Havasupai is without doubt one of the most particular locations I’ve ever visited. I’ve been twice now and each instances I used to be MIND. BLOWN. Earlier than my first go to, I’d seen images of the milky turquoise blue waters of Havasu Falls and I knew it was going to be particular, however I didn’t notice how extremely magical this place is. It’s really a once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
If Havasu Falls is in your bucket record, there are some necessary issues to know earlier than you go. First, you MUST have a allow PRIOR to your go to. Permits are usually not given out on-site and there’s no day mountaineering allowed. Permits are additionally very aggressive and in most years, they promote out the day registration opens (which is February 1st for 2023).
That can assist you get the very best probability of securing your Havasupai Falls Allow, this weblog put up covers every little thing you should know together with dates, charges, and extra. I additionally spotlight some necessary Havasu Falls tenting data so you may get probably the most out of your time there.
All of this data has been up to date with the 2023 reservation course of and charges.
Essential Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please apply good path etiquette and keep in mind to Go away No Hint. This implies packing out all your rubbish (together with bathroom paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established guidelines.
Allow Course of for Visiting Havasu Falls
The Havasupai Tribe closed entry to the falls in March 2020 as a result of pandemic and has not allowed entry since. 2023 would be the first 12 months since its closure that visitors are allowed to go to the falls.
As I discussed above, as a way to go to Havasupai and Havasu Falls, you MUST get hold of a allow earlier than your journey. The allow course of helps to protect the pure great thing about Havasupai and supplies the Havasu Tribe with an revenue.
The most important 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 12 months on the DAY that the reservation traces open.
Reservations for the 2023 season open February 1st at 8:00 AM Arizona Time!
The best way to get a Havasu allow
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 probability of profitable a spot.
Your greatest probability 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, 2023.
You should definitely make a web based 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 possible promote out inside a couple of hours (or much less since individuals haven’t been capable of go to since 2020).
Havasupai Allow FAQs
How many individuals may be on my reservation?
You may have as much as 12 individuals in your Havasu Falls tenting reservation. Nevertheless, there may be solely ONE identify on every reservation and that particular person MUST be current with a sound picture ID on the time of check-in.
What number of days can I get a allow for?
All 2023 permits are for 4 days and three nights. You may select to do a shorter journey, however you’ll pay the identical allow charge value.
Can permits be transferred?
Sure, however solely to somebody in your Potential Alternate Journey Chief record (which may embrace as much as ten names). You may switch all or a part of your allow reservation through the official Switch System at HavasupaiReservations.com
Are permits refundable?
Permits are usually not refundable or changeable however may be transferred to somebody in your PATL record for those who can’t make your journey dates.
You may ‘promote’ your allow through the official switch system situated on the Havasupai Reservations web site.
How a lot does a Havasu allow price?
A allow for 3 nights is $395 per particular person.
Native American reductions are honored at check-in with a sound reservation and identification.
Can I’m going with no allow? Is day mountaineering allowed?
No. Per the official Havasupai Tribe web site, all visits to Havasupai and Havasu Falls require a reservation made PRIOR to arrival. No day mountaineering from Hualapai Hilltop is allowed and even when it was, the falls are a lot too far to hike there and again in someday.
Ideas for acquiring a Havasu allow
Getting a Havasu tenting allow may be very aggressive, so to extend your possibilities, comply with the following pointers:
- Create your on-line account earlier than February 1st. You don’t wish to waste valuable 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. For those who can go mid-week in March or late November, then you definitely’ll have a greater probability of getting a allow.
- Do not forget that Arizona doesn’t do daylight financial savings time. Double-check what which means to your time zone. It will be a bummer to log in an hour late!
- Create your Potential Alternate Journey Chief (PATL) record prematurely. A PATL is the ONLY particular person your allow will go to for those who can’t make your journey. For those who don’t designate a PATL, you threat forfeiting the journey for everybody in your group. You may select as much as 10 Potential Alternate Journey Leaders.
Pack mule reservations
If you need your gear carried in by a pack mule, you possibly can add your identify to a waitlist after you’ve secured your campground reservation. You’ll be notified if the Tourism Board has authorised your Pack Mule request.
What for those who didn’t get a allow?
For those who don’t rating a allow earlier than they promote out for the 12 months, you should still be in luck. The web Havasupai Reservation System has a Cancellation/Transfers Web page the place you should buy canceled journeys.
