Ultimate Guide to Visiting Havasu Falls: Permits, Attractions, and Visitor Etiquette

The beauty of Havasu Falls needs little explanation. The waterfall tumbles over fiery red rock and plunges into a turquoise pool that appears almost surreal. This stunning location has attracted visitors from around the globe, particularly after it closed in March 2020 for the pandemic and subsequent flooding, which only heightened travel interest.

This year marks the first opportunity for travelers to visit Havasu Falls since early 2020, although it requires thorough planning and a strenuous hike to reach. The falls are situated west of Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona, specifically within the Havasupai Reservation, a Native American reservation for the Havasupai people. It’s essential to respect this managed landscape to preserve it for future visitors and the Tribe.

Permits for visiting Havasu Falls and the surrounding areas are limited, making the securing of one a matter of good fortune alongside ample planning. Those fortunate enough to obtain a coveted permit must prepare to undertake a challenging trek into the remote falls or arrange for a helicopter ride.

This process can be quite intricate, and misinformation can be prevalent. We’ve summarized the essentials below; however, for accurate information, rely on official Havasupai-managed websites such as TheOfficialHavasupaiTribe.com and HavasupaiReservations.com.

When to Visit Havasu Falls

The official tourism season spans from February to November; however, the peak visiting months tend to be from May to September. It’s important to consider that temperatures can become exceedingly high during the summer months of June to August, and rainfall may cause flooding. May and September often provide more temperate weather, but the turquoise pools at the base of the falls maintain a steady temperature of around 70°F year-round.

For accurate weather forecasts in Supai, the capital of the Havasupai Reservation, visit weather.com.

How to Get a Permit for Havasu Falls

To access Havasu Falls, a campground or lodge reservation is essential, encompassing all necessary permits, tags, fees, taxes, and entry passes. To secure a permit, visitors must make a reservation at one of the campgrounds or lodges via HavasupaiReservations.com.

Reservations for the 2023 season opened on February 1 and filled up rapidly. Those still hoping to visit Havasu Falls this year can check the official Havasupai reservation site daily at 8 a.m. (GMT-7) for any canceled or transferred reservations.

Choosing Between the Campground and the Lodge

All visitors are required to stay at either the Havasupai Campground or the Havasupai Lodge, with both options providing the necessary permits to access Havasu Falls.

For 2023, campground reservations are for four days and three nights, priced at $395 per person. The camping is dispersed, allowing visitors to camp freely along both sides of Havasu Creek for about a mile. The campground, centrally located between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls, affords easy access to the area’s major attractions. Facilities such as restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking water are available; however, campfires and alcohol are not permitted.

Reservations for the lodge, like the campground, cover four days and three nights, with a room rate of $1,980. Each room accommodates up to four adults with two queen beds, which brings the per-person nightly rate to $495 for a group of four. Located in the community of Supai, the lodge is a two-mile hike (approximately 45 minutes) from Havasu Falls. Visitors can find a store and cafe for food purchases. Note that the Havasupai Lodge is scheduled to reopen in July 2023.

Hiking Into the Havasupai Reservation and Havasu Falls

The falls, campground, and lodge are situated within a canyon, requiring visitors to leave vehicles at the top and hike down. Most travelers utilize the Hualapai Hilltop as their starting point for the eight-mile trek to the community of Supai, where the Havasupai Lodge is located. Those with campground reservations must continue for an additional two miles. A detailed map is available on the Havasupai website.

To alleviate the burden of carrying all gear, travelers can reserve a pack mule. This service costs $400 for a round trip, with each pack mule capable of transporting up to four 32-pound bags. Additionally, helicopter services are available for worry-free access into the canyon if desired.

What to See Besides Havasu Falls

While Havasu Falls garners significant attention, neighboring waterfalls such as Navajo Falls above, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls below offer equally impressive sights. Hikers en route to Havasu Falls will naturally pass the magnificent Navajo Falls, a lush series of cascades and pools.

About a mile downstream lies Mooney Falls, an awe-inspiring waterfall plunging 100 feet into beautiful travertine pools of blue-green water. For a quieter experience, visitors can venture to Beaver Falls, located approximately three miles from Havasu Falls and the campground, featuring a series of swimmable pools fed by cascading streams.

Additionally, as the Havasupai Reservation is nestled within a canyon on the borders of Grand Canyon National Park, visitors can enjoy breathtaking canyon and desert landscapes along the trail, at the campground, and around the falls.

Cultural Importance of the Havasupai Reservation and Havasu Falls

The Havasupai people have traversed the Grand Canyon region for centuries. However, the establishment of the Havasupai Reservation in 1880 confined the Tribe to the canyon’s base, severely limiting their ability to hunt, cultivate food, and sustain their community. Nevertheless, the reservation encompasses Havasu Falls, historically significant to the Tribe for cremation purposes. The very name “Havasupai” translates to “people of the blue-green water,” reflecting their connection to the pools found at the base of the falls.

Rules for Visitors to Havasu Falls

Visitors to the Havasupai Reservation and Havasu Falls must adhere to several regulations. Campers are required to use bear canisters and bags to secure food and discourage wildlife, and campfires are prohibited. Additionally, all visitors need to note that alcohol is strictly forbidden on the reservation, and all items brought into the area—including trash—must be taken out upon departure.

Where to Stay Nearby

Given the lengthy hike to the Havasupai Lodge and Campground, most travelers opt to stay near the trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop. A popular choice includes Grand Canyon Caverns Inn, conveniently located on Route 66 near Seligman, Arizona, just over an hour’s drive from Hualapai Hilltop.

How to Get There

One of the aspects that make Havasu Falls so appealing is its challenging access—rewarding those prepared to make advance arrangements and hike to witness the pristine beauty of the falls and the surrounding canyon.

The trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop is approximately three hours by vehicle from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) and over 3.5 hours from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas.