Backpacking to Havasu Falls: A Magical Place!

Havasu Falls is a beautiful oasis of blue-green water and thundering waterfalls that is located deep in the Grand Canyon. Havasu Falls is sometimes called “Havasupai Falls”  It is a part of the canyon that is owned and managed by the Havasupai Indian Reservation. All of their supplies and mail are brought in via pack-animals and helicopter.

In order to visit Havasu Falls, you are required to obtain a permit from the tribe.

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Most permits sell out the first day reservations open. You are REQUIRED to have a permit PRIOR to your visit, so there is no walk-ins, and no “day hiking” allowed.

For 2019, the pricing is as follows (including all tax and fees):

• $100 per person per weekday night
• $125 per person per weekend night (Friday/Saturday/Sunday nights)

There are 5 Havasupai Falls in the Havasupai Indian Reservation: Navajo Falls, Fifty Foot Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls.

I had the opportunity to hike in September when the weather was really pleasant. The hiking in the Havasupai canyons is said to be the most beautiful hiking and scenery in the entire country and I agree. It is impossible to describe the beauty of this area. I am so thankful to the Havasupai people for sharing this natural wonders of these waterfalls and land.

If you have not been yet, then this is a must see place. There is a lot of planning to be had as every year the number of people that goes increases because people always want to return.

Another way you can get to the falls is by riding a mule or a horse. You have to make a reservation request ahead of time online.

The most expensive way is by helicopter. The cost for a helicopter ride into the canyon is $85 per person each way.

This is a 10 mile one-way hike that is moderately difficult. We started at 9am and and the first 2 miles are downhill with a 2000 foot elevation change. If you decide to hike out, the last 2 miles are up 2000 feet.

It is 8 miles from trail head (Hualapai Hilltop) to the Supai Village. (The store and cafe are two miles from the campground). You will need to bring everything you need to survive for the weekend in your pack. The hike can take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours.

* WATER: There is a spring in the campground that we used. You can bring a water filter if you have one.

* FOOD: The village has a small store and cafe to purchase limited food items.

There are no alcoholic beverages allowed in the reservation. Also prepared to pack out your own trash.

We camped for two nights.

We flew out with our pack in our lap. It was a 5 minute ride. The locals have priority on the helicopter and it is first come first serve. We waited 4- 5 hours but the time went by fast as there was so much going on around you.

The helicopter only flies on SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. You can pay for this at the hilltop.

It was a truly memorable adventure!