Havasu Falls – Havasupai

When Is The Best Time

‘Absolutely Stunning!’ One of the most enchanting places on earth you’ll ever visit! In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know. Scroll down for camping reservation tips and permit (including new prices) updates, lodge reservations, as well as tips and details for the helicopter ride, camping, and the lodge at the end of this guide!

Read our full guide below for booking and reservation tips.

5 Havasupai Tips | Must-Watch Video (Updated)

Thanks, Josh Cohn for the stunning footage.  Please subscribe to his YouTube Channel: Josh Cohn – YouTube. Also, subscribe to ‘Kamikos Gopro‘. Thanks for the awesome heli footage.

Update 2023

It’s not possible to make new reservations and get permits for 2023. Only visitors with reservations that were impacted by the COVID tourism suspension have a confirmed reservation for 2023. The only way to get a permit and a reservation for this year (2023) is to purchase one via the official transfer list. Create an account at www.havasupaireservations.com to see what is currently available.

💡 Where to Stay the Night Before

NEW: In 2023 everyone with a permit reservation needs to check in one day before or on the day of their arrival at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn (Google Maps Location) For reservations see below. If you do not check-in, they will cancel your reservation without any refund option. (read the official text here: Havasupai Reservations)

That means you should make a reservation for the inn as quickly as possible (see the blue box below). Staying there for that one night is essential in our opinion because you can start your hike as early as possible the next morning and in a rested state.

1. You arrive at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn the day before
2. You check in at the inn (a Havasupai employee will be there)
3. You sleep one night
4. You get up early and drive 1.5 hours drive to the trailhead
5. You hike before it gets hot and arrive in great condition

Always check the official Havasupai Reservation site for changes before booking!

Save the link and book your night immediately for the night before your reservation: Grand Canyon Caverns Inn (via booking.com)

When to Go

The best time visit to Havasu Falls is either in early spring or late autumn when the temperature is perfect for hiking, and the conditions are pleasant enough for camping. In the summer it’s even better camping weather, but you need to start your hike early in the morning due to the heat.

However, the falls are accessible year-round and you should be flexible and visit whenever you are able to reserve a campsite spot or the lodge. In particular, we get asked a lot about February, as it’s easier to make a reservation with more spots left during this month.

We recommend going in February, although those who usually only camp in the summer months, need to get accustomed to the cooler nights. We’d do it! Read more details about this month below in the season guide.

Quick Guide | Campsite Reservation

Right here in the blue box, you’ll find a quick guide. Please keep in mind that these tips are for the campground reservations and not the Havasupai Lodge at the falls. This guide will be updated for 2024 soon.

Guidebook Tip | Recommended

Me (Michael), reading the latest edition of the great Havasupai Guidebook

Before you continue reading our tips: There is one (physical) guidebook we highly recommend for ‘Havasupai Falls’. It’s ‘Exploring Havasupai‘. It has insider tips and really fascinating background information. It also identifies many new hikes, mines, springs, and historical sites never revealed before. It includes detailed maps, trail descriptions, amazing photographs, as well as intriguing historical insights.

You’ll love it: Exploring Havasupai on Amazon (‘The best Havasupai guidebook ever!’). It gets better: I recently bought it (see my photo above) from Amazon: Although Amazon says that it’s from 2016, you get the latest edition, which is from 2019. That means it’s fully updated.

Quick tips if you either already made a reservation or want to check for free spots after February: 

• Already made a successful reservation? Then we highly recommend booking the night before at Hualapai Lodge or Grand Canyon Caverns Inn (bookmark the link!). Book as fast as possible before no rooms are left for your date. The lodge is in high demand! This is a 1.5 hours drive only to the trailhead from both: Google Maps Hualapai Lodge > Trailhead or Google Maps Grand Canyon Caverns Inn > Trailhead. See #8 and #9 in the sticky note below. Why to stay there? The trailhead is in the middle of nowhere. You need to get there by car and driving a long distance from any bigger town is too strenuous. Staying at the only accommodation nearby means you can start the hike relaxed in the morning. Read more in our guide below!
• Haven’t made a campsite reservation yet? You can check for cancellations from others as after February/March there are no more spots available via standard reservation: Create an account (see below) on their website. Now, there might be spots available via their online cancellation list! You still need to create an account (see below) on their website to access the list online and make a booking. You may log in every other day and check for any other cancellation throughout the year!
• Haven’t made Havasupai Lodge reservation yet? Almost like with the campground, the lodge is sold out quickly. For the lodge, everything is still done via phone (no online reservation). You need to call them and ask if there are any cancellations. For more details read our main text below.

