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The Havasupai Trail starts at Hualapai Hilltop on the Coconino Plateau and drops into Havasu Canyon, a side canyon of the Grand Canyon, to the blue-green pools of Havasu Creek. The canyon is on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, not in Grand Canyon National Park. The Havasupai Tribe manages it and runs its own reservation system.
It's about 8 miles from the Hilltop to Supai Village, where the lodge and a small store are, and about 2 more to the campground, which sits between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. From camp you can day hike down the canyon past Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls, and strong hikers keep going to the Colorado River confluence.
This is a base-camp trip. The hiking isn't technical, but the reservation, check-in and drive take real planning, and the campground is busy. Permits are hard to get.
Every visitor needs a reservation booked ahead through the tribe's site, havasupaireservations.com. There are no walk-up permits and no day hikes. The NPS Havasupai page points to the same site. Our Havasupai reservations guide covers when the sale opens, what it costs and the check-in rules.
April, May, September and October are the best months: warm enough to swim, and the nights are comfortable. March and November are cooler and less crowded, but the water feels cold and the days are short.
Summer heat goes well past 100°F on the exposed upper trail, and the trail closes in extreme heat. Monsoon season runs roughly July through September, and afternoon storms can send flash floods down the canyon. Floods in 2008 and 2018 reshaped the falls and forced evacuations. The tribe can close all or part of the reservation at any time for flooding.
There's no water between the Hilltop and Supai Village. Carry at least 3 to 4 liters for the hike in, more in warm weather. Supai has a small store and a café with snacks, drinks and basic supplies, at backcountry prices.
Bring a filter for your time at the campground, and don't drink Havasu Creek untreated.
The last real resupply is on Route 66 (Peach Springs, Seligman) or in Kingman. The nearest gas is roughly 70 to 90 miles from the trailhead, so fill up before you turn onto Indian Road 18.
There's little shade on the first miles below the Hilltop or in the dry wash of Hualapai Canyon. The climb out gains about 2,400 feet, most of it in the last 1.5 miles of switchbacks.
Hualapai and Havasu Canyons are narrow drainages. If a storm builds, get to high ground, and don't camp in low spots.
Reaching the base of Mooney Falls means climbing down a steep route through tunnels, with chains, ladders and handholds beside a waterfall of about 200 feet. Mist keeps the rock wet. Go slowly, facing the rock.
The trail downstream to Beaver Falls crosses Havasu Creek several times, so bring water shoes. On the upper trail you'll share the path with mule and horse trains; step to the uphill side and let them pass.
Check in before you hike, at the tourist office at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn, mile marker 115 on Route 66 near Peach Springs. You can check in the day before or the morning of Day 1, and you get your wristbands there. Miss check-in and your reservation is cancelled.
From Route 66, Indian Road 18 runs about 60 paved miles to Hualapai Hilltop. Any car can make it, but watch for livestock and elk, especially after dark. Parking at the Hilltop is limited and spills onto the road shoulder, and you can't camp or sleep in your car there.
The nearest airports are Las Vegas and Phoenix, each about 4 to 5 hours away by car, and Flagstaff, which is closer. There's no public transit to the trailhead.
Pack mules can carry your bags for a fee if you book them through the reservation system. A private helicopter flies between the Hilltop and Supai on limited days, but tourists get the lowest priority, so don't count on it.
Start the hike in at dawn, or earlier with a headlamp, and start the climb out before sunrise so you finish the switchbacks in shade.
The campground runs about a mile along the creek. Sites downstream toward Mooney Falls are quieter and closer to the morning walk to Beaver Falls; sites near the upper entrance are closer to Fern Spring and the toilets.
Spend the middle day walking to Beaver Falls and back. The confluence is about 16 miles round trip from camp, so if you're going that far, leave at first light.
Water shoes, a dry bag for your phone, and a hammock or light camp chair all earn their weight. Keep food in hard containers: squirrels and ravens at the campground chew through tents and packs.
Keep your wristband on the whole trip. Rangers check them.
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