Planning guide
Havasu Falls permit guide
How to get a Havasu Falls permit for 2026: the $455 campground price, Early Access, the 3-night rule, check-in rules and the 10-mile hike in.
Havasu Falls sits on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, not in Grand Canyon National Park, and the Havasupai Tribe sets every rule for visiting. Many older guides still show past prices and booking systems. This page pulls the 2026 rules, prices and dates into one place, with each fee and rule tied to an official source at the end. Prices can change each year, so confirm them on the official site before you book.
Do you need a permit for Havasu Falls?
Yes. Every hiker and camper needs a reservation, and the National Park Service notes that day hiking is no longer permitted. There is no way to walk down, see the falls and walk out on the same day.
The land belongs to the Havasupai Tribe, so the tribe's reservation office runs the permit system. The official site states that every visitor must check in and wear a wristband for the whole stay. Entering the reservation without a permit and wristband counts as trespassing.
A reservation covers one of two stays:
| Option (2026) | What you book | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Campground | A per-person permit for the campground | 4 days / 3 nights |
| Lodge | A room for up to 4 people | 4 days / 3 nights |
The 3-night length is fixed. You can't book 1 or 2 nights. For the waterfall itself, its height and the other falls in the canyon, see our Havasu Falls guide.
How much does a Havasupai permit cost in 2026?
A 2026 campground permit cost $455 per person for 3 nights, according to the official Havasupai Reservations FAQ. A lodge room cost $2,277 for 3 nights, for up to 4 people. The FAQ says children 6 and under go free with a permit holder, though it does not recommend bringing young children; children 7 and older need a paid permit. That works out to about $152 per person per night at the campground.
Prices can change each year, and we could not verify enough past years from official sources to show a reliable price history. Treat any older figure you see elsewhere as out of date.
Campground vs lodge: cost by group size
The lodge is priced per room, while the campground is priced per person. That means the gap between them shrinks as your group grows.
| Group size | Campground total | Campground per person | Lodge total (1 room) | Lodge per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $455 | $455 | $2,277 | $2,277 |
| 2 people | $910 | $455 | $2,277 | $1,138.50 |
| 3 people | $1,365 | $455 | $2,277 | $759 |
| 4 people | $1,820 | $455 | $2,277 | $569.25 |
Our read: for a group of 4, the lodge costs $457 more in total than the campground, or about $114 extra per person. For 1 or 2 people, the campground is far cheaper. Lodge rooms only become close in price when you fill all 4 spots.
Optional extras
- Pack mules: $400 round trip per mule, carrying up to 4 packs. The fee is non-refundable.
- Helicopter: $300 per person, one way, on listed days (Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday in 2026). The schedule may change.
Neither extra replaces a permit. You still need a reservation and a wristband.
When do Havasupai permits go on sale?
In 2026 the sale had two parts:
- Early Access, January 21, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. to January 31 at 5:00 p.m. (Arizona time). This window added an extra fee on top of the permit price. The official page we checked did not confirm the fee amount, so we don't list one.
- General sale, February 1, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Arizona time. The NPS page on the Havasupai Reservation listed this date and said pricing remained the same as the year before. No 2027 dates or prices were posted as of October 25, 2026.
We haven't verified any 2027 sale dates. Check the official site in early January.
The Havasupai booking calendar
| When | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Early January | Our suggested check-in point | Check havasupaireservations.com for dates, prices and any Early Access fee |
| January 21 to 31 (2026) | Early Access sale, with an extra fee | Decide whether the added fee is worth an earlier shot at dates |
| February 1, 2026, 8:00 a.m. Arizona time | General public sale opens | Be logged in early with backup dates and payment ready |
| Right after booking | You hold a fixed 4-day/3-night trip | Save your confirmation; plan your drive, gear and any mule or helicopter booking |
| 90+ days before your start date | Last chance for a partial refund | Cancel by now for a 50% refund (any Early Access fee isn't refunded). For example, for a June 1 start, cancel by March 3 |
| Under 90 days before | No refunds | Transfers and resale stay banned, so plan to go or lose the payment |
| Day before or day of your start date | Check-in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn | Bring photo ID; get your wristband |
| Days 1 to 4 | Your stay | Wear the wristband the whole time |
How to book a Havasupai permit, step by step
- Read the official FAQ first. Rules, prices and cancellation terms are posted on havasupaireservations.com. Check them in early January, since they can change each year.
- Choose campground or lodge. Use the cost table above. Know your group size before sale day.
- Pick several possible start dates. Peak season runs from May to September, so have weekday and off-peak backups ready.
- Decide on Early Access. If you want it, book during the late-January window and expect an extra fee.
- Be online when the general sale opens. Confirm the date and time on the official site, make sure you can log in, and have your payment card ready.
- Pay and save your confirmation. All bookings are 4 days and 3 nights, and the reservation can't be transferred or resold.
Before you pay, make sure everyone in your group can make the trip. Since transfers are banned, you can't hand a spot to a friend later.
If you don't get a permit
Your options are limited. The official rules ban transfers and resale, so buying a permit from another person isn't allowed. Anyone selling one online is breaking the tribe's rules.
