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 actually a once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
If Havasu Falls is in your bucket checklist, there are some essential 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 mountain 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 will help you get one of the best likelihood of securing your Havasupai Falls Allow, this weblog publish covers the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know together with dates, charges, and extra. I additionally spotlight some essential Havasu Falls tenting data so you will 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 costs.
Vital Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please follow good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart No Hint. This implies packing out your entire rubbish (together with rest room 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, with a purpose to go to Havasupai and Havasu Falls, you MUST acquire 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 earnings.
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 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 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 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 doubtless 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 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’ll be able to select to do a shorter journey, however you’ll pay the identical allow payment worth.
Can permits be transferred?
Sure, however solely to somebody in your Potential Alternate Journey Chief checklist (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 are usually not refundable or changeable however might be transferred to somebody in your PATL checklist if you happen to 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 particular person.
Native American reductions are honored at check-in with a sound reservation and identification.
Can I am going with no allow? Is day mountain 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 mountain climbing from Hualapai Hilltop is allowed and even when it was, the falls are a lot too far to hike there and again in someday.
Suggestions for acquiring a Havasu allow
Getting a Havasu tenting allow may be very aggressive, so to extend your possibilities, 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 time trip, so it’s additionally going to be probably the most aggressive time. If you happen to can go mid-week in March or late November, then you definately’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 on your time zone. It will be a bummer to log in an hour late!
- Create your Potential Alternate Journey Chief (PATL) checklist upfront. A PATL is the ONLY particular person your allow will go to if you happen to can’t make your journey. If you happen to 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 want 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 accepted your Pack Mule request.
What if you happen to didn’t get a allow?
If you happen to don’t rating a allow earlier than they promote out for the 12 months, you should still be in luck. The net Havasupai Reservation System has a Cancellation/Transfers Web page the place you should purchase canceled journeys.
If there are dates that be just right for you, however the allow contains extra spots than you want, you possibly can promote these additional spots on the official switch system after you buy the canceled journey.
This checklist 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 just under the bogs, however there isn’t any water obtainable on the trailhead. Peach Springs, Arizona is the closest place to the trailhead with fundamental companies like fuel, meals, and water.
Hualapai Hilltop, the trailhead for Havasupai and Havasu Falls
The Finest Time to Go to Havasu Falls
The most effective 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 crowds? Right here are the professionals and cons of visiting Havasu Falls for the totally different seasons.
Spring/Late Fall
- Execs: Much less bugs and fewer folks
- Cons: Variable climate might imply lower than excellent swimming temps. One 12 months 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 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 scorching) was very tolerable.
Summer time/Early Fall
- Execs: Scorching climate means you possibly can sit and hand around in the water all day
- Cons: Scorching temps imply mountain climbing might be depressing. Within the warmth of summer time, when Havasu Falls is the busiest, folks stand up at 4am to start the hike out. Summer time can also be monsoon season with flash floods being almost definitely from mid June to late September.
The best way to Put together For Your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
If you happen to’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 it’s worthwhile to carry out and in your entire provides.
Listed below are just a few ideas that will help you plan your Havasu Falls tenting journey:
1. Have everybody in your group make an internet account
Whereas just one identify is on the tenting reservation, all members of the group should make an account at havasupaireservations.com and ensure 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/medication/smoking (together with marijuana)
- NO fires (apart from fuel cooking canisters)
- NO drones
- NO nudity or inappropriate clothes
- NO images allowed within the village or of Havasupai tribes members
You’ll be able to learn the whole checklist of guidelines right here. There are fines starting from $200 to $5000 if you happen to 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 will get an early begin on the 10-mile hike to the Havasupai campground.
Here’s a steered 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 is no such thing as a tent tenting allowed on the parking space, however guests have reported sleeping of their automobiles. Water is just not obtainable within the parking space, however there are bogs.
Different choices for lodging embody:
- Closest Cities with Resorts
- 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 quite a few tenting choices
Day 1: Hike to Havasupai Campground
On the day of your reservation, make your method 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 possibly can 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 have to put on all through the period 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 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 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 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 need 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
To your 4-day 3 night time journey to Havasupai, it’s worthwhile to pack in AND OUT your entire gear and provides. This contains 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 will get fundamental snacks and drinks, however don’t depend on provides right here.
For an entire checklist of what to deliver in your Havasu journey, head over to our Havasu Falls Packing Checklist.
Havasupai Mountaineering Path Guides
Mountaineering to Havasupai Campground
- Distance: 10 miles a technique (8 miles to the village of Supai)
- Problem: Reasonable-Onerous
- Elevation change: -2,400 toes
- 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 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, step by step 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 mountain climbing could be a bit gradual as a result of sandy gravel, however the path may be very straightforward to observe. If any level you assume you’ve misplaced the path, simply hold following the river mattress till you meet again up with the trail. Be aware there isn’t any water obtainable on the path, so ensure you pack sufficient to make it to the campground.
Whenever 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 cross via the Supai village, it’s one other 2 miles and a pair hundred of toes all the way 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 via a fence.
Mountaineering to Mooney and Beaver Falls
I completely suggest mountain climbing all the way down to Mooney Falls at a minimal. The hike down is difficult, steep, and requires use of chains for assist. Take your time, and don’t really feel rushed by different folks. You’ll be happy with your self once 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 beautiful with method fewer folks than you’ll discover round Havasu Falls. Take note of the path because it crosses the river quite a few 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 once you arrive. There’s a signal and generally 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 automobile is a little more difficult. By the point you attain the climb on the finish, it’s doubtless 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 might be deathly scorching. That excessive dry warmth can suck the life proper out of you, and even in March when the temps had been within the mid-80s, it was fairly scorching mountain climbing 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 ensure you have sufficient batteries on your headlamp in case you get caught at midnight.
If you happen to do resolve to remain and benefit from the falls and hike out later within the day, it’s undoubtedly value a cease at Navajo and Fifty Foot Falls. Each are pretty, and there are additionally some personal areas you possibly can swim in alongside Havasu Creek.
For extra data on all the totally different waterfalls in Havasu Canyon, try this weblog publish.
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 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 via the campground, and many of the websites have a picnic desk. Be aware that there are campsites on each 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 refill your water bottles is situated close to the beginning of the campground. There are 4 rest room amenities evenly spaced all through the campground, and so they had been surprisingly clear with loads of rest room paper. There are NO showers, and there are not any campfires allowed within the Havasu Falls tenting space.
When you find yourself tenting it’s essential that you just:
- Apply Depart No Hint with a purpose 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 method to get in your neighbor’s unhealthy aspect.
- Use the restrooms moderately than going exterior your tent.
- Pack out your entire trash and don’t depart your trash within the bogs for the campground employees to choose up. All trash left behind have to 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 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 lots of extra hammock nights in my close to future. If there’s an opportunity of rain, don’t neglect to deliver a tarp if you happen to plan on sleeping in a hammock.
What Gear to Deliver in your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
Packing accurately on your Havasu Falls tenting journey is essential because you’re backpacking in. To ensure you don’t neglect something, try our full packing checklist for Havasu Falls.
You too can overview our normal backpacking gear guidelines for 3-day adventures. Don’t neglect these few particular extra items of substances for Havasu Falls:
Water sneakers
You’ll undoubtedly need a pair of sneakers you possibly can hike via the water with, like a light-weight pair of Tevas or Astral water sneakers. Whenever you go swimming it’ll 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 complete hike to Beaver Falls in my Tevas, whereas my pals wore their mountain 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 follow your images expertise. The panorama is numerous 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 pictures, you’ll want to deliver 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 deliver a variable impartial density filter to permit for slower shutter speeds even when it’s vivid out (ensure you test the thread measurement in your lens for sizing). For a detailed checklist of my images 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 properly. I shoot with a GoPro Hero7 Black.
Hydration Bladder & Reservoir
There’s a recent spring within the campground that’s examined for contaminants on a month-to-month foundation. On my journey, that is the place we stuffed 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 obtainable 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, equivalent 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 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 need to use to hold gear on day hikes to the waterfalls. That is particularly essential 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 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 digital camera.
Fast Dry Towel
It’s good to have one thing to dry off with once 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 had been nonexistent once we had been there in March, however we had been informed 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 neglect some waterproof sunscreen.
Different Suggestions for Tenting at Havasu Falls
- Be careful for marmots. They’re sneaky and can get into your meals if its overlooked the place they’ll get to it. Whenever you depart your camp to go for a swim or a hike, make certain 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 your entire gear by yourself two toes. It’s cheaper and a greater exercise. Plus, we observed individuals who appeared to be ready fairly a very long time for his or her stuff to reach. If you’re 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 Checklist and my weblog publish with Havasu Falls Dos and Don’ts
Do you may have another questions on visiting Havasu Falls? Depart a remark beneath!
