertips or the whole palm- Some people took their gardening gloves and were fine but since I already had these gloves with palm grip I just brought them along. I saw a pile of gloves at the bottom of the first tunnel when you start descending down Mooney falls but they were wet and had a funky smell, I would not want to put those on. You can opt to not bring any but do it at your own risk. There are wet chains that you have to hold on to and they can get pretty slippery.
Shoes
Hiking shoes
I usually hike in my boots but hiking boots are bulky and heavy. I recently tried these trail runners (women/men) and my feet fell in love with them so I wore them on this trip. My feet feel so comfortable that I don’t feel sore or get hot spots which means no blisters. They are also very lightweight which was a huge plus for this backpacking trip.
I also packed this foot cream that helps during long hikes. You apply a good amount on your feet before putting your sock on and it minimizes hot spots even more. You can use it on places you’d usually chafe as well!
Water shoes
You will be wearing your water shoes most of your stay and if you’re planning on hiking to Beaver falls or the confluence, you will have to decent down Mooney falls by climbing down the travertine encrusted cliff that is constantly getting misted so make sure your Havasupai packing list includes water shoes that have traction soles. I love my hiking sandals and they turned out to be great on this trip. I didn’t want to bring sandals without a toe strap because I didn’t want my feet sliding forward or get scrapes once my feet hit the water, but I also didn’t want to get a hot spot in between my toes so I added these toe socks. They fit like a glove, I didn’t even feel the socks on, it just felt like I was wearing my sandals.
Hydration
You will be walking a lot during your stay at Havasupai falls so you want to make sure to stay hydrated so you definitely need to include these items to your Havasupai packing list:
- 2.5L+ water bladder– I don’t usually drink a lot of water on regular hikes (˜5 miles) and a 2.5 L water bladder was perfect for me. Take at least a 3L one if you’re going during the summer, the sun and heat can be brutal in the canyon. My day pack came with a water bladder and on the hike in and out I just packed it in my backpack’s hydration bladder compartment.
- Water bottle– You’ll want to have a separate water bottle for electrolyte consumption and in case you get thirsty at night.
DO NOT forget to pack electrolytes for each day and maybe one extra just in case. I forgot to pack one for the hike out and my body was definitely struggling at the end until I got to the closest store and got an electrolyte drink.
- A Water jug– Depending on where you plan on setting camp will determine whether or not you will need a water jug. The only drinkable water you’ll find at the campground comes from a fern spring which is located closer to the beginning of the campground so if you plan on setting camp at the beginning of the campground closer to Havasu falls then I would not recommend packing this, but if you plan on camping at the end of the campground by Mooney falls then I highly recommend packing one so you’re not walking an extra mile every day just to get water.
If you’re planning on hiking to the confluence I would take a water filter you can easily store like this mini filter that attaches strait to your water bottle or a water pouch that it comes with, and fill up as you go.
On remote hikes I always bring an extra method of purifying water like this chemical treatment tabs. The filters can filter out bacteria and protozoa but some viruses are extremely small and they don’t get filter out so you want to chemically treat your water to be safe.
On June 2024 several hikers fell ill and had gastrointestinal issues so I highly suggest bringing an extra method of purifying water if you will be drinking water from the creek.
The Fern Spring water gets regularly tested by the Havasupai Water Department and there is no need to filter it, however, it is your responsibility to take the necessary precautions when needed.
food & storage
Camping stove + fuel
Campfires are not permitted at the Havasupai falls campground so you will need to pack a portable and lightweight camping stove system.
A Jetboil stove was the most popular stove system I read about but it’s pricey and you still have to get bowls and utensils. I had already splurged on an amazing sleeping pad and I was starting to cap my budget so I decided to go with this 9-piece pocket rocket stove system with all the accessories but I only packed the stove system (pocket rocket stove + stand), 2 pots, and the fork. It boiled water within 5 minutes.
