Backpack – You are going to need a legitimate backpack, a simple Jansport won’t cut it. I would recommend at least a 50 liter pack. You can find some of the lower end packs for around $50 – $75, but you’ll be better off investing in a quality bag that you can use long after you leave Havasupai. Osprey makes some of the best backpacks in the market. I own the Osprey Atmos 65, and it was perfect for the trip. You can also rent backpacks at several stores (like REI) for around $20 a day.

Lightweight Tent / Hammock – While you can do without a tent or hammock, you will want to bring one. It can get pretty windy in the canyon, and combined with the dust, can make for an unpleasant experience. Most lightweight backpacking tents will run you north of $200. A $20 Walmart tent will do, but at the cost of adding several pounds to your pack. I went with the The North Face Kings Canyon 3 Tent . The tent is lightweight, has good ventilation, and provides excellent coverage against the dust and any inclement weather.

Sleeping Bag – This is one of the items I neglected on my trip, and my girlfriend and I quickly discovered that it can get pretty chilly at night during the spring and fall months. We had brought a light blanket, but I would recommend bringing a light sleeping bag. Again, the lighter the weight the better. A sleeping bag like the Marmot NanoWave 55 will keep you sufficiently warm for the chilly Havasupai nights.

Hydration Bladder – This is the single most important item to have on your trip! You will be hiking over 8 miles in the heat without a water station, so having at least a 2 liter hydration bladder is a must! An antimicrobial bladder by Camelbak or Osprey with a 2-3 liter capacity should do the trick.

Stove/Fuel – Nothing beats a hot meal after a long time of hiking. Having a lightweight, easy-to-use stove to boil water and cook food is the way to go. My friends brought both the MSR Pocket Rocket and the Jetboil Cooking System . Both were great for boiling water to use for MREs, Top-Ramen, instant coffee, and cooking eggs. Remember to get the proper fuel tank for your stove, as most backpacking stoves aren’t compatible with the traditional Coleman propane tanks.

MREs – Meals ready to eat are a great way to have a hearty meals without adding a ton of weight to your backpack. We went with the Mountain House brand and they were great. All you need to add is boiling water, and you have beef stroganoff, lasagna with meat sauce, or beef stew (my groups’ unanimous favorite). The package says 2 – 3 servings per pack, but one hungry man can easily wolf down one on his own. Top Ramen is also a quick, easy meal to bring to Havasupai.

Cookware / Utensils – What good is bringing supplies for hot meals if you don’t have anything to cook it in? Bring some lightweight cookware to boil your water in and prepare your hot meals. I went with the Emergency Zone Lightweight Mess Kit and it was great for the trip. I would recommend picking up some reusable utensils as well.

First Aid Kit – It is always a good idea to carry a first aid kit. Bands-aids, blister bandages, alcohol wipes, and an ace bandage should all be included in your pack.

Flashlight / LED Lantern – At night it is pitch black, which is great for enjoying the stars, but not for wandering to the campground bathrooms. You will want to bring a flashlight, LED lantern, or headlamp, as well as a spare set of batteries.

Hiking Shoes / Hiking Socks / Water Shoes – The hike to the campground is nearly 11 miles from start to finish, you will want to make sure you have quality hiking shoes that are broken in. I made the mistake of having wearing shoes that I wore 2-3 times (not hiking) and I ended up with huge blisters on the balls of my feet. Hiking socks are important to wick away moisture to help prevent blisters from forming. Bringing a pair of water shoes allows you to hike through the water without injuring your feet on the jagged and slippery rocks. Bringing these shoes allows your to hike through the water on the trek to Beaver falls, which makes the hike much more enjoyable. The Speedo Men’s Surfwalker Pro 3 worked perfectly for my trip. I would avoid Mary-Jane style water shoes, the opening on the top allows for small rocks to get into your shoes.

Sunscreen – Once the sun rises over the canyon, you are going to want to make sure you put on some sunscreen. Work on that farmers tan, but make sure you have some SPF 30+ on.