If there are dates that give you the results you want, however the allow contains extra spots than you want, you possibly can promote these further spots on the official switch system after you buy the canceled journey.
This record is up to date every day at 8am Arizona Time.
The place is Havasu Falls / Getting to the Havasu Falls Trailhead
The Havasu Falls trailhead is situated at Hualapai Hilltop which is marked on the map beneath. The 2 closest airports to Havasu Falls are Las Vegas (4 hours) or Phoenix (5 hours).
Instructions to Havasu Falls from Las Vegas
From Las Vegas, take the 93 South in the direction of Kingman, Arizona after which head east on Route 66. After 57 miles, flip left on Indian Street 18. Drive for 60 miles till you attain the top of the street. There’s a massive parking zone with loos on the trailhead. There may be additionally a spot to camp just under the loos, however there isn’t a water obtainable on the trailhead. Peach Springs, Arizona is the closest place to the trailhead with primary providers like gasoline, meals, and water.
Hualapai Hilltop, the trailhead for Havasupai and Havasu Falls
The Finest Time to Go to Havasu Falls
The perfect time to go to Havasu Falls depends upon what you wish to do there. Do you wish to swim? Or do you wish to keep away from crowds? Right here are the professionals and cons of visiting Havasu Falls for the completely different seasons.
Spring/Late Fall
- Professionals: Much less bugs and fewer individuals
- Cons: Variable climate may imply lower than supreme swimming temps. One 12 months I went in March and had swimming climate (80 levels) throughout 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 may be unbearably scorching) was very tolerable.
Summer time/Early Fall
- Professionals: Scorching climate means you possibly can sit and hand around in the water all day
- Cons: Scorching temps imply mountaineering might be depressing. 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 also be monsoon season with flash floods being almost certainly from mid June to late September.
The best way to Put together For Your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
For those who’re fortunate sufficient to nab a allow, you’ll must do some planning because the Havasupai Indian Reservation and Havasu Falls are fairly distant and you should carry out and in all your provides.
Listed here are a couple of suggestions that can assist you plan your Havasu Falls tenting journey:
1. Have everybody in your group make a web based account
Whereas just one identify is on the tenting reservation, all members of the group should make an account at havasupaireservations.com and make sure that they’ve learn and understood the Havasupai Guidelines and Legal guidelines.
A abstract of those Guidelines and Legal guidelines contains:
- 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 gasoline cooking canisters)
- NO drones
- NO nudity or inappropriate clothes
- NO images allowed within the village or of Havasupai tribes members
You may learn the entire record of guidelines right here. There are fines starting from $200 to $5000 for those who get caught doing any of these items and even jail time. Please be a form customer and don’t break these guidelines, ruining it for everybody.
2. Plan your 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 prompt itinerary:
Day 0: Arrive within the space
You wish to arrive close to the Hilltop Trailhead parking space the day earlier than you begin your hike to Havasupai Campground. There isn’t a tent tenting allowed on the parking space, however guests have reported sleeping of their autos. Water will not be obtainable within the parking space, however there are loos.
Different 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)
- Kingman (118 miles/2 hours from trailhead)
- Closest Campgrounds
- Grand Canyon Caverns RV Park and Inn in Peach Springs
- KOA in Seligman
- Kingman has various 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 gasoline. The closest gasoline station is 70 miles away. After parking within the customer’s space, show your Campground Reservation Affirmation Code visibly in your dashboard.
On the trailhead, you possibly can set up your gear and prepare to your 10-mile hike.
It’s 8 miles to the village of Supai the place you’ll verify in on the Vacationer Workplace. You’ll obtain a wristband that you need to put on all through the length of your go to in addition to a tag for every of your tents, which will likely be checked every day by a ranger who patrols the campground.
After you’ve checked in, you possibly can proceed on the final two miles to the campground.
The subsequent part has extra detailed data on what to anticipate on the path to Havasupai Campground.
Days 2 & 3: Discover!
Havasupai has 5 waterfalls you possibly can 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.
Day 4: Hike again out to the Havasu Falls Trailhead
In your last day, pack up camp and begin your 10-mile hike again to the trailhead. If you’re visiting in the summertime, you’ll wish to get a really early begin (like 4am) or wait till the late afternoon to beat the warmth.
3. Arrange your tenting gear and provides
On your 4-day 3 evening journey to Havasupai, you should pack in AND OUT all your gear and provides. This contains meals, provides, trash, and tenting gear. Water is accessible on the campground.
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.
