Blog

The Havasupai Reservation and Havasu Falls is likely one of the most particular locations I’ve ever visited. I’ve been twice now, and each occasions I used to be MIND. BLOWN. Earlier than my first go to, I’d solely seen pictures of Havasu Falls and the milky turquoise blue waters of Havasu Creek. I knew it was going to be particular, however I didn’t understand how extremely magical this place actually is. It’s actually a once-in-a-lifetime expertise.

Havasu Falls is reached by a 10-mile hike departing from Hualapai Hilltop in Arizona down by means of a dry sandy wash. It’s an extended hike carrying your backpacking gear (particularly on the best way again up), however when you arrive and take off your pack, you’ll be rewarded with swimming holes, 5 large waterfalls, and stress-free creekside tenting.

If Havasu Falls is in your bucket record, there are some necessary issues to know earlier than you go. First, you MUST have a Havasupai allow PRIOR to your go to. Permits are usually not given out on-site and there’s no day climbing allowed. Permits are additionally very aggressive and so they usually promote out for the entire yr the day registration opens in early February.

That can assist you get the most effective likelihood of securing your Havasupai Falls Allow, this weblog put up covers every thing it’s essential to know together with dates, charges, and extra. I additionally spotlight some necessary Havasu Falls tenting info so you may get probably the most out of your time there.

All of this info has been up to date with the 2024 reservation course of and costs.

Essential Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart No Hint. This implies packing out all your rubbish (together with rest room paper), being respectful to others, and following the established guidelines.

Allow Course of for Visiting Havasupai

As I discussed above, with a view to go to Havasupai and Havasu Falls, you MUST receive a allow earlier than your journey. The allow course of helps to protect the pure fantastic thing about Havasupai and gives the Havasu Tribe with an revenue.

The largest impediment to planning a backpacking journey to Havasu Falls, although, is definitely getting a Havasupai allow. In most years, permits promote out for the complete yr on the day that the reservation system opens. Reservations for the season open on February 1st at 8:00 AM Arizona Time.

The Havasupai Tribe closed entry to the falls in March 2020 because of the pandemic and has not allowed entry since. 2023 was the primary yr since its closure that company have been allowed to go to the falls. This implies the allow course of in 2024 will proceed to be very aggressive.

The milky turquoise blue waters of Havasu Creek are a singular attribute of Havasupai

How you can get a Havasu Falls allow in 2024

Permits for Havasupai can be found on a first-come-first-serve foundation, which is completely different than a lottery-based system the place everybody has a good likelihood of successful a spot.

Your greatest likelihood of getting a Havasu Falls reservation, then, is to be on-line and prepared the minute registration is open, which is 8 AM Arizona Time on February 1st.

Make sure to make an internet account at HavasupaiReservations.com anytime earlier than February 1st. Then, on February 1st, log into your account earlier than 8 am Arizona time and be able to refresh your display the minute the traces open.

Havasupai permits will seemingly promote out inside a couple of hours.

Havasupai Allow FAQs

Ideas for acquiring a allow

Getting a Havasu tenting allow could be very aggressive, so to extend your probabilities, comply with the following tips:

Create your on-line account earlier than February 1st. You don’t need to waste treasured time creating your account the day reservations open.
Have versatile dates. Mid-summer is when everyone seems to be on summer time trip, so it’s additionally going to be probably the most aggressive time. In the event you can go mid-week in March or late November, you then’ll have a greater likelihood of getting a allow.
Keep in mind that Arizona doesn’t do daylight financial savings time. Double-check what which means in your time zone. It will be a bummer to log in an hour late!
Create your Potential Alternate Journey Chief (PATL) record upfront. A PATL is the ONLY individual your allow will go to when you can’t make your journey. In the event you don’t designate a PATL, you danger forfeiting the journey for everybody in your group. You’ll be able to select as much as 10 Potential Alternate Journey Leaders.

Pack mule reservations

If you need your gear carried in by a pack mule, you’ll be able to add your title to a waitlist after you’ve secured your campground reservation. You’ll be notified if the Tourism Board has accredited your Pack Mule request. All mule requests should be made BEFORE your journey.