‘Nearby’ Visiting Tip: Check out our amazing article for hiking THE WAVE (in Arizona). This is one of the most stunning hikes and a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You’ll learn everything, including unique tips on how to win a permit.

Season Guide

Please note, that everything in this article is thoroughly researched, updated, and double-checked. We know that articles on other websites haven’t been updated for a while.

March – April – May

The climate is pleasant and great for hiking. Although theoretically already fully booked, the trail and the campground are often slightly less busy in March. The average temperature in March: 40-70°F (5-21°C) with an advantage: No bugs! The only downside this month: Not warm enough for swimming at times and no blooming fauna and trees yet. In April and May, trees turn green and it gets warmer, which is better for swimming but it’s also more crowded already.

June – July – August

It gets hot. Up to 100°F (38°C). You need to start your hike early in the morning otherwise it can become unbearable. Swimming is excellent with these temperatures outside. The downside: It’s peak season and the place is heavily crowded. You’ll also meet many others on the trail. July and August are monsoon months: There is a chance of thunderstorms and flash floods.

September

Pleasant and still very warm, but another quite busy month. Again, start your hike early! Also, thunderstorms and flash floods can still happen until mid-September.

October – November

In October it’s still pleasant without the summer heat: 48-77°F (9-25°C). Especially until mid-October, it’s perfect for swimming and hiking: It’s hot enough to get wet all day and cold enough to wear a light sweater. In November temperatures drop to 37-63°F (3-17°C), but it’s still a great month and less busy. However, many report it’s not pleasant for swimming any more (read the weather section below).

December – January – February

Means visiting in the winter. It’s low season but everything is definitely accessible. However, it’s too cold for swimming. Not very pleasant for camping as well. It can get freezing cold during the night, especially in December and January: 30-53° (-1-11°C). The lodge might be the better choice during these months. However, if you don’t mind the that it’s colder during the night: It’s a great time for a much quieter, pure nature and hiking experience with less tourists.

In February it’s still less busy and already a little warmer. Also, it’s a lot easier to make a campsite reservation as later months are unavailable! Would we go camping in February at Havasu Falls? Yes! Just be prepared for cooler nights (outside around 33°F/0°C). Although it’s too cold for swimming (read more below), you can enjoy February as it’s less crowded and a great time to take amazing photos.

Weather and Water

The chart below shows daytime temperature details for each month. Please note, that the displayed temperatures are average highs. Especially during the night, it gets a lot colder. The only reliable historic weather source for Havasupai is:  Western Regional Climate Center

What about the water temperature for swimming? In pleasant months like March or late Oct/Nov, visitors report they can’t enjoy swimming, even though the water temperature itself is 70°F year round. That’s because of the much colder outside temperature during these months. The best time to enjoy the water and swimming is April until September.

Where to Stay (The Night Before/After)

The Hualapai Lodge is the closest possible accommodation before driving to the trailhead

Regardless if you’re camping at Havasu Falls or staying at the Havasupai Lodge down there. You need to get to the trailhead or heli take-off site, which are in the middle of nowhere. Where to stay the night before? Closest lodging before the hike (or heli ride) is offered by the Hualapai Lodge (not to be confused with the Havasupai Lodge down at the falls)

Tip: Bookmark the link to have it available right after the campsite reservation). You’ll love the stay and it’s only a 67 miles drive to the trailhead and heli take-off site. The drive takes about 1,5 hours: Google Maps Directions. The rooms are comfortable and very clean. Good breakfast and a really nice restaurant! The Hualapai Lodge is also the best ‘home base’ for any Grand Canyon activities, which you probably plan before or after your Havasu Falls visit. For your Havasu Falls visit it’s definitely the best place to stay before or after. Even more so in the summer, as you need to start your hike early (read below why).

Tourist and Weather Calendar

‘One of the most beautiful places!’ Havasu Falls is a once in a lifetime adventure: The waterfalls, the color of that water, the air in that Canyon, clean, crisp, just stunning. The four waterfalls are some of the most impressive in the U.S.: Fifty Foot Falls just one mile north of the Indian town of Supai. Then Navajo Falls, Mooney Falls and the most popular one: Havasu Falls.

Must-Know Facts

• A permit via reservation in advance is required, always!
• Reservations for campsite and lodges are always handled separately and in different months
• Reseveration process often changes from one year to the next
• Reservations are only transferable via their online system
• No cliff-jumping, no littering and no alcohol or other drugs
• Drones are prohibited

The Best Itinerary

It’s usually a three-day adventure: The First day hiking down (8 miles, strenuous), the second day at the falls, then hiking back on the third day. If possible add an extra day. Then you have 2 full days between arrival and departure to explore and enjoy the scenery. A typical trip schedule could be:

1. Day 1: Hike down
2. Day 2: New Navajo and Havasu
3. Day 3: Mooney and Beaver Falls
4. Day 4: Hike back or helicopter out

Reservations and Permits

To hike there you’ll need a permit, which you’ll only receive by either making A) a campground reservation or B) a reservation for the Havasupai Lodge. Reservations for the campsite always open February 1. For a campground reservation you can either call or use their online reservation system (as of 2018). Lodge reservations can only be made by phone call.