For an entire record of what to carry in your Havasu journey, head over to our Havasu Falls Packing Checklist.
Havasupai Climbing Path Guides
Climbing to Havasupai Campground
- Distance: 10 miles a technique (8 miles to the village of Supai)
- Issue: Average-Onerous
- Elevation change: -2,400 ft
- Time wanted: 4-6 hours
Elevation profile courtesy of RockHounds.com
The entire distance to the Havasu Falls campground is roughly 10 miles a technique (20 miles spherical journey) 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 the dry river mattress for the following 6.5 miles, step by step dropping one other 1,000 or so ft till you attain the village of Supai at mile 8.
The hike on the best way in is lengthy however not too tough, and the preliminary descent is on a well-maintained collection of switchbacks. As soon as you’re within the dry river mattress, the mountaineering is usually a bit gradual as a result of sandy gravel, however the path may be very straightforward to comply with. If any level you assume you’ve misplaced the path, simply hold following the river mattress till you meet again up with the trail. Word there isn’t a water obtainable on the path, so be sure you pack sufficient to make it to the campground.
Once you attain the Supai Village, your first cease would be the Havasu Falls Campground workplace. Cease right here to verify in and get your wristbands.
When you move by the Supai village, it’s one other 2 miles and a pair hundred of ft all the way down to the Havasu Falls campground.
Tenting will not be allowed on the base of Havasu Falls. The campground begins only a few minutes additional down the path after passing by a fence.
Climbing to Mooney and Beaver Falls
I completely advocate mountaineering all the way down to Mooney Falls at a minimal. The hike down is difficult, steep, and requires use of chains for help. Take your time, and don’t really feel rushed by different individuals. You’ll be pleased with your self if you get to the underside, and for my part, taking place is scarier than going again up.
When you’re down there, the path to Beaver Falls is gorgeous with approach fewer individuals than you’ll discover round Havasu Falls. Take note of the path because it crosses the river various instances. 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 a majority of the hike. You may’t miss Beaver Falls if you arrive. There’s a signal and typically a ranger current.
Beaver Falls is a tremendous place to take a dip. If you would like some solar to your Beaver Falls swimming tour, get there earlier within the day earlier than the solar goes behind the canyon wall.
Climbing Again to the Hualapai Hilltop parking zone
The hike again out to your automobile is a little more difficult. By the point you attain the climb on the finish, it’s possible that you just’ll be a bit drained. Be sure to have loads of water and snacks for the return.
Additionally, there may be little or no shade on the path, so relying on the time of 12 months, the hike out may be deathly scorching. 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 scorching mountaineering out. If you’re 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. Simply be sure you have sufficient batteries to your headlamp in case you get caught at the hours of darkness.
For those who 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 pretty, and there are additionally some non-public areas you possibly can swim in alongside Havasu Creek.
For extra data on all the completely different waterfalls in Havasu Canyon, take a look at this weblog put up.
Do take time to benefit from the surroundings as you hike. Individuals say that the hike itself isn’t all that thrilling, however the colourful canyon partitions actually are fairly stunning and worthy of some images.
Havasu Tenting
The world for Havasu Falls tenting is a few mile lengthy and sits between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. Campsites are scattered all through. A majority of the websites are proper on the river that runs by the campground, and many of the websites have a picnic desk. Word that there are campsites on either side of the river with a number of foot bridges that make for a straightforward crossing. Campsites are usually not assigned and are first come-first served. If you’re involved with getting a chief campsite, get an early begin from the trailhead.
The crowds appeared thinner the additional we walked. The one drawback of being close to the Mooney Falls finish of the campground is that the water spigot the place you replenish your water bottles is situated close to the beginning of the campground. There are 4 bathroom services evenly spaced all through the campground, and so they have been surprisingly clear with loads of bathroom paper. There are NO showers, and there are not any campfires allowed within the Havasu Falls tenting space.
If you end up tenting it’s necessary that you just:
- Apply Go away No Hint as a way to hold the campground and the falls clear for everybody to take pleasure in.
- 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.
- Use the restrooms somewhat than going exterior your tent.
- Pack out all your trash and don’t depart your trash within the loos for the campground employees to choose up. All trash left behind should be despatched out through helicopter, so it’s a lot simpler if everybody merely does their half to hold every little thing out that they introduced with them.
The campground can also be hammock heaven, with tons of bushes to swing from. I slept in my ENO Hammock for the primary time ever on this journey, and I imagine there are a lot of extra hammock nights in my close to future. If there’s an opportunity of rain, don’t overlook to carry a tarp for those who plan on sleeping in a hammock.
