The 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.
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The trail is downhill on the way in and uphill on the way out. The best time to visit Havasu Falls is in the late fall, winter or early spring.
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 is probably the best waterfall for swimming. It's much more powerful than Navajo Falls, but still totally swimmable and even non-swimmers can enjoy the refreshing water there. There's a large pool that's about 5ft (1.8m) deep.
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.
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.
Lake Havasu City has great beaches—ocean not requiredUnlike the ocean, this clean freshwater lake has no riptide currents or dangerous aquatic species to worry about—just beautiful, open water surrounded by 400 miles of stunning coastline.
You must stay overnight at Havasu FallsNo day hiking is allowed. It is easy to spend 3 or more nights at Havasu Falls and exploring Havasu Canyon. There is a lot to see and do in the canyon. If you visit for only one night you will not have the chance to see much.
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.
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.
Dry heat is most often experienced in the west, particularly the desert southwest, as in Lake Havasu. Lack of moisture in the air accounts for our low humidity, lack of clouds, and abundant sunshine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are two stores in the village where food is available for purchase - the Supai Store and the Cafe. Is there a place to store perishable food items? Lodge guests have access to a communal fridge in the front lobby. The lobby is open during normal business hours; 7 days a week, 8am - 5pm.
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.
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.