Right here’s a rundown of pack mule reservations:

Pack mules price $400 and might carry as much as 4 luggage with a most weight of 32 kilos per bag and a most dimension of 36 inches lengthy, 19 inches large, and 19 inches tall.
Ice chests/coolers are NOT permitted
All baggage should be soft-sided with nothing hanging off the skin
In case you have a mule reservation, you will need to drop your luggage off by 10am on the trailhead and by 7am on the campground
In the event you don’t have a backpacking pack, we noticed a number of individuals utilizing blue IKEA luggage to haul their stuff
Attempt to pack gentle – you continue to should carry your gear from the dropoff level to the campground and again, which features a bridge and a steep hill by Havasu Falls. There are wheelbarrows you’ll be able to borrow, however we noticed many individuals battling an excessive amount of gear.
Don’t count on to get your stuff in a well timed method. We noticed individuals nonetheless ready for his or her luggage at 6pm and having to arrange camp at midnight. Equally, we noticed individuals ready on the trailhead for 3-4 hours on the finish of their hike ready on luggage.

Personally, I like to recommend packing light-weight backpacking gear and backpacking meals such as you would for some other backpacking journey and carrying your personal gear. Don’t deliver coolers, float toys, or different extreme gear that’s going to be uncomfortable so that you can carry your self. That manner you’ll get monetary savings and received’t be ready in your luggage. And whereas I didn’t observe this personally, individuals have emailed me saying the mules they noticed on the path seemed undernourished.

Getting a allow by means of a cancellation

In the event you don’t rating a 2024 allow earlier than they promote out for the yr, you should still be in luck. The net Havasupai Reservation System has a Cancellation/Transfers Web page the place you should purchase canceled journeys. This record is up to date day by day at 8am Arizona Time, so be on-line each morning in your greatest likelihood at getting a allow.

If there are dates that be just right for you, however the allow consists of extra spots than you want, you’ll be able to promote these additional spots on the official switch system after you buy the canceled journey for a ten% payment. When BFT contributor Courtney purchased permits off the switch record for April 2023, she had an additional spot which she launched again into the system. It was snatched up the subsequent day and the cash was refunded to her account inside per week.

Having fun with the view of Mooney Falls on the backside of the Havasu Falls campground

Getting ready in your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey

In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to nab a allow, you’ll have to do some planning because the Havasupai Indian Reservation and Havasu Falls are fairly distant and it’s essential to carry out and in all your provides.

Listed here are a couple of ideas that can assist you plan your Havasu Falls tenting journey:

1. Have everybody in your group make an internet account

Whereas just one title is on the tenting reservation, all members of the group should make an account at havasupaireservations.com to substantiate that they’ve learn and understood the Havasupai Guidelines and Legal guidelines.

A abstract of those Guidelines and Legal guidelines consists of:

NO cliff leaping
NO mountain climbing
NO littering
NO amplified music
NO feeding animals
NO fishing
NO kayaks, standup paddleboards, pool floats, or different watercraft
NO alcohol/medicine/smoking (together with marijuana)
NO fires (except for fuel cooking canisters)
NO drones
NO nudity or inappropriate clothes
NO pictures allowed within the village or of Havasupai tribes members

You’ll be able to learn the whole record of guidelines right here (underneath “Permits”). There are fines starting from $200 to $5000 when you get caught doing any of this stuff and even jail time. Please be a form, respectful customer and don’t break these guidelines, ruining it for everybody.

2. Plan your Havasu Falls itinerary

Every Havasu Falls tenting reservation is for 4 days and three nights. It’s greatest to plan on being at or close to the trailhead earlier than your permitted day so you may get an early begin on the 10-mile hike to the Havasupai campground.

Here’s a instructed itinerary:

Day 0: Arrive within the space & decide up your allow/wristbands

You need to arrive close to the Hilltop Trailhead parking space the day earlier than you begin your hike to Havasupai Campground. You will have to choose up your official allow and wristbands in your total group BEFORE you head to the trailhead or begin your hike down.

Verify-in for all allow reservations takes place at Grand Canyon Caverns Inn, positioned at mile marker 115 close to Seligman. The journey chief should verify in for all members no later than midday on the primary day of your reservation.

Verify-in hours differ by the season however we extremely advocate checking within the day earlier than your reservation begins so you may get an early begin in your first day.

When Courtney visited in April 2023, check-in hours have been from 8-5pm however beginning mid-Might they have been prolonged to 6am-7pm. At all times double-check the hours!

There isn’t any tenting or sleeping in your automotive allowed on the parking space. There’s a guard on the street to the trailhead who will verify your permits, so don’t attempt to sleep within the lot. Water can be not out there within the parking space, however there are loos. Make sure to refill your water BEFORE heading to the trailhead.

Choices for lodging embrace:

Closest Cities with Inns

Peach Springs (68 miles/1 hour 20 minutes from trailhead).
Seligman (90 miles/1 hour 40 minutes from trailhead) *Observe: Grand Canyon Caverns Inn is the place you’ll verify in in your Havasupai journey and decide up your allow. They’ve lodge rooms out there. BFT workforce member Courtney stayed at Supai Motel in Seligman.
Kingman (118 miles/2 hours from trailhead)

Closest Campgrounds

Grand Canyon Caverns RV Park & Inn *Observe: that is the place you’ll verify in and decide up your allow

KOA in Seligman
Kingman has quite a few tenting choices

Day 1: Hike to Havasupai Campground

On the day of your reservation, make your technique to the Hilltop Trailhead parking space with a full tank of fuel. The closest fuel station is 70 miles away. There’s a ranger who will verify your allow and wristbands about 5 miles from the parking space. After parking within the customer’s space, show your Campground Reservation Affirmation Code visibly in your dashboard.

On the trailhead, you’ll be able to manage your gear and prepare in your 10-mile hike.

The following part has extra detailed info on what to anticipate on the path to Havasupai Campground.

The path to Havasupai might be sizzling and uncovered. Be ready with plenty of water!

Days 2 & 3: Discover!

Havasupai has 5 waterfalls you’ll be able to go to. The 2 decrease falls embrace Havasu Falls (probably the most well-known one), Mooney, and Beaver. The higher falls embrace Fiftyfoot and Little Navajo Falls.

Spend your days exploring these falls (keep in mind, no climbing or leaping) and stress-free on this stunning spot.

Some individuals hike all the best way to the confluence of the Colorado River, the place you’ll be able to see the turquoise water of Havasu blended with the muddy brown water of the Colorado. This can be a LONG day – 16.5 miles roundtrip from the campground – so solely try the confluence hike if you’re match and ready.

Ryan and I on the base of Mooney Falls on the best way to Beaver Falls

Day 4: Hike again out to the Havasu Falls Trailhead

In your closing day, pack up camp and begin your 10-mile hike again to the trailhead. In case you are visiting in the summertime, you’ll need to get a really early begin (like 4am) or wait till the late afternoon to beat the warmth. Even in April with temps within the mid-80s, individuals have been usually hitting the path by 5am to beat the warmth and solar publicity.

In the event you’d slightly not hike out from Havasu, there’s a first-come, first-serve helicopter that leaves from Supai village. From March 15 to October 15 it flies on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays, and the remainder of the yr it solely flies Sundays and Fridays. It prices $100/individual (tack on a $10 payment if paying by bank card), and it’s not assured it is possible for you to to make use of it. Locals get first precedence and the helicopter doesn’t fly in dangerous climate. You’re allowed to deliver one bag on the helicopter as much as 40lbs.

When BFT workforce member Courtney visited in April 2023, she selected to take the helicopter out to avoid wasting time and vitality for the drive dwelling. She began the hike to the village at 5:30am and was #9 in line for a trip out.

Flights start round 10am so be ready to reach early and wait round. The helicopter takes 6 passengers on the time, and primarily based on the variety of locals, she ended up on the third trip out of the day, arriving again to her automotive by 11am.

I think about when you’re attempting to fly out in peak summer time warmth, it’s essential to arrive even earlier and be ready to attend for hours. They are going to proceed flying till everyone seems to be accommodated or till it will get darkish.

Taking the helicopter was a singular expertise (what different backpacking journey can you are taking a helicopter out of?!) with beautiful views of the canyon, however all the time be ready to hike out in case you’ll be able to’t make it on the helicopter.

3. Arrange your Havasu Falls tenting gear

On your 4-day 3 evening journey to Havasupai, it’s essential to pack in AND OUT all your gear and provides. This consists of meals, provides, trash, and tenting gear. Water is on the market on the campground.

For a whole record of what climbing and tenting gear you want for Havasu Falls, take a look at our full Havasu Falls Packing Checklist. You’ll need the fundamentals (tent, sleeping bag, tent, sleeping pad, water filter, and so forth) plus gear for climbing and swimming on the falls, and a bear canister to guard your meals.

There’s a small retailer within the village of Supai the place you may get primary snacks and drinks, however don’t depend on provides right here.

Hanging our meals to guard it from rodents. In 2024, the Havasupai tribe strongly recommends bear canisters to retailer meals, rubbish, and scented toiletries

Path Information: Climbing to and round Havasu Falls

The overall distance to the Havasu Falls campground is roughly 10 miles a method and the path begins on the Hualapai Hilltop parking zone at an elevation of 5,200 ft.

Instantly, the path begins a 1,000-foot descent over the primary mile, dropping you into Havasu Canyon. When you attain the wash, the path follows a dry river mattress for the subsequent 6.5 miles, progressively dropping one other 1,000 or so ft till you attain the village of Supai at mile 8.

Observe: there is no such thing as a water out there on the trailhead or on the path, so ensure you pack sufficient to make it to the campground.

The hike on the best way in is lengthy however not too troublesome and the preliminary descent is on a well-maintained sequence of switchbacks. As soon as you might be within the dry river mattress, the climbing could be a bit sluggish because of the sandy gravel, however the path could be very straightforward to comply with.

If at any level you suppose you’ve misplaced the path, simply preserve following the river mattress till you meet again up with the trail.

At mile 8, you’ll enter Supai village. No pictures or movies are allowed on this space and in 2023 there have been indicators asking you to put on a face masks all through the village. Please be respectful and obey the present needs of the locals. When you cross by means of the Supai village, it’s one other 2 miles and a few hundred ft right down to the Havasupai campground.

The path into Havasupai is straightforward to comply with and never overly difficult (though lengthy and uncovered)

I like to recommend climbing right down to Mooney Falls at a minimal throughout your go to to Havasupai, however when you’ve got time for a full-day hike to Beaver Falls, it’s nicely value your time.

The hike right down to Mooney Falls is difficult, very steep, and requires using chains for help and ladders. Take your time, and don’t really feel rushed by different individuals. You’ll be pleased with your self whenever you get to the underside, and in my view, happening is scarier than going again up.

When you’re down there, the path continues to Beaver Falls. It’s beautiful with manner fewer individuals than you’ll discover round Havasu Falls. Take note of the path because it crosses the river quite a few occasions. With a leisurely tempo, the hike to Beaver Falls takes about 5 hours spherical journey.

It has a couple of steep sections however is pretty flat for almost all of the hike. You’ll be able to’t miss Beaver Falls whenever you arrive. There’s a signal and typically a ranger is current.

Tip: Beaver Falls is an incredible place to take a dip, so if you would like some solar in your swimming tour, get there earlier within the day earlier than the solar goes behind the canyon wall.

Mooney Falls

The hike again out to your automotive is a little more difficult than the hike into the campground. By the point you attain the climb on the finish, it’s seemingly that you just’ll be a bit drained. Be sure to have loads of water and snacks for the return.

Additionally, there’s little or no shade on the path, so relying on the time of yr, the hike out might be deathly sizzling. That excessive dry warmth can suck the life proper out of you, and even in March when the temps have been within the mid-80s, it was fairly sizzling climbing out.

In case you are doing this hike in summer time, plan to start out the trek out within the very early morning, like 4am early, or keep and swim and hike out within the early night. The path formally closes at sundown, so simply plan to be off the path by the point it’s darkish.

In the event you do resolve to remain and benefit from the falls and hike out later within the day, it’s positively value a cease at Navajo and Fifty Foot Falls. Each are beautiful, and there are additionally some personal areas you’ll be able to swim in alongside Havasu Creek.

For extra info on all the completely different waterfalls in Havasu Canyon, head over to this weblog put up.

Havasupai Lodge: In the event you’re not a camper, there’s a lodge within the village of Supai. You continue to want a Havasu allow to remain on the lodge. To make a Havasupai Lodge Reservation, use the web HavasupaiReservation.com system.

Tenting at Havasu Falls

Campsites

The tenting space at Havasupai is a few mile lengthy and sits between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. Don’t count on solitude on the campground – Havasu is CROWDED and you should have neighbors. Campsites are first-come-first-serve and are scattered all through. In case you are involved about getting a first-rate campsite, get an early begin from the trailhead. We additionally noticed many individuals transfer campsites on morning #2 after early risers left the campground to hike again out.

A majority of the websites are proper on the river that runs by means of the campground, and a lot of the websites have picnic tables. It’s additionally necessary to notice that there are campsites on either side of the river, though entry could be a little tough with restricted footbridges to cross.

Each occasions I visited Havasu Falls, the crowds appeared thinner the additional down the campsite space we walked. The one drawback of being nearer to Mooney Falls towards the top of the campground is that the water spigot the place you refill your water bottles is positioned close to the beginning of the campground.

The campground can be hammock heaven with tons of bushes to swing from. I slept in my ENO DoubleNest Hammock for the primary time ever on this journey and it was good. If there’s an opportunity of rain, don’t neglect to deliver a tarp when you plan on sleeping in a hammock.

Our campsite at Havasupai

Bogs

There are 4 composting rest room amenities evenly spaced all through the campground and so they have been surprisingly clear with loads of rest room paper. There are NO showers. Please use the bogs offered to make sure the world stays pristine for others’ use.

Campfires

Campfires are usually not allowed within the Havasu Falls tenting space or wherever in Havasupai.

Water

There may be potable water out there within the Havasupai campground. You will have to deliver vessels to move your water again to your campsite. In the event you don’t need to consistently stroll backwards and forwards to the spigot, we advocate bringing a water storage bag.

Wildlife

Be careful for marmots. They’re sneaky and can get into your meals if it’s not noted the place they will get to it. Whenever you go away your camp to go for a swim or a hike, ensure to hold it or retailer it safely. Bringing a bear canister is less complicated than hanging your meals in a tree and is beneficial by the Havasupai Tribe.

Preserve meals away from wildlife by hanging it in a tree or stashing it in a bear canister

Havasupai Tenting Guidelines

When you find yourself tenting in Havasupai it’s necessary that you just:

Follow Depart No Hint with a view to preserve the campground and the falls clear for everybody to get pleasure from.
Be respectful of different campers and watch your noise at evening. It travels quick within the canyon and is a straightforward technique to get in your neighbor’s dangerous aspect. Quiet hours are from 8pm to 5am.
Use the restrooms slightly than going outdoors your tent.
Pack out all your trash and don’t go away your trash within the loos for the campground workers to choose up. All trash left behind should be despatched out by way of helicopter, so it’s a lot simpler if everybody does their half to hold every thing out that they introduced with them.

For a full record of what to deliver, head over to our Havasu Falls Packing Checklist weblog put up.

The Finest Time to go to Havasu Falls

One of the best time to go to Havasu Falls is determined by what you need to do there. Do you need to swim? Or do you need to keep away from the crowds? Right here are the professionals and cons of visiting Havasu Falls for the completely different seasons:

Spring or Late Fall

Execs: Fewer bugs and fewer individuals
Cons: Variable climate might imply lower than ultimate swimming temps. One yr I went in March and had swimming climate (80 levels) through the day and really chilly nights (40 levels). On my most up-to-date journey in Might, it rained and was not appropriate for swimming till the final day. The plus aspect of that is that the hike out (which might be unbearably sizzling) was very tolerable.

Summer time or Early Fall

Execs: Sizzling climate means you’ll be able to sit and hand around in the water all day
Cons: Sizzling temps imply climbing could possibly be depressing and doubtlessly even harmful. Within the warmth of summer time, when Havasu Falls is the busiest, individuals rise up at 4am to start the hike out. Summer time can be monsoon season with flash floods being almost certainly from mid-June to late September.

A observe about monsoon season: Monsoon season in Arizona usually runs from mid-June by means of September. Havasu Canyon has traditionally seen flooding, together with harmful flash floods. Be ready by checking the climate forecast, complying with guidelines and laws, and checking in on the vacationer workplace earlier than you head to the campground.

Climbing in spring to Beaver Falls was unbelievably lush and inexperienced

I hope this information helps you propose an unforgettable backpacking journey to Havasupai! It’s certainly one of my favourite locations I’ve ever visited for its magnificence and magnificence. lt’s actually a particular place.

What questions do you’ve gotten about planning a backpacking journey to Havasupai in 2024? Did you get a Havasu Falls allow this yr? Depart a remark beneath!

Associated Posts