So you’re thinking of hiking to Havasu Falls, Arizona?
With 9 miles of cool canyon scenery and that dreamy blue waterfall waiting for you at the other end, I don’t need to convince you that the Havasupai Falls hike is a rewarding one.
But it’s also more challenging than you might think, so you’re going to want to be prepared. Seriously – our trip to Vegas was very welcome after this hike (especially the long bath I had that night!).
In this blog post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hiking to Havasu Falls – and make the most of your trip while travelling responsibly.
Read on to find out everything you need to know about visiting Havasu Falls, including camping in Havasupai, the best time to visit Havasu Falls and what you need to know about the Havasupai Falls camping (because you don’t want to be unprepared for that!).
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Why hike to Havasu Falls
Even though I’ve travelled over 30 states, from Portland to New York, Havasu Falls is still one of my favourite places in the United States – and, given how great the US is for travel, that’s saying something!
I wasn’t massively into hiking before I visited the US, but that quickly changed when I arrived! From Sedona to Zion, there are so many amazing hiking trails, especially in the South West.
The best one, though? It was easily the Havasupai Falls hike.
It’s the kind of place that almost doesn’t look real:
If the photos and videos aren’t enough to convince you, though, here are some of the reasons why my hike to Havasu Falls was the highlight of my first ever road trip from Arizona to California:
Havasu Falls is beautiful
Okay, that’s an obvious one, but I can’t say it enough.
The Havasu Falls waterfall is beautiful, but so is the entire Havasupai hike – even when the Havasu canyon feels like it goes on forever!
It’s impossible to immerse yourself in something as impressive as the entire area around Havasu Falls and not be in awe of how cool it is.
The hike to Havasu Falls is incredible
Don’t mistake ‘good’ with ‘easy’; the hike to Havasu Falls isn’t an easy hike. It’s a 9-mile hike, which will take around 3-5 hours.
On the way in, you have a steep downhill hike for the first half-mile or so.
On the way out, you have to go uphill after a 4+ hike to the bottom of the hill!
But no matter how long it takes you, you can’t deny that it’s a rewarding experience.
You can send a postcard by donkey
Supai village – the village close to Havasu Falls – is the last place in the USA to send and receive its mail by donkey cart.
So if you want the unique experience of sending you loved ones a postcard by donkey cart, this is the place to go!
Just make sure you take a spare stamp and postcard with you – when we arrived, they didn’t have any to buy in the store.
You can go all the way to the Grand Canyon
Whether you hike or helicopter, the Havasu canyon that you’ll take into Havasupai is part of the Grand Canyon.
If you’re not completely exhausted and have extra time on your hands, it’s possible to hike beyond the Havasupai Falls and reach the Grand Canyon.
It’ll be an additional 10-mile hike but undoubtedly an amazing experience.
Preparing for the Havasupai Falls Hike
Just because the hike to Havasu Falls was a real highlight of my travels in Arizona and the USA in general, it doesn’t mean that I enjoyed every second.
The seconds that weren’t quite so enjoyable were nearly always due to my lack of preparation.
As I said before: the Havasu Falls hike requires some advanced planning – so please don’t skip it!
That’s especially true if you’re planning on camping in Havasupai.
The ground isn’t particularly hard to cover and it’s only 9 miles in total, but carrying three days’ worth of camping equipment on your back doesn’t make it any easier.
Here are my top tips for an enjoyable Havasu Falls hike:
- Pack layers. Even in January, I was pretty warm in the middle of day and hiked in just a t-shirt. Aim for a morning or evening hike if you’re planning to visit Havasu Falls in the warmer months.
- Save some energy for the end. Unfortunately, the hardest part of the entire Havasupai Falls hike is on the way out. Right at the end. After hiking a good 3-5 hours through the canyon, camping gear on your back, the final hurdle is an uphill series of switchbacks that feels never-ending. I promise it feels good when you get to the top, though!
- Save some water, too. The final ascent is high. It’s hard, even for an experienced hiker. And I suggest you leave a few bottles of water in the car to gulp down when you make it to the top. But it definitely adds to the post-hike satisfaction.
- Mental fitness is more important than physical fitness. You don’t need to be super fit to attempt the Havasu Falls hike, but you’ll want to be mentally prepared for that final uphill battle. (Or, you know, take a helicopter out… )
- Make sure you book in advance. I got very lucky and managed to get a camping permit without a reservation, but if you’re not so lucky you could end up doing the Havasu Falls hike twice in one day! The phone numbers for reservations can be found on this page. Book in advance to be safe.
How to get to Havasu Falls, Arizona
Luckily for those of who aren’t too gifted at reading maps, hiking to Havasu Falls from there is very straightforward.
So straightforward, in fact, that you’ll feel like you’ve been walking in a straight line forever.
Because the majority of the Havasupai Falls hike is directly through the slot canyon, it would take a very gifted person to get lost.
Click here for my detailed guide on how to get to Havasu Falls from Arizona and beyond.
How difficult is the hike to Havasupai Falls?
Simple doesn’t always mean easy.
If you’re an inexperienced hiker, the hike to Havasupai Falls will be a moderately challenging one.
The Havasu Falls hike, while mostly flat, can be fairly strenuous, especially if you are bringing several days’ worth of camping gear with you.
No matter how experienced you are, make sure you bring plenty of water, set off early and wear good shoes!
Hiking to Havasu Falls vs the Havasu Falls helicopter
If you don’t fancy the hike to Havasu Falls but still want to visit, you can take the Havasu Falls helicopter for around $100.
