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 photographs of the milky turquoise blue waters of Havasu Falls and I knew it was going to be particular, however I didn’t understand how extremely magical this place is. It’s actually a once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
If Havasu Falls is in your bucket listing, there are some necessary issues to know earlier than you go. First, you MUST have a allow PRIOR to your go to. Permits aren’t given out on-site and there’s no day climbing 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 one of the best likelihood of securing your Havasupai Falls Allow, this weblog submit covers the whole lot that you must 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 2023 reservation course of and charges.
Vital Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please observe 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 because of the pandemic and has not allowed entry since. 2023 would be the first yr since its closure that company are allowed to go to the falls.
As I discussed above, to be able 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 offers 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 your entire yr on the DAY that the reservation strains open.
Reservations for the 2023 season open February 1st at 8:00 AM Arizona Time!
get a Havasu allow
Permits for Havasupai can be found on a first-come-first-serve foundation, which is totally different than a lottery-based system the place everybody has a good likelihood of successful a spot.
Your finest 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, 2023.
Make sure to 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 screen the minute the strains open.
Havasupai permits will possible promote out inside just a few hours (or much less since folks haven’t been capable of go to since 2020).
Havasupai Allow FAQs
How many individuals might be on my reservation?
You’ll be able to have as much as 12 folks in your Havasu Falls tenting reservation. Nevertheless, there may be solely ONE title on every reservation and that individual MUST be current with a legitimate 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’ll be able to select to do a shorter journey, however you’ll pay the identical allow price worth.
Can permits be transferred?
Sure, however solely to somebody in your Potential Alternate Journey Chief listing (which may embody as much as ten names). You’ll be able to switch all or a part of your allow reservation by way of the official Switch System at HavasupaiReservations.com
Are permits refundable?
Permits aren’t refundable or changeable however might be transferred to somebody in your PATL listing in case you can’t make your journey dates.
You’ll be able to ‘promote’ your allow by way of 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 individual.
Native American reductions are honored at check-in with a legitimate reservation and identification.
Can I’m going with no allow? Is day climbing 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 climbing from Hualapai Hilltop is allowed and even when it was, the falls are a lot too far to hike there and again in sooner or later.
Ideas for acquiring a Havasu allow
Getting a Havasu tenting allow could be very aggressive, so to extend your probabilities, observe the following pointers:
- 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 season 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, then you definately’ll have a greater likelihood of getting a allow.
- Do not forget that Arizona doesn’t do daylight financial savings time. Double-check what which means on your time zone. It might be a bummer to log in an hour late!
- Create your Potential Alternate Journey Chief (PATL) listing upfront. A PATL is the ONLY individual your allow will go to in case you can’t make your journey. In the event you don’t designate a PATL, you threat 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 want your gear carried in by a pack mule, you may add your title to a waitlist after you’ve secured your campground reservation. You’ll be notified if the Tourism Board has authorized your Pack Mule request.
What in case you didn’t get a allow?
In the event you don’t rating a allow earlier than they promote out for the yr, you should still be in luck. The web Havasupai Reservation System has a Cancellation/Transfers Web page the place you should purchase canceled journeys.
If there are dates that give you the results you want, however the allow consists of extra spots than you want, you may promote these additional spots on the official switch system after you buy the canceled journey.
This listing is up to date each 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 direction of Kingman, Arizona after which head east on Route 66. After 57 miles, flip left on Indian Highway 18. Drive for 60 miles till you attain the top of the street. There’s a massive car parking zone with bogs on the trailhead. There may be additionally a spot to camp slightly below the bogs, however there is no such thing as a water accessible on the trailhead. Peach Springs, Arizona is the closest place to the trailhead with fundamental providers like fuel, meals, and water.
Hualapai Hilltop, the trailhead for Havasupai and Havasu Falls
The Greatest Time to Go to Havasu Falls
The very best time to go to Havasu Falls will depend on what you need to do there. Do you need to swim? Or do you need to keep away from crowds? Right here are the professionals and cons of visiting Havasu Falls for the totally different seasons.
Spring/Late Fall
- Professionals: Much less bugs and fewer folks
- Cons: Variable climate might imply lower than ultimate swimming temps. One yr I went in March and had swimming climate (80 levels) in the course of the day and really chilly nights (40 levels). On my most up-to-date journey in Could, it rained and was not appropriate for swimming till the final day. The plus facet of that is that the hike out (which might be unbearably scorching) was very tolerable.
