Within the Havasu Canyon, a tributary to the Grand Canyon, lies the Havasupai Reservation.
Known for its breathtaking waterfalls and turquoise-blue pools makes it one of the most sought-after backpacking destinations in the world.
However, planning your adventure, from securing permits to navigating the trails, can feel overwhelming.
With three successful Havasupai trips under my belt, I’m here to break it all down for you – so you can focus on having an unforgettable experience.
Table of Contents
Havasupai Permit Process: How to Get Access in 2025
Securing permits to visit Havasupai can be competitive, but it’s doable with preparation. Here’s what you need to know for 2025:
- Presale Access: Beginning at 8:00 am Arizona time on Monday, December 16, 2024, and ending at 5:00 pm Arizona time on Friday, January 3, 2025, Havasupai Reservations account holders can participate in the presale. The cost is $20 per person per reservation (e.g., 12 people = $240). This fee is non-refundable and does not apply to the reservation cost.
- A valid credit card must be on file to participate.
- You can select up to three preferred start dates. Notifications will only be sent if a date is awarded, with emails arriving no later than Monday, January 6, 2025, at 5:00 pm Arizona time.
- If awarded, full payment is due by Friday, January 24, 2025, at 5:00 pm. Failure to accept and pay will result in cancellation.
- Reservations are valid for up to 12 people, and only one reservation per trip leader is allowed. Naming potential alternate trip leaders (PATL) during the booking process is recommended.
- Campground Reservations: $455 per person for three nights.
- Lodge Reservations: $2,277 per lodge room (up to four people) for three nights.
Participation in the presale does not guarantee a reservation, and all fees are non-refundable. Both campground reservations and lodge reservations require separate logins.
- Public Sale: If you miss presale access, public reservations generally open on February 1. Create an online account at the Havasupai Reservations site well in advance and ensure your payment details are set up.
- Pro Tips: Log in early on reservation day, have multiple date options, and move quickly once the reservation portal opens.
If permits sell out, don’t lose hope! Check the Cancellations/Transfers List regularly for last-minute availability.
Best Time to Visit Havasupai
Havasupai is open from February 1 to November 30. While summer attracts crowds, spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer risks of extreme heat.
- Avoid Summer Heat: If summer is your only option, start hiking before sunrise to avoid the hottest part of the day.
- Monsoon Season: Late June through August brings flash flood risks. Stay updated on weather conditions and follow tribal safety guidelines.
Planning your Havasupai Adventure
The nearest town to the Havasupai trailhead is Peach Springs, Arizona which is 65 miles and will take you an hour and 30 minutes to drive to the trailhead.
I recommend staying the night near here before hiking in so you can get an early start.
Where to Stay Before Your Hike
- Top Options Near the Trailhead:
- Hualapai Lodge: This is where we stayed and had a good night’s sleep, a shower, good meal, and is just 1.5 hours from the trailhead.
- Grand Canyon Caverns Inn: Another great option with similar amenities and close proximity.
- Camping Options: There are also camping options in the area. However, you cannot camp near or at the trailhead and sleep in your vehicle.
Packing Essentials For Your 2025 Havasupai Adventure
Bringing the right gear can make or break your trip. Here are the essentials:
- Documents: Photo ID, a printed copy of your reservation, and cash for local purchases.
- Backpacking Gear:
- A sturdy backpack
- Lightweight tent
- Sleeping bag and pad
- Portable cooking system
- Day Hike Must-Haves: Collapsible daypack, water filter, and trekking poles.
- Clothing: Season-appropriate layers, durable hiking boots, water-friendly sandals, and a swimsuit.
- Food and Water: High-calorie snacks, ready-to-eat meals, and a collapsible water container for camp.
- Safety Items: First aid kit, sun protection, bug spray, hand sanitizer, water filter system, headlamp, and a bear canister for food storage (protect your snacks from squirrels!).
- Other Recommended Items: Hammock, packable towel, body wipes, portable travel clothesline.
Below is a list of some of the recommended gear that has worked well for me or others I hiked with. As you explore below, you’ll find Amazon or other affiliate links that allow you to find gear easily, see other reviews, and able to purchase directly. If you purchase it is at no extra cost to you, however, I do get a small commission and your support is greatly appreciated so I can continue to update and expand information on this website.
Check-In Process for your Havasupai Adventure
- Check-in for all permit reservations is at Grand Canyon Caverns Inn, located at mile marker 115, Route 66 near Seligman, Arizona from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- The trip leader must check-in for all members of their group. You may check in starting on the day before your arrival date through the end of your permit date.
- The trip leader will need to provide a photo ID to receive all permits, wristbands, and an entrance form.
- The form needs to be shown to Havasupai Reservation boundary checkpoint staff located 5 miles from the Hilltop Trailhead
Getting to the Trailhead from Route 66
- If you are coming from Peach Springs you will take a left onto Indian Rd 18.
- If you are coming from Seligman you will take the right.
- Following Indian Rd 18 north 63 miles to the Hualapai Hilltop where the trailhead for the Havasu Falls trail is located.
- Parking will be on the left. There is no fee for parking here, make sure you park in designated spaces.
Hiking the Havasupai Trail
The trail begins at Hualapai Hilltop and descends 10 miles to the campground. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Elevation Change: 2,000 feet descent, starting at 5,200 feet above sea level.
- The Trail: The Havasu Falls trail begins with a series of switchbacks before evening out along the canyon floor.