You will want to add a gas (isobutane) canister which you can pick up at your local outdoor gear store or order it in advance from Homedepot. The size of the canister depends on how many litters you will be using to re-hydrate your food. They come in 4oz (110g) which will boil about 12L of water, 8oz (230g) ~24L, and 16oz (450g) will boil ~54L. I took a 4oz gas canister and had leftover gas at the end of my trip after boiling water for 3 dinner meals and for coffee in the mornings.
There are multiple gas canisters at the ranger station where the campground starts that were left by campers but you will be taking a gamble not bringing one because you don’t really know how full they are.
Food
You will need to pack fuel for your body so make sure to pack accordingly considering that food gets heavy really quick. Make sure to pack a minimum of breakfast for 4 days, lunch for at least 3 days, and dinner for 4 days, plus snacks for your hikes.
Check out what I packed for food when I went camping at Havasupai Falls and what I ended up eating.
I wouldn’t get too stressed about packing the right amount of food for your stay, just make sure to pack snacks for your hikes and be set for dinner and breakfast.
There are two fry bread stands with their famous Indian tacos located between the top of Havasu falls and mile 9 (between the village and Havasu falls) that open later afternoonish, think from (12pm-4pm) so bring cash. I wish I could tell you when they open but both times I got food from each stand was different, one was around 12:30 am and 2:15ish pm. I found them opened at different times and they close until they ran out of food or whenever they feel like closing down, and if the weather is to hot or too cold sometimes they don’t open at all so don’t rely too much on them.
The village has a super market and a Cafeteria with AC here you can always go and eat for lunch or late breakfast in case you start to run out of food. Just keep in mind that you do have to hike a little bit over 2 miles, from the start of the campground to start of the village and it’s all uphill to the village.
I set up camp near Mooney falls and I only went to the village once to mail my postcard from there and I was exhausted after a day of exploring and hiking uphill. I only bought food from the fry bread stands for lunch 2 times.
Food storage
The rodent situation at Havasupai falls is pretty crazy. The squirrels and mice are relentless, specially when you’re out exploring. My nephew talked to the people across the creek from us and said they were woken up by a mouse that kept traveling through their hanging lights multiple times through out the night, and another camper came back saying a squirrel chewed a hole through their day-pack to get their snacks while they were swimming at Havasu falls. You definitely don’t want to be in that situation.
You have 2 options of food storage:
- Ratsack + ordor proof bags + carabiner + paracord – This is more compact version in my opinion and since you’re already bringing paracord to hang your backpacks, it just made sense to bring this too.
- I packed a small size ratsack and it was perfect for storing food for 2 people.
- I ordered the 5pk XXL 2-Gal odor proof bags, but I only packed 3 (one where we kept the food in the ratsack, to keep the trash separated, and another one for the snacks when we were exploring the waterfalls).
- You want to bring lightweight paracord to hang not only your food but your backpack and clothes to dry as well.
- Pack multiple aluminum D-ring carabiner clips to hang your food and your backpack
- Bear canister– This is a lighter option and you dont need to hang this but its too bulky to carry in your backpack and more expensive.
First aid kit
Safety is your top priority and you want to be ready if something happens during your stay. Carry a travel size first aid kit. It comes with moleskin but I ended up taking out the sheets it came with and replaced them with some of this tactical moleskin instead and I added a pack of fast clotting gauze.
Depending on the time of the year you might need bug repellent. I usually spray the outside of my tent with this bug repellent spray and don’t have issues when I go camping. May is not heavily infested with bugs so I didn’t bring the spray and I never got bit, but if you are going during the hotter months like July or August I would highly suggest bringing the spray or these deet-free mosquito repellent wipes.
Don’t forget to pack any other medication you currently take and add it to the first aid kit bag.
Toiletries
There are no showers or washing stations available at the campground so keeping good hygiene is important when you go to a place like this. These are some of the items you will want to pack for your Havasupai falls trip.
