- \n
- <\/span>Trail map (with GPS file) and details and how to prepare for the 10-mile hike to the campground<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>My suggested itinerary for making the most of your backpacking trip<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>How to get a Havasu Falls permit with the process being so competitive<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>The backpacking gear you need for the actual hike, exploring the waterfalls, and for an enjoyable camping experience<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Everything you should know about the campground and tips for getting a good campsite <\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>The best time to visit Havasu Falls<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>How to Leave No Trace and be a responsible and respectful visitor to the Havasupai Reservation<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>How to get to Havasu Falls without hiking<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
This post is a lengthy one, but by the time you’re done reading, you’ll feel confident, excited, and prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime backpacking trip to Havasu Falls!<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\nRead these other Havasu Falls Posts:<\/h5>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>How to Get a Havasu Falls Permit<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Havasu Falls Packing List<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>5 Amazing Waterfalls of Havasupai<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHavasu Falls Hiking Map and GPS File<\/h2>\n
Below is the trail map that I created for my Havasu Falls hike. If you have a GPS, you can download the Havasu Falls GPS file here<\/a> for free and upload it to your GPS. If you don’t have a GPS, Gaia premium<\/a> is $4.99 a month and will allow you to access this map on your phone when you are offline. <\/p>\n
Havasu Falls Itinerary<\/h2>\n
Permits for camping at Havasu Falls are good for 3 nights \/ 4 days. So how should you spend your time? Luckily there is so much more to do than visiting Havasu Falls. There are a total of 5 waterfalls in Havasu Canyon<\/a> that are worth exploring on your camping trip. <\/p>\n
Here is my suggested itinerary for a perfect Havasu Falls camping trip:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>Day 1 – Hike from Hilltop to Havasu Falls Campground<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Day 2 – Day hike to Mooney and Beaver Falls:<\/strong> This is a 7-mile round-trip hike and is a must! <\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Day 3 – Explore Havasu, Navajo and Fifty Foot Falls: <\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Day 4 – Hike from Havasu Falls Campground back to Hilltop<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Beaver](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\")
Beaver Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Havasu Falls Trail Description<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTrail Stats<\/h3>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>Distance:<\/strong> 20 miles round trip (not including day hikes to lower falls)<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Type:<\/strong> Out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Elevation Gain:<\/strong> +\/- 2,200 feet<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Time<\/strong>: 4-7 hours<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Difficulty<\/strong>: Moderate-Hard<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Trailhead<\/strong>: Hualapai Hilltop<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The total distance to the Havasu Falls campground is approximately 10 miles one way. The trail begins at the Hualapai Hilltop parking lot at an elevation of 5,200 feet.<\/p>\n
From the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead, the trail begins an immediate 800-foot descent over the first mile<\/strong>, dropping you into Havasu Canyon which you can see below.<\/p>\n
The hike on the way in is long but not too difficult and the initial descent is on a well-maintained series of switchbacks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Once you reach the wash, the trail follows a dry river bed for the next 6.5 miles, gradually dropping another 1,200 feet<\/strong>. Here, the hiking can be a bit slow due to the sandy gravel, but the trail is very easy to follow.<\/p>\n
If at any point you think you\u2019ve lost the trail, just keep following the river bed until you meet back up with the worn path.<\/p>\n
As you get closer to the Supai Village, the canyon chokes up and gets narrower<\/strong>. Here we were able to get some reprieve from the sun.<\/p>\n
At 6.2 miles, you’ll reach an intersection with the Supai Trail and Havasu Creek<\/strong>. Here you’ll turn left. Soon you’ll start to see homes belonging to the Havasupai people. Stay on the trail and follow the signs to the village.<\/p>\n
At mile 7.5, you’ll enter Supai village<\/strong>. No photos or videos are allowed in this area, and there may be signs asking you to wear a face mask as you walk through the village. Please be respectful and obey the current wishes of the Havasupai Tribe.<\/p>\n
In the village, once you get to the Village Market, the road turns left. Continue on here and follow any signs pointing you towards the campground.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nOnce you pass through the Supai village, it\u2019s another 2 miles and 150 feet of elevation loss down to the Havasupai campground<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
Before you get to Havasu Falls, you’ll pass two other waterfalls at the halfway point – Fifty Foot Falls and Navajo Falls<\/strong>. These are located one mile from the Supai Village and one mile from the Havasu Falls campground.<\/p>\n
Depending on the time of day, you might consider stopping to explore. If it’s getting late, you can skip these and come back to enjoy them on another day of your trip.<\/p>\n
