How difficult is the hike? The hike to Havasu Falls is ten miles, one-way. We recommend a minimum age of 10. Younger children may be able to complete the hike, if they have hiking experience.
People Also Ask
You must have a permit to hike to Havasu FallsHavasu Falls is on tribal land that belongs to the Havasupai Indian Tribe. The Havasupai Indians require that all visitors reserve a permit in advance. Permits are in high demand because the waterfalls are so popular.
Visiting Havasu Falls requires a strenuous hikeThe hike to Havasu Falls Havasupai is 10 miles in each direction. It is rocky and sandy with very little shade. The hike to the falls is all downhill, which means that the hike back out to your car will be all uphill and is quite difficult. Train in advance.
Yes, you can still swimThe waters of Havasupai aren't just a magical color — they're a magical temperature, too. The water is geothermally heated, maintaining a consistent 70º temperature year-round.
Day trips into the waterfalls are not permitted. In addition, it's important to be physically fit enough to hike the 10 miles to the campground (read more about How to Get to Havasupai.) If you're in doubt, riding a helicopter is an option that reduces the hiking mileage to only 2 miles.
In a post, the Havasupai tribe said it made the decision to raise prices because the popular hiking and swimming spot in the Grand Canyon has gone viral and the demand for permits has greatly increased. “We have many more reservation requests than available campground spaces,” the post said.
Plan Your Trip to Havasupai FallsAny visitor must have a reservation and entrance fees are now paid in advance. The cost is $100-$125 per person/night including all taxes and environmental fees. These fees can be paid upfront online when you make your reservation.
You cannot enter the Havasupai reservation without a permit. You used to be able to take a day hike to see Havasu Falls but day hikes are no longer allowed. To access the Havasupai waterfalls, you will need either a camping permit or a reservation at the Havasupai Lodge, the hotel on site.
Why was Havasu Falls closed for so long? Havasu Falls is just one part of the broader Havasupai Reservation. The unique health-care problems faced by Native American tribes contributed to the lengthy closure, the tribe noted. “We closed our Reservation in March 2020,” the tribe wrote on its website.
Havasupai and Hualapai reservations are both dry reservations. This means they do not sell nor permit alcohol on their land. It also means that if you have it in your possession, you can be fined, banned from Havasupai or charged with a felony with the possibility of up to 1 year of incarceration.
Havasu Falls Crowds: Very crowded. The permits for this hike sell out pretty much instantly. So if you are only looking for solitude… pick a different hike.
From the trailhead, it is an 8-mile, downhill hike to Supai Village (where the tribe resides), and another 2 miles to Havasu Falls and the campground. This beautiful hike can be done with or without the assistance of pack mules and you must book a campground or pack mule permit online before you can hike in.
However, in 2023, visitors are required to stay a minimum of 3 nights. For the 3-night minimum stay, Havasu Falls permits in 2023 will cost $395/per person. Although these are the most expensive permits I've ever paid for, the unworldly experience of hiking to Havasu Falls is worth visiting!
There are vaulted toilets throughout the Havasu campground so you do not need to worry about packing a lot of toilet paper or carrying out your waste unless you have to use the restroom outside of camp. This area is a water source so you should never pee or poop near the water.
Getting a Havasu Falls Permit is arguably the most difficult part of the Havasu Falls hike, and each year getting a permit to hike Havasu Falls gets more and more competitive. In fact, according to the Havasupai Reservations website, most permits sell out the first day reservations open.
All visitors must book a stay at either the Havasupai Campground or the Havasupai Lodge. Both reservations include the permits needed to access Havasu Falls. For 2023, all campground reservations are for four days and three nights and are $395 per person.