DO Pack Water Shoes. If you plan on swimming at all or hiking down to Beaver Falls which requires several stream crossings, you'll want a pair of shoes that can get wet. For a full gear list, check out my Havasu Falls packing guide.
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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.
If you are hiking into Havasu Canyon, be aware that there is no drinking water until you get to Supai Village, 8 miles from the Havasupai trailhead. Bring enough water for your hike, especially in summer when temperatures in the canyon are well above 100F.
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.
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!
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.
There are no garbage cans (pack out what you pack in), and no showers at Havasupai (but you'll be swimming pretty much the majority of each day!) There is a fresh water spigot located near the entrance of the campground that is tested monthly for contaminants.
In terms of facilities, there are composting toilets at various locations in the campground that are normally stocked with toilet paper, but it's always a good idea to bring some just in case! Free overnight parking is available at Hualapai Hilltop which is also where the trail to Havasupai starts.
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.
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.
Havasupai Falls is the most well known oasis in all of the Grand Canyon. The famous photos of turquoise and blue/green waterfalls spilling over rust red and bright orange cliffs deep in the recesses of America's deepest canyon beckons travelers from all over the world to this amazing site.
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.
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.
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.
You must have a permit to hike to Havasu FallsYou must reserve your permits on February 1 when the permit reservation period opens up or they will all be sold out for the entire year.
Calcium carbonate and magnesium occur naturally in the waters that feed Havasu Falls. The waters get their blue color from the magnesium. As the pools deepen, the calcium carbonate is slowly released from the water, creating blue water that becomes more brilliant as the relative magnesium content increases.
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.