Right now
Right now as of Oct 28, 2026
- Permit Required (no day hiking).
Status note (Oct 28, 2026): Open. The tribe's August 31, 2026 update says Havasupai is open, and we found no newer notice as of late October 2026. The NPS warns that the canyon can close at any time and that some flood-damaged areas remain off-limits. What the status labels mean
Havasu Falls is a waterfall of roughly 100 feet on Havasu Creek, on the Havasupai Indian Reservation outside Grand Canyon National Park. You can't day hike: every visitor needs a 3-night reservation, which costs $455 per person at the campground in 2026. The hike from Hualapai Hilltop is about 10 miles one way to the campground.
About Havasu Falls
Havasu Falls pours roughly 90 to 100 feet over red rock into blue-green pools on Havasu Creek, per Wikipedia. High calcium carbonate in the water gives it that color and builds natural travertine dams below the falls.
The falls are on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which is tribal land and not part of Grand Canyon National Park. The Havasupai Tribe sets the rules, sells the permits and runs check-in. Entering without a permit and wristband counts as trespassing, according to the official reservations site. Pets, drones, alcohol and drugs are all prohibited.
Havasu is one of several falls in the canyon. Mooney Falls is 0.5 miles past the campground and falls over a 210-foot canyon wall, per Wikipedia. The Colorado River lies about 8 miles beyond Mooney.
Getting there and parking
To get to Havasu Falls, check in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn. Then drive to Hualapai Hilltop at the end of Indian Road 18 and hike about 10 miles to the campground. There's no public transportation, and the helicopter isn't a reliable alternative.
Driving to Hualapai Hilltop
The trailhead is Hualapai Hilltop, at the end of Indian Road 18. The official site puts it about 60 miles from the Route 66 turnoff and says to plan at least 1.5 hours for that stretch. The NPS lists the trip as 191 miles from Grand Canyon Village.
The nearest gas is 70 to 90 miles away, so arrive with enough fuel for 200 miles. There's no public transportation to or from the trailhead, per the official site. Camping or sleeping in vehicles at Hualapai Hilltop isn't allowed.
Check-in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn
Before the trailhead, you must check in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn, on Route 66 at mile marker 115. Go on the day of or the day before your permit starts, and bring photo ID.
As listed in October 2026, check-in runs 6am to 6pm in October and 8am to 5pm in November. No hours are posted for later months yet. A missed check-in cancels the booking with no refund.
Without hiking: helicopter and pack mules
We found no official option to ride in on horseback. Privately owned horses are banned, and the official FAQ describes pack mules for bags, not riders.
Pack mules cost $400 round trip per mule and carry up to 4 bags. You must request them online at least 72 hours ahead, and they aren't refundable.
A helicopter flies to Supai for $300 per person one way on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. The official FAQ says tourists should not rely on the helicopter for transport into and out of Supai Village, so plan to be able to hike.
Havasupai Campground and Lodge
Your reservation covers either a campground spot or a lodge room. Both are booked for 3 nights through the official reservations site.
Havasupai Campground
The campground costs $455 per person for 3 nights in 2026. It sits about 2 miles past Supai Village, per the NPS, just beyond Havasu Falls.
The official FAQ says there's a freshwater spring in the campground and no electricity. Store food and trash in odor- and rodent-proof containers.
Havasupai Lodge
A lodge room costs $2,277 for 3 nights, for up to 4 people, per the official FAQ. The same 4-day, 3-night booking and check-in rules apply.
Map and nearby falls
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The hike
From Hualapai Hilltop, the trail runs 8 miles to Supai Village. The campground is 2 more miles past the village, for about 10 miles one way, according to the NPS. Havasu Falls comes into view about 1.5 miles past Supai, on the way into the campground.
The round trip to Havasu Falls adds up to roughly 20 miles of hiking, before any side trips. We couldn't verify an official elevation gain or hiking time, so don't build your plan around a number from a blog.
The official FAQ notes that much of the trail is without consistent shade. Start early, and carry more water than you think you need.
Mooney Falls is 0.5 miles past the campground. Reaching its base means climbing down chains, handholds and ladders on a near-vertical, slippery rock face, per Wikipedia. Skip that descent if you aren't comfortable with exposure.
When to visit
Havasu Falls is open year-round by reservation. The cooler months are best for the 10-mile hike, and the warmer months are best for the water, though peak heat runs May to September.
Best month and weather
The reservation is open year-round. The official FAQ says peak season runs from May to September, when temperatures can soar well over 100°F. It calls the cooler months ideal for hiking and the warmer months better for the water.
The NPS says trails into Supai close when the temperature exceeds 115°F. The water stays about 70°F all year, per the official FAQ.
The FAQ also warns of an increased chance of rain and flash flooding from about July to September. Watch the forecast closely if your dates fall in that window.