Summer time/Early Fall
- Professionals: Sizzling climate means you may sit and hand around in the water all day
- Cons: Sizzling temps imply climbing may very well be depressing. Within the warmth of summer season, when Havasu Falls is the busiest, folks rise up at 4am to start the hike out. Summer time can be monsoon season with flash floods being most definitely from mid June to late September.
Put together For Your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to nab a allow, you’ll must do some planning for the reason that Havasupai Indian Reservation and Havasu Falls are fairly distant and that you must carry out and in all your provides.
Listed here are just a few suggestions that will help you plan your Havasu Falls tenting journey:
1. Have everybody in your group make a web-based account
Whereas just one title 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 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/medication/smoking (together with marijuana)
- NO fires (except for fuel cooking canisters)
- NO drones
- NO nudity or inappropriate clothes
- NO photographs allowed within the village or of Havasupai tribes members
You’ll be able to learn the whole listing of guidelines right here. There are fines starting from $200 to $5000 in case you get caught doing any of this stuff and even jail time. Please be a sort 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 finest 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 advised itinerary:
Day 0: Arrive within the space
You need 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 is just not accessible within the parking space, however there are bogs.
Different choices for lodging embody:
- Closest Cities with Motels
- 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 a variety of tenting choices
Day 1: Hike to Havasupai Campground
On the day of your reservation, make your approach to the Hilltop Trailhead parking space with a full tank of fuel. The closest fuel 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 may set up your gear and prepare on your 10-mile hike.
It’s 8 miles to the village of Supai the place you’ll test 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 probably be checked each day by a ranger who patrols the campground.
After you’ve checked in, you may proceed on the final two miles to the campground.
The following part has extra detailed info on what to anticipate on the path to Havasupai Campground.
Days 2 & 3: Discover!
Havasupai has 5 waterfalls you may go to. The 2 decrease falls embody Havasu Falls (probably the most well-known one), Mooney, and Beaver. The higher falls embody Fiftyfoot and Little Navajo Falls.
Spend your days exploring these falls (keep in mind, no climbing or leaping) and enjoyable on this lovely spot.
Day 4: Hike again out to the Havasu Falls Trailhead
In your remaining 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.
3. Manage your tenting gear and provides
In your 4-day 3 night time journey to Havasupai, that you must pack in AND OUT all your gear and provides. This consists of meals, provides, trash, and tenting gear. Water is out there on the campground.
There’s a small retailer within the village of Supai the place you may get fundamental snacks and drinks, however don’t depend on provides right here.
For an entire listing of what to carry in your Havasu journey, head over to our Havasu Falls Packing Listing.
Havasupai Mountaineering Path Guides
Mountaineering to Havasupai Campground
- Distance: 10 miles a method (8 miles to the village of Supai)
- Problem: Average-Exhausting
- Elevation change: -2,400 toes
- Time wanted: 4-6 hours
Elevation profile courtesy of RockHounds.com
The full distance to the Havasu Falls campground is roughly 10 miles a method (20 miles spherical journey) and the path begins on the Hualapai Hilltop car parking zone at an elevation of 5,200 toes. 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 subsequent 6.5 miles, regularly dropping one other 1,000 or so toes till you attain the village of Supai at mile 8.
The hike on the way in which in is lengthy however not too troublesome, and the preliminary descent is on a well-maintained sequence of switchbacks. As soon as you’re within the dry river mattress, the climbing is usually a bit gradual because of the sandy gravel, however the path could be very straightforward to observe. If any level you suppose you’ve misplaced the path, simply hold following the river mattress till you meet again up with the trail. Observe there is no such thing as a water accessible on the path, so ensure 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 test in and get your wristbands.
When you move by means of the Supai village, it’s one other 2 miles and a pair hundred of toes right down to the Havasu Falls campground.
Tenting is just not allowed on the base of Havasu Falls. The campground begins just some minutes additional down the path after passing by means of a fence.
Mountaineering to Mooney and Beaver Falls
I completely suggest climbing right 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 folks. You’ll be happy with your self while 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 method fewer folks than you’ll discover round Havasu Falls. Take note of the path because it crosses the river a variety of instances. With a leisurely tempo, the hike to Beaver Falls takes about 5 hours spherical journey. It has just a few steep sections however is pretty flat for a majority of the hike. You’ll be able to’t miss Beaver Falls while you arrive. There’s a signal and typically a ranger current.