From Navajo Falls, it’s one more mile to the campground<\/strong>. First you’ll cross Havasu Creek on a bridge. Then as you approach the campground, the trail hugs the left side of Havasu Creek where it spills over Havasu Falls<\/strong>. This is a great vantage point of the waterfall and the pools below.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nHere, I suggest taking a couple of photos but rather than stopping, continue another quarter mile to the entrance to Havasu Campground so you find a good campsite and drop your pack.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nYou’ll have plenty of time to explore the other Havasupai waterfalls<\/a> over the next couple of days, but if you’re eager to see what you’re in for, the view point looking down on Mooney Falls is just a few minutes hike from the campsites.<\/p>\n
The top of Mooney Falls<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Havasu Falls Hiking Tips<\/h2>\n
Here are a few important tips that will help you have a more enjoyable hike to and from the Havasu Falls campground.<\/p>\n
\n- \n
- <\/span>Water availability<\/strong>: There is no water available at the trailhead or anywhere on the trail, so make sure you pack enough to make it all 10 miles to the campground. Same goes for the way out. There are bathrooms at the trailhead.<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Start early: The trail has no shade, and the earlier you arrive to the Havasu Falls campground, the more campsites you’ll have to choose from. On the way back out, I suggest starting before sunrise to avoid hiking up the steepest part in the mid-day heat. For reference, the hike out took my hiking buddies and I around 6.5 hours (40 minutes per mile). Alternatively, the trail is open 24 hours a day, so if you are there in summer, you can also hike out in the dark when it’s much cooler. Just make sure your headlamp is fully<\/em> charged if you choose this route. <\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Pack horses<\/strong>: Horses\/mules have right of way on the trail so please step off the trail when you see them. Be alert and if you hike with earbuds in, consider leaving one out so you can hear them approaching. <\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Waterfall appearance<\/strong>: The different waterfalls on the Havasupai Reservation may look different than the photos here. Flash floods can dramatically alter the landscapes from year to year. The color of the water can even change depending on the time of day and whether it’s sunny out.<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Sun Protection<\/strong>: With the lack of shade, make sure you have adequate sun protection. I always backpack in a long-sleeved sun shirt<\/a> and a wide-brimmed hat<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
<\/figure>\nWhat to Expect at the Havasu Falls Campground<\/h2>\n
The Havasu Falls campground is quite big and runs more than half a mile along the trail between Havasu and Mooney Falls below. There are spots on both sides of the creek, so I when I was there, I really poked around before settling on a spot. <\/p>\n
Do not expect solitude at the campground. The Havasu Falls campground can accommodate 300 campers, so you will have neighbors and some of them may be close.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\nHere is what you should expect: <\/strong><\/p>\n
- <\/span>Start early: The trail has no shade, and the earlier you arrive to the Havasu Falls campground, the more campsites you’ll have to choose from. On the way back out, I suggest starting before sunrise to avoid hiking up the steepest part in the mid-day heat. For reference, the hike out took my hiking buddies and I around 6.5 hours (40 minutes per mile). Alternatively, the trail is open 24 hours a day, so if you are there in summer, you can also hike out in the dark when it’s much cooler. Just make sure your headlamp is fully<\/em> charged if you choose this route. <\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Type:<\/strong> Out-and-back<\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Day 2 – Day hike to Mooney and Beaver Falls:<\/strong> This is a 7-mile round-trip hike and is a must! <\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>Havasu Falls Packing List<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n
- <\/span>My suggested itinerary for making the most of your backpacking trip<\/span><\/li>\n
![\"Beaver](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-28.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-2-1024x683-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Hiker](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-7-hiking-1024x768-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Hikers](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-16-hiking-1024x683-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Hiker](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-2-hiking-1024x768-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Hiker](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-15-hiking-1024x684-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Sign](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-13-Supai-village-1024x684-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-33-1024x684-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Swimming](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-19-1024x684-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Havasu](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-39-1024x684-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasupai-Falls-Mooney-Falls-1024x683-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n![\"Hammock](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-Hammock.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Top](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasupai-Falls-Mooney-Falls.jpg\")
![\"Group](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-5-hiking-mules.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n![\"Tent](\"https:\/\/cloudyou.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Havasu-Falls-10-campsite.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n