Havasu Falls

Before the great flash flood in August 1997, the travertine dams were much larger and almost acted like spas for visitors wishing to take a dip. The falls also used to be 120ft tall in a wider singular column before the power of the flood knocked out nearly a quarter of its height and created the dual plumes you see in the photographs here. Flash floods are actually a common part of the hazards of canyon living here and have occurred several times in the past - each time altering the landscape (including the destruction of Supai Falls). Recent flash floods have altered the shape of Havasu Falls once again, which you can see here.

In order to get to this waterfall, you'll have to hike at least 8 miles between a remote car park known as the Hualapai Hilltop and the village of Supai. This hike descends nearly about 2000ft over this distance, but you lose about 1000ft in elevation in just the first mile or so. You're basically descending from the rim of the Hualapai Canyon and you're hiking into that canyon.

Then, you hike the next 5 miles or so along the sandy Hualapai Canyon Wash. It's during this stretch that you'll be interrupted frequently throughout your hike in order to get out of the way of caravans of horses, riders, and mules hauling locals, supplies, and paying tourists to and from the Supai Village. The elevation change for the remainder of the hike is not nearly as noticeable as the first mile. And the canyon narrows as you get further along the wash. In some cases, you can see evidence of flash floods of the past putting stripes as well as holes in the canyon walls.

Eventually, you'll be at the Supai Village where you either stay in the lodge (if you're staying there) or register with the village (if you've booked a campground). You'll know you're in the village because it's the only sign of civilization around (note there's no formal road that goes here) and you've got balanced pillars or rocks visible throughout the village atop a cliff known as the Wigleevas (I think the Havasupai People believe these rocks are guardians watching over the village).

The trail continues beyond Supai Village for the next two miles until you reach the gorgeous Havasu Falls (note there are waterfalls along the way, which we'll describe in other pages). The trail yields views from the top of the falls but as the trail descends, you see the falls from varying angles. There are separete spur trails going to both its top as well as its base.

And it's at the base of the falls where the primitive campgrounds can be found. I'm sure you'll also find other people around as it is undoubtedly the most popular of the waterfalls in Havasu Canyon.

Beyond the campground, there's still more waterfalls on Havasu Creek such as Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls.

About 6 miles east of Peach Springs, you'll encounter and easy-to-miss (if you're going fast) turnoff onto Indian Road 18 on your left. You then take this road (paved all the way when we did it) for around 60 miles to the road's end at the Hualapai Hilltop. Even though there's quite a lot of space for parking up here, parking may still be a little difficult to find if you're not here early.

This car park is where you leave your car and begin your hike.

Given the logistics of this trip, you'll have to treat this trip as a multi-day backpack (it's too long for most people to see Havasu Falls in a day) and you need to secure permits before coming here or else the Havasupai people will turn you back. No exceptions!

If you're not up for the hike, it's possible to book horseback rides into the Supai Village as well as the quicker but more expensive helicopter option.

Update (5/2009)! Devastating floods in late Summer of 2008 have caused the closure and subsequent re-opening of the Havasupai Indian Reservation to visitors. In the wake of the floods, this falls has changed its shape and is not as wide as you see it here.

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Within Hualapai Canyon in early morning

Tall canyon walls as we get closer to Supai Village

Havasupai Lodge

The trail beyond Supai Village

A spot where Havasu Creek is both calm and reflective

Looking down from the very brink of Havasu Falls

The base of Havasu Falls

Profile view of Havasu Falls from within a natural shelter as we tried to avoid the rain that fell upon us during our visit


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TRIP REPORTS

• November 29, 2002 and November 30, 2002

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Mooney Falls
• Navajo Falls

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