Havasu Falls is a remote, turquoise-colored waterfall deep in Arizona’s Grand Canyon, reachable only by foot (or helicopter) on Havasupai tribal land. Visiting requires careful planning: permits and 3-night reservations must be booked in advance, and the hike is long and hot. This guide covers everything a casual traveler needs to know (permits, trails, weather, lodging, logistics, and safety) for a trip in 2025.
How can casual travelers visit Havasu Falls in 2025?
Required Permits and Reservations
All visitors (ages 7 and up) must have a paid reservation before entering Havasupai lands. The reservation includes all fees and permits and is valid only for the exact dates booked. Cost: For 2025, campground permits are $455 per person for 3 nights; lodge rooms (Supai village) are $2,277 per room (4 people, 3 nights). (Prices for 2024 are similar.) Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable (except by the official PATL system). The tribe strongly recommends naming one or more Potential Alternate Trip Leaders (PATLs) in case the primary lead can’t go. Only one reservation per person is allowed. Note: Children 6 and under go free with a paying adult; anyone age 7+ needs their own paid spot.
Permits are obtained online via the official Havasupai Reservations website (havasupaireservations.com for camping, havasupailodge.com for lodge rooms). Reservations for the 2025 season open Feb 1, 2025, 8:00 AM Arizona time. (A pre-sale lottery for returning hikers typically runs in mid-December through early January each year.) Because demand far exceeds supply, be prepared to book exactly when they open. Reservations are strictly 3-night minimum stays, usually Thurs–Mon or similar.
Hiking Access (Trail Details)
The only hiking route is from the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead to Supai village (the tourist office/lodge) and then to the campground. The trail is well-graded but long: 8 miles (13 km) downhill to Supai, plus 2 more miles (3 km) to the Campground (total ≈10 mi one-way). Elevation drops from about 5,158 ft at the Hilltop to 3,195 ft at Supai (≈1,963 ft net descent). Most hikers take 4–8 hours one-way, depending on fitness and load. (The return hike gains the same elevation.) The trail begins with steep switchbacks but then levels out; there is no reliable water between Hilltop and Supai, so carry plenty of water (and filter/purification if desired).
No day hikes: Tribal policy forbids day hiking or any entry without an overnight reservation. You must check in at Supai with the trip leader present (with photo ID) before camping. Pack weights (duffels) can be hauled by pack mule service for $400 round-trip per mule; hikers themselves must walk. (A helicopter at Hilltop is only for emergency or tribal use.) The trail is rated moderate to difficult due to length and desert conditions. Temperatures often exceed 100–110°F in summer, and the trail is closed if forecast above 115°F. Dogs and all pets are prohibited.
Best Times to Visit (Weather & Crowds)
The tourist season runs roughly February 1 – November 30. (The campground and lodge traditionally close in December–January.) Prime season is spring and fall: March–May and September–October typically have pleasant weather and (relatively) fewer extreme heat days. Summer monsoon (July–September) brings frequent afternoon storms and flash-flood risk. Indeed, recent years have seen damaging floods that closed the canyon and campsite. Always check weather forecasts before going. The Havasupai Tribe issues heat/hydration warnings in summer. In particular, an excessive heat warning often means avoiding strenuous midday hiking; drink lots of water and electrolytes. Crowds peak on spring break and holiday weeks; permit bookings fill within minutes of opening, so book well ahead.
Lodging and Camping
There are two lodging options: Havasupai Lodge (Supai Village) and the primitive campground by Havasu Creek. Lodge rooms have two queen beds (sleeps 4) and include bedding, towels, toiletries, and electricity. Check-in is 2–5pm, checkout by 11am. The lodge has communal amenities: running water (safe to drink), a lobby fridge and microwave, a few hot plates, and charcoal grills (charcoal sold in town). There is Wi-Fi in the village and lodge, but no TV. Lodge rates (above) cover 3 nights and up to 4 people per room. No pets or smoking anywhere.
The campground is a “free-choice” site along Havasu Creek (no marked campsites) within a ~1-mile area on both sides of the creek. Only stove-top gas canister stoves are allowed (no open fires or charcoal). Composting toilets and spring water are available in the Campground; water at Fern Spring was tested safe in 2024, but campers should treat or filter creek water for drinking. Campground permits ($455 pp) include all fees. Campers must camp only in the designated Campground area, and pack everything out (toiletries and trash) – the tribe strictly enforces a “pack it in, pack it out” policy. Small wildlife (mice, squirrels) is a nuisance; use odor-proof bags or bear canisters for food. Quiet hours are 8pm–5am, and no amplified music is allowed.
Supai Village (on the hike route, 8 mi from Hilltop) has minimal services: a general store and café for basic food/supplies, and limited shower facilities (for lodge guests). No gas or large stores are available in Supai; Peach Springs (66 mi south) is the last full-service town (gas, grocery).
Getting There (Travel Logistics)
The trailhead is Hualapai Hilltop, on Indian Road 18. From Flagstaff or Williams, drive west on I‑40 to Seligman, AZ; then take Historic Route 66 west to Peach Springs, then turn north on Indian Road 18 for 63 miles to Hilltop. (From Grand Canyon Village it’s about 191 miles/4 hours.) The last 30 miles on IR18 is a graded gravel road; allow extra time and drive carefully. At Hilltop, a large parking lot (permit-only) accommodates hikers. Only permit-holders (checked at a checkpoint) may drive up the road and park. There are NO services at the Hilltop – no water, restrooms, or cell coverage.
