Thinking of hiking Havasupai Falls this year? Well you’re in luck, I’m here to give you the 411 on everything you need to know before, during and after your one-in-a-lifetime outdoor adventure experience.
Table of Contents
Havasupai Falls History
Havasupai Falls is named after the Havasupai Native Americans who roam this land. It’s no surprise they chose Havasupai as their name, as the translation is “people of the blue-green waters”, which I’m sure you know by now is what makes this enchanted wetland so unique. It’s so hard to choose the right words to describe this place. From its primitive village with horseback as the only local transit option, to the surrounding skyscraper rock walls and piercing blue waters, to the helicopter exit route, this place is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It feels as if you’ve stepped back in time while opening the door to a Magical Wonderland at the same time.
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I made the 8-hour trek from Los Angeles to Havasupai Falls the first weekend in February on a spontaneous whim, as this was the only weekend with reservations still available in all of 2018. Because I decided Friday morning (February 2) to leave that evening for AZ, I couldn’t find anyone else to go with. As this was going to be my first time backpacking and solo camping, a million reasons why I shouldn’t do this ran through my head, even up to the minute I was parking at Hualapai Hilltop. Thankfully, none of those reasons got the best of me, preventing me from experiencing one of the most eye-opening and memorable weekends of my life.
Havasupai Falls Reservations
First things first. You MUST have a permit/reservation to hike Havasupai Falls, and there is no day hiking permitted. Campground reservations for Feb 1 – Nov 30, open on February 1 at 8am Arizona time (reminder: AZ switches between PST & MST) and sell out in minutes. Make sure you make an account ahead of time on their website. Be ready to login right at 8am (they no longer all calls to their local phone numbers).
Changes: You can no longer book individual nights
ALL campground reservations are 3 Nights / 4 Days.
$100 per person per weekday night
$125 per person per weekend night (Friday/Saturday/Sunday nights)
These prices include all necessary permits, fees, and taxes.
This means that a 3 Night / 4 Day stay will be a total of between $300 and $375 per person (depending upon how many weekend nights are included).
There is only one name allowed on the reservation – and a reservation is only valid if the person named on the reservation is present at the Tourist Check-in Office in the Village of Supai (on the way down to the campground) with photo ID – otherwise the reservation is NOT valid and will NOT be honored.
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Getting There
Once you get off the 40 Highway and drive through Kingman, you’ll lose phone service pretty quickly. This is the last big city before you hit Supai, so stock up on food, water, camping gear, or anything you haven’t already purchased and make sure you have saved the directions (although it’s not very easy to get lost). You’ll head out on historic Route 66 for 54 miles, passing through Peach Springs, then turning left onto Indian Road 18 for another 60 miles before you arrive at Hualapai Hilltop parking lot where your hike will begin. Follow the speed limit on Road 18 as you’ll pass a ton of cows, buffalo, and dogs. Don’t expect to see a lot of other people on this road; I passed only one car in over an hour.
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Descent Hiking Havasupai Falls
From Hualapai Hilltop to Supai Village is 8 miles, then it’s another 1-2 miles to the campground depending where exactly you decide to pitch a tent.
It’s best to get started on the hike as early as possible while it’s still cool. If you are able to make the drive to Hualapai Hilltop the day before and sleep in your car overnight (or stay in Peach Springs at the Hualapai Lodge), I’d recommend it. Carrying 30lbs on your back will warm you up real quick, even when it feels a bit nippy out at first. Also, the earlier you get to the campground, the more likely you are to grab a rad campsite right on the river.
The hike starts with a series of switchbacks for about 1 mile. They are a little narrow so watch out for the mules heading up the hill as they have the right of way. I actually got knocked over by one – thank goodness I was on the mountain side instead of the cliff side.
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After the switchbacks, the terrain levels out with a series of shorter, less steep, descents for about 6 miles. You’ll be walking through a rocky canyon for most of this section, so watch your footing, but also don’t forget to look up and admire the gorgeous high red rock walls that surround you. Once you hit the sign that says “you’re almost there”, you still have about 1 mile. It’s a complete change of scenery as you’ll now be surrounded by a vast green forest with first sightings of the Havasupai River.
Check-In
Once you get into town, stop by the Tourism Office with a “WHOA REGISTER HERE” sign out front. Your reservation will be confirmed here and you’ll get a wristband to wear for the length of your stay. TIP: This is also the time to book your return pack mule if you haven’t already ($132 one-way or $264 round-trip) if you plan on hiking out and don’t want to lug all your gear back up the mountain. Each pack mule can hold up to 4 bags, or 130lbs. The website says you should book the mules 1-week in advance, but you should be okay doing it upon arrival.
