Everything you need to know to plan your hike to Havasupai

While no actual gold resides in Havasupai, it is among the gold standard of places to visit in the United States. With majestic waterfalls, stunning blue-green water, and towering canyon walls, there’s something for everyone in this desert oasis. Before you get going, you need to plan your hike to Havasupai to most enjoy it.

It’s truly a magical place and you won’t be disappointed on bit once you’re down there.

Plan your hike to Havasupai

Getting reservations:

The Key Info: When can you apply: February 1 at 8 am AZ time Where: It is all online this year. Don’t call. Costs: $100 a weekday night/ $125 weekend night Stay Length: Newly mandated 4 day/3 night More Info: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Havasupai/permalink/397890597647666/

If you’ve ever been a camp counselor and have witnessed hundreds of screaming children run off multiple busses at the same time, you have an idea of what applying for Havasupai permits is like.

At 8 am Arizona time, the site will automatically refresh and the frenzy will have been unleashed. Before then, however, you’ll want to create your account.

This shouldn’t be a shocker to anyone, but weekends will go first, and March through May and September to October will be the first options swooped up. Even though you’re surrounded by water, temperatures in Havasupai can still hit 100+ during the summer months. This is my first of surely many warnings to not take Arizona hiking lightly. It can and will kill you if you don’t prepare.

The most expensive a trip will cost is $350 per person (Ex: Fri-Mon) and the cheapest would be $300 (Mon-Fri).

What to bring

Now it’s time for the fun.

What to bring on your four-day, three-night adventure into awesomeness? Whatever you want. Okay, moving on now.

Just kidding, I’ll walk you through the main things you need to plan your hike to havasupai and offer up some other ideas if you don’t care about weight.

Priorities: These are your must-haves for the trip down.

60+L backpack, Tent, Sleeping Bag/Quilt, Sleeping pad, Hiking Poles, Sunblock, Hat, Sunglasses, Hiking Boots, Socks, First Aid, Water Filter (But there is running drinking water so not a necessity), Stove, Fuel, Food for four days, Water Shoes, Clothes (determined by the month you go), Hygiene Essentials, Headlamp, Trash bags, Rope, Food Storage Bag

Nice to have but I’d recommend:

An inflatable pillow, camera/phone, utensils, hammock, cards/games, book

If you’re curious about everything I brought last year, see here.

Getting to the bottom and What to do down there

The Key Info:

Trail Head to Campground: 11 miles

Campground to Mooney Falls: 1 mile (depending on where you camp)

Campground to Beaver Falls: 3.5

Campground to Confluence: 8 miles

The hike down into Supai is hardly more than a walk. The first mile to a mile and a half is the only noticeable elevation change you’ll encounter before the waterfalls. The rest is going to be flat – though some of it is walking in sand and loose gravel which can add difficulty to it. If you’re in excellent shape and don’t stop for long, you can get to the campground in under 3.5 hours. For others who will take a slower pace, expect to spend around five hours walking.

(I’m purposely not talking about the helicopter. Don’t be that person. Havasupai needs to be earned.)

Once you enter the village of Supai, your group leader will need to register and get everyone wrist bands. You can’t miss the check-in spot. After this, you’ll have a casual one mile walk towards the campground.

When you arrive, campsites are in a first come, first serve style. Each site is more or less designated by a picnic table. If you’re closer to the village, you’ll be closer to the drinking water and Havasu Falls. If you’re closer to Mooney Falls, you’re obviously farther away from the village and/or drinking water. Also, be aware that there are compost bathrooms throughout the campground (I think two), so be strategic with those as well.

The Waterfalls:

Navajo Falls is technically the first waterfall you’ll see as you make your way towards the campground. Recent flash floods have altered the landscape and thus the waterfall itself. I never went down to the water here but saw others doing so.

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is the first iconic waterfall you’ll pass, about a quarter mile from the campsite. You’ll surely stop and take a plethora of photos which no one can judge you on. This is a great spot for a lazy day as it won’t have as many people trekking through it compared to Mooney Falls and it will have better sunlight.

Mooney Falls

To reach the base of Mooney Falls, you must traverse the entire length of the campground and then make your way down a handful of ladders which might make your stomach drop a bit. As you get closer towards the water, the mist will make them slippery. Go very slow here.

Beaver Falls

After you make your way past Mooney and away from the water, you’ll enter a very different landscape. You’ll be surrounded by towering canyon walls and grasses/bushes that reach your chest. There are surely a couple routes to Beaver but the one I did had us crossing water a couple times and brought us above and slightly past Beaver where people will cliff jump. You’ll hardly be the only person on this route, so you won’t get lost.

Confluence

I’ve never been but supposedly it’s amazing. About four miles past Beaver Falls is the Confluence where the turquoise green of Havasu Creek meets the muddy brown waters of the Colorado River. This is your end. Seriously. Don’t try to go too far into the Colorado River or it could easily sweep you off your feet and take you to Mexico (just kidding, hopefully, you’d find help before that). If you go all the way, you’ll want to start quite early in the morning as you’ll lose the sun behind the canyon walls much earlier than you expect.

Wrapping Up

Now that you must stay three nights, a trip to the Confluence is much more doable. Plus, it also allows for a complete lazy down there, which, in my opinion, should be fully taken advantage of. There’s nothing better than spending some quality time hammocking in the beauty of Havasupai. Additionally, remember to be respectful of the land and follow Leave No Trace principles. This is Native American land and they’re generous enough to let us spend some quality time in their homeland.

Hopefully, this helps give you an idea of how you plan your hike to Havasupai. Wishing you all the best in paradise.

Until next time adventurers, take care and be safe.

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