Havasupai is likely 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 pictures 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 really a once-in-a-lifetime expertise.
If Havasu Falls is in your bucket listing, there are some essential issues to know earlier than you go. First, you MUST have a allow PRIOR to your go to. Permits will not be 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 can assist you get the most effective probability of securing your Havasupai Falls Allow, this weblog publish covers all the things you could know together with dates, charges, and extra. I additionally spotlight some essential Havasu Falls tenting data so you may get essentially the most out of your time there.
All of this data has been up to date with the 2023 reservation course of and costs.
Essential 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 your whole 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 because of the pandemic and has not allowed entry since. 2023 would be the first yr 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 acquire a allow earlier than your journey. The allow course of helps to protect the pure great thing about Havasupai and gives the Havasu Tribe with an earnings.
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 whole yr on the DAY that the reservation strains open.
Reservations for the 2023 season open February 1st at 8:00 AM Arizona Time!
How you can 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 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’ll want 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 screen the minute the strains open.
Havasupai permits will doubtless promote out inside a number of hours (or much less since folks haven’t been capable of go to since 2020).
Havasupai Allow FAQs
How many individuals could be on my reservation?
You’ll be able to have as much as 12 folks in your Havasu Falls tenting reservation. Nonetheless, there’s solely ONE identify 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 payment worth.
Can permits be transferred?
Sure, however solely to somebody in your Potential Alternate Journey Chief listing (which may embrace as much as ten names). You’ll be able to switch all or a part of your allow reservation through the official Switch System at HavasupaiReservations.com
Are permits refundable?
Permits will not be refundable or changeable however could be transferred to somebody in your PATL listing when you can’t make your journey dates.
You’ll be able to ‘promote’ your allow through the official switch system situated on the Havasupai Reservations web site.
How a lot does a Havasu allow value?
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 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.
Ideas for acquiring a Havasu allow
Getting a Havasu tenting allow could be very aggressive, so to extend your possibilities, observe the following tips:
- 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 essentially the most aggressive time. For those who can go mid-week in March or late November, then you definately’ll have a greater probability of getting a allow.
- Keep in mind that Arizona doesn’t do daylight financial savings time. Double-check what meaning in your time zone. It could be a bummer to log in an hour late!
- Create your Potential Alternate Journey Chief (PATL) listing prematurely. A PATL is the ONLY individual your allow will go to when you can’t make your journey. For those who 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 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 when you didn’t get a allow?
For those who don’t rating a 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 buy canceled journeys.
If there are dates that be just right for you, however the allow consists of extra spots than you want, you may promote these further spots on the official switch system after you buy the canceled journey.
This listing 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 Highway 18. Drive for 60 miles till you attain the tip of the highway. There’s a massive parking zone with bogs on the trailhead. There’s 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 primary companies like gasoline, meals, and water.
Hualapai Hilltop, the trailhead for Havasupai and Havasu Falls
The Greatest Time to Go to Havasu Falls
The most effective time to go to Havasu Falls will depend on 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 totally different seasons.
Spring/Late Fall
- Execs: Much less bugs and fewer folks
- Cons: Variable climate might imply lower than very best 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 aspect of that is that the hike out (which could be unbearably scorching) was very tolerable.
Summer time/Early Fall
- Execs: Sizzling climate means you may sit and hand around in the water all day
- Cons: Sizzling temps imply mountain climbing could possibly be depressing. Within the warmth of summer time, 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.
How you can Put together For Your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
For those who’re fortunate sufficient to nab a allow, you’ll have to do some planning for the reason that Havasupai Indian Reservation and Havasu Falls are fairly distant and you could carry out and in your whole provides.
Listed here are a number of 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 consists of:
- NO cliff leaping
- NO mountaineering
- 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 (other than gasoline 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 entire listing of guidelines right here. There are fines starting from $200 to $5000 when you get caught doing any of these items 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 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 recommended 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 is no such thing as a tent tenting allowed on the parking space, however guests have reported sleeping of their autos. Water isn’t accessible within the parking space, however there are bogs.
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 option 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 may arrange your gear and prepare in 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 have to put on all through the period of your go to in addition to a tag for every of your tents, which can be checked every 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 data 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 embrace Havasu Falls (essentially 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 enjoyable on this stunning spot.
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 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
In your 4-day 3 night time journey to Havasupai, you could pack in AND OUT your whole gear and provides. This consists of meals, provides, trash, and tenting gear. Water is on the market 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 a whole listing of what to convey in your Havasu journey, head over to our Havasu Falls Packing Record.
