2023 Hike to Havasupai and Camp at Havasu Falls with Kids

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Hike to Havasu Falls

And camp with kids!

Arizona waterfalls in the Grand Canyon

Preparing to see Havasupai with your kids or teens? Start planning now and you will have the trip of a lifetime!

Pssst... go with another family - your kids will LOVE the long hike then!

We believe the best way to enjoy Havasu Falls is by making a reservation at the Supai Campground.

The Supai campground is located along Havasupai Creek between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. We prefer camping over lodging in the basic Supai Lodge, because the lodge is located two miles before all of the waterfalls.

Your camping reservation/permit allows you to camp wherever you like within the campground. Read more below about how to make your Havasupai camping reservation.

Grand Canyon waterfall

Havasu Falls Permit 2023

When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the reservation was closed to keep their community safe and healthy. Havasu Falls has remained closed to tourists since that time.

On October 1, 2022, the Tribe also experienced severe flooding, destroying bridges and trails necessary for tourists and moving goods and services into Supai Village.

So there may be felled trees along the trails where the flood wrecked havoc. But this also means new waterfall flows and the plants and scenery is just as magical.

The Havasupai Tribe is welcoming tourists back to our beautiful place starting February 1, 2023 for current permit holders.

HOWEVER, there are no NEW reservations/permits for 2023. Only those reservation holders that were impacted by the COVID tourism suspension have a confirmed reservation.

You may be able to purchase someone else’s reservations.

The only way to get a reservation for 2023 is to purchase off the official transfer list. Open an account at www.havasupaireservations.com to see what is available.

Nothing like the Grand Canyon waterfalls in Havasupai

Check out the Tribe’s official Facebook tourism page, www.facebook.com/HavasupaiTribeTourismOfficial to stay up to date as well as the Tribe’s website for news and updates about making reservations.

Keep reading here to learn how to hike to Havasu Falls with kids, how to get your permit and hike to the Arizona waterfalls in the Grand Canyon.

Havasu Falls in Arizona with kids is really fun!

Best time for hiking to Havasu Falls

If you are planning on hiking to Havasu Falls, know in your mind when you want to go and block it off on your calendar with bold stars and glitter.

Know your dates but also have some flexibility on either side. For example, we had a 10 day spring break from March 23 through April 1. We needed a day or two for the long road trip from Colorado. And with 4 parents and 6 kids, we wanted to camp down there for the 3 nights maximum (per permit). So we aimed for reserving 3 nights over the March 25-30 timeframe to allow time to drive back home too.

Hiking to Havasu Falls

Know the weather. It is H-O-T in the canyon in the summer months, and July and August are monsoon season, which means flash flooding can occur. March, April, October, and November appear to be the most desirable, and therefore more difficult to obtain permits if you don’t plan ahead.

Know what you are getting into and any risk involved. Be wise and be informed. The Havasupai Tribe offers plenty of good information here.

Be physically prepared. Remember, it is 10 miles hiking down to the campground, then 10 mile hike back up and out. If you want to see firsthand the hiking and climbing that is involved, check out our photo journal here.

How Do I Get a Reservation for Havasupai?

Create your Havasupai Reservations account NOW to reduce stress on Opening Day: February 1, 2023!

According to an official Havasupai Reservations Facebook page:

As a reminder, there are no NEW reservations/permits for 2023. Only those reservation holders that were impacted by the COVID tourism suspension have a confirmed reservation.

The only way to get a reservation for 2023 is to purchase off the official transfer list. Open an account at www.havasupaireservations.com to see what is available.

And according to their website:

ALL campground reservations are online here at HavasupaiReservations.com

All pricing is subject to change without notice.

Trip/travel insurance is thus highly recommended.

Make sure you are ready to reserve your campground spots(s) on February 1. Keep reading below to understand just how creating your account today will reduce stress in your life!

How to to get Havasupai permits

Your Lodge or campground reservation = your hiking permit for Havasupai. They are one and the same and can’t be booked separately.

How to get to Havasu Falls?

There are companies that offer to guide you down the canyon and offer pre-set up campsites and cooked meals. That’s cool, I guess, if you don’t mind spending 6X more than you need to and you like to be pampered on outdoor adventure vacations.

The Havasu Falls hike is just one trail down and the same trail back up.

