Trips + Adventures

October 24, 2024

Everything you need to know about Havasupai Falls

Havasupai falls is one of those beautiful places in the Grand Canyon you hear about or most likely saw on social media. Those clear turquoise waters are quite a sight to see and it’s definitely one of those places you want to add to your bucket list, so here is everything you need to know about Havasupai Falls.

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Visiting this amazing place requires extensive preparation, especially if you are not an experienced hiker or backpacker but it is totally worth it! Here you will find information on where these stunning waterfalls are located, where to obtain a reservation, where to stay prior to your hike, check-in process, and tips to make this whole process a little bit less stressful.

Where is Havasupai Falls?
What to do at Havasupai Falls?
How difficult is the hike to Supai Village?
Is the trail hard to follow?
Do I need to get a permit?
What do you get with a camping reservation?
What do you get with a Lodge reservation?
How do I get a permit?
When can I check-in?
Where do I check-in?
Where should I stay the night before the hike?
When is the best time to go to Havasupai Falls?
What should I pack?
Is there food available?
Can I take the helicopter in or out?
Can I reserve a pack mule to carry my stuff?

Where is Havasupai falls?

Havasupai Falls is located in the Havasu (Cataract) Canyon where the Havasupai Indian Reservation is.

The Havasupai Indian Reservation is a Native American Reservation for the Havasupai people and it is considered one of the most remote Indian Reservation in the United States.

This remote location is surrounded by the Grand Canyon National Park in Coconino, Arizona. The nearest community is Peach Springs which is 68 miles Southwest from the Hualapai Hilltop parking lot.

The adventure of exploring a remote place with jaw-dropping sights of the waterfalls of Havasu creek that drop to the famous pools of blue-green waters is an amazing experience you need to have at least once in your lifetime.

Fun facts:

The Havasu/Cataract creek is one of the largest tributaries of the Colorado river.
You can see the point where the green-blue water meets in a very dramatic confluence with the brown Colorado river water
Havasupai means people “pai” of the blue green waters “Havasu.”
Havasu creek gets its color from a series of chemical reactions. It starts underground were spring-fed water collects magnesium and calcium from the rocks and as it travels through soil it meets with high levels of carbon dioxide creating bicarbonate.
- Once the bicarbonate meets with the Havasu creek at the surface, another chemical reaction occurs leaving calcium carbonate or calcite on the creek bed.
- When the sunlight hits the water, the leftover limestone reflects the sunlight creating that lovely turquoise color.

What to do at Havasupai falls?

Havasupai falls has so much to offer and it’s a hiker’s playground! Before making this trip I read about the 5 waterfalls this place has to offer BUT there are actually 6 waterfalls you can explore during your stay and if you’re not feeling sore and have extra time, you can always hike to the confluence and check out where the Havasu creek meets the Colorado river.

The red painted canyon has all these amazing waterfalls to explore and they’re are all unique in their own way:

The most iconic waterfall is Havasu Falls.
The tallest waterfall is Mooney Falls. You can see the waterfall from above from the end of the campground or you can climb down the side of the canyon holding on to chains and stepping on wooden ladders to get to the bottom and feel the roar of the water echoing the canyon walls as it lands on the pool below with such force.
Beaver Falls is past Mooney falls and is a series of waterfalls that cascade on top of each other making it ideal to relax in the many pools it has to offer. It is 4 miles from the campground so 8 miles round trip.
50 Foot Falls is the first waterfall you located between the village and Havasu falls. It fans out along the Havasu creek.
Little Navajo Falls is one of the falls listed on the map but somehow it is the least visited.
Hidden Falls is a hidden gem. You will have to get wet and walk a little on a narrow part of a wall but it’s such an amazing place to see.

For more information on how to get to these waterfalls read about How to get to the 6 waterfalls in Havasupai Falls, Arizona.

How difficult is the hike to supai village?

Moderate to Hard – The hike in is long but not difficult, just be prepared to hike in a desert environment. It’s the hike out that makes this hike HARD, especially during the hotter months (late May- October) where temperatures in the summer months (June- August and sometimes early September) can reach up to 115 °C

Note:
- The trail will be closed if temperatures exceeds 115 °C.
- No day hiking allowed.
- No night hiking allowed- Trail section from Hilltop to Supai Village is closed from sunset to 4 AM.
- No water available until you get to Supai village.
- Duration– 3-5 hours.

The trail is about 8 miles to the village where the lodge is located but add 2+ miles to the campground if you will be camping, so it is a 20+ mile round trip hike.