Campgrounds
Once you hike the 8 miles from Hualapai Hilltop to Supai Village and check-in, you still have to hike to the campground. The campground begins about 1.5 miles past the village, just as you pass Havasu Falls, then continues along Havasu Creek to Mooney Falls. Campgrounds are first-come first-serve, so you can pretty much pitch a tent anywhere you find open space.
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TIP: You’re probably going to feel like jumping at the first open spot you find after lugging your heavy backpack for 10 miles, but if you can hold out a few more minutes, theres some really stunning, highly sought-after havasu falls camping spots on a little delta in between two rivers.
Not into camping? No problem. There’s also the option of staying at the Havasupai Lodge for $175 per night. Call this number to make a reservation: (928) 448-2111.
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Leaving Havasupai Falls
You have two ways of leaving Havasupai Falls. The first is to hike back up the mountain the same way you arrived, for a total of 10 miles from the campground. You can book a pack mule at the Tourism Office to carry up to 4 bags for $132 one-way.
Second option (which is what I did), pay $85 to helicopter from Supai Village to Hualapai Hilltop. I can guarantee you it’s worth every penny to save yourself 5 hours of hiking and an extra sore body. Helicopters start running at 10am and give priority to the locals, as this is their main method of entering and exiting the village.
SUPER IMPORTANT TIP: If you’re visiting during a sold-out permit time (which you probably are), plan on getting in the helicopter line in Supai Village no later than 8am. The wait to fly out can be over 5 hours long the later you show up. At that point, you might as well have just hiked out.
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Food & Water
There aren’t many food options available in Supai village, but with a short stay, you should be able to make-do. The cafe is kind of like that camp cafeteria where the food magically tasted amazing because you had no other options. It’s by no means gourmet, but they have a pretty great breakfast burrito. Then, there’s the market, which is more like a gas station food mart that will fill all of your junk food snacking needs. The village is 1-2 miles away from the campground so you should stock up on anything you’ll need while passing through.
Personally, I made 4 PB&J sandwiches before I left, along with packing a bunch of protein bars and trail mix. Probably not the healthiest thing, but it definitely fueled me through the weekend.
Before starting the hike down, fill up a 3L Camelback water bladder. That should be enough to get you from Hualapai Hilltop to the campgrounds. Once in the campgrounds, there is a water fountain to refill so no need to carry that extra weight with you.
TIP: There are picnic tables in the waterfall pools that are great for having breakfast or lunch, if you can snatch one in time.
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Worthwhile Pitstops
Hackberry General Store: for all your Route 66 memorabilia and photo opp needs
Grand Canyon Cavern & Inn (a little past the turnoff for Indian Road 18): you can eat and stay the night in an underground cave
The last gas station is in Peach Springs, as well as an ATM inside the Hualapai Lodge.
What to Pack
Here’s a list of everything I packed for my 2 day/1 night trip:
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Weather
Hiking Havasupai Falls in February, when I visited, is generally very cold (60’s during the day and 30’s at night). The downside is obviously the temperature, but if you can handle that, you will be rewarded with very few other visitors. I highly recommend bringing a mummy sleeping bag and a couple extra layers to sleep in. The payoff of not having to hike in 100 degree summer weather is well worth it as well! You’ll be doing A LOT of hiking this weekend, so if you do go in the summer, make sure to wear a water bladder and refill at the couple locations throughout the village.
- Jan: 53/27 Jul: 99/66
- Feb: 60/32 Aug: 99/64
- Mar: 67/37 Sept: 89/56
- Apr: 75/43 Oct: 78/46
- May: 86/50 Nov: 64/35
- Jun: 96/60 Dec: 53/27
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Questions or problem with your reservation? Email Support@HavasupaiReservations.com
Looking for other hiking adventures? Check out Point Reyes National Seashore, just North of San Fransisco or Cuyahoga Valley National Park, just outside of Cleveland, OH.
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Sent from my iPhone 7 Steve Sherlin,JD
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Really enjoyed your article. You gave such great tips to make this beautiful hike even better. Loved your pictures. Guess I have to be online next February 1st to get a reservation. Wish me luck!
Good luck, Jamiee! It’s definitely worth it, you’ll love it!