And unless you can’t pay attention for the life of you, it is tough to get lost. If you don’t own camping gear, then aim for staying at the Lodge, or borrow gear from friends if you can.

If you do not reserve a room in the Lodge or a campsite, you are not allowed down at Havasu Falls, because you won’t have a permit. Period. Day hiking down there and back, a 20+ miles round trip, is strongly discouraged! I’m not even sure it’s allowed.

So booking your campground or Lodge reservations IS the most important task, because it equals your permit to be a GUEST on the Havasupai Tribe’s Reservation.

NOTE: For 2023, there are no NEW reservations/permits, but you may be able to buy someone else’s. Only those reservation holders that were impacted by the COVID tourism suspension have a confirmed reservation.

The Havasupai Falls hike takes you right past the campground

How to Camp at Havasu Falls - the Supai Campground

ALL visits to Havasupai and Havasu Falls require a reservation made in advance before your trip. You will not be able to make last-minute, in-person reservations upon hiking down 8 miles and showing up at the Tourist Check-in Office.

BE READY to get online on February 1 at 8 am MST. If traveling with friends, I recommend you talk to each other live on the phone while you simultaneously try for reservations online. Then, whomever has the chance to book them first will be the “Trip Leader” under whom the reservation is made.

There is only ONE name on a Campground Reservation* - and a reservation is only valid if the person named on the reservation (the "Trip Leader") is in-person, with you, at the Tourist Check-in Office in the Village of Supai before you head to the campground. You must also have your printed reservation ready to show with a valid photo ID - otherwise expect to hike the 8 miles back up and out because you will not be allowed in the campground.

Campground spots can be reserved ONLINE ONLY* on February 1 for February 1 through November 30 reservations. The campground is closed in December and January.

Campground Reservations will be available online at HavasupaiReservations.com on February 1 at 8:00 AM MST.

Again, create your account today on HavasupaiReservations.com and reduce stress on February 1.

Spots available on the online reservation system disappeared within about 15-30 minutes when we called on February 1, 2018. Be forewarned and be flexible. Social media has made this a very popular destination.

*Once your reservations are made, know that ALL visitors (even if they are not a Trip Leader) must have an account on HavasupaiReservations.com made PRIOR to arrival so that they have confirmed their understanding of, and agreement with, Havasupai Rules and Laws.

*NOTE: Their website currently states there are NO PHONE RESERVATIONS.

Havasupai Falls hike to Mooney Falls

How much does it cost to camp at HAvasu Falls?

In 2019, the Campground reservation pricing rose to $375 per person for a four day / three night weekend visit. Keep in mind all pricing is subject to change without notice.

Even with the rising price each year, this is a trip of a lifetime and we recommend camping 3 nights to enjoy this divinely gorgeous part of the world. You will hike down 8 miles and then check in at the Tourist Check-in Office in the Village of Supai before hiking 2 more miles to the campground.

Mooney Falls at Havasupai is well worth the trek - but take your time!

How to reserve a room at the Supai Lodge

The Lodge is 8 miles down, located in the village of Supai. Remember, the waterfalls are 2 miles past the Lodge and the village.

BE READY to call on June 1 at 8 am MST!

Lodge reservations can be made starting on June 1, 2019 for all of 2020 reservations. At this time, all Lodge reservations must be made via telephone. To make reservations please call: (928) 448-2111 or (928) 448-2201. Learn more here.

In my opinion, the Lodge is simple, clean, very basic and nothing fancy. It’s only special if you despise camping. Supposedly, they recently updated the Lodge in 2018.

As of January, the 2020 room rates were listed as follows and are subject to change.

2020 Lodge Fees

• Deposit is $100 per room per night.

• $440 per room per night; rooms accommodate up to 4 people.

• A $110 entrance/environmental fee is charged per person.

• All fees include taxes, are non-negotiable, and subject to change without prior notice.

Hiking with older kids and teens to Grand Canyon’s Havasu Falls is epic

Where to stay before and after the Havasupai Falls Hike

Choose where you will lodge the night before you hike down. Some people sleep in their car at the trailhead at Hualapai Hilltop, but no thank you!

We suggest staying overnight about an hour’s drive from the trailhead at the Hualapai Lodge on Route 66 in Peach Springs, Arizona.