The start of the trail from Hualapai Hilltop begins with a quick 1,109 ft descent down steep switchbacks and a straightaway trail in the first 1.5 miles through a rocky terrain leading you to the Havasu Canyon. The next 6.5 miles of the hike gradually decrease in elevation and is in flat sandy wash terrain that eventually lead you green vegetation and soon enough you get your first sight of the beautiful Havasu creek.

As you walk through the village you’re gradually descending more. Once you pass the village you still need to hike pass Fifty Foot Falls, Little Navajo Falls, Hidden Falls, and Havasu Falls to get to the beginning of the campground.

TIP: Wake up around 3:30AM the day you have to hike out so you have enough time to pack up your tent and start the hike by 4AM so you can get to the hilltop by 7:30-8AM to beat the sun so you’re not too exposed to the harsh heat as much the last 1.5 miles.

Is the trail hard to follow?

Not at all, the trail is pretty visible and it’s hard to lose it. There are different quick little trails that split but eventually come and meet at the river bed. If you ever feel like you lost the trail just follow the mule’s manure, it’s right on the trail majority of the way.

Note: If you hear a whistle is usually a ranger guiding the mules, make sure to start looking for a place on the trail to move so the mules can pass you by.

Once you see the mules coming make sure you are far away from them because they don’t stop or move even if you get in front of them.

do i need to get a permit?

Yes! In order to visit Havasupai falls you will need to reserve a permit to stay there for 4 days and 3 nights. There are two types of permits;

Campground reservations – $445 per person for 3 nights as of 2024.
- - Available February 1st to November 30th.
Lodge reservations – $2,277 per room, up to 4 people for 3 nights as of 2024.
- Available April 1st to November 30th.

Note: Children 6 years or younger do not require a permit but please keep in mind that this place is very remote and help is not readily available.

If something does happen you have to rely on your medical knowledge and other tourists while help from the village arrives.
If there is a more severe emergency where your kid needs to be transported out, you will have to wait for an hour or even longer to get helicoptered out.
The terrain is rough, it can be extremely hot depending on the time of the year, and there’s the obvious hazard which is the water hazard; the creek runs all throughout the campsite to Mooney falls.

What do you get with a camping reservation?

If you got a camping reservation be aware that camping spots are first come, first served. During the warmer and popular months you might have to share some space with other campers depending on where you decide to camp.

The campground is located about 2 miles from the Supai village and it runs along the Havasu creek for about a mile between Havasupai falls and Mooney Falls.

You can camp on both sides of the creek you just have to cross some small bridges, fallen tree logs, or walk on planks to get to the other side.

Amenities:

There is a spigot closer to the entrance of the campground that offers spring water which is drinkable water without purifying it.
There are 4 compost pit toilet bathrooms located throughout the campsite with toilet paper but no washing stations.
- I recommend packing hand sanitizer/biodegradable soap and a small amount of TP in case some of the most used bathrooms ran out of TP.
Some campsites have picnic tables but not all.

What do you get with a Lodge reservation?

Having a Lodge reservation means you don’t have to carry a heavy pack and you get to bring luxury items! Since you get to pack less, the hike in and out is not as intense.

Also, the Lodge is located in the Supai village behind the school and the church so you will have the Cafe and the general store close by in case you want to get food.

The check-in time for the Lodge according to the Havasupai reservation website is from 2-5PM and check out is no later than 11AM the day of your departure.

Amenities:

Two queen beds per room.
4 outlets per room
Bathroom with shower.
Towels, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and soap are provided.
Towels you can take to the falls.
Lodge lobby is open from 8AM-5PM with coffee, creamer, fruit,granola bars, and cereal free of charge.
There’s a communal fridge for perishable items and there’s a microwave all located in the lobby.
Some rooms have a mini fridge and a microwave.
AC units
Wifi is decent and you can make calls and send texts.

TIP: If you’re looking to order some pizza text or call Carlos Soto (785)764-9130, he delivers to the Lodge for $5 as of 2024. Make sure he will be open when you go because sometimes he’s only open Friday through Sunday.

How do I get a permit?

Getting a permit is so extensive that I made a step-by-step guide with pictures dedicated to how to get Havasupai Falls permits and what to do if you don’t get to reserve a permit right away so you know what to expect on permit day (February 1st).

when can I check-in?

Once you are able to reserve a permit you will be able to check-in for your reservation the day before and no later than noon on the day of your reservation. This might be subject to change with the season. The temperature during the summer months gets too hot and day hiking is not allowed. The trip leader will be informed by the Havasupai Turism Office via email how and when to check in for the month you will be going.