- Trail Conditions: Rocky and sandy terrain, sturdy footwear is essential, and hiking poles are a good idea.
- Checkpoint: After 8 miles, stop at the Supai Village to check in at the tourist office.
- Market & Cafe: There is a market and cafe in the village. We started early and made good time, so we stopped for breakfast and coffee before heading the last two miles to the campground.
As you start the last two miles you will pass three waterfalls, Fifty-Foot Falls, Navajo Falls, and Havasu Falls. A picture is worth 1000 words!
Camping at Havasupai
- The campgrounds are located just after Havasu Falls.
- Expect a rustic experience with basic amenities; the focus here is on the natural environment.
- The campgrounds are first-come-first-serve, and the area is about a mile long.
- The first instinct is to pick the first site you see, I recommend you walk further down and find the best spot available; pick one with a picnic table!
Amenities
- Restrooms – There are composting toilets with toilet paper scattered throughout the camping area.
- Drinking Water – A spring-fed spigot provides potable water, but filtering is recommended.
- No Campfires: Bring a portable stove for cooking.
Suggested Itinerary for Havasupai
Day 1 – Hike from Hualapai Hilltop to Havasupai Campground
- Start the hike just before sunrise
- Check-in at Supai Village and enjoy breakfast at the cafe.
- Explore Fifty-Foot Falls, Navajo Falls, and Havasu Falls on way to camp.
- Arrive at the campgrounds and pick the perfect campsite.
- Sunset at Havasu Falls, maybe a swim
Day 2 – Havasupai Campground to Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls
*I recommend hiking sandals for this hike as it is wet and there will be three river crossings on your way to Beaver Falls.
- Hike the short but treacherous trail to Mooney Falls – A steep descent down a slippery vertical canyon with ropes, chains, and a ladder at the end.
- Hike an additional 2 miles to Beaver Falls for swimming and exploration.
- Make your way back for dinner at the campsite
- Another option is to hike past Beaver Falls to the confluence (where the brown waters from the Colorado River meet the turquoise water of Havasu Creek).
- It is roughly a 17-mile round-trip hike from the campground so you need to start early. I plan to add this in 2025 if I get permits, so I will update my experience.
Day 3 – Havasupai Campground to Supai Village
- Relax by Havasupai Falls
- Explore Fifty-Foot Falls, and Navajo Falls
- Visit Supai Village for a meal
- Hike back to camp and enjoy a good dinner and conversation.
Day 4 – The Hike Out
- Break down camp – we left at first light
- A good breakfast at Supai Cafe
- Don’t forget plenty of water. The hike out is much harder than in, especially the last mile as you will be climbing out of the canyon.
Tips for a Successful Havasupai Trip
- Stay Hydrated: There is no drinking water along the hike, so carry plenty.
- Train for the Hike: Practice with a fully loaded backpack before your trip.
- Pack Smart: Test your gear beforehand, and ensure boots are broken in.
- Respect the Land: Follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash.
- Take a bear canister – seriously – there are no bears but the critters are tenacious.
- The canister will fit nicely sideways in your backpack and we saw people using mesh bags that the critters chewed through.
- Do not leave any food or toiletries out, put them in the canister, trust me we lost some toiletries to the squirrels of Havasupai.
- Please don’t leave any food or toiletries inside the tent, yes they will chew through the tent to get to anything they think is food.
- Bring Cash: Fry bread stands near the campground are cash only and they have cold Gatorade. The cafe takes credit cards.
- First Aid: Bring a first aid kit, especially with moleskin, bandaids, and ointment, we saw a lot of people treating blisters.
- No alcohol allowed – this is tribal law and you can be fined, banned, or charged with a felony.
Frequently Asked Questions About Havasupai
1. How hard is the hike to Havasupai?
The hike is about 10 miles one way with a 2,000-foot descent into the canyon. While it’s manageable for most fit hikers, the rocky and sandy terrain can be challenging. Proper preparation and gear are essential.
2. Can I visit Havasupai without a permit?
No, permits are required to access Havasupai, including Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls. Attempting to visit without a permit is considered trespassing.
3. What is included in the camping reservation cost?
The cost of $455 per person covers entrance fees, camping for three nights, and other administrative expenses.
4. Are there options other than camping?
Yes, you can stay at the Havasupai Lodge in Supai Village. Lodge reservations cost $2,277 for three nights for up to four people.
5. What happens if I can’t go after securing a reservation?
Reservations are non-refundable, however Havasupai allows reservations to be transferred through their official system. Log into your account and navigate to your reservation page. You can post transfers publicly on the official Cancellation/Transfer List or initiate a direct transfer to a Potential Alternate Trip Leader (PATL). A 10% transfer fee applies. Once another person pays for the reservation, it becomes valid in their name, and you are credited the amount you originally paid, minus the fee.
6. Can I bring alcohol to Havasupai?
No, alcohol is strictly prohibited on the Havasupai Reservation. Violation of this rule can result in fines, bans, or legal consequences.
7. What should I do if there’s a flash flood?
Familiarize yourself with the tribal safety guidelines and avoid hiking during heavy rain or monsoon season. If flooding occurs, move to higher ground immediately.
8. Are there any dining options in Supai Village?
Yes, there’s a café and a small market in the village where you can purchase meals and supplies. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
My Final Thoughts
Havasupai is a bucket-list destination that requires thoughtful planning, but the rewards-stunning waterfalls and unforgettable memories-are well worth it.
With these tips, you’re ready to secure your permit and have an adventure of a lifetime!
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