Also, plan your lodging for the night you hike out. We loved the newly updated Rodeway Inn & Suites Downtowner. Plus, Williams has fantastic places for dinner to celebrate your adventure!

If you’re looking for a second Arizona adventure after Havasupai, consider exploring spectacular Page Arizona.

Packing for Havasupai Falls Hike

Start narrowing down what you will pack about 2-3 months before your trip.

NOTE: The following is illegal on the reservation: Alcohol, Drugs, Drones, and Weapons. Leave it all at home.

Grab your free packing list here.

About Packing Food

As a rule of thumb, you can figure on using 2 lbs of food per person per day. Pack plenty of snacks for the hike down. There is a very pricey trading post in the village if you need to replenish your food stash.

There is also a super yummy Indian Fry Bread Hut at the beginning of the campground. Try it for one of your dinners, you’ll like it!

Be sure to eat the Frybread Hut while hiking to Havasupai Falls

In a nutshell, here are some great food items that pack well in one of your 32.5 lb bags: bagels, packaged oatmeal, trail mix, gummy bears, peanut butter, jam, granola bars, cereal bars, pepperonis, crackers, cheese, tortillas, canned tuna, rice, head of broccoli, canned chicken, Ramen, MREs, oranges, apples, raisins, nuts, hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and powdered milk… you get the picture. Bring a jet boil; no fires allowed in the campground.

Preparing our bags for the mules before we begin our Havasupai Falls hiking trip

Reserve mules 7-10 days before Day 1 of your hike. While controversial for some, we chose to hire 3 mules to carry all our camping gear and food for two families totaling 12 people ages 9 to 47. Our stuff went into large backpacks and duffel bags and then onto the mules.

Each mule carried a max of 4 bags at 32.5 pounds each. We carefully weighed and packed each bag evenly. You can also take a cooler. Here's the one legit way to hire mules. We averaged one bag per person for food and gear, so 12 people =12 bags. We hired 3 mules for our trip.

You drop your bags and have them checked and tagged at Hualapai Hilltop, where the trailhead begins.

Hiking to Havasu Falls

Get ready for the Havasupai falls hike

Again, know what you're getting yourself and your people into! The long hike down and up, plus the tricky descent down slippery, sandy ladders and chains to Mooney Falls.

See our photo journal here to get an idea of what the hike is really like with kids.

Everyone in your group should be physically prepared for this trip. Before your trip, everyone should be walking, running, biking, climbing stairs, and hiking A LOT, as well as lunging and squatting to prepare your legs. Don’t skimp on this!

Hiking out of the Grand Canyon

The week before you go:

• Print out your Havasupai reservation! You must have this in hand!

• Pack each bag up to 32.5 pounds each. See our complete pack list here.

• Pack your daypack with snacks/layers/water reservoir.

• Pack a bag of just your hiking clothes needed the morning of the hike down.

• Look at the weather again and make sure you have what you need. (We had a cold spell come through and typically 70 degree days became 55-60 degree afternoons!)

The night before you go:

• Lay out your hiking outfit

• Double check your day pack and water supply. There are no water spigots while hiking on the way down or back up! There is one water spigot at the campground.

• Make a plan for when to start hiking down from Hualapai Hilltop. Set 2 alarms to park your car and reach the trailhead in time to leave and tag your packs for the mules if you hired them. They will have told you what time to check, tag, and drop your bags.

Hiking out from Havasupai Falls

Above all else, adhere to all rules and suggestions given by the Havasupai Indians. You are their guest and it is a privilege to step onto their beautiful land.

Please feel free to reach out to me (tanya@radfamilytravel.com) and ask me any questions! HAVE FUN!

*Helicopters rides are offered daily down to Havasupai, weather permitting. They charge each way ($85 in 2020) with one medium sized backpack (20-40 lbs.) The flight leaves from Hualapai Hilltop, and drops you off in Supai Village 2 miles from Havasu Falls Campground. The helicopters are first come first serve, and the flight is less than 10 minutes. Airwest Helicopters is the contracted helicopter service. Contact Airwest Helicopters at 1-623-516-2790 to find out more information! The helicopter leaves from Supai Village and villagers, contractors, etc. have first dibs. You could wait in line all day to catch a ride out.