5 Things You Need to Know Before Planning a Trip to Havasu Falls

Are you getting ready to hike to the most spectacular falls in Arizona? Here’s some important information you need to know before planning a trip to Supai - regarding lodging, transportation, rules, regulations, camp essentials and more.

(Blog Updated January 31st, 2018)

1. Lodging

Havasu Falls is getting more popular each year, and it’s getting harder to attain permits and reservations. Luckily, they've built an online registration system theofficialhavasupaitribe.com. The website is far from perfect, but it's a lot better calling the office 100, 200 maybe 1000 times.

If they are sold out online, contact Havasupai Tourism office to book your campsites and/or rooms at (928) 448-2121, 2141, 2237 or 2180. Havasupai Tribe allows 300 people a day during high season and 150 a day during flash flood season. You can also email httourism0@havasupai-nsn.gov. Note, it’s best to call the office between 9:00-10:00 am (Arizona time) on weekdays. The phone line often gets busy during popular times of the year. Be sure to make lodging arrangements three or four months in advance.

Here are the prices for 2018. It includes camping permit, environmental fee, entrance fee and taxes:

2 Days / 1 Night: $140.56 per person
3 Days / 2 Nights: $171.12 per person
4 Days / 3 Nights: $201.67 per person

The village’s lodge information:

Rooms - $175 per night (up to 4 people)
Deposit per room / per night - $60.50
Entrance fee - $90 per person (Will be charged upon arrival)

Just note that all fees are subject to change without prior notice. All fees are also non-negotiable are taxable by 10%.

To make reservations, call 1 (928) 448-2111 or 1 (928) 448-2201 between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

2. Transportation

Hiking isn’t the only option to get to the falls. You can take a helicopter ride to the village. You still need to hike a few miles down to reach Havasu Falls. These arrangements must be made in advance. Be sure to call the office for more information.

One-way trip to or from camp - $132
One-way Helicopter service - $85

If you decide to take the chopper back to Hualapai Hilltop, you must wake up early and save your spot by 7am.

There are mules, horses and donkeys that can carry your belongings, but I highly don’t recommend using these animals. In the recent years, there have been many cases, where these animals were shown to be neglected and abused.

Please only bring things you can pack.

3. Rules and Regulations

Havasupai is located on the south rim side of the Grand Canyon, but it is not really part of the national park. There are rules and regulations you should be aware of such as:

No day hiking allowed
No night hiking
Drones are prohibited
No cliff diving or cliff jumping
Horses have the right of way
No alcohol or drugs
No campfires
No weapons
No nudity
No rock climbing

To learn more, click here.

4. Backpacking List

It’s vital to pack light and only bring the essentials for this trip. The more you pack in your bag, the more strenuous the hike will be.

List:

Backpacking pack
Hiking shoes
Water shoes
Bathing suits / shorts and towel
Lightweight tent or Bivy
Light sleeping bag
Blanket or onesie (I highly recommend bringing a onesie instead of a blanket. It weighs less and it's fun to wear!)
Hydration bladder (at least 2 liters)
Flashlight or headlamps
MRE’s (If you’re a Pescetarian like me, tuna packed in water. It's best eaten with wheat thin crackers. YUM!)
Lightweight cookware
Lightweight stove w/ propane
Sunscreen
Baby wipes
Biodegradable camp soap
First aid kit
Healthy snacks: nuts, dried fruits and coconut juice with protein for energy!
Green tea or instant coffee for cold morning/nights

5. Food Fix

If you’re looking for a hearty meal, the village is the place to be. The nearest café is just two miles away from the campground. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. They accept Visa, MasterCard, money orders and cashier’s checks. They do not accept travelers checks or personal checks.

You should also bring cash in case of an emergency (such as food emergencies!). There’s a booth near the campground that sells sweet fry breads. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this. It’s delicious!

If you’ve been to Supai and would like to add more tips, comment on the section below. I’m sure our fellow adventurers would appreciate it!