For emergency or gear transport, the tribe operates occasional helicopter flights out of Hilltop (rare, mostly for critical aid), but helicopters are not available to transport hikers. However, you may hire a pack mule to carry gear (duffels/boxes) uphill. Mule round-trip costs $400 and can carry up to ~250 lb each way. Hikers must carry their own bodies: the hike cannot be skipped except by helicopter evacuation in an emergency.
Safety and Regulations
Havasu Canyon is a desert wilderness; prepare accordingly. Heat and hydration are chief concerns: carry 3+ liters of water per person per day, use sun protection, and avoid hiking during the hottest part of the day. Flash floods are a real danger in monsoon season: NEVER hike during storms, and leave early if rain approaches upstream. In fact, the canyon has suffered several major floods that have damaged trails and temporarily closed areas. Always check updates at help.havasupaireservations.com or tribal Facebook before your trip.
Wildlife: Be alert for rattlesnakes and scorpions in warm months. Store food securely (odor-proof bags) as mice and squirrels are aggressive campers’ pests. An excessive heat warning may trigger trail closures above 115°F. Emergency services are very limited in the canyon, and there is no cell phone service in the canyon. The Hualapai Hilltop radio does have periodic comms, but do not rely on phone; carry a satellite communicator or inform someone of your itinerary. In an emergency, contact the Havasupai Tribal Park office via the number 928‑638‑7888 (this reaches the reservation’s main line). The nearest hospitals are in Kingman or Flagstaff, so plan on self-sufficiency.
Finally, obey all tribal rules. The Havasupai Reservation has many strict regulations: no alcohol, drugs, or smoking anywhere on tribal land. No pets or bicycles are allowed in the canyon. No drones or amplified music. Only camping in the designated campground. Respect sacred spaces and do not take photos of tribal residents or property. Violation of rules (especially alcohol/illicit drugs) is a federal crime on the reservation. In short: pack out all trash, leave no trace, and be courteous to the Havasupai people who call this home.
What makes Havasu Falls different from other US waterfalls?
Havasu Falls is unlike any typical waterfall in the U.S.. It lies on tribal land (Havasupai Reservation) deep in the Grand Canyon, so the only way to see it is a multi-day, permit-only trek. Its pools are famous for vivid turquoise (“blue‑green”) water caused by calcium carbonate deposits – so much so that “Havasupai” means “people of the blue‑green waters”. The falls and pools are set in a narrow canyon of red sandstone, creating striking contrast and seclusion. Access requires an 8–10 mile hike one-way (or helicopter), plus at least a 3-night stay; there is no road. Unlike most waterfalls on federal public lands, Havasu Falls is managed entirely by the Havasupai Tribe, which limits visitors via strict permits and enforces unique rules. The combination of intense effort to reach it, the surreal blue waters, and the cultural significance make Havasu Falls a truly exceptional destination.
What other waterfalls are near Havasu Falls?
Beyond Havasu Falls (the third falls), the canyon holds Navajo Falls (the “original” first falls, mostly rerouted by a 2008 flood), Fifty Foot Falls (Upper Navajo), Lower Navajo Falls (Rock Falls), Mooney Falls (4th falls, reached by a steep trail), and Beaver Falls (downstream about 3 miles, a series of smaller cascades). Hikers often visit several on the same trip.
Are there similar trails to the Havasu Falls hike?
Few trails in the U.S. compare. The Havasu Falls trek is a long desert canyon hike with a guaranteed return on foot. In some ways, it resembles Zion National Park’s Narrows (protected slot canyon permit) or long backcountry trails like Paria Canyon, but those are riverine or slot canyon hikes, whereas Havasu is high desert with falls. The permit requirement and 3-night minimum make it unique—you won’t find a waterfall getaway this remote without government or tribal restrictions elsewhere in the U.S.
What are some quick facts about the Havasu Falls hike?
- The hike is about 10 miles one-way (16 km) from the trailhead to the campground.
- Typical hiking time is 4–8 hours each way, depending on conditions.
- Permits are per-person: as of 2025, $455 per person for 3 nights (camping).
- Elevation change: roughly –1,963 ft (–598 m) on the way down (and +1,963 ft return).
- Size: Havasu Falls itself is about 90–100 feet tall (the main drop).
- The Campground allows up to 12 people per reservation (larger groups can reserve multiple trip leaders).
- Hualapai Hilltop (trailhead) sits at 5,158 ft; Supai village is at ~3,195 ft.
- There is no cell service along the trail or in Supai (some cell at Hualapai Hilltop only).
- The nearest paved road is US-66 at Peach Springs (66 miles south).
What are the entry rules for Havasu Falls?
- Permits required: Absolutely no entry without a valid reservation.
- No day hikes: All hikers must camp; the trail is closed 5pm–5am.
- Age rules: Kids 6 and under go free; age 7+ need paid permits.
- Bans: No alcohol, drugs, or smoking (even at trailhead); no pets or bikes; no drones; no campfires (except gas stoves).
- ID requirement: Carry ID for all adults; the trip leader must check in with the reservation.
