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Havasu Falls in the Havasupai Reservation

Supai, Arizona

4.7/5
based on 23 reviews

Details

Distance

10.4 miles

Elevation Gain

1647 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jason Hatfield

Havasu Falls will take you on a trek to an oasis of cool blue water and thundering falls deep in the Havasupai Reservation.

The Havasupai Reservation is a remote area just outside Grand Canyon National Park, full of blue-green water and dramatic waterfalls.  Despite being an extremely isolated location, camping in the canyon is overwhelmingly popular and reservations are required. On popular weekends you will be sharing the campgrounds with hundreds of others but shoulder seasons can bring some respite. 

The trail to Supai Village starts at Hualapai Hilltop and is downhill the entire way. There is little cover, so lots of water and an early start is recommended; the way back will be even tougher. Once you reach the village you will pick up your permits and maps, any items needed from the small market, and continue another 2 miles to the campgrounds.

After setting up camp, Havasu Falls is a short trip back up the trail and your best bet after a long day of hiking. The following day you can spend time exploring Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, and the surrounding canyon down to the Colorado River; the full hike is 16 miles round-trip. After Mooney Falls the trail is much more rugged and includes multiple water crossings and some rock scrambling. If you have your camera with you I recommend waterproof protection while hiking in the deeper parts. 

Please be mindful on this trip and make sure you pack out whatever you pack in. Also please be cognizant of animal safety if you choose to use assistance on your hike in. 

Here is a great guide for everything you need to know for your trip to Havasupai.

Here are some of the key attractions along the trek:

Beaver Falls

Mooney Falls

Hidden Falls

Navajo Falls

Confluence of the Colorado River and Havasu Creek

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    Features

    Camping
    Photography
    Backpacking
    Hiking
    River
    Scenic
    Waterfall
    Swimming Hole

    Havasu Falls in the Havasupai Reservation Reviews

    Get ready to park your car and head out on foot, there are no roads to the falls. It's a decent hike but there's a treasure at the end. The turquoise water and the red rock formations are so incredible. You do not want to miss an opportunity to see Havasu Falls, it's a memory that will last a lifetime.

    This is a great hike, worthy of your bucket list. It's also fairly easy to attain. Hiking down is most definitely the best way to experience everything this adventure has to offer, but taking the 5 minute helicopter ride is ok too. There really isn't any combination of words that exist that can describe just how special this place is. It's unlike any other place in Arizona and very few places in the world can compare to the beauty that resides here. Havasupai is gaining more and more popularity, so I highly recommend planning your trip during the week, finding a free weekend to explore this area will be difficult and if you are able to get a permit, you will be with hundreds of other people. It's a completely different experience when you're sitting in the blue pools of water by yourself, hypnotized by the power of the waterfalls.

    This place has it all! Open majestic desert, amazing scenery and powerful, awe-inspiring waterfalls (the Supai village is quite fun as well), and some of the best cliff jumping! I would strongly recommend the day hike, although I've personally only gone as far as Beaver Falls. Of all the backpacking adventures I've been on, this tops the list as the funnest!

    Leave No Trace

    Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

    Nearby

    Confluence of the Colorado River and Havasu Creek

    Mooney Falls

    Beaver Falls

    Navajo Falls

    Hidden Falls in the Havasupai Reservation

    Thunder River Loop