Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:17 — 55.3MB) | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS | More
Havasu Falls Hike: Podcast Show Notes
What Is Havasu (Havasupai) Falls and Why Should You Visit?
Havasu Falls is also known as Havasupai falls and is located in Havasu Canyon. Havasupai Falls is located in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon and Havasupai means people of blue-green water. Pai means people. Its turquoise waters are absolutely breathtaking and everyone should experience the beautiful color of these falls at least once in their lifetime (if they are physically able to get there). It is a true desert oasis. While Havasupai falls is the most famous in this area, there are 5 other waterfalls fairly nearby: Fifty Foot Falls, Navajo Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls all worth checking out.
How to Make Reservations to Hike Havasupai Falls
Only 50,000 permits are issued a year to visit Havasupai Falls and you have to be on your game to get a reservation. Whether you are hiking to Havasupai falls to taking a helicopter there (which is on a first-come, first serve basis, more about this later), you will need a permit to go there. Permits for the year become available on February 1st at 8 AM (Arizona time). There are many people trying to get their permit at the same time, so you need to be prepared to be quick at typing and know that your patience might be tested while waiting for the screen to refresh. You can get reservations at Havasupaireservations.com
Length and Costs of Permits to Havasu Falls
All permits are for 3 nights/4 days. If you only want to stay for 2 nights, then you still pay for 3 nights. It costs $100 a night per person for weekday (Mon-Thurs) or $125 a night per person on weekend nights (Sunday, Friday, Saturday). In the past, you used to be able to stay 4 nights, but you can only stay up to 3 nights now.
Hiking to Havasupai Falls – What to Know
There are no towns near the trailhead, so they drove up the night before and stayed an hour away, then started the hike around 4 am the next morning. It first takes 8 miles hiking to get to the town of Havasu, then another 2 miles to get to the campground. That’s a good 10-mile hike before you get to your campground, and there is no water in the first 8 miles. You need to be prepared with sunscreen and plenty of water/snacks to get you through that first 8 miles. Supai village is at the 8-mile mark. There is an office there where you check-in. There is a little grocery store there, a school for the kids, and a little information board for the hikes and maps. Take note that the hike into the canyon is far easier than hiking out.
You’ve got to carry everything you need in, including your tent, water, food, clothes, cooking pans, etc. Rizzo went in the cooler season, so she needed lots of warm clothes to wear. If you’re not the camping type, you can stay at the Havasupai lodge in the village, but you do need to book it well in advance.
When you get to the waterfall hike, make sure you don’t set up camp near the river, as the river rises. Many people camp next to Mooney falls, which is the fall after Havasu Falls. Fires aren’t allowed there, so prepare accordingly.
Alternatives to Getting to Havasupai Falls: Mules or Helicopters
You can take a mule or helicopter in. You do need to reserve mules ahead of time and they can carry your gear for $150 round trip. The Helicopters are first come first serve and the locals get first priority. It’s not a guarantee to get on a helicopter and you are limited to one bag. Cost of the helicopter ride is $85 each way to get to the village, but it’s still 2 miles to the falls from Supai Village.
Havasu Waterfalls – 5 Waterfalls
There are 5 waterfalls on the hike past Supai Village. The first one is Fifty Foot, then Navajo falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls (the largest and most powerful one), the last one is Beaver falls. You want to save Beaver falls for another day, because it’s an additional 4-mile hike and it is highly recommended to check out. At Beaver Falls, you cross over the water multiple times, so bring water shoes.
Mooney falls is not easy to get to. You have to scale down rocks and lower yourself on metal chains to get to it. It’s not recommended to go there if you have limited mobility. It’s very slick and steep. However, it is powerful and large and worth to see if you are in good shape. The water is cold, and it’s fun to jump to in the summer.
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Havasupai Falls Per Person
Your permit will be around $350. If you’re hiking in, that part is free, and you will want to bring some freeze dried food. The hotel the night before is about $100. You could do this trip for about $500 plus travel.
Top Things to Bring to Havasupai Falls
- Water shoes (it will make life much easier)
- All Terrain Hiking Shoes
- Hiking Poles (they will save your life and are needed for Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls)
- Freeze dried food
- Sunscreen
- Lotion
- Toilet Paper (bathrooms are maintained, but there are times when there isn’t toilet paper)
- Baby Wipes
- Backpack
- Tent
- Water/water containers
- Your permit information
- Warm clothes (if not going in the summer)
- Swimsuit
- Camera
Best Time to Hike to Havasupai Falls
Rizzo went in March, however, April is one of the best months in Arizona. Rizzo recommends going in Spring. May through August is extremely hot, and it may be a bit miserable. If you want to be in the water the entire time, then maybe summer is your time, but be prepared for extreme heat.
Can You Visit Havasupai Falls if you have limited mobility or are in a wheelchair?
Rizzo does not recommend it. It’s a 2-mile hike in from the village and the helicopters don’t drop off at the falls. You need to be able to hike to the falls from the Village even if you took a helicopter to the village.
Is Hiking to Havasupai Falls Kid-Friendly?
Hiking to Havasupai Falls is not a kid-friendly hike. That said, it could be a great experience for older kids used to hiking or a hiking trip to bring teenagers on.