Havasu Canyon is house to the Havasupai Tribe of Arizona, whose title is translated to “folks of the blue-green water.” If you happen to’ve seen images of the Havasupai waterfalls, it’s simple to know how they received their title.
The creamy aquamarine, spring-fed Havasu Creek will get its beautiful coloration from heavy limestone deposits within the cliffs that line Havasu Canyon.
Most guests who get a allow to Havasupai can’t wait to see the gorgeous Havasu Falls, however what they don’t notice is that there are literally a number of waterfalls in Havasu Canyon, all of which show that unimaginable teal coloration.
Each occasions I’ve visited Havasupai, it felt like I used to be transported to an otherwordly turquoise oasis that was magically positioned in the midst of the desert. Actually, this place appears to defy nature.
On this submit, I provide the scoop on these 5 waterfalls of Havasu Canyon together with a few of my favourite images from my journeys. If you would like extra data on the path, tenting, permits, instructions, and different logistics, make sure to learn my Havasu Falls Allow and Tenting Information.
Necessary Reminder: Because it goes in the entire locations we share, please apply good path etiquette and keep in mind to Depart 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.
The place are the Havasupai Waterfalls?
Havasu Canyon is positioned on the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Arizona. The canyon empties into the Colorado River within the Grand Canyon Nationwide Park.
The map under exhibits the situation of the 5 waterfalls of Havasu Canyon. Three of the waterfalls (Havasu, Mooney, and Beaver) are positioned closest to the campground whereas Outdated Navajo Falls and Fifty-Foot Falls might be visited both in your hike into the campground or in your manner again out.
Necessary: You can’t go to these waterfalls with out a allow or as a day hike. You MUST get hold of Havasupai Campground reservations earlier than climbing to see these falls.
The 5 Waterfalls of Havasu Canyon
Fifty Foot Falls is positioned about 8.5 miles from the Hualapai Hilltop Trailhead and a mile or so previous Supai village the place it is advisable to verify in on the vacationer workplace earlier than persevering with on the campground.
On my first go to to Havasupai, I used to be tempted to maintain going previous Fifty Foot Falls. I assumed we must always discover a good campsite, arrange our tent, after which go hang around at Havasu Falls – considering that one was going to be the true deal with.
The one factor that stopped us from persevering with to the campground is that we had been scorching and drained from the hike and prepared for a swim. Plus the river was insanely lovely with tons of travertine swimming pools the place we might sit and hang around proper in the midst of the river.
After passing by means of the village of Supai, we took the apparent aspect path down the hill that led to the river. As soon as you might be down the hill, head left on a much less apparent path till you get to the massive pool under Fifty Foot Falls.
This waterfall and the cascades under it ended up being my favourite for swimming. The falls get loads of afternoon solar and – no less than after we had been there – we had the pool all to ourselves!
The lesson is, Fifty Foot Falls is unquestionably price a cease in your option to the campground. The 2 miles from Supai to the campground is downhill and when you get down there, you most likely received’t need to make your manner again up.
Alternatively, should you do actually need to get to the campground early to get a superb campsite, you can too go to Fifty Foot Falls in your hike again to the trailhead on the finish of your keep.
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2. Navajo Falls & Little Navajo Falls
Navajo Falls is straight under Fifty Foot Falls so you possibly can simply hit each of those on the similar time.
Apparently, Navajo Falls used to look fairly totally different however in 2008, a flash flood roared by means of the canyon and fully modified the waterfall. From what I’ve heard, Navajo Falls at present is smaller than it was once, however it’s nonetheless wonderful.
There’s additionally a second waterfall that was created as a result of flood referred to as Little Navajo Falls (or New Navajo Falls), which is only a quick distance down the river.
One among my favourite options of Navajo Falls is the hidden ledge that runs behind the waterfall. Remember to test it out!
There’s additionally a very nice flat rock proper above Navajo Falls that’s the good spot to soak up the view and spend a while sunbathing!
