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 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 checklist, 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 will help you get the perfect probability of securing your Havasupai Falls Allow, this weblog submit covers every little thing it is advisable 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.

Essential Reminder: Because it goes in all the locations we share, please observe good path etiquette and bear 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 friends are allowed to go to the falls.

As I discussed above, with a view 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 fantastic thing about Havasupai and offers the Havasu Tribe with an revenue.

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 your complete 12 months on the DAY that the reservation strains open.

Reservations for the 2023 season open February 1st at 8:00 AM Arizona Time!

The right 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 probability of successful a spot.

Your finest 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 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 a number of hours (or much less since folks haven’t been capable of go to since 2020).

Havasupai Allow FAQs

How many individuals will be on my reservation?

You possibly can have as much as 12 folks in your Havasu Falls tenting reservation. Nevertheless, there’s solely ONE title on every reservation and that individual MUST be current with a legitimate photograph 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 possibly can 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 checklist (which might embody as much as ten names). You possibly can switch all or a part of your allow reservation by way of the official Switch System at HavasupaiReservations.com

Are permits refundable?

Permits will not be refundable or changeable however will be transferred to somebody in your PATL checklist if you happen to can’t make your journey dates.

You possibly can ‘promote’ your allow by way of the official switch system positioned 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 am going with out a 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 could be very aggressive, so to extend your possibilities, comply with the following tips:

• 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. In case you can go mid-week in March or late November, then you definately’ll have a greater probability of getting a allow.
• Do not forget that Arizona doesn’t do daylight financial savings time. Double-check what meaning 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 individual your allow will go to if you happen to can’t make your journey. In case you don’t designate a PATL, you danger forfeiting the journey for everybody in your group. You possibly can 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 title to a waitlist after you’ve secured your campground reservation. You’ll be notified if the Tourism Board has accredited your Pack Mule request.

What if you happen to didn’t get a allow?

In case you 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 buy canceled journeys.

If there are dates that be just right for you, however the allow consists of extra spots than you want, you possibly can promote these further spots on the official switch system after you buy the canceled journey.

This checklist 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 positioned 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 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 out there 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 Finest Time to Go to Havasu Falls

The perfect time to go to Havasu Falls is dependent upon 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 splendid 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 will be unbearably scorching) was very tolerable.

Summer time/Early Fall

• Execs: Sizzling climate means you possibly can 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 also be monsoon season with flash floods being more than likely from mid June to late September.

The right way to Put together For Your Havasu Falls Tenting Journey

In case 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 it is advisable to carry out and in all your provides.

Listed below are a number of 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 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 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 photographs allowed within the village or of Havasupai tribes members

You possibly can 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 recommended 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 any tent tenting allowed on the parking space, however guests have reported sleeping of their automobiles. Water shouldn’t be out there 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 numerous 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 arrange your gear and prepare on 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 will 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 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 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 (bear in mind, no climbing or leaping) and enjoyable on this lovely 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. Set up your tenting gear and provides

On your 4-day 3 night time journey to Havasupai, it is advisable to pack in AND OUT all your gear and provides. This consists of meals, provides, trash, and tenting gear. Water is obtainable 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 a whole 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 method (8 miles to the village of Supai)
• Issue: Reasonable-Onerous
• Elevation change: -2,400 toes
• Time wanted: 4-6 hours

Elevation profile courtesy of RockHounds.com

The whole distance to the Havasu Falls campground is roughly 10 miles a method (20 miles spherical journey) and the path begins on the Hualapai Hilltop 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 following 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 tough, 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 generally is a bit sluggish as a result of sandy gravel, however the path could be very straightforward to comply with. If any level you assume you’ve misplaced the path, simply maintain following the river mattress till you meet again up with the trail. Notice there is no such thing as a water out there on the path, so ensure 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 toes all the way down to the Havasu Falls campground.

Tenting shouldn’t be allowed on the base of Havasu Falls. The campground begins just some minutes additional down the path after passing by 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 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 in my view, happening 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 numerous 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 possibly can’t miss Beaver Falls whenever you arrive. There’s a signal and generally a ranger current.
Beaver Falls is an incredible place to take a dip. If you’d like 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 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. 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 12 months, the hike out will 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 mountain climbing out. If you’re doing this hike in summer time, plan to begin 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 case you 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 beautiful, 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, take a look at this weblog submit.

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 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 the campground, and many of the websites have a picnic desk. Notice that there are campsites on either side of the river with a number of foot bridges that make for a simple crossing. Campsites will not be assigned and are first come-first served. If you’re involved with getting a main 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 positioned 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.
If you end up tenting it’s essential that you simply:

• Follow Go away No Hint with a view to maintain the campground and the falls clear for everybody to get pleasure from.
• Be respectful of different campers and watch your noise at night time. It travels quick within the canyon and is a simple method to get in your neighbor’s dangerous aspect.
• Use the restrooms slightly than going exterior your tent.
• Pack out all your trash and don’t depart your trash within the bogs for the campground workers 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 every little thing out that they introduced with them.

The campground can also 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 deliver a tarp if you happen to plan on sleeping in a hammock.

What Gear to Convey 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, take a look at our full packing checklist for Havasu Falls.

It’s also possible to evaluate our customary backpacking gear guidelines for 3-day adventures. Don’t neglect these few particular further items of substances for Havasu Falls:

Water sneakers

You’ll undoubtedly need a pair of sneakers you possibly can hike by the water with, like a light-weight pair of Tevas or Astral water sneakers. While 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 toes moist is unavoidable. I did your complete hike to Beaver Falls in my Tevas, whereas my buddies 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.