Havasupai Mountain climbing Path Guides
Mountain climbing to Havasupai Campground
- Distance: 10 miles a technique (8 miles to the village of Supai)
- Problem: Average-Exhausting
- Elevation change: -2,400 ft
- Time wanted: 4-6 hours
Elevation profile courtesy of RockHounds.com
The overall 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 subsequent 6.5 miles, progressively dropping one other 1,000 or so ft 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 is usually a bit sluggish because of the sandy gravel, however the path could be very simple to observe. If any level you assume you’ve misplaced the path, simply maintain 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 be sure you pack sufficient to make it to the campground.
While 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 go 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 isn’t allowed on the base of Havasu Falls. The campground begins just some minutes additional down the path after passing by a fence.
Mountain climbing 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 help. Take your time, and don’t really feel rushed by different folks. You’ll be happy with your self whenever 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 means fewer folks 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 number of steep sections however is pretty flat for a majority of the hike. You’ll be able to’t miss Beaver Falls whenever you arrive. There’s a signal and typically a ranger current.
Beaver Falls is a tremendous place to take a dip. If you’d like some solar in your Beaver Falls swimming tour, get there earlier within the day earlier than the solar goes behind the canyon wall.
Mountain climbing Again to the Hualapai Hilltop 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 doubtless that you simply’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 could 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. 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. Simply be sure you have sufficient batteries in your headlamp in case you get caught in the dead of night.
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 beautiful, and there are additionally some personal areas you may swim in alongside Havasu Creek.
For extra data on the entire 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 pictures.
Havasu Tenting
The realm 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 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 will not be assigned and are first come-first served. In case you are involved with getting a major 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 rest room services 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 aren’t any campfires allowed within the Havasu Falls tenting space.
If you find yourself tenting it’s essential that you simply:
- Follow Depart No Hint as a way to maintain 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 option to get in your neighbor’s unhealthy aspect.
- Use the restrooms reasonably than going exterior your tent.
- Pack out your whole 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 through helicopter, so it’s a lot simpler if everybody merely does their half to hold all the things out that they introduced with them.
The campground can be hammock heaven, with tons of timber 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 convey a tarp when you plan on sleeping in a hammock.
What Gear to Carry in your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey
Packing appropriately in your Havasu Falls tenting journey is essential because you’re backpacking in. To be sure you don’t neglect something, try our full packing listing for Havasu Falls.
You may also evaluation our normal backpacking gear guidelines for 3-day adventures. Don’t neglect these few particular further items of substances for Havasu Falls:
Water sneakers
You’ll positively desire a pair of sneakers you may hike by the water with, like a light-weight pair of Tevas or Astral water sneakers. While you go swimming it is going to make getting into and exiting the water a lot simpler. Additionally, they come in 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 whole hike to Beaver Falls in my Tevas, whereas my mates wore their mountain climbing sneakers and took them off for the crossing. Both means works, however having sandals or water sneakers makes issues extra handy.
Digital camera Gear
Havasupai is a superb place to apply your images abilities. 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 photographs, you’ll want to convey a tripod. Mefoto makes a sturdy, compact tripod for backpacking that I like to recommend. If you’d 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 all the time convey a variable impartial density filter to permit for slower shutter speeds even when it’s brilliant out (be sure you verify the thread dimension 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 simple 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 stuffed up, and we didn’t fear about filtering our water. Nonetheless, there are occasions when the Tenting Workplace will suggest you filter the water, and for that motive, it’s all the time good to have a backup plan. Good choices embrace easy purification tablets or the Platypus GravityWorks Water Filtration System (learn my full evaluation) which is tremendous light-weight and easy to make use of.
Water is NOT accessible on the trailhead, so be sure you have sufficient with you for the hike earlier than you drive all the way in which out to Hualapai Hilltop. This implies you must have a means of carrying 3 liters of water for the hike out and in, similar to this 3 liter Osprey hydration reservoir. I particularly like this bladder as a result of the again aspect is difficult, making it simple to slip out and in of your pack. A number of water bottles additionally work, and I’m a giant fan of the Platypus Gentle 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 if you’re 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 means 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 whenever 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 advised by the ranger that after the timber begin to bloom, they arrive out in full drive and bug spray is critical.
Sunscreen
The solar is loopy intense on the market within the desert, so don’t neglect 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 omitted the place they will get to it. While 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 whole gear by yourself two ft. It’s cheaper and a greater exercise. Plus, we seen individuals who appeared 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 certain to take a look at my Havasu Falls Gear Record and my weblog publish with Havasu Falls Dos and Don’ts
Do you’ve gotten some other questions on visiting Havasu Falls? Depart a remark beneath!
