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New havasu falls

Treks / USA (Arizona)

Havasu Falls

USA (Arizona) · Nearest city: Phoenix (also Las Vegas, Flagstaff)

TypeMulti-day trek
Days3–4
Distance≈ 32 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level

A hike into a side canyon of the Grand Canyon to turquoise waterfalls on the Havasupai reservation.

Fitness Demanding
Best seasonFebruary to November

Watch out: Only possible with a paid reservation from the Havasupai Tribe, sold months in advance.

Why people choose it

It's famous for its unreal turquoise waterfalls in a red-rock canyon.

What makes it different

  • Turquoise waterfalls
  • Havasupai tribal land
  • Campground by the falls

Route options

There is rarely just one way to walk Havasu Falls. These are the main choices people make.

  • Length: most people take 3–4 days, 4 is typical. You can shorten it by skipping a stage with a bus or lift, or lengthen it with rest days.

Similar treks to consider

Lost Coast Trail USA (California) · 3 days · 40 km A wild beach walk along California's most remote coastline, where the highway had to turn inland. Chilkoot Trail USA (Alaska) · Canada · 3–5 days · 53 km The route of the Klondike Gold Rush from Alaska over the Chilkoot Pass into Canada, lined with relics from 1898. Kalalau Trail USA (Hawaii) · 2–3 days · 35 km A rugged coastal trail along Kauaʻi's Nā Pali Coast to a remote beach below towering green cliffs.

Before you go

Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.

Phone and data

Roaming in USA is expensive on most phone plans. A data eSIM bought before you fly gets you online as soon as you land.

USA eSIM on Airalo

Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.

Insurance that covers this trek

Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.

Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.

World NomadsHeymondoSafetyWingTrue Traveller

True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.

Camping and where to sleep

In national parks, overnight stays need a wilderness permit and camping is often limited to designated sites. On most national forest and BLM land, dispersed camping is allowed.

Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.

Route map

Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.

Straight lines between stops Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city

Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. We don't have the exact trail for this route yet, so stops are joined with straight lines. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.

Stops: Hualapai Hilltop → Supai → Havasu Falls

Simple overview map
Hualapai HilltopSupaiHavasu Falls20 kmN

Step by step

  1. Months before

    Plan and book

    • Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
    • Best time to go: February to November.
  2. 6–12 weeks before

    Train and test your gear

    • Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
    • Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
    • Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.

    Readiness quiz · Packing list

  3. Getting there

    Travel to the start

    • Most people start from Phoenix.
  4. On the trail

    Walk it

    • Start early each day, so you arrive before the afternoon weather and the rush for beds.
  5. The finish

    Get home

    • It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.

How the season changes things

Best time: February to November

March to May

Spring

Pleasant temperatures and the best time for most desert hikes, though nights are cold.

Bring

  • Sun hat and sunscreen
  • Warm layer for mornings
  • Plenty of water

June to September

Summer

Dangerous heat, often above 40°C, and monsoon flash floods from July. Hike at dawn only.

Bring

  • 4+ litres of water and electrolytes
  • Check flash-flood forecasts
  • Avoid midday hiking

October to February

Autumn and winter

Cool, clear and quieter. Snow and ice possible on higher rims.

Bring

  • Warm layers
  • Microspikes for icy rims
  • Headlamp for short days

Be ready for

Heat

Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.

Water filters →

Flash floods

Rain miles away can send a wall of water through a canyon or stream. Check the forecast and turn back if it rains.

What you'll see

6 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.

New havasu falls
National Park Service
Near Hualapai HilltopIntrepid Hikers on the Trail - panoramio
Near Supai, ArizonaHavasupai at Night
Near Supai, ArizonaSupai, United States
Near Havasu FallsMooney Falls

Gear for the Havasu Falls

Hiking boots Top pick: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor 3 Mid GTX Backpacks Top pick: Osprey Exos 58 Rain jackets Top pick: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L

Photo credits: New havasu falls by Gonzo fan2007, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; National Park Service by NPS Natural Resources, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Intrepid Hikers on the Trail - panoramio by Chris English, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Havasupai at Night by Jeremy Bishop tidesinourveins, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Supai, United States by Jeremy Bishop tidesinourveins, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons; Mooney Falls by Riffy Thomas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.