HAVASUPAI: HIKING GUIDE FOR THE ULTIMATE WATERFALL ADVENTURE
Havasupai had been a dream of mine for years. It’s hard to believe that one of the world’s prettiest waterfalls sits just a few hours from Las Vegas. The hike is strictly permitted, making access extremely difficult, and the destination itself a bit of a mystery for so many people. I was lucky enough to secure a couple lottery spots after years of no luck, proceeded by loads of research to prepare for the big adventure. Below is a complete guide to hiking Havasupai including tips on permits, campsites, the helicopter, food and wisdoms I walked away with after the hike.
Pinch me! I made it to Havasu Falls, the most beautiful waterfall I’ve ever seen.
WHAT IS HAVASUPAI?
Havasuapi is a Native American reservation in Arizona, located along the west rim of the Grand Canyon. It’s home to Supai Village where the native Havasupai people live, surrounded by some of the prettiest waterfalls in the world. The remote area can only be accessed by helicopter or a hike down into the canyon.
PERMITS
There are only 350 permits allotted per day to visit Havasupai, and they are HIGHLY coveted. Three-night campground permits are obtained via a lottery system that usually takes place on February 1 via the Havasupai website. Day hiking is not permitted. If you only want to stay for one night or two nights, that’s fine, but purchasing a three-night permit is still required. In 2019, prices were $100 per person per weekday night, and $125 per person per weekend night (Friday through Sunday). The prices include permits, fees, access to the campground and taxes.
Alternatively, there is one other way to go about securing a permit. The Havasupai Lodge is located in Supai Village, two miles from the Campground. The property’s 24 rooms are nothing fancy, but offer beds, AC and can accommodate four people each. Rooms include one Havasuapi permit for each person with your stay. Currently, reservations can only be made over the phone. Most people report it being a challenge to get anyone to pick up. More details on the tribe’s official website.
The journey out to Beaver Falls.
THE LOTTERY
All information regarding the lottery is available on the official website. The lottery takes place on February 1 every year. It’s important to log on a week prior to create an official account that’s ready to go the morning of the lottery. Every second counts when trying to secure a permit, and you don’t want to waste time on lottery morning when you should be trying to secure dates on the Havasupai calendar.
The Havasupai site does not handle traffic well. I know several people who have made it through 85% of the reservation process, only to have the site crash and most calendar dates disappear. Unfortunately, there’s no other way, so just be patient and keep trying. For context, I was on the website for a solid three hours before securing two permits, and even by then most dates were gone.
People rumble on about different strategies when it comes to securing permits, but I really think it comes down to luck. One tip most people agree on is that chances are better with a smaller reservation size. Reservations can be made for up to 20 people. If you’re hoping to visit as a group, best that everyone tries to book their own permit for the same date set. The odds of success are better with everyone trying to secure a one or two person reservation, and not a reservation for 20 people.
If your schedule is flexible and you are traveling solo or with just one other person, check the Havasupai website for cancellations. I saw several dates pop up on the website this summer, just make a point to check regularly.
It’s an additional five miles of hiking to reach Beaver Falls, but definitely worth the trip.
WHEN TO GO
FEBRUARY, MARCH APRIL, OCTOBER & NOVEMBER
Cooler weather this time of the year makes for comfortable daytime temperatures, and hikers can trek in and out at normal hours of the day. The only bummer is the waterfalls will probably be too cold for swimming. (average highs range from 55 degrees to 70 degrees)
JUNE, JULY & AUGUST
The summer months bring about monsoon season. Be prepared for toasty daytime temperatures (perfect for swimming in the waterfalls) followed by the occasional thunderstorm. With daytime highs in the 90s, most hikers make the trek in and out of Havasupai very early in the morning (we’re talking a 4 AM start) to avoid the heat. (average highs range from 90 degrees 95 degrees)
MAY & SEPTEMBER
Perfectly warm temps put May and September permits in high demand, as it’s ideal weather for both hiking and swimming in the waterfalls. (average highs range from 80 degrees to 85 degrees)
An epic viewpoint above Havasu Falls.
