{"id":277,"date":"2024-11-20T03:45:42","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T04:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/?p=277"},"modified":"2025-02-25T13:43:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T13:43:03","slug":"havasu-falls-camping-must-know-planning-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/2024\/11\/20\/havasu-falls-camping-must-know-planning-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Havasu Falls Camping: Must-Know Planning Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"
Havasu Falls and the surrounding area on the Havasupai Reservation is one of the most special places I have ever visited. I\u2019ve been twice now, and both times my mind was blown. <\/p>\n
The creekside campground is central to five incredible and massive waterfalls with turquoise swimming holes around every corner \u2013 all surrounded by vibrant orange cliffs that the Grand Canyon region is known for. <\/p>\n
If camping at Havasu Falls is on your bucket list, there are some important things to know before you go. In this post, I share my best Havasu Falls camping tips based on my two experiences there, so you are prepared to have the best trip possible.<\/p>\n
The Havasu Falls Campground is located 10 miles from the Hualapai Hilltop<\/strong> trailhead, and two miles past the Supai Village located on the Havasupai Reservation. Here is what to expect when you arrive at the Havasu Falls Campground.<\/p>\n The camping area at Havasupai is about a mile long and sits between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. Do not expect solitude at the campground. The Havasu Falls campground can accommodate 300 campers, so you will have neighbors. <\/p>\n There are no assigned sites. The campsites are first-come-first-serve and are scattered throughout the designated camping area. If you are concerned about getting a prime campsite, get an early start on your Havasu Falls hike from the trailhead. <\/p>\n A majority of the campsites sit directly on both sides of Havasu Creek which runs through the campground. I personally think that the right side of the Creek (opposite of the trail) is better. Since it\u2019s further from the main trail, it\u2019s a little quieter and has less foot traffic cruising through. The only thing downside is access can be a bit tricky with limited footbridges to cross.<\/p>\n Both times I visited Havasu Falls, the crowds seemed thinner the closer you got to Mooney Falls. The only disadvantage of being closer to Mooney Falls toward the end of the campground is that the drinking water spigot is located near the start of the campground. So anytime you need to fill up, you\u2019ll have a longer walk. <\/p>\n Most of the campsites have picnic tables, but not all of them. <\/p>\n A helpful tip is if you aren\u2019t stoked on your campsite the first night, you can always move to a new campsite on day two. I saw many groups do this after people packed up and left on their final day.<\/p>\n The campground is busy and you\u2019ll likely be within eye and ear sight of your neighbors. So don\u2019t be inconsiderate and yell all night at your campsite or blast loud music (like some of my neighbors did). <\/p>\n There are four composting toilet\u00a0facilities evenