Havasupai Falls is one of the most spectacular places in North America — turquoise waterfalls and pools deep in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon on Havasupai tribal land. The 10-mile hike each way leads to Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls. Camping for 2-3 nights is required.
Havasupai Falls is one of the most extraordinary natural destinations in North America — a series of brilliant turquoise waterfalls and travertine pools hidden within Havasu Canyon, a remote side canyon of the Grand Canyon situated on the Havasupai tribal reservation in northwestern Arizona. The journey requires a 10-mile hike each way from the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead, descending approximately 2,500 feet through a narrowing red-walled canyon to the village of Supai, the most remote permanently inhabited community in the continental United States and accessible only on foot, by horseback, or by helicopter. From the village, a further two miles of trail leads to the main waterfall area. Havasu Falls drops 96 feet in a single plunge into a wide, travertine-rimmed pool of vivid turquoise-blue water colored by calcium carbonate minerals leached from the canyon walls. Mooney Falls, 196 feet high and the canyon's tallest waterfall, requires descending a series of fixed chains and metal pegs bolted directly into the travertine cliff face to reach the plunge pool below — a moderately technical scramble that requires care and confidence. Beaver Falls, the furthest accessible cascade, lies an additional four miles beyond Mooney through a trail requiring multiple stream crossings at knee to waist depth. Under current Havasupai Tribe regulations, day visits are not permitted; camping for two to three nights in the designated campground below the village is mandatory for all permit holders. Participants must be physically fit and comfortable with long-distance hiking on uneven terrain; the Mooney Falls chain descent adds a technical element that unsuitable for those with fear of heights. Permit fees of $325 to $425 per person cover camping rights and tribal entry; permits are released by the Havasupai Tourism Office on February 1 each year and typically sell out within hours through an online reservation system.
Activity facts
- Where
- Havasu Canyon, Havasupai Tribal Reservation, northwestern Arizona
- Duration
- 2-4 days
Highlights
- Havasu Falls — a 96-foot turquoise cascade into a travertine-rimmed pool, among the most photographed natural sites in Arizona
- Descend 2,500 feet into a remote canyon on Havasupai tribal land, inaccessible by road or vehicle
- Navigate fixed chains bolted into vertical travertine cliff faces to reach the base of 196-foot Mooney Falls
- Multi-night canyon camping in a setting with no cell coverage, accessible only on foot or by helicopter
- Beaver Falls, the farthest cascade, requires stream crossings and rewards those who make the effort with relative solitude
Tips for visiting
- Set a calendar alert for February 1 at 8am MST — Havasupai permits sell out within minutes at the opening of each annual release
- Consider booking the helicopter service from Supai village for the return leg if carrying heavy gear — it costs approximately $85-100 each way and saves four hours on tired legs
- Wear hiking shoes or sandals with excellent wet-grip soles; the trail near the falls involves repeated shallow stream crossings
- Carry all food for the full stay — the Havasupai Cafe in Supai offers limited supplies at very high prices and cannot be relied on for resupply
- Flash flood risk is real in Havasu Canyon; monitor weather forecasts and heed any tribal evacuation alerts — the campground has been flooded and closed historically
Frequently asked questions
How do visitors obtain a permit for Havasupai Falls?
Permits are released by the Havasupai Tourism Office on February 1 each year at havasupaitribe.com and sell out within minutes. The permit fee totals $325-425 per person and covers camping and tribal entry. No walk-in or same-day permits are available under the current system.
Is the hike suitable for beginners?
The 10-mile each-way approach trail with 2,500 feet of elevation change is classified as strenuous. The chain descent at Mooney Falls adds a technical element requiring confidence on exposed rock. Fit beginners with solid hiking experience can manage the route, but it is not recommended for those new to backcountry hiking.
Are children permitted at Havasupai?
Children are permitted and many families visit. However, the 10-mile approach hike, heat exposure, and chain descent at Mooney Falls require honest assessment of a child's fitness and confidence level. The Havasupai Tribe operates a helicopter service that can transport children and less mobile visitors between Hualapai Hilltop and Supai village.
What facilities are available at the Havasupai campground?
The designated campground below Supai village has composting toilets and a water supply fed by Havasu Creek. There is no electricity, no phone service, and no WiFi. Campers must pack out all waste. A mule pack service operates from Hualapai Hilltop and can carry food and gear for a fee.
Is swimming permitted in the turquoise pools at Havasupai?
Swimming is permitted and is the primary attraction for most visitors. The pool below Havasu Falls is the most popular swimming area; currents directly beneath the main cascade can be strong, and calmer areas to the sides are more suitable. Beaver Falls pools are generally calmer and less crowded.