Beaver Falls is a tremendous place to take a dip. If you need some solar on your Beaver Falls swimming tour, get there earlier within the day earlier than the solar goes behind the canyon wall.
Mountaineering Again to the Hualapai Hilltop car parking zone
The hike again out to your automotive is a little more difficult. By the point you attain the climb on the finish, it’s possible that you simply’ll be a bit drained. Ensure you 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 yr, the hike out might 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 climbing out. In case you are doing this hike in summer season, 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 ensure you have sufficient batteries on your headlamp in case you get caught at the hours of darkness.
In the event you do determine to remain and benefit from the falls and hike out later within the day, it’s undoubtedly price a cease at Navajo and Fifty Foot Falls. Each are beautiful, and there are additionally some non-public areas you may swim in alongside Havasu Creek.
For extra info on all the totally different waterfalls in Havasu Canyon, try this weblog submit.
Do take time to benefit from the surroundings as you hike. Folks say that the hike itself isn’t all that thrilling, however the colourful canyon partitions actually are fairly lovely and worthy of some photographs.
Havasu Tenting
The world for Havasu Falls tenting is a couple of 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 means of the campground, and a lot of the websites have a picnic desk. Observe that there are campsites on each side of the river with a number of foot bridges that make for a straightforward crossing. Campsites aren’t assigned and are first come-first served. In case you are involved with getting a primary 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 aren’t any campfires allowed within the Havasu Falls tenting space.
When you’re tenting it’s necessary that you simply:
- Follow Go away No Hint to be able to hold the campground and the falls clear for everybody to take pleasure in.
- Be respectful of different campers and watch your noise at night time. It travels quick within the canyon and is a straightforward approach to get in your neighbor’s unhealthy facet.
- Use the restrooms relatively than going outdoors your tent.
- Pack out all your trash and don’t depart your trash within the bogs for the campground employees to choose up. All trash left behind should be despatched out by way of helicopter, so it’s a lot simpler if everybody merely does their half to hold the whole lot out that they introduced with them.
The campground can 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 lots of extra hammock nights in my close to future. If there’s an opportunity of rain, don’t overlook to carry a tarp in case you plan on sleeping in a hammock.
What Gear to Carry in your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
Packing appropriately on your Havasu Falls tenting journey is necessary because you’re backpacking in. To ensure you don’t overlook something, try our full packing listing for Havasu Falls.
It’s also possible to overview our customary backpacking gear guidelines for 3-day adventures. Don’t overlook these few particular further items of substances for Havasu Falls:
Water sneakers
You’ll undoubtedly need a pair of sneakers you may hike by means of the water with, like a light-weight pair of Tevas or Astral water sneakers. Once you go swimming it’s going to make coming 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 toes moist is unavoidable. I did your entire hike to Beaver Falls in my Tevas, whereas my associates wore their climbing sneakers and took them off for the crossing. Both method works, however having sandals or water sneakers makes issues extra handy.
Digital camera Gear
Havasupai is a good place to observe your images expertise. The panorama is various and with so many waterfalls, it truly is a photographer’s dream. If you wish to try to get a few of these silky waterfall photographs, you’ll want to carry a tripod. Mefoto makes a sturdy, compact tripod for backpacking that I like to recommend. If you need 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 all the time carry a variable impartial density filter to permit for slower shutter speeds even when it’s vibrant out (ensure you test the thread measurement in your lens for sizing). For a detailed listing of my images gear, go right here.
A GoPro can 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 effectively. 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 suggest you filter the water, and for that purpose, it’s all the time good to have a backup plan. Good choices embody 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 accessible on the trailhead, so ensure you have sufficient with you for the hike earlier than you drive all the way in which out to Hualapai Hilltop. This implies it’s best to have a method of carrying 3 liters of water for the hike out and in, comparable to this 3 liter Osprey hydration reservoir. I particularly like this bladder as a result of the again facet is difficult, making it straightforward to slip out and in of your pack. A number of water bottles additionally work, and I’m a giant fan of the Platypus Smooth 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’re going to need each palms as you make your method 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 while 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 after 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 drive 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 disregarded the place they’ll 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 toes. It’s cheaper and a greater exercise. Plus, we observed individuals who gave the impression to be ready fairly a very long time for his or her stuff to reach. In case you are set on getting help, try 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 Listing and my weblog submit with Havasu Falls Dos and Don’ts
Do you’ve got another questions on visiting Havasu Falls? Go away a remark beneath!