As of 2019, you’ll need to set up an account at www.havasupaireservations.com to make campground reservations easier! LODGE RESERVATIONS: Lodge reservations start in June each year. They are sold out very quick as well. What you need to know for a campsite or lodge reservation:

• Lodge:  Reservations vie telephone only! Check the details and fees here: Havasupai Lodge. Reservation started on June 1 last time and will probably start in June again in the upcoming years. Typically, everything is booked quite fast. However, there are occasional cancellations. You can’t put your name down on a “cancellation list”, but you can call from time to time and ask if there have been any cancellations.
• Campground: Reservations start on February 1 (8 a.m. Arizona time) at www.havasupaireservations.com. Since 2019 it’s necessary(!) to create an account before making an online reservation on February 1. Accounts can be registered from any time.  On February 1: Log in before 8 a.m. to your account and refresh the page at starting 8 a.m. We cannot predict server downtimes or any similar problems. Just be prepared!
• Online Registration Question: Is there any advantage to creating an account as quickly as possible? No, as long as you create one before February 1. However, we suggest creating your account now. Their website/servers may experience some downtimes right before February 1
• Campground Reservation Question: Will campsite reservations via phone still be possible? No! They switched completely to online-reservations. That means reservations without an online account on their official website (see above) are not possible anymore. No phone calls for reservations and no emails
• Campground Prices: The campsite fees in the last year were (will be updated): $100/person per night on a weekday night (Monday – Thursday) and $125/person on a weekend night (Friday – Saturday – Sunday night). All fees, taxes as well as permits are included! All campground reservations will be for 3 nights (4 days).

 

Day Hike Without a Permit?

You are not allowed to hike without a permit. The only way to get a permit is to either make a reservation for the lodge or for the campgrounds. Technically you could get a camping permit to save money (vs. the Lodge permit) and then simply try to hike forth and back on one day.

However, that would be too strenuous and is not recommended. Also, as of 2019, you have to book a campsite for three nights anyway, which makes this ‘suggestion’ useless. PLEASE NOTE: As of 2016, you must have a permit booked in advance. It’s no longer possible to show up and pay double to receive a permit.

The Hike

The hike down begins with a few switchbacks and then a long descent into the canyon. After 8 miles you’ll arrive at the village and register at the tourist office.  They provide you with a wristband for each person registered, as well as a tag for each tent. You must wear the wristband throughout your duration of the visit. From the office, it’s another 2 miles to the Campground.

Between May and  September, you need to start early in the morning, because of the extreme heat. Start at least by 6:30 a.m. and bring enough water! Stay at the closest hotel possible: Hualapai Lodge (1,5-hour drive to the trailhead). If you start late, the hike will be a torture in summer. Depending on your fitness level and hiking experience it’ll take between 4 and 6 hours until you reach the campsite. Trail details:

• Google Hiking Map: Trailhead > Tourist Office > Campground
• Distances: Trailhead > Village: 8 miles, Village > Campground: 2 miles
• Google Maps Trailhead: Havasupai Trailhead

Helicopter Ride

Helicopter Air West (Havasupai) by Peretz Partensky, CC BY-SA

You can fly in and out via helicopter as well. Some opt to hike down and fly out. We wouldn’t fly in, as it’s a very rewarding experience to enter the falls after that hike. If you want to fly out, be there early in the morning. Flights start at 10 a.m., but you should be there much earlier (see below). It’s not possible to make a reservation, only first come, first served. Even if you arrive early, it’s possible that you’ll have to wait for many hours. Helicopter details:

• Fly in: Below the trailhead is a broad shelf where the helicopter lands.
• Fly out: Pickup is between the tourist office and the Café.
• Time: Flights start from 10 a.m. (in and out)  until everyone has been accommodated or until it gets dark. After 1 p.m. you can’t sign-up anymore.
• You have to wait quite a while after signing up. Example: Get there at 9 a.m. and you usually won’t fly out before 2 p.m.
• Sign-up is supposed to start between 6:30 and 7:00 a.m. However, sometimes the ‘sign-up person’ shows up 2 hours later. But still, we recommend being there around 7 a.m. Read this review on TripAdvisor – Havasupai – Heli.
• Fee: $85 per person. Pay via credit card or cash only, when you sign-up before the flight.
• Schedule: March 15 – October 15: Su, Mo, Th, Fr. October 16 – March 14: Su, Fr.

