Have you ever thought about visiting Havasu Falls? Even with the growing number of tourists and huge popularity of the Havasu falls, it is still very possible to secure a camping permit or a lodge reservation. It takes a lot of patience and some perseverance, but if I was able to do it, you can do it too. This post will provide you all necessary information to prepare and plan your trip to Havasu Falls.
How much time to spend in Havasu Falls.
Havasupai campground reservations require 3 nights stay minimum. 3 night is ideal for visiting the Havasu Falls. You will have enough time to visit all 4 falls and even hike to the Colorado river (for those adventurous soles that are looking for a really long brutal day). You can also do it in two day. So, if there is 2 nights reservation available at the lodge, take it and you won’t regret it.
Best time to visit Havasu Falls
Similar to Grand Canyon hike, the best time to visit is mid-March to mid-June, when the weather is not too hot, the days are getting longer, and the water is the falls is warmer. Due to a huge demand, most likely you won’t be able to book this time unless you are super lucky. So, target spring, but book whatever time is available. You will enjoy your visit regardless of the season.
Where to stay in Havasu Falls.
You have two options here: staying in the Havasupai Lodge or camping. With significantly raised campground fees, staying in the lodge is cheaper compared to the campground in 2019. I expect the prices for the Lodge will be raised in 2020.
Campground reservation.
The good news is starting from February 2019, it is finally possible to make reservations online for campgrounds only. So, you don’t have to spend endless days dialing the Havasupai Lodge phone number only to hear busy signal again and again. The bad news is there is no spots available until March 1, 2020 unless there will be cancellation. Check Havasu Falls current cancellation available in Havasupai Cancellation and Transfer page
Campground has a minimum stay of 3 nights required stay policy.
If you are serious about visiting Havasu Falls, create your account on Havasupai Reservation site today. When creating your account, make sure to enter credit card information, so that you can book quick in case the camping spot opens up. Check the cancellation and transfer site daily for available transfers and cancellations.
Lodge reservation.
Unfortunately, no changes here. Just like in old good times, you will need to call the number (928) 448-2111 or (928) 448-2201. Be prepared to hear busy signal for couple of days or couple of weeks, but you will be able to reach the reservation office eventually. I had been dialing in for two weeks, about 40 mins a day during my lunch break, but one day I was able to talk to one of the employees to make my reservation. Have your preferred dates ready, but be flexible. You best bet is to ask what they have available and book it right away. You might need to adjust your plans. I initially planned to stay in Havasu falls for 3 nights, but the Lodge had only available two nights available, so I had to change my plans accordingly. Even though it was not ideal, and we had only one and a half days in Havasupai, we were still able to visit all four falls and dip in three of them.
Similar to Campground reservation, the bad news is there is no availability for the entire 2019. The good news is that people tend to change plans all the times and there might be a cancellation. I was lucky to book 2 nights in the lodge in April for our August trip because they had a cancellation. So, call frequently, perseverance is a key here.
Call as much in advance as you can, ideally the day reservation opens, June 1st 2019 8.00 am Arizona time. Also, plan to call frequently. I was lucky enough to reserve two night that just opened up due to the cancellation the same day I called.
The rooms are 200$ per night and up to four people can sleep in the room. Lodge rooms are pretty basic, but very clean. There are bedding, towels, all the rooms have showers, but no toiletries provided. So, you have to bring your own soap, shampoo, conditioner, etc.
More information on the reservation process is on Havasupai official Lodge page
Save the date!
The reservation for next opens June 1st previous
Getting to Havasu Falls parking lot.
Whether you are hiring a mule, taking helicopter ride or hiking, you start your Havasu Falls adventure from Havasupai Parking Lot. The parking lot is roughly 3.5 hours drive from Las Vegas, 1.5 hours drive from Peach Springs, 2.5 hours drive from Flagstaff and about 5 hours drive from Phoenix.
The night before the Havasu Falls hike.
So, depending on your travel starting point, you have couple of options here:
- Arrive to the parking lot in the late afternoon, camp there so you can start your hike early. Keep in mind, there absolutely nothing to do around the parking lot other that enjoy the scenery. So, if you decide to camp there, arrive later in the day. There are toilets, but no running water at the parking, so plan accordingly. Camp stove are permitted.
- Spend night in Peach Springs or Seligman and drive to the parking lot early morning ready to start your hike.
- You can also arrive to the parking lot late morning or early afternoon and start your hike the same day. This is only an option for the cooler months (October-March). If you are visiting Havasu Falls in summer, plan to start your hike around sunrise.
Getting to Havasu Falls from the parking lot
There are several ways to get to the Falls from the parking Lot
- Hike and carry all your belongings yourself. The total hike lengths of about 8 miles from the parking lot to the Supai village(and the lodge) and another 2 miles to the campground; the total distance from the parking lot to the campground is 10 miles. The hike is moderate difficulty but if you compare it to the Grand Canyon hike (link), you can consider it an easy hike. The first couple of miles you will gradually decent to the bottom of the canyon and the rest of the hike is pretty flat sand walk. It is long and fairly boring. Just keep pushing and you will get there eventually.
- Hike with day pack and hire the pack mule to carry your belongings to the campground or to the lodge. Detailed information on pack mule reservation available on Havasupai Reservations Pack Mule section. Official Havasupai Tribe website contains pack mules’ rules and weight limit information.
- Take a helicopter ride. The helicopter operates on first come first served basis. The helicopter landing located near the parking lot, you won’t miss it. The priority is given to Supai residents. It makes multiple trips a day. You cannot reserve the helicopter ride in advance. The price is 85$ one way, the flight duration is 8 minutes. The price is subject to change. Please make sure to check the price prior to your trip. If you plan to ride the helicopter, plan to arrive to the helicopter landing early.
- Reserve the mule ride. Mule rides must be reserved in advance similar to pack mules, see Havasupai reservation site for more details.
Havasu falls was one of my favorite backpacking trips. With some patience and a lot of perseverance you will be able to reserve and plan this trip yourself just like we did.