What Gear to Convey in your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
Packing appropriately to your Havasu Falls tenting journey is necessary because you’re backpacking in. To be sure you don’t overlook something, take a look at our full packing record for Havasu Falls.
You may as well overview our normal backpacking gear guidelines for 3-day adventures. Don’t overlook these few particular further items of substances for Havasu Falls:
Water footwear
You’ll positively desire a pair of footwear you possibly can hike by the water with, like a light-weight pair of Tevas or Astral water footwear. Once you go swimming it’ll make getting into and exiting the water a lot simpler. Additionally, they turn out to be useful on the hike to Beaver Falls. On this path, there’s a river crossing and getting your ft moist is unavoidable. I did the complete hike to Beaver Falls in my Tevas, whereas my pals wore their mountaineering footwear and took them off for the crossing. Both approach works, however having sandals or water footwear makes issues extra handy.
Digital camera Gear
Havasupai is a good place to apply your pictures expertise. The panorama is various and with so many waterfalls, it truly is a photographer’s dream. If you wish to attempt to get a few of these silky waterfall pictures, you’ll want to carry a tripod. Mefoto makes a sturdy, compact tripod for backpacking that I like to recommend. If you would like one thing lighter and cheaper, Joby makes some nice versatile tripods for trekking.
I shoot with a Sony A7R2, and when there are waterfalls, I at all times carry a variable impartial density filter to permit for slower shutter speeds even when it’s vibrant out (be sure you verify the thread dimension in your lens for sizing). For a detailed record of my pictures gear, go right here.
A GoPro can also be superior for Havasu Falls since the GoPro is waterproof when it’s in its case. Getting enjoyable video footage is tremendous straightforward with a GoPro as nicely. I shoot with a GoPro Hero7 Black.
Hydration Bladder & Reservoir
There’s a contemporary spring within the campground that’s examined for contaminants on a month-to-month foundation. On my journey, that is the place we crammed up, and we didn’t fear about filtering our water. Nevertheless, there are occasions when the Tenting Workplace will advocate you filter the water, and for that motive, it’s at all times good to have a backup plan. Good choices embrace easy purification tablets or the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filtration System (learn my full overview) which is tremendous light-weight and easy to make use of.
Water is NOT obtainable on the trailhead, so be sure you have sufficient with you for the hike earlier than you drive all the best way out to Hualapai Hilltop. This implies you must have a approach of carrying 3 liters of water for the hike out and in, akin to this 3 liter Osprey hydration reservoir. I particularly like this bladder as a result of the again aspect is tough, making it straightforward to slip out and in of your pack. A number of water bottles additionally work, and I’m an enormous fan of the Platypus Delicate Bottles.
Small Daypack
It’s a good suggestion for somebody in your group to have a small daypack that you should utilize to hold gear on day hikes to the waterfalls. That is particularly necessary in case you are planning on taking place to the bottom of Mooney Falls. That path is barely treacherous and you’ll need each palms as you make your approach down. A small collapsible daypack just like the Cotopaxi Luzon will make sure you don’t have to fret about hanging on to your water and digicam.
Fast Dry Towel
It’s good to have one thing to dry off with if you get out of the water. A easy fast dry towel just like the REI Multitowel Lite takes up little room in your pack.
Bug Spray
The bugs have been nonexistent once we have been there in March, however we have been advised by the ranger that after the bushes begin to bloom, they arrive out in full power and bug spray is important.
Sunscreen
The solar is loopy intense on the market within the desert, so don’t overlook some waterproof sunscreen.
Different Ideas for Tenting at Havasu Falls
- Be careful for marmots. They’re sneaky and can get into your meals if its overlooked the place they will get to it. Once you depart your camp to go for a swim or a hike, ensure to hold it or stash it away.
- There are alternatives to make use of pack horses or helicopters to move you and your stuff. I say problem your self and get your self down there with all your gear by yourself two ft. It’s cheaper and a greater exercise. Plus, we seen individuals who gave the impression to be ready fairly a very long time for his or her stuff to reach. If you’re set on getting help, take a look at the official Havasupai Tribe web site for information or inquire with the tenting workplace about your choices.
- Be sure to take a look at my Havasu Falls Gear Checklist and my weblog put up with Havasu Falls Dos and Don’ts
Do you’ve got another questions on visiting Havasu Falls? Go away a remark beneath!