 

Camping

Our Campsite (Havasupai) by D. Patrick Lewis,  CC BY

The ever-popular Havasu Falls camping area is clean and well-equipped, with plenty of space for tents and hammocks.

Location: The camping area is located between Havasu Falls, and Mooney Falls, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) from the Supai village. The camping area is about a mile long, and there are various sites where you can camp or string up a hammock between the trees. Most of the campsites are located on the banks of the river, on either side, with bridges across the river to easily get between the campsites.

You are free to choose whatever campsite you like with your permit, but it is often worth walking a bit further toward Mooney Falls as there are less people, since most people arrive tired from the hike and go for the first spot they find! If you trek on a little bit further, you will be rewarded with a lot more peace and quiet, especially in the lower seasons.

Facilities: The campsite is basic but clean, with its simplicity one of the main appeals. It’s a place to enjoy nature, first and foremost. There is a water tap near the start of the campground, where you can fill up your water bottles to drink. This means if you do camp closer to Mooney Falls, it’s a bit of a walk back to the tap to get more drinking water. There are also picnic tables at every campsite, as well as four toilet blocks that are spread out over the entire mile. Note that they are toilet blocks only, not showers. There is a small store where you can buy basic supplies such as cool sodas, bread, burgers and tacos. The line can be long, but it’s worth it!

Rules of the Campground: As the campsite is on an Indian reservation, there are some rules that must be followed. Not only does this show respect to your hosts (and fellow campers), but it also avoids the possibility of getting a big fine! The most important rules are:

• No campfires at any time of year
• No alcohol or drugs in the campsite
• No drones (if you fly a drone, you’ll get a $1000 fine, and probably have it confiscated!)

Fees: 2019 fees are listed in our paragraph above: ‘Reservations and Permits’ (just scroll up). The fees allow for the campsite to remain open and well-maintained.

Tips for your stay at Havasupai Campground

1. Make sure that you hang up all of your food and store it securely! The campground is home to some extremely mischievous squirrels who will stop at nothing to steal your food unless it is packed away securely. Don’t go hungry by losing your food to these squirrels!
2. Bring some flip flips or sandals for wearing around the campground. It is tidy and clean, so there are no problems doing so, and your feet will really appreciate the rest before heading back on the trail the next day.
3. Bring some cash for your stay, in case you want to buy something from the store or the Supai village. Some Havasupai sell beautiful jewellery and crafts as well, and you might want to pick something up as a reminder of your trip.

The Lodge

Havasupai Lodge – Photo by Harold  J. Willome

An alternative to the campground is to stay at the Havasu Lodge, which offers a few “mod cons” that the campsite doesn’t, such as showers and air-conditioning. It’s particularly popular during summer, as it offers respite from the hot temperatures.

Location and Facilities: The lodge is located near the Supai village. It is a basic lodge, with a selection of air-conditioned double bedrooms (with two double beds, sleeping a maximum of four). The rooms are spacious, although they are very basic. There is no television, but there is wi-fi. There is also a shower, which has warm water.

There is a reception desk that has advertised lobby hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm although it doesn’t strictly follow that schedule and it is not unusual to find the desk unattended. Check in is strictly from 1:00pm.

Nearby, there is a restaurant which is open from 7:00am to 6:00pm and serves a variety of basic meals (mostly fried). There is also a shop that is also open from 7:00am to 6:00pm. As all items need to be carried in by horseback, the items are limited but you can definitely pick up the essentials.

Fees for Booking: Bookings must be made by telephone (be prepared to call multiple times to get through), and can be cancelled up to two weeks in advance for a full refund. Be sure to book well in advance — bookings for 2019/2020 opened in June 2019 and sold out within weeks. The fees and reservation details (only via phone for the Lodge), can be found here: Havasupai Lodge – Details

Tips for your stay at Havasupai Lodge

1. You may need to call multiple times, over several weeks, to get through to make a reservation. There is only one phone line and the person is very busy. Don’t give up! Please note, that the reservation process for the lodge may change from one year to the next. For example they might switch to online reservations.
2. Even if all the rooms are sold out when you try, you may be able to get in when there is a cancellation (see above: Reservation/Permit) .
3. Don’t expect to check in before 1:00pm, so there’s no need to be in a hurry to arrive! Enjoy the hike instead. However, that’s only true for cooler months. From late spring until early fall, you should definitely start your hike early because of the extreme heat.

Maps

• Road / Trail Map
• Terrain Map