When I went in May, the email I got stated that the check-in time was from 8AM-6PM but July’s check-in window was from 6AM-6PM.

While the check-in hours might change depending on the season you go, the check-in process is the same.

Note: If you don’t check-in the day before or the morning of your hike, your reservation will be cancelled and there will be no refund.

Where do I check-in?

Check-in for campground and lodge reservations will be at:

- Grand Canyon Caverns Inn – Located at mile marker 115, Route 66 near Seligman
  - AZ-66, Peach Springs, AZ 86434

The check-in office is located to the left of the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn front desk down a hallway, just follow the signs.
Trip leader checks-in all the members of his/her group
All members of the group will need to show proof of account with the official Havasupai Reservations website. A screenshot will suffice.
Trip leader will provide his/her photo ID to receive the entrance permit paperwork where all members of the group are listed at the bottom (You will need your liscense plate number as well).

Once you provide the paperwork filled out, the trip leader will receive a copy of the paperwork, a tag you will have on the backpack while you’re hiking in and later on the tent, and wristbands for your group.

Where should I stay the night before the hike?

There’s no camping at the Hilltop and that includes sleeping in your car. The closest place to stay the night at is the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn which is also where you have to check-in the day before your hike.

It is 65 miles, about 1hr 13mins drive to the Haulapai Hilltop.

After driving for almost 7 hours the day before my hike, it was very convenient to arrive at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn, go straight to the Havasupai Falls check-in and come back to check-in for my room. The check-in process for both were very fast and after dropping our stuff in the room, we headed to the restaurant

TIP: The minute you’re done securing your Havasupai Falls reservation go the Grand Canyons Caverns Inn website and reserve a room. I believe they only take a deposit and you will have to pay the remainder once you get there and check-in at the lobby for your room.

If you’re not planning on driving and you’re flying in instead, the two closest airports you’ll be flying into is Las Vegas (LAS ~4hrs away) or Phoenix (PHX ~5 hrs away). You will need to rent a car (the road to Haulapai Hilltop is paved now so any car will do) and drive to your the place you’ll be staying in.

From Las Vegas:
- Peach Springs is the closest town to the trailhead but the only accommodation there will be the Haulapai Lodge. There is no website for Haulapai Lodge so you need to call to reserve a room at (928) 769-2230.
- It’s 68 miles, about 1hr 14min drive to the Haulapai Hilltop.
From Phoenix:
- Seligman will be the closest town to the trailhead and has more options for accommodation.
- The closest Motel is Historic Route 66 Motel about 90 miles, about 1hr 35min drive to the Haulapai Hilltop.

TIP:

Whether you drive your car or you rent a car make sure it has a spare tire, a jack, a lug wrench, and jumper cables/ portable jumper starter. Indian Rd 18 is 60 miles long and there are no services around and will have a very spotty cellphone reception.
Make sure you have a full tank the night before you head to the trailhead. You can fill up at Peach Springs or Seligman.
There is no water at the trailhead so fill up your water bladder before you drive to Haulapai Hilltop.
The road that leads you to the trailhead:
- If you drive on Indian Rd 18 early before the sunrise make sure you drive at the speed limit and don’t speed up. I saw multiple bunnies crossing the road at the beginning and the car in front of me hit 3…It was very sad to watch.
- As you get closer to the Haulapai Hilltop you start to see black cows laying, crossing, or just standing right in the middle of the road. Some of them don’t move and you have to go around them, others will straight up get startled and instead of running toward the field that is closer to them, they will cross the road towards your car! Crazy cows! Since they are black, you can barely see them until you are very close even with the beam lights.
- There will be a checkpoint by a Havasupai Law Enforcement Officer before you get to the trailhead. You will need to show your ID and check-in paperwork.

When is the best time to go to Havasupai Falls?

Ask yourself these questions:

How much time do you want to prepare for this hike?
What temperatures are you willing to endure?
Do you want to swim majority of the time or just hike?
Do you want to avoid crowds?

Havasupai Falls is open for visitors February through November, but in my opinion late spring or fall are the best times to visit that enchanting place because the weather is not too hot and it’s not monsoon season.

April through August permits get snagged pretty quickly but late September and early October are also great months to reserve your permit if spring dates get booked up.

