Havasu Falls Hike: Podcast Show Notes

Rizzo from the famous Travel Instagram page miss_rizzo, came on Experiences You Should Have Podcast and told her story about hiking to Havasupai falls in Arizona. Rizzo is an Arizona native and has been to over 54 countries.  Please listen to the podcast episode above (or wherever you listen to podcasts)

What Is Havasu (Havasupai) Falls and Why Should You Visit?

Havasu Falls is also known as Havasupai falls and is located in Havasu Canyon. Havasupai Falls is located in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon and Havasupai means people of blue-green water. Pai means people. Its turquoise waters are absolutely breathtaking and everyone should experience the beautiful color of these falls at least once in their lifetime (if they are physically able to get there). It is a true desert oasis. While Havasupai falls is the most famous in this area, there are 5 other waterfalls fairly nearby: Fifty Foot Falls, Navajo Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls all worth checking out.

Havasupai Falls - Photo by Brittany Rizzuto: @miss_rizzo on Instagram

How to Make Reservations to Hike Havasupai Falls

Only 50,000 permits are issued a year to visit Havasupai Falls and you have to be on your game to get a reservation. Whether you are hiking to Havasupai falls to taking a helicopter there (which is on a first-come, first serve basis, more about this later), you will need a permit to go there. Permits for the year become available on February 1st at 8 AM (Arizona time). There are many people trying to get their permit at the same time, so you need to be prepared to be quick at typing and know that your patience might be tested while waiting for the screen to refresh. You can get reservations at Havasupaireservations.com

Length and Costs of Permits to Havasu Falls

All permits are for 3 nights/4 days. If you only want to stay for 2 nights, then you still pay for 3 nights. It costs $100 a night per person for weekday (Mon-Thurs) or $125 a night per person on weekend nights (Sunday, Friday, Saturday). In the past, you used to be able to stay 4 nights, but you can only stay up to 3 nights now.

Photo by @miss_rizzo on Instagram

Hiking to Havasupai Falls - What to Know

There are no towns near the trailhead, so they drove up the night before and stayed an hour away, then started the hike around 4 am the next morning. It first takes 8 miles hiking to get to the town of Havasu, then another 2 miles to get to the campground. That's a good 10-mile hike before you get to your campground, and there is no water in the first 8 miles. You need to be prepared with sunscreen and plenty of water/snacks to get you through that first 8 miles. Supai village is at the 8-mile mark. There is an office there where you check-in. There is a little grocery store there, a school for the kids, and a little information board for the hikes and maps. Take note that the hike into the canyon is far easier than hiking out.

You've got to carry everything you need in, including your tent, water, food, clothes, cooking pans, etc. Rizzo went in the cooler season, so she needed lots of warm clothes to wear. If you're not the camping type, you can stay at the Havasupai lodge in the village, but you do need to book it well in advance.

When you get to the waterfall hike, make sure you don't set up camp near the river, as the river rises. Many people camp next to Mooney falls, which is the fall after Havasu Falls. Fires aren't allowed there, so prepare accordingly.

Photo by @miss_rizzo on Instagram

Alternatives to Getting to Havasupai Falls: Mules or Helicopters

You can take a mule or helicopter in.