- Biodegradable soap sheets and hand sanitizer – The bathrooms don’t have a washing station so in order to not cross contaminate and get sick you need to wash your hands the best way possible.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Chapstick
- Compact mirror/hair brush -This is optional but I found it helpful since I have long hair and my hair would get a little tangled after my showers which consisted on jumping in the Havasu creek.
- Biodegradable wet wipes– Cowboy showers are your only option to keeping your privates fresh and wiping your feet before getting in your sleeping bag.
- Sunscreen– The sun hits different there so make sure to apply this everyday.
- Lotion
- Toilet paper- The first and second bathrooms always had at least one bathroom without toilet paper so it’s convenient to bring a little bit of TP just in case.
- Deodorant
- For my ladies:
- Menstrual products if Aunt flo will be making a visit during your stay- Keep in mind that you have to carry out your tampons or sanitary pads so make sure to pack a black odor proof bag and add baking soda to minimize the odor. You will still have to keep it away from the critters so make sure to hang it to avoid an embarrassing morning.
Electronics
You’re backpacking and the whole point to get in nature is to disconnect from electronics but how can you go to this breath-taking place without bringing a camera to capture those beautiful waterfalls, you can’t! You want to be able to look at those pictures you took a couple of months after you return back home so they can serve as motivation to go explore a new spot.
Keep in mind that electronics can get pretty heavy and every ounce counts when you backpacking. Here are some of the items I packed:
- Cellphone + charger– I used my iphone as my camera and navigation device by downloading maps before I started driving here.
- TIP: Keep your phone on airplane mode and don’t forget to close all windows including your camera when you’re not using your phone to save battery life.
- GoPro – I used the GoPro HERO 9 without a waterproof case and it was very convenient when taking pictures and video once I was in the water and was exploring the falls. I was wearing the clip attachment and the wrist lanyard and I clipped it to my day pack when I wanted to record the trail. I packed two batteries and that was more than enough.
- Power bank + Charger– I was able to charge my phone and my nephew’s phone twice with this power bank and I still had some charge left.
- Tripod– This tripod+retractable rod combo with a remote is perfect for night time photography or if you’re doing this trip solo.
- Watch + charger– You don’t really need this but I find always cool to see how many miles you walked on a trip
Miscellaneous items
- Multitool– This tactical knife multitool has come in handy when I go camping and this time was no different. I had to use the pliers to fix one of my tent zippers. I needed to use the scissors to cut the paracord I used and I had plan to use it in case I needed a moleskin patch.
- Carabiner clips (4x)- Using lightweight carabiner clips to hang your backpacks, lantern/light source, water jug, food bag, or shoes to dry is incredibly convenient.
- Cash– You might want to bring about $200 in cash. If there is an emergency and you have to take the helicopter out, it will cost around $100 per person. If you want to get food from the market, Cafeteria, or the fry-bread stand it will get pricey. Most establishments at the village and even the fry bread stands will accept card but if their systems are down you’ll have no currency to buy anything.
- Mask– Masks are still required if you want to enter any of the establishments in the village.
- Goverment issued ID
- Health insurance information– It’s always good to be prepared in case an emergency arises and you have to provide your health insurance information.
- Reservation paperwork– The Havasupai reservation website states to bring a screenshot or a printed copy of your campground/lodge reservation.
- Card games– Bringing this depends on your intenerary. If you’re planning on constantly exploring the falls and land, I suggest you don’t bring any. I brought these pocket size UNO cards and also glow in the dark deck of cards to play and we never used them. On the other hand, if you plan on having more downtime and hang out at your campsite or just at one of the falls for a long time, I suggest you bring at least one.
Lastly, follow the "leave no trace" principles and pack everything out and of course
Dont forget to bring your sense of adventure!
RECOMMENDED LINKS:
- Everything you need to know about Havasupai Falls
- How to get a Havasupai Falls permit
- Camping at Havasupai Falls, Arizona
- Havasupai Falls Intinerary