Trip Overview
- Duration: 5 days / 4 nights (3 nights minimum)
- Activity: Hiking, swimming, canyon camping
- Distance: 10 miles in from Hualapai Hilltop; 20 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Moderate (trail is manageable; heat and distance are the challenge)
- Permit: Tribal permit required — $100+ per person, lottery opens February 1 each year
- Best Months: March–May and September–October
- Nearest Town: Peach Springs, AZ (60 miles) / Kingman, AZ (90 miles)
one of the highest-rated long hikes in the US
r/solotravel▲ 6.8k upvotes"I have been to 30 countries and nothing I've seen compares to stepping around a corner and seeing Havasu Falls for the first time. Get the permit no matter what it takes."
The Permit: The Hardest Part of the Trip
Havasupai is on the Havasupai Tribal Nation's land — not NPS land — and all visitors must have a tribal permit. The permit lottery opens February 1 at 8am Arizona time each year for the following season. Competition is extreme: the website regularly crashes, and the most popular dates (spring break, long weekends) sell out within hours. Permits cost approximately $100 per person per night plus a $35 environmental fee. The tribe adjusts pricing and availability annually, so check havasupaitribe.com for current rates. Tips: set alarms for Feb 1, be logged in 15 minutes early, have dates and backup dates ready, use a fast device. If you miss the lottery, check for cancellations — people do drop permits.
Getting to Hualapai Hilltop
The trailhead is at Hualapai Hilltop (5,200 ft), reached via a 60-mile dirt road from Route 66. The drive takes 1.5–2 hours from Williams, AZ. There is no fee to park. Arrive the night before or very early to get a good parking spot and start hiking before sunrise — the first section is exposed with no shade and the morning hours are critical for comfort.
Day 1 — Hike In to Supai Village and Campground (10 miles, 2,800 ft descent)
The trail begins with a steep 1.5-mile switchback descent from Hualapai Hilltop into Hualapai Canyon. Once in the canyon floor, the trail flattens considerably and follows a sandy wash between towering red walls for 8 miles to Supai Village. Check in at the tourism office (required), pick up any supplies from the small village store (overpriced — bring everything you need), and continue 2 miles to the campground. The campground sits along Havasu Creek with cottonwood shade — set up camp and walk to Havasu Falls for your first look. The 100-foot turquoise plunge pool is 0.5 miles from the main camping area.
Day 2 — Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls
Today is the highlight. Swim at Havasu Falls in the morning light before the crowds. Then make the descent to Mooney Falls — the tallest and most dramatic at 200 feet. The descent requires iron chains and hand-carved footholds through a narrow cave in the travertine cliff. It's exposed but manageable for most able-bodied hikers. From Mooney, continue downstream 3 miles to Beaver Falls — multiple tiers of cascading turquoise water in a slot canyon, rarely crowded because most people don't make it this far. Return the same way before dark.
Days 3–4 — Slow Days, Swimming, and Exploration
Extra nights in the campground are worth it. Fifty-Foot Falls and New Navajo Falls are upstream from the campground and worth exploring. The creek itself is swimable for miles. Afternoon thunderstorms in summer can temporarily change water levels — check conditions with rangers if visiting in monsoon season (July–August). The canyon walls shift color throughout the day as light changes angle.
Day 5 — Hike Out or Helicopter
The 10-mile hike out gains back the 2,800 feet. Start before sunrise — you want to finish the exposed upper section before 9am. Most people take 4–5 hours out. If you don't want to hike out, the tribe operates a helicopter service from the campground to Hualapai Hilltop (approximately $85–100 each way per person, very limited seats, book in advance through the tribe). Horses can also carry gear out for a fee — arrange through the tourism office. The helicopter is not a bailout option; book it in advance if you intend to use it.
What to Bring (Non-Negotiables)
- 3 liters water capacity — creek is flowing but treat or filter before drinking
- 4 nights of food, since the village store is limited and expensive
- Trekking poles for descent and the Mooney Falls chain section
- Water shoes or sandals for creek crossings and swimming
- Dry bags for camera and electronics (you will get splashed)
- Cash — tribe charges fees for various services, not all card-accessible
- Sunscreen and sun hat — 8 exposed canyon miles in AZ heat
