Do you need a permit for Havasu Falls?

You must have a permit to hike to Havasu Falls Havasu 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.



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While the exact cost can change from year to year, we estimate the Havasupai permit cost to be around $395 to $500 per person. Typically, a minimum stay of 3 nights and 4 days is required. Reservations are 100% non-refundable and non-transferrable.

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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.

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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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Havasupai Permits & Campground Reservations Be warned, Havasupai camping permits often sell out for the entire season within minutes.

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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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While more powerful than Navajo Falls, Havasu is still mellow enough that you can swim behind the cascading waters and enjoy the approximately five-foot-deep pool at its base.

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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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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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Begin your hike as early as possible to avoid the heat (or if you can't get there early to hike in, aim for the afternoon while giving yourself enough time to get there before dark). The hike in usually takes 4-7 hours and the hike out takes 5-8 hours.

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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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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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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.

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For example, Havasu Falls has a pool at the base of the waterfall that is approximately 10-15 feet deep, while the pool at the base of Mooney Falls is deeper at around 40-50 feet. During the dry season, the water levels in the creek can decrease significantly, which can result in shallower depths in some areas.

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Making Havasupai Reservations. To hike to Havasupai, you'll need reservations. Day trips are not allowed, and the minimum stay is 3 nights if you're camping. You will need either camping reservations to stay in the campground, or you'll need reservations at the lodge.

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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.

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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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The best weather at Havasu is found between March and November, and spring and fall are ideal if you are hiking in and out. The waterfall's cold water feels the best in the heat of the Arizona summer sun, while winter trips offer seclusion from crowds.

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Mosquitoes are a-plenty due to the lush vegetation and water supply among many other factors (Google 'perfumed lotions' + bugs).

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All are located on the Havasupai Indian reservation in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon. The waterfalls of the Grand Canyon are like no other in the world, and visiting them is the opportunity of a lifetime. NOTICE: HAVASUPAI FALLS IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN FEB 1ST FOR 2023 SEASON!

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Because Havasu Creek is fed by a natural spring, it is not prone to drying up like other creeks around Arizona.

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