Havasupai Falls

Havasupai Falls is an absolutely amazingly beautiful waterfall located in a remote Havasu Canyon in Arizona. It takes a lot of effort to get there, but it's worth it.

The hike to Havasupai Falls begins at Hualapai Hilltop, about 100 miles from Seligman, the nearest town. Many people stay at Flagstaff or Seligman the night before hiking into Havasu, then get up early and drive to the hilltop. The first 1.5 miles of the hike is a steep descent down switchbacks to the bottom of Hualapai Canyon. The rest of the hike is a mostly flat (6.5 miles to the village, or 8.5 miles to the campground) meander down Havasu Wash, which eventually ends at Havasu Creek. From there it is about a 1.5 mile hike to Supai Village, as you now hike through Havasu Canyon. The waters in Havasu Creek are blue-green travertine. The name "Havasupai" means "people of the blue-green waters."

Havasupai Falls is a 2 mile hike past the Supai Village, located just before the Havasu Campground. It is a beautiful double waterfall along Havasu Creek, falling into a crystal clear pool, perfect for swimming. There’s a large beach area in front of the waterfall. You can also get to the top of the waterfall and look down.

Havasupai Falls and the other waterfalls near Supai are all located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. The small village of Supai is home to about 600 Havasupai, whose main industry is now tourism. You will need permission from the Havasupai to hike into the village. The entrance fee cost is $20 per person. A room at the lodge is $75 (single) or $80 (double). The campground is $10 per person. If hiking into the village is too physically demanding, you can ride a horse (or have your heavy packs brought in by horse), or you take a helicopter (operated by Las Vegas-based Papillion Helicopters) into the Supai Village.

The waterfalls along Havasu Creek are good year-round. That is because Havasu Creek flows from a spring, and has constant flow throughout the year. However, if you come in the winter months, you could get a lot of rain and cold weather. And in the summer, it will be very hot (+100F in the valley), and July-August is monsoon season (and this is an area for flash floods). March-April is often recommended as the best time of year to go as you beat the heat and crowds of summer.

You can pitch tent at Havasu Campground or you can check in at Supai Lodge. The lodge is nice and well kept. Food can be had at the village cafe, or at the many "convenience shops" operated by Indians out of their homes. Suffice it to say, dining options are minimal.

Havasupai Falls