A be aware about monsoon season: Monsoon season in Arizona sometimes 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.
3. Havasu Falls
Havasu Falls is down the hill about three-quarters of a mile previous Navajo Falls. The primary time I visited Havasupai, I used to be frightened that once I received to Havasu Falls, it wasn’t going to be as lovely as the photographs I’d seen. That was undoubtedly not the case! I used to be so glad to seek out that the falls are much more gorgeous in actual life.
If you first strategy Havasu Falls, the path is available in from above on the left aspect. There are some nice picture ops on the best way down the hill, so be sure to cease and snap just a few pictures.
When you get right down to the underside of Havasu Falls, cling a proper down the aspect path to get to the pool. There are a number of picnic tables the place you possibly can sit, have a snack, or stash your stuff whilst you go for a swim.
Watch out for sneaky, food-snatching marmots, although, and be sure to don’t go away any tasty treats or free gear out for them.
Havasu Falls is way more highly effective than Fifty Foot and Najavo, however the pool continues to be completely swimmable. It does see shade within the afternoon, which may very well be good or dangerous relying on the time of yr you go to.
For nighttime images, Havasu Falls is your finest wager. It’s the closest and best to get to from the campground at the hours of darkness. Plus the canyon partitions aren’t so tall which you could’t get the night time sky in your images.
4. Mooney Falls
Mooney Falls is a brief distance previous the campground, however the path to get right down to the swimming pools on the backside is fairly sketchy by most individuals’s requirements. I like to recommend carrying a small daypack in your stuff so your arms are free that will help you down the steep, slick rocks, and ladders.
I’m not saying this to scare you, the path down is completely doable, but it surely’s higher if you realize what you might be in for. The excellent news is that the climb down is fairly quick and doesn’t take greater than 10-Quarter-hour. As soon as you might be there, the canyon opens up for a lot of extra miles of river to discover.
Mooney Falls is the tallest and most forceful of the 5 waterfalls of Havasu Canyon, and should you select to swim in Mooney Falls prepare for some turbulence. The mist alone is sufficient to go away you fairly soaked!
5. Beaver Falls
When it comes to surroundings, Beaver Falls was my favourite of the 5 Havasupai waterfalls. It’s deep down within the canyon about 2.5 miles previous the campground. The path to get there may be dynamic, with ups and downs, river crossings, and wonderful views.
Earlier than you stroll down the hill to get to the falls, there’s a small bluff with a picnic bench. I like to recommend stopping right here to take some photos. It’s additionally an incredible place to have lunch earlier than or after your swim.
What was actually cool about Beaver Falls was that you may stroll up from one pool to the following and there may be additionally a path that runs up the left aspect. Whereas some locations had been deep, a majority of the swimming pools had been shallow sufficient to wade in and you may sit proper within the falls and let the water pour over you.
Try to be conscious that Beaver Falls (no less than in March) was completely within the shade after we arrived. The canyon partitions are steep and by the point we arrived within the early afternoon, the solar was lengthy gone. Once more, in summer season, that’s most likely a superb factor, however simply one thing to bear in mind, relying on the climate.
Finest Time to Go to the Havasupai Waterfalls
Permits for Havasupai can be found year-round and reservations for the yr open on February 1st. Permits normally promote out shortly on that date.
The very best time to go will depend on what you’re hoping to see and do.
July and August are sometimes the busiest months since many individuals are on summer season break or trip, however these months are additionally nice for swimming.
If you happen to’re on the lookout for cooler, however nonetheless nice, temps, spring (March, April, and Might) and fall (September, October, and November) are my favourite occasions to go to.
Winter may also be a pleasant time to plan a visit, however be ready with hotter garments, particularly should you intend on climbing to the totally different waterfalls.
Have you ever visited Havasu Falls? Which is your favourite Havasupai waterfall? Which one are you most excited to see in individual? Depart a remark under!
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