What you can do:
- Try both stay types. If campground dates are gone, check the lodge, especially if you have a group of 3 or 4.
- Look at off-peak dates. Peak season is May to September, so other months may have more openings.
- Watch the official site. Check it for any change to how dates are released.
- Plan for next year. Mark early January on your calendar to check for the next sale.
Never try to enter without a permit and wristband. The official site treats that as trespassing.
Check-in, trailhead and the hike
Check-in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn
Every visitor must check in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn on the day of, or the day before, the permit start date. Bring a photo ID. For example, if your permit starts on a Saturday, you can check in on Friday or Saturday. If you miss check-in, the official site says your booking is cancelled with no refund. You get a wristband there and must wear it for the whole stay.
Check-in hours change by month. According to the official site, they are 6am to 6pm in October 2026 and 8am to 5pm in November 2026.
Getting to Hualapai Hilltop
The trailhead is Hualapai Hilltop, about 60 miles north of Historic Route 66 on Indian Road 18. Allow at least 1.5 hours for that drive. The nearest gas is 70 to 90 miles away, so fill up with enough fuel for about 200 miles. Camping and sleeping in vehicles at the Hilltop aren't allowed.
The hike in
The trail runs 8 miles from Hualapai Hilltop to Supai Village, according to the NPS. The campground is 2 miles beyond Supai, about 10 miles one way. You pass Havasu Falls on the way into the campground, roughly 1.5 miles past Supai. The round trip to the campground is about 20 miles.
The hike is strenuous. We couldn't verify official hike times or elevation gain, so plan conservatively and start early.
The official FAQ lists the check-in office at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn as open daily 8am to 5pm, and says hours can vary with weather, holidays and staff availability. Confirm before you drive out.
Mooney Falls and beyond
Mooney Falls is 0.5 mile past the campground. Wikipedia says it falls over a 210-foot canyon wall, and it is the tallest of the Havasupai falls. The way down uses chains, handholds and ladders on a near-vertical, slippery rock face. Take it slowly, and skip it if you aren't comfortable with exposure. The Colorado River lies about 8 miles beyond Mooney Falls.
Rules and safety
The official site, its FAQ and the NPS list these rules for the reservation:
- No day hiking. Every visitor needs a 3-night reservation.
- No pets. Pets, service animals and privately owned horses are not allowed.
- No drones, alcohol or drugs.
- No transfers or resale of permits.
- Wristbands at all times during your stay.
Floods and heat
Flash floods are a major risk in Havasu Canyon. The NPS notes flood damage in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024. Some areas remain off-limits, and the canyon can close at any time.
As of the tribe's August 31, 2026 update, Havasupai is open. That update noted that reported flooding was at Grand Canyon National Park, not Havasupai. Check the official site again in the days before you go.
The NPS also says trails into Supai close when temperatures exceed 115°F. Summer heat on the trail is serious, so carry plenty of water and avoid the hottest hours.
The pools stay about 70°F year-round, and swimming is a main draw. Do not go past the top of Mooney Falls or into narrow canyon sections when it is raining or flooding. For more on currents, slick rock and storms, read our waterfall safety guide.
Havasupai permit FAQ
Do you need a permit to hike Havasupai Falls?
Yes. Every hiker and camper needs a prepaid reservation, and day hiking isn't allowed. All bookings are 4 days and 3 nights, and you must check in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn first.
How much does a permit for a Havasupai hike cost?
In 2026 a campground permit cost $455 per person for 3 nights. A lodge room cost $2,277 for 3 nights for up to 4 people. Prices can change each year, so check the official FAQ.
How difficult is the hike to Havasu Falls?
It's strenuous. The trail is about 10 miles one way from Hualapai Hilltop to the campground, and summer heat makes it harder. Trails into Supai close when temperatures exceed 115°F.
How long is the walk to Havasu Falls?
It's 8 miles from Hualapai Hilltop to Supai Village, then about 1.5 miles more to Havasu Falls. The campground is 2 miles past Supai. We don't list a hike time because no official estimate was available.
Where is Supai, Arizona?
Supai is the village of the Havasupai Tribe, inside Havasu Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation. You reach it on foot (or by helicopter on listed days) from Hualapai Hilltop, about 60 miles north of Historic Route 66 on Indian Road 18.
Plan your next step
- Check havasupaireservations.com in early January for the next sale details.
- Set a reminder for the general sale once the official site posts the date and time.
- Read our Havasu Falls guide for the falls, the pools and the canyon.
- Browse more Arizona waterfalls.
- Planning another permit-only trip? See another permit-only waterfall in Oregon.
Rules and prices last verified October 2026. Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Sources
- Havasupai Reservations (official): booking, check-in, check-in hours, wristbands, helicopter and status updates
- Havasupai Reservations FAQ: 2026 prices, 4-day/3-night rule, cancellations, transfers, pets, drones and alcohol, pack mules, check-in office hours
- NPS Grand Canyon: Havasupai Tribe Reservation (updated Jan 17, 2026): no day hiking, trail distances, flood history, heat closures
- Wikipedia: Havasu Falls
- Wikipedia: Mooney Falls