Floods and closures
The NPS page, updated January 17, 2026, notes flood damage in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2024. It says some areas remain off-limits and warns the canyon can close at any time.
The tribe's August 31, 2026 update said Havasupai was open, and that reported flooding had hit Grand Canyon National Park, not Havasupai. Check the official site again in the days before your trip.
If you can't get a permit, Fossil Creek Waterfall in central Arizona needs no overnight booking, and its $6 vehicle permit applies only April 1 to October 1. Check its road status before you drive.
When is the water highest?
At a USGS stream gauge about 2.5 mi from the falls, the flow barely changes through the year: monthly averages stay between 64 and 70 cfs, based on 25 years of records (1996 to 2020).
Show the numbers
| Month | Average flow (cfs) |
|---|---|
| January | 66 |
| February | 68 |
| March | 64 |
| April | 64 |
| May | 64 |
| June | 64 |
| July | 68 |
| August | 70 |
| September | 66 |
| October | 66 |
| November | 65 |
| December | 65 |
| Height | 100 ftNote: about 90 to 100 ft main chute, per Wikipedia |
|---|---|
| Trail | About 10 mi one way from Hualapai Hilltop to the campground (8 mi to Supai Village) |
| Difficulty | Hard (strenuous, 10 mi each way) |
| Entry fee | 2026: $455 per person (campground, 3 nights) or $2,277 per lodge room (3 nights, up to 4 people) |
| Permit / reservation | 3-night reservation required for every visitor ($455 per person in 2026) |
| Parking | Hualapai Hilltop; no sleeping in vehicles |
| Hours / season | Open year-round by reservation. Check-in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn, as listed Oct 2026: Oct 6am-6pm, Nov 8am-5pm (nothing posted after November) |
| Dogs | Not allowed; pets and service animals are banned on the reservation |
| Swimming | Yes, in the pools below the falls (water about 70°F year-round); stay out of narrow canyon sections in rain or floods |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No |
| Managed by | Havasupai Tribe |
Safety and swimming
Swimming in the pools is one of the main reasons people come. Do not go past the top of Mooney Falls or into narrow canyon sections when it is raining or flooding. Flood water rises fast in a slot.
On the Mooney Falls descent, go slowly, wait your turn at the ladders, and keep a firm grip on the chains. The rock is slippery.
Carry plenty of water for a 10-mile walk each way and avoid hiking in the hottest hours. Remember that drones and pets are banned, and that your wristband has to stay on until you leave. For general tips, see our waterfall safety page.
Where to stay near Havasu Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Supai.
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Photos
Havasu Falls FAQ
How much is a Havasu Falls permit in 2026?
$455 per person for a 3-night campground stay, or $2,277 per lodge room for 3 nights for up to 4 people, according to the official Havasupai Reservations FAQ. Every booking is 4 days and 3 nights.
Can you day hike to Havasu Falls?
No. Day hiking is no longer permitted, and every hiker needs a 3-night reservation, according to the NPS page updated in January 2026.
How long is the hike to Havasu Falls?
It's 8 miles from Hualapai Hilltop to Supai Village and 2 more miles to the campground, or about 10 miles one way. Havasu Falls is about 1.5 miles past Supai, just before the campground.
Can I bring my dog to Havasupai?
No. Pets, service animals and privately owned horses aren't allowed anywhere on the reservation.
Is Havasupai open right now?
Yes. The tribe's August 31, 2026 update says Havasupai is open, and we found no newer notice as of late October 2026. The NPS warns that closure is possible at any time, so check the official site before you go.
Can you swim at Havasu Falls?
Yes. Swimming in the pools below the falls is allowed, and the official FAQ says the water stays about 70°F all year. Stay out of narrow canyon sections when it rains, because flood water rises fast.
What is the best month to visit Havasu Falls?
It depends on your goal. The official FAQ calls the cooler months ideal for hiking and the warmer months better for the water. Peak heat runs May to September, and trails close above 115°F. Rain and flash floods are more likely from about July to September.
How do you get to Havasu Falls?
Drive to Hualapai Hilltop at the end of Indian Road 18, about 60 miles from Route 66, after checking in at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn. From there it's a 10-mile hike to the campground. There's no public transportation, and the helicopter isn't reliable.
Nearby waterfalls
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More waterfalls to explore
Fossil Creek WaterfallArizona · 141 mi straight-lineSeasonal
Kanarra FallsUtah · 92 mi straight-lineUnconfirmed
On these lists: Waterfalls you can swim in
Sources
- Havasupai Reservations (official)
- Havasupai Reservations FAQ
- NPS Grand Canyon: Havasupai Tribe Reservation
- Official Havasupai Tribe website (Aug 31, 2026 update)
- USFS Coconino NF: Fossil Creek Waterfall Trail
- Wikipedia: Havasu Falls
- Wikipedia: Mooney Falls
Last verified Oct 28, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Havasupai Tribe before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.