Do you need a pack mule for Havasu Falls?

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.



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To hike to Havasupai, you must have reservations to either camp or stay at the lodge. Day trips into Havasupai are not permitted. You will also need to be physically fit – it's a 10 mile hike each way from the trailhead to the campground.

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Havasupai Mules. Pack Mules must be reserved online BEFORE your visit! Between Hilltop Trailhead and Campground Entrance and Back: $400 round-trip.

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ALL visitors must protect their food, trash, and everything with an odor, at ALL times. The only 100% effective method of doing this is for each visitor to bring and use a bear canister (available for rent or purchase at many outdoor gear retailers and also via online stores).

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The waterfalls are not easy to get to There are no roads to the waterfalls only a difficult 10 mile hike in each direction. The hike begins on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, a 4-5 hour drive from either Phoenix or Las Vegas.

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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.

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Watch out for and respect scorpions or snakes. Shake out your shoes before putting them on. It is 8 miles from Hilltop to the village of Supai. The waterfalls and campgrounds are an additional 2 miles from the village.

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Plan to carry 1 gallon of water per person on the hike. There is absolutely any water available on the trail. If you do not have enough water do not start out on the trail.

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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.

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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.

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Pack Mules and Mule Rides to Havasupai Mules will not carry ice chests/coolers. The Havasupai Tribe no longer offers mules rides in and out of Havasu Canyon; they transport gear only, not people. Your only non-hiking option is to ride the first come, first serve helicopter.

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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.

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The best time to visit Havasu Falls is in the late fall, winter or early spring. During the summer months, plan to hike as early as possible to avoid the heat. Remember to bring plenty of water for the hike, as there is no water available for hikers and the trail can be dry, hot and dusty.

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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.

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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.

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The hike into Havasupai is a great one for novice and advanced backpackers alike with options to carry all your own gear or have a mule/packhorse carry the majority of the weight for you. That said, hiking to Havasu Falls is not easy, so plan ahead, prepare for heat, dust, and a long day.

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The water maintains a relatively constant 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Read the guide below to learn more about Havasu Falls weather, or check out our Havasu Falls map to see all Havasupai destinations and attractions!

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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.

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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!

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During 2023, The Tribe will be welcoming tourists back to their lands. Reservations will begin February 1, 2023 for current permit holders.

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