This was such an awesome overview of all things Havasupai Falls! I had to cancel a trip last October and did a ton of research, but you’ve provided so much additional and helpful info. Ahhh hoping to make it by 2019, pinning this for sure!
Aw I’m sorry to hear that. Havasupai Falls isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so you’ll definitely have another opportunity, and I highly recommend considering February to go, as there were a lot less people.
This was such an awesome overview of all things Havasupai Falls! I had to cancel a trip last October and did a ton of research, but you’ve provided so much additional and helpful info. Ahhh hoping to make it by 2019, pinning this for sure!
This is the first informative blog that I’ve found on Havasupai. Thank you for sharing!
thanks Stephanie. I hope this helps with your future Havasupai planning.
This was a great post! great details!
Love this!!! I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. Looks like you had a great time!!!
What a magical place. Seems like I wont be getting a reservation any time soon though. Love how you’ve added helpful information and tips without making it too monotonous.
How lucky for you to see this! It looks beautiful, so I’m not surprised it sells out really fast. I can imagine in the summer it gets stupid hot, yeesh. What did the water feel like in Feb? It must have been so cold at night! Yowza!
Author
The water was definitely cold but actually not unbearable. You’re right, summers are really hot so people spend a lot more time in the ponds than hiking. I didn’t go swimming but I walked through waste-deep. My one regret was not bringing an inflatable to lay on 😉
Wooow! What a great view! I love your photos! And I would definitely enjoy being there!
This looks like it would be an AMAZING hike. It is so pretty and looks like it would be a lot of fun!
What a wonderful place to visit. I love the falls. They are breathtaking. Great photos.
Author
Thank you! It’s not hard to get beautiful captures when nature sells itself!
I can’t take my eyes off the little hotel room inside of a cave. That’s such a cool and original idea. Love it!
Author
So clever, I know! This was the first I’d ever seen something like that!
WOW!! Your photos are absolutely spectacular! What a beautiful place to go on a hike! I am so jealous!
The fall looks beautiful! The water is SO blue. I’d love to go on this hike
Xo, Sondra
Cuisineandtravel.com
Author
It’s absolutely worth the visit one day. From the falls to the Native American village, you feel like you’re on another planet. It’s mesmerizing!
Havasupai falls look so beautiful; and just as the name goes ‘a place of green-blue waters’ , so are the waters of the falls. They look too clean and the whole place is beautiful. I love the rocky and dry surroundings!Whooa!
Author
It’s even more breath-taking in person! Hope you can visit some day.
I can imagine that Shanelle. And I really hope to visit there someday too.
Wow ! That’s look like a really cool adventure! Those waters look incredible!
Author
And it really is just as blue as it looks 🙂
Really enjoyed your article. You gave such great tips to make this beautiful hike even better. Loved your pictures. Guess I have to be online next February 1st to get a reservation. Wish me luck!
Author
Sending lots of luck your way! I will be booking again next year myself!
wow, thanks for this post. this looks amazing, makes me want to give hiking a try. the water looks so inviting
Author
It’s definitely worth the hike! And the best part is, you only have to hike downhill if you want. You can helicopter back up the mountain 🙂
Wow, the pictures are breathtaking!! I had no clue about this (and I grew up in Arizona!) I know what I will be planning for my next trip to visit family!
Author
Glad to shed some light! It truly is an unforgettable experience!
Wow! these photos are unbelievable and remind me very much of my recent trip to the Grand Canyon last week.
Author
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve actually never been to the Grand Canyon but it’s definitely on my list. I know Havasupai is very similar though
This looks astonishing!! The color of the water is just beautiful. Mother nature is incredible .
I love the list of things to pack here. So important to remember. And it looks like it was so amazing out there. Very beautiful.
What a beautiful place to camp. I would love to camp there but having two young kids may be a bit challenging. It’s definitely a camping trip of a lifetime.
Absolutely beautiful pictures, everything look so charming at my eyes! All this magical places wow, wish I can see them in person one day!
What a gorgeous place! Absolutely love the idea of hiking by a waterfall and you truly captured its beauty. The tips you gave are great and I hope to travel here and use them.
XOXO
Elizabeth Keene
http://www.akeenesenseofstyle.com
This place looks absolutely beautiful! there is nothing I love more than waterfalls and the sound of rushing water. Thank you for sharing your pictures and info of this place!
Love the waterfalls. The picnic table in the waterfall pool is a pretty awesome experience for a cool little picnic.
It must be beautiful to see all these sights while hiking. I know a lot of people who really enjoy this activity.
Very nice post, thanks for sharing.