Your Complete Guide to a 3-day Havasupai Falls Hiking & Camping Adventure
Havasupai falls is located in Arizona is by far hands down the best hiking and camping experience I’ve ever had! Ever since I saw this on the internet a few years ago, I knew I had to add it to my bucket list. Below is a three-day adventure to the stunning Havasupai Waterfalls, a secluded paradise hidden in the Grand Canyon. This detailed itinerary starts from Las Vegas where I flew from. This guide includes essential tips from booking your permit, and sharing my 3-day experience beauty of Havasu Creek’s turquoise waters and dramatic waterfalls.
Preparing For The Trip
Book Your Permit: Havasupai permits are required and must be obtained well in advance. Bookings are done on their website and they are incredibly popular and sell out quickly each year.
Lodging: You can either choose to stay at the lodge on the Supai village or the on campground where you need to bring your own tent or hammock to sleep in.
Airport Arrival: If you are flying from another state, you can either land to Phoenix, Arizona which is 4-5 hours drive from the hilltop or 4 hours drive from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Here is the overview map of Havasupai trails that I followed.
When To Go:
February, March, April, October, November:
These months bring cooler weather, making it a great time for comfortable hiking in Havasupai. Daytime temperatures are mild enough to enjoy a leisurely trek without the intense heat, with averages hovering between 55 to 70 degrees. However, pack your layers instead of your swimsuit as it will likely be too chilly for a dip!
June, July, August:
The height of summer is monsoon season, complete with warm days that are perfect for waterfall swims but might end with a dramatic thunderstorm. Daytime temperatures soar into the 90s, prompting most hikers to hit the trails by 4 AM to escape the peak heat.
May, September:
I went in the month of May and it was warm during the day ranging from 80 to 85 degrees, but it got a bit chili at night. These months are the sweet spot for visiting Havasupai, offering the ideal balance of warm temperatures for both hiking and swimming.
Day 1: Arrival - Travel from Las Vegas and Helicopter Ride to Supai Village
Morning: Departure from Las Vegas Begin your journey very early in the morning by renting a car in Las Vegas. Aim to hit the road by 3 AM the latest to make the most of your day, especially if you plan to hike to the village during the day. The drive to the Havasupai trailhead parking area from Las Vegas to Hualapai Hilltop Parking is approximately 4 hours long, covering about 200 miles.
Directions from Las Vegas to Hualapai Hilltop Parking:
Take the I-515 S/US-93 S from Las Vegas towards Kingman, Arizona.
Continue on US-93 S, merging onto I-40 E towards Flagstaff.
Take exit 123 for Historic Route 66/Seligman and follow Route 66 for a bit.
Turn left onto Indian Route 18 and drive for about 60 miles to Hualapai Hilltop.
Tips
There is a convenience store called Walapai Market which is the last grocery store available before heading to Hualapai Hilltop Parking. Take advantage of this opportunity for any last minute items that you may need during your long hike! I ended up buying more water just in case.
Hualapai Lodge - if the 4 hour drive from Las Vegas to Havasupai is too far, you can choose to book a room at Hualapai Lodge as a resting stop in between which is about 1 hour and 40 mins drive to Hualapai Hilltop Parking. See map of the lodge here.
15 min Helicopter Ride to Supai Village Upon arrival at Hualapai Hilltop, park your car and head for the helicopter ride to Supai Village. The helicopter service is subject to availability and operates on a first-come, first-served basis, primarily serving the residents. Tourists can take advantage of any available seats, usually after the local needs are met first. Before you plan for the helicopter ride, makes sure you check the schedule because there are days when the helicopters don’t operate and it’s best to book in advanced.
You can choose to opt out of the helicopter and hike the entire time, but we didn’t want to exhaust ourselves too much so a good balance worked out well for us. We decided to take the helicopter around 8:30 Aon the way into the village and hike back on our last day.
Settle Into Supai Village Once the you arrive to the village, check into the local lodging to get your wrist band and camping permit. We ended up getting a quick breakfast at their designated cafeteria since we planned to make our own camping food the entire time.
The hike from the supai village to the campgrounds was about 30-40 mins (2 miles). Along the way, you will pass by Fifty Foot Falls, Little Navajo Falls, and the famous Havasu Falls. Once you see Havasu Falls, you are very close to the campgrounds so be prepared to find a comfortable space to settle in for the remaining 3 days.
This is where I hung my hammock & slept by the creek for 2 nights!
Camping food is extremely crucial
Tips
Yes, there are clean toilets stalls with tissue paper in the campgrounds - there are no shower stalls.
If you ran out of water, there is a natural fresh spring water that is accessible.
Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the village and campground, interacting with the Havasupai Tribe, and perhaps even enjoying some local dishes.
Havasu Falls is only 20 min hike from our campground which is very close, so we decided to hang around the area until it was bed time. Since this is closer and on the way to the main site, it is busier compare to the other waterfalls which is further away.
Drinkable water on site?
What happens if you ran out of water? Fear not, there is a natural fern spring water in the campground. I’ve drank from here without using a water filter and never had a problem! I packed electrolyte powder and it complimented well with it.
Day 2: Hiking the Waterfalls
Wake up early to get your day started. We woke up at 8AM, had breakfast, and started our hike by 8:45AM.
Mooney Falls: Descend carefully to the base of these spectacular falls using the chains and ladders provided. You can bring gloves with grips to help you hold on to the metal chains. The descent is steep and can be slippery, so take your time and wear appropriate footwear.
Money shot or Mooney shot?
200ft dramatic waterfall!
Beaver Falls: From Mooney, you can choose to hike further north to Beaver Falls, which is about 3 miles downstream. The trail to Beaver Falls involves more river crossings and traversing through beautiful canyon terrain. It was a bit tricky to get there because there are no clear signs and we were not following any cellular GPS. We were asking other hikers along the way to the correct path. Remember, the hike back is the same way, so keep an eye on time and your energy levels. It took us almost 2.5 hours to get there one way which we did not plan for so we panicked a little on the way back to make it on the campground before it gets dark!
Beaver Falls
Beaver falls create a series of sparkling, turquoise pools that are perfect for cooling off after a long trek! Surrounded by lush greenery and steep canyon walls, Beaver Falls offers a more secluded and serene atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for immersing yourself in the tranquil beauty of Havasupai’s landscape.
Evening: Return to Camp Head back to your campsite or lodging by the evening. There are so many more different pockets to explore.
Campground Food: We were not expecting food to be available at the campground so to our surprise, we were very excited to see the local’s fry bread tent! They also sold soda, drinks and gatorade. I was happy to say the least, as this is a lot more tastier than packed camping food. Make sure to bring cash!
Day 3: Hike Out and Return to Las Vegas
Early Start Back to Hualapai Hilltop Start leaving the campgrounds by 4AM and start the hike back to Supai Village. Make sure to bring your flashlights as it can still be dark during the super early departure. From there, either take a pre-arranged helicopter ride back to Hualapai Hilltop or, if you’re feeling up to it, hike the 8 miles back up. The hike out is strenuous and uphill, so it’s crucial to start early to avoid the heat of the day.
Red rock views from the hike-out
Signage to keep you on track
Booking a mule for your Havasupai adventure can significantly ease the burden of carrying your gear along the challenging trails. We booked our mule on the campground the day before our departure and got lucky with the reservation. To reserve a mule, you need to contact the Havasupai Tribe well in advance of your trip, as availability can be limited and demand is high, especially during peak visiting seasons.
Overall, we hiked 8 miles on the way back. which took us about 5+ hours on a steady pace, taking necessary pauses and water breaks along the way. I think it was a great idea to hike-out without the heavy backpack to preserve my energy and actually enjoy the hike along the way.
Afternoon: Drive Back to Las Vegas Once back at Hualapai Hilltop, take a moment to rest and refresh before the drive back to Las Vegas. The drive back is the perfect time to reflect on the incredible experiences and sights from your adventure. We ended up going to a Las Vegas spa as an accomplishment treat to ourselves!
Evening: Arrival in Las Vegas You should arrive back in Las Vegas by the evening, giving you the rest of the night to relax in your hotel.
More Tips for a Successful Trip
Cash: Having cash is always great in the event you need last minute purchase: helicopter, food, mule, etc.
Packing: Bring appropriate hiking gear, including good quality hiking boots, water shoes, headlamp, swimwear, water shoes, a water filter, and camping equipment if staying overnight.
Leave No Trace: Be mindful of the environment. Pack out all your trash and respect the natural and cultural significance of the area.
This three-day guide to Havasupai promises an unforgettable adventure full of stunning natural beauty and physical challenge, all set in the heart of the Grand Canyon’s dramatic landscapes. I hope your hiking trip is as wonderful as mine!