February and March:

Pros:
- Permits go on sale February 1st of whatever year you’re in and you are only allow to reserve it for that year which makes this is the perfect time for locals to explore this place.
- It’s off-season which means that it will not be crowded and you will get to enjoy Havasupai Falls with a few individuals.
- No mosquitos!
Cons:
- I don’t live in Arizona and reserving a permit so fast was not enough time to plan and buy/rent gear that I needed.
- Average temperatures in February are from 50°F to 34°F and in 65°F to 38°F in March which is too cold to spend the days swimming in the creek and the waterfalls and will need more layers to stay warm at night.
- Camping might be too cold if you’re not bundling up with someone else.
- On average these months get about 5 days of rain.

April and May:

Pros:
- April temperatures are great during the day but it does get a little cold during the night.
- May temperatures are perfect! It doesn’t get too hot during the day and it doesn’t get too cold during the night.
- On average these months get about 3 days of rain.
- Mosquitos are not an issue. I did get bit by a horsefly once during my stay but never by a mosquito.
Cons:
- Havasupai Falls starts to get a little crowded during the end of April and May as the temperatures raise.

June/ July/ August:

Pros:
- Temperatures raise to the triple digits during the day but it makes it perfect to go swimming in the creek and waterfalls to cool off.
- Night temperatures are pretty warm which means you don’t need to pack too much. Can sleep in a hammock to lessen the weight of the pack.
Cons:
- It’s peak season which means Havasupai falls will be crowded and it will be harder to find a good camping spot.
- Temperatures raise to the triple digits and can be too hot for some people.
- A bigger water bladder (3-4L) will be needed adding weight to your backpack.
- The hike in and out might be too rough for some people due to the heat exposure. You will have to start hiking very early in the morning (3 AM).
- Monsoon season so be ready for flash flooding if it happens.
  - If you’re not familiar with monsoons and flash flooding, please keep in mind that if you see signs of rain clouds or know there will be rain be on high alert and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. Don’t go hiking out to Beaver Falls or the Confluence.
  - If it’s raining lightly but you see water pouring into the canyon, be on high alert. Flash floods occur within minutes and there’s usually very little time to get to higher ground.
  - On August 22, 2024 a major flash flood occured and unfortunately someone lost their life. Check out this time stamped video of the August flash flood a group of hikers that hiked in that day posted to get an idea of how fast light rain can turn into a devastating event during Monsoon season.
- Blue-green waterfalls turn to brown waterfalls due to flash floods.
- Mosquitos and other bugs are an issue.

September and October:

Pros:

Temperatures start dropping making it more comfortable during the day and night.
Havasupai Falls is still a little busy but not like in the summer months.
A few rain days.
No mosquitos.

Cons:

Temperatures get a little chilly early in the morning making it difficult to swim but as the day goes on the temperatures get warmer.
Need to pack layers since it does get a bit chilly at night.

November:

Pros:

Hiking temperatures are great.
Might see some snow which is a different way of experiencing the beautiful red rocks dusted with white snow.

Cons:

Might have snow which means that it might be too cold to go swimming.

What should I pack?

You will have to plan your packing list depending on what time of the year you go but check out this Havasupai Falls packing list. You will have to add more layers of clothing if you’re going in the colder months.

Is there food available?

Yes! There’s the Supai Cafe which is open from 7AM-5PM daily. They have a breakfast items, lunch & dinner, beverages, and even a couple of appetizers.

The General store is stocked with basic supplies, ice cream, and even steak. Keep in mind that these items are limited and they might not have them during stay.

Both the general store and the Supai cafe take cash and card but if the wifi is spotty the card might not go through so make sure to have cash on hand as backup.

Lastly, there are two Frybread stands I saw at different locations, one above Havasupai falls and the other one at mile 9 (between the village and Havasupai falls).

They are famous for their Indian taco and their nutella with strawberries sweet fry bread.

After a day of hiking these were exactly what we needed with a refreshing iced tea! They also have a frybread burger but the taco was much better and had more toppings.

During my stay in May they open around noon and they close around 5PM or when they’re sold out, and they took cash or cash app.

Can I take the helicopter in or out?

Yes, if you don’t want to do the hike you can rent the helicopter and fly to the village and you can also fly back from the village to Hilltop on your way out.

The helicopter company that provides this service is called AirWest Helicopters and is completely independent from the Havasupai tribe.

They have their own schedule during the week and it varies with season too. You can give them a call at (623) 516-2790 or check out their website to find out their schedule and plan your flight.