HOW TO GET THERE
Easiest way to get to Havasuapai is to fly into Las Vegas or Phoenix, rent a car and then drive to the trailhead. We opted for Vegas, and it was a four hour drive (Phoenix is five hours). On the drive in, you stop at a Ranger Station a few miles from the trailhead parking lot. Rangers check reservation documents, and search the vehicle for contraband (alcohol, drones, coolers and floaties are not permitted in Havasupai). From the trailhead parking lot, it’s a six mile hike to Supai Village, and then another two mile hike to the Campground and Havasu Falls. Alternatively, there is a helicopter that visitors can take to/from Havasuapi. It’s $85 per person, and the flight take approximately five minutes. However, the helicopter is first come first serve with priority given to the local Supai people.
THE ROUTE
Havasupai is an out-and-back trail with a 2,500 ft. decent, and then a 2,500 ft gain. You will hike 25 miles roundtrip over the course of three days, if you make it out to Beaver Falls. Most of the trail is inside a canyon without shade, so it’s important for summer visitors to plan their hikes around the cooler morning and evening temperatures. The trail is very straightforward, but it might be helpful to download the route map from Google before losing cell reception. Below is the route with distances and landmarks you will hit along the way.
HILLTOP PARKING LOT / TRAILHEAD
The trailhead is located next to the Hilltop Parking Lot. Most hikers camp out here overnight (we slept in our car) and then head out very early in the morning. We started our hike in at 4 AM. (Hilltop Parking Lot / Trailhead to Supai Village is 6 miles)
SUPAI VILLAGE
The first stop on the hike is tiny Supai Village. I loved out 4 AM start. We arrived at the village before the sun was high enough to shine on us, so it was a relatively cool morning hike. The village is a good place to stop for a well deserved break – enjoy the shade, stock up at the local market and feast on homemade Indian tacos from the little food tent, located in the center of town. Hikers must check-in at the Tourist Office in Supai Village. A photo ID, printed reservation confirmation and vehicle license number are required to obtain a three-day wrist band and tent tag. (Supai Village to Navajo Falls is 1.5 miles)
NAVAJO FALLS
Located halfway between Supai Village and the campground, Navajo Falls is the first waterfall hikers will see on their trek into Havasuapi. Make note of it’s location – with 30 lbs. of gear on your back, you’re gonna want to head straight to the campground to unload. Save Navajo Falls for another day when you can relax. (Navajo Falls to the Havasu Falls is .5 miles)
HAVASU FALLS
The most popular waterfall, and my personal favorite. The 100-ft falls spill into a pool of intense turquoise water where people swim, float and sunbathe. All around good vibes, and a great place to spend the day. Because of Havasu Falls’ close proximity to the campground, it’s the busiest waterfall, but with the 350 per day permit cap, and people scattered throughout the canyon, it never feels overly crowded. (Havasu Falls marks the start of the Campground)
THE CAMPGROUND
The start of the campground is literally next door to Havasu Falls. There’s a half mile of camp sites along the creek, most spots equipped with a picnic table, trees for hammocks and creek access. Take your time scoping out the options, some sites are better than others. Fresh water and the bathrooms are no more than a few minutes walking from all the camp sites. (Campground to Mooney Falls is .5 miles)
MOONEY FALLS
A 200-ft drop makes Mooney Falls the tallest waterfall in Havasupai. It’s a short walk from the last campsite on the Campground, and if you have plans to visit Beaver Falls, you’ll pass this guy along the way. It’s a series of chutes and ladders to climb down to the base of Mooney Falls, so best to go early to avoid a line of people waiting to go down. (Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls is 3 miles)
BEAVER FALLS
Beaver Falls is a breathtaking oasis, and, of course, the furthest waterfall from the Campground. To reach the tiered waterfalls, it’s a six mile roundtrip hike that takes hikers through lush grapevine canyons and shallow rivers. Summer visitors should start early. The stretches of exposed trail are intense after 9 AM. The payoff is incredible, Beaver Falls is a dream setting, a great place to swim, sunbathe, picnic and relax. (Beaver Falls back to the Campground is 3 miles)
Surrounded by mist at Mooney Falls.