But I highly recommend going for the full Havasupai hike, even if you only hike one way (hint: hike in).
If you want to attempt the Havasu Falls hike but don’t want the burden or added pain of carrying your camping gear, you can send your bags with the helicopter and collect them once you arrive in Havasupai.
In hindsight, this is probably what we should have done.
Havasu Falls Lodging
If you’re hiking both ways, you’re definitely going to need to stay in Havasupai overnight.
If that’s the case, you have two options to choose between: camping at Havasupai campground or staying in the Havasu Falls lodge.
Havasupai Falls Camping
If you want the full Havasupai Falls experience, take a tent and camp next to the beautiful waters of Havasu Falls.
It’ll add a little extra weight to your bag for the hike, but it’ll be totally worth it when you get to wake up to a view like you’ve never woken up to before.
After all, what could be better than waking up right next to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world?
Making a reservation at the Havasupai Falls campground
If you want to visit Havasu Falls in the summer months, you’ll need to book up early, but it’s recommend to book all year round.
The Havasupai Falls camping area is pretty big but fills up very quickly during peak season.
Havasu Falls reservations can be made by booking online.
The office is only open from 9am to 3pm, Monday-Friday.
Note: There’s a good chance that nobody will answer on your first attempt, so be prepared to call a few times!
Camping at Havasu Falls costs around $30 per person per night in addition to the entry and environmental fees.
If you visit Havasu Falls out of season (December-February), it may be possible to hike or helicopter in and make your reservation on the day, but I wouldn’t advise it.
Havasu Falls Lodge
If you don’t fancy camping at Havasu Falls, you can also stay at the Havasupai lodge... which has very mixed reviews.
There are no other hotels in Havasupai, so it’s your only option, and you’ll also have to book in advance.
The Havasupai lodge has 24 double rooms and costs up to $160 ($145 + 10% tax) for four people.
While the Havasu Falls camping is located right next to Havasu Falls, the lodge is located in the Supai village, 8 miles from the trail head and 1-1.5 miles from Havasu Falls.
It’s an easy hike in to Havasu Falls and shouldn’t take more than 45-60 minutes.
How long is the hike to Havasu Falls?
From the Havasupai trail head, the total hike time to Havasu Falls is around 5-6 hours.
The time it will take you, of course, depends on how fast you hike and whether you stop for breaks along the way (there are lots of fab picnic spots!), but the fastest hikers could probably manage it in around 3-4 hours.
I suggest going more slowly and enjoying the ride.
Related Read: Why everyone should visit Vegas at least once
What to pack for your Havasupai Falls hike
When it comes to packing, you’ll want to keep your hiking bag as light as possible without leaving anything you need behind.
I suggest taking a good hiking bag (like this one, which was designed specifically for women and I LOVE using for hikes in the UK), good walking shoes and layers of clothing for all weather.
Apart from the basics, you’ll want to pack:
Microfibre towel: To save on space and drying time. This one dries quickly, packs up super small and comes in a range of sizes.
Freeze dried food, gas and a pot: There’s a small grocery store in Supai village, but there’s nothing once you get to the Havasupai camping ground. It’s best to order everything you need online in advance and take it all with you to be safe.
A fold up-up cooking pot like this one is perfect for cooking meals like these. Just don’t forget to take a portable stove!
Alternatively, go stove-less with ready-to-eat meals such as these ones – just make sure you pack some reusable cutlery!
Snacks: The 9-mile hike is long, and stopping for a mini picnic makes it much more fun. Pack energy-packed snacks, such as Clif bars and sports pouches, to keep you going.
Water: Don’t take more water than you need for the hike – it’s heavy and you can stock up when you get to Supai. When you get to the Havasupai campground, you can refill your bottle at the spring.
A water filter: While there’s potable water at Havasu Falls, it’s still always a good idea to pack an automatic filter system. LifeStraw is small, cheap and will ensure you never need to worry about having safe drinking water.
Head torch: By far the most useful thing I packed, make sure you pack at least a small torch or headlight (and spare batteries).
Gloves & toque: Since it’s a canyon, it can get pretty cold at night. Pack some warm clothing just in case, even if you’re hiking to Havasu Falls in the summer. If you’re planning to do the hike in winter, you’ll probably want hand warmers to slot inside your gloves.
A portable charger/power bank: As you’d probably expect, there’s nowhere to recharge inside the canyon. There’s not much signal, either, but it’s always good to be able to charge your phone. I always use Anker power banks because they last a really long time.
A camera! You’re not going to hike all that way and not get at least a photo or two of that water, are you? This camera is the perfect compact option for hiking.
A swimsuit: It’s possible to swim in Havasu Falls – even if it might be a little cold at certain times of year! Make sure you pack a swimsuit if you want to enjoy the beautiful blue waters of Havasu Falls to the fullest and see it from another perspective.
If you want to see what the Havasupai Falls hike is like, I filmed two vlogs during our trip: one while hiking to Havasu Falls and one on the way out. Check them out below:
Great videos! When did you go to Havasupai? I’ve never heard of it being that empty. This year is booked solid from February to November.
We went in January and there was only one other couple there! Definitely a great way to beat the crowds if you don’t mind risking the weather :)
Havasu Falls has been on my bucket list for a while now—this guide makes it even more tempting! The hike looks challenging, but that turquoise water is totally worth it. I’m currently planning my USA trip and exploring options to fly into nearby cities like Las Vegas or Phoenix. Can’t wait to experience this in person someday!