This is a great option if you have already experienced the hike and seen the beautiful sights of the canyon up close and now you want to see it from a bird’s view point of view, you’re staying at the Lodge, or if you have a medical condition that impedes you from making the trek on foot.

I would not recommend getting a helicopter ride if you’re staying at the campground because you will not arrive at the village early enough to get a good camping spot and will have to settle for a mediocre one. You can always move sites the next day but who wants to wake up at an ungodly hour to repack your stuff, move it, hope that the spot is still availabkeand set up everything again.

A helicopter ride cost is about $100 per person so $200 for round way.
Children under 2 fly free.
Each person is allowed a carry on bag but any extra luggage is about $50 extra.
Reservations for the helicopter can not be made in advance which means that you have to sign up at the helipad at the hilltop or at the Supai village on the AirWest sign-up sheet that is provided.
5 to 6 passengers are allowed depending on total weight.
Credit cards are accepted but I believe they chage a $10 fee. Just carry cash because the signal for the card readers could be too weak.
They are weather-dependent so flights can get cancelled any time.
Tribal members and contractors take priority over tourists.
Spots for tourists are first come, first served so try to be at the top of the sign-up sheet.

Taking the helicopter from Supai village to the Hilltop goes through the same process BUT you want to wake up extra early to put your name in the sign-up sheet, we’re talking about 3AM! By 4AM there’s already a long line of tourist waiting. Even if you’re one of the first ones on the list, expect to wait and fly out around 1PM or even later.

Once an AirWest employee has everyone get in line people will try to cut the line, some people are ruthless, so keep your eyes open and be sure to hang around the entrance to the helipad to get in line first.

TIP: If you still want to hike out but you don’t want to carry your heavy backpack and you don’t want to reserve a mule, you can send your pack on a helicopter bag ($50). This however, comes with a little risk because once the helicopter reaches the Hilltop, all packs are placed in a pile and you just have to hope no one picks up your pack by accident or steals it.

Can I reserve a pack mule to carry my stuff?

Yes, pack mules are available to request once you secure a campground reservation permit or a Lodge permit.

You don’t actually secure your pack mule reservation at first but you’re rather placed in a wait list until you get an email with the pack mule reservation confirmation.
Pack mule reservation can not be split between days (Reservations are good only for the day your reservation starts and the last day of your reservation).
Once the reservation is confirmed it is non-refundable, can’t change the reservation dates, and it’s nontransferable.
Fees:
- Round trip from Hilltop to campground entrence and back is $400.
- Round trip from Hilltop to Lodge and back is $200.
- If you miss the drop off time you will be charged $300.
- In case of an emergency and you need to rent a pack mule, you will be charged $400 one way (Only if there’s a pack mule available).
Bag requirements:
- One pack mule will carry 4 bags.
- Bags need to be soft on all sides and nothing can be hanging on the outside.
- Each bag cannot exceed 32 lbs.
- The dimensions of each bag cannot exceed 32 in long by 19 in wide by 19 in tall.
Coolers or ice chests are not allowed.
Must have your pack mule tags no later than 9AM the day of your arrival date.
All bags should be clearly labeled with:
- Reservation number.
- Leader’s name
- IN to Campground/Lodge and date
- OUT to trailhead and date.
Dropping off your bags:
- From Hilltop to campground/Lodge: Drop off your bags no later than 10 AM at the Hilltop trailhead. You can drop off your bag as early as 4AM but the pack mules usually arrive by 3PM or 5PM the latest.
- From campground to hilltop: Drop off your bags no later than 6AM at the campground entrance. Bags usually arrive at hilltop around noon or 1PM.
- From Lodge to hilltop: Drop off your bags no later than 7AM at the Lodge drop off. You will get your bags around 1-2PM.
You will be sent an email from Havasupai Reservations a month, or even a couple of weeks before your campground or Lodge reservation letting you know whether or not you got a pack mule reservation.

TIP:

Wrap your bags in these IKEA bags that you can wear as backpacks to protect the bag from scrapes or items falling out of loose pockets.
Make sure you get your pack mule tags when you go to check-in. Sometimes they forget to give you the tags and you have to ask for them.
- My friend realized she didn’t received her pack mule tags after the office was closed (We stayed at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn) and had to wait until they opened the next day so she can ask for her tags. Learn from her and don’t make that same mistake.

Now that you read about everything you need to know about Havasupai falls, it’s time to plan your trip! If you’re camping at this beautiful place check out my Havasupai falls packing list to get an idea of what to bring!

You still have some questions? Please feel free to post them in the comments and I will try to answer them as soon as possible!