THE CAMPGROUND
FOOD
Most people hike in with enough food for the trip, but there is a tiny market in Supai Village that sells basic food items (cereal, bread, fruit, snacks, condiments, etc.). There are also a couple of food stands that sell Indian tacos, chili dogs, ice water and ice Gatorade – one is located in town near the market, and another at the top of Havasu Falls. Hours are not exact, but if you show up between 11:30AM and 3 PM, chances are they will be open.
WATER
Clean spring water is available at the camp site. They say it’s fresh, but it’s still recommended to use your filter to treat the water.
SQUIRRELS
Campers should be weary of the squirrel situation on the campgrounds. Squirrels are everywhere, and they are ruthless when it comes to food! All food should be sealed and then hung from ropes at your camp site. There are also several communal buckets scattered throughout the campgrounds – grab one and use it for food storage. If you leave anything out (big or small), I can almost guarantee it will disappear.
BATHROOMS
There are bathrooms located at each end of the campground, fully stocked with toilet paper. There are no sinks, mirrors or plugs.
CELL SERVICE + WIFI
No wifi is available on the Campground, or in Supai Village. If you’re lucky, you may have faint cell reception at some spots in the village, and possibly at the top of Havasu Falls.
COOKING
Camp fires are not permitted, but you can use a backpacking stove to cook.
GARBAGE
There are no garbage cans on the Campground – everything you bring in, you must carry out.
Havasu Falls.
ITINERARY
There are several ways to go about planning a trip to Havasupai, and a lot of it has to do with the time of the year you visit. I’ve dropped our July itinerary below. Note that July is the hottest month of the year to visit, so we mapped out a plan that would have us in the water during the day, and hiking at night. Might not work for an October visit.
DAY 1
8 AM – Land in Las Vegas; rent a car; hearty breakfast in Las Vegas; stock up on groceries and supplies
1 PM – Depart for Havasupai Trailhead / Hilltop Parking Lot
4 PM – Stop in Peach Springs and order take out for dinner
5 PM – Arrive at Hilltop Parking Lot; eat dinner, prepare packs; and sleep
(Overnight at Havasupai Trailhead / Hilltop Parking Lot)
DAY 2
3 AM – Wake up and prepare for the hike down
4 AM – Hike to Supai Village
8:30 AM – Arrive in Supai Village; market run; early lunch; Tourist Office check-in
10:30 AM – Depart for Campground
12 PM – Arrive at Campground; set up campsite
2:30 PM – Afternoon at Havasu Falls
6 PM – Dinner
(Overnight at Havasupai Campground)
DAY 3
6:30AM – Breakfast
8 AM – Hike to Mooney Falls
8:30 AM – Hike to Beaver Falls
11 AM – Arrive at Beaver Falls; set up hammock; eat lunch; swim; rest
4 PM – Hike back to Campground
7 PM – Dinner
(Overnight at Havasupai Campground)
DAY 4
7:30AM – Breakfast
9 AM – Havasu Falls
11:30 AM – Lunch at Taco Stand
12:30 PM – Navajo Falls
4 PM – Pack
7 PM – Hike to Hilltop Parking Lot
1:30 AM – Arrive Hilltop Parking Lot
(Overnight at Havasupai Trailhead / Hilltop Parking Lot)
Mooney Falls.
HAVASUPAI TIP
Blisters were the one thing I wish I’d been more prepared for at Havasupai. I hike a lot, and I’m very comfortable wearing hiking shoes. A combination of the weight and incline caused blistering on the back of my ankled on the hike down. My blisters had formed by mile four, with 21 miles of hiking to go. Even with blister pads and mole skin, the blisters went from bad to worse. I actually had to hike the six mile trail to Beaver Falls in flip flops because the back of my ankles couldn’t handle the pressure of a hiking shoe. And the final hike out was beyond painful – the blisters took a full month to heal, they were so deep. Mole skin, rocket tape, blister pads, anti-blister socks and the proper hiking shoes highly recommended!
