Havasu Falls
4.5(669)google
4.1(185)yelp
HikingLake
Overview
Havasu Falls is a world-renowned paradise tucked deep within the Havasupai Indian Reservation near the Grand Canyon. Famed for its breathtaking turquoise-blue water cascading over fiery red sandstone cliffs, the main waterfall drops nearly 100 feet into a series of travertine swimming pools. Reaching this hidden oasis requires a strenuous 10-mile hike, horseback ride, or helicopter flight, ensuring its pristine nature is preserved. The contrast between the vibrant blue-green water, rich in calcium carbonate, and the surrounding desert canyon creates an otherworldly oasis. The rewarding journey offers an unparalleled wilderness experience, blending physical challenge with stunning natural beauty.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-3 days
Best TimeLate spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) are most perfect, when the water is warm enough for swimming and the temperature is right for hiking; July–August is the local monsoon rainy season, extremely prone to deadly flash floods, so be especially vigilant
Getting ThereAfter driving to the Hualapai Hilltop parking lot, you must rely entirely on hiking on foot, riding horses, or booking the extremely hard-to-get helicopter to fly to Supai village, then walk to the falls area
Travel Tips
- A hidden paradise deep in the Grand Canyon, world-famous for its surreal, magical Tiffany Blue waterfalls and pools formed by travertine deposits; it belongs to the Havasupai Native American reservation
- It is extremely unwelcoming to walk-in visitors; you must strictly book an exclusive permit including 3 nights' lodging in advance during the official ticket-grab season each year, and the per-person cost is very high—going directly will get you turned away and fined
- Reaching the falls requires hiking a one-way rocky desert mountain trail of about 10 miles (16 km) from Hualapai Hilltop to the campsite, with extremely high and strict demands on stamina, load-carrying, and wilderness camping gear
Reviews
Positive
- The most beautiful and stunning place I've been in my life! Red rock wraps around jelly-like blue waterfalls, and all the exhaustion of the 10-mile hike vanished the instant I saw the falls
- Although the permit is hard to get and expensive, the reservation limits daily numbers, so inside there's none of the crowding of ordinary tourist sites—you can fully enjoy nature's masterwork
Heads up
- The ticket and camping fees soar year after year, making it less and less worth the cost. The long one-way loaded hike really will destroy your legs; people without heavy-pack hiking experience should never attempt it lightly