Havasupai Trail

Havasu Falls from the Havasupai Trail

*Updated since 2008 flash flood*

Grand Canyon, Arizona

  • Length: 20 miles (roundtrip)
  • Difficulty: 7/10 ; 1A VI
  • Season: Spring - Fall
  • Type: One-way

Known as the Garden of Eden in the desert, Havasu Falls in one of the most well-known waterfalls in the world. To backpack into the Havasupai Indian Reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon isn't your average day-hike. The 10-mile Havasupai Trail from the Hualapai Hilltop to Havasu Falls (shown on the right) is a long hike, although usually done in one day, with little protection from the boiling Arizona sun. The beautiful turquoise pools and spectacular waterfalls are though considered well worth the hike.

The Havasupai waterfalls and campgrounds lie inside the Havasupai Indian Reservation, and are above the jurisdiction of the Grand Canyon National Park. The Havasupai are intimately connected to the water and the land- the blue-green water is sacred to the Havasupai.

With thousands of visitors attracted to Havasupai's breathtaking scenery, a limited number of visitors are given permits to enter. Thus, reservations for camping and hotels must be booked up to a year in advance. Reservations and camping permit information can be found at the Grand Canyon National Park website or by calling (928) 448-2121 or (928) 448-2141. Havasupai lodging information can be found here or by calling (928) 448-2111 or (928) 448-2201. You may also choose to rent horses and mules to carry your gear. Helicopter service is also available from the Hualapai Hilltop to Supai village.


Trailhead Directions

The Supai village, located within Havasu Canyon, is not accessible by road; the trail to Supai and Havasu Falls begins at Hualapai Hilltop.

Taking Interstate 40, turn north onto Historic Route 66. You may either take Exit 53 and drive about 45 miles northeast, or take the Seligman exit and drive northwest 28 miles. Then turn north onto Indian State Secondary Road 18 once you reach a small sign pointing to Supai. Drive 64 miles on a paved road northeast to the end of the road at the large Hualapai Hilltop parking area. Nearby you will find the Havasupai Trailhead. Be aware that there are no services at the Hualapai Hilltop. Peach Springs and Seligman have the nearest services – gas, food, and water.

 

Havasupai Trail Guide

The 10-mile trail to Havasu Falls is a long, dry, and hot hike from the dry Hualapai Hilltop to the green Havasu Falls. Plan on a 4 - 7 hour hike each way. There is no clean water sources beginning at the trailhead till you reach the village, so plan on bringing about a gallon of water for the hike down.

From the end of the parking area the trail drops dramatically down the sandstone precipice via a series of switchbacks cut into the cliff. After just 1 mile, it has descended 2000 feet to the dry wash in the bottom of Hualapai Canyon. Prepare for the heat, as these first 3 miles offer no protection from the sun. For the next 5.5 miles, the trail follows the gently sloping wash as the canyon drops down through the red layers of Supai sandstone. Shortly thereafter, at 3250 feet, you come to the end of Hualapai Canyon at its junction with Havasu Canyon. Here the nature of the canyon bottom changes as a gushing river emerges from the ground at Havasu Springs.

Havasupai Trail Distances

Important Points

Miles  

Hualapai Hilltop to Supai

8

Supai to campgrounds

2

Hualapai Hilltop to campgrounds

10

Supai to new waterfalls

~ 1

Campgrounds to Mooney Falls

.5

Campgrounds to Beaver Falls

4

Campgrounds to Colorado River

8

Turning downstream beside the river, the majority of the Havasu Falls trail here on out is in the welcome shade of willow, tamarisk and cottonwood trees. It is just 1.5 miles from the confluence to the Havasupai village of Supai. All campers must register at the tourist office in the middle of the village.

Having obtained your permit, you may then proceed on through the village following the trail as the canyon narrows again and begins to drop. You will soon arrive at the top of the spectacular Havasu Falls, 2 miles from the village. This magnificent waterfall plunges about 100 feet into a crystal blue-green pool. It is a beautiful place that alone is worth the hike down from the hilltop. The hiking trail descends steeply to the left of the falls and there is a trail to the falls. The campgrounds are just downstream of Havasu Falls and consists of many well-shaded sites (picnic tables) stretched out along both sides of the river in a narrow part of the canyon. Check the weather forecast before you set out since it may be unnecessary to bring a tent. There is one fresh water faucet along the west wall of the canyon near the beginning of the campsites: Fern Spring. In times past, there have been signs posted advising visitors to treat the water, although many consider it clean enough to drink. You can also use the water downstream of Havasu Falls as long as you treat it. Camping outside of the Havasu campground is strictly forbidden.

From the campground, there is a beautiful hike along the trail that continues downstream to Mooney Falls (pictured), Beaver Falls and the Colorado River. Mooney FallsMooney Falls, some 200 feet of free-falling water plunging into another blue-green pool is an awesome hike from the campgrounds, although the downclimb to the bottom consists of several small tunnels and platforms cut from the travertine rock followed by steep steps and ladders with chains. From the bottom of Mooney Falls the trail, now less used, proceeds north on its way to the Colorado River. Before reaching Beaver Falls, there are several river crossings that could get up as high as your waist. Upon reaching the falls, you will find they are really a series of cascades at the conflux of Beaver and Havasu Canyons, although still very beautiful. The trail continues another 4 miles to the Colorado River at the Havasu Rapids. While it is possible to complete the hike comfortably in two days, most people take several days to truly enjoy it.

 

Flash Flood Damage

After a major flash flood in August 2008 in the Havasu Canyon caused severe destruction, many changes have occurred. Although no human lives were lost, the falls have changed dramatically. Navajo Falls was destroyed in the creation of two brand new waterfalls, unofficially named New Navajo Falls and Rock Falls. Both are located about a mile past Supai. About a mile further, Havasu Falls continues to provide excellent swimming and photo opportunities, although its crest is now flowing out of the right side of the previous slightly higher crest. Mooney Falls had only a minor change. New Navajo and Rock FallsMany of the pools at the bottom of the waterfalls are much smaller with fewer trees. Trails have been rerouted and the campgrounds are much more flat. Flooding is a natural cycle that happens over time and soon Havasu Falls and the surrounding area will look as good as new!



Additional Resources

Trail Maps

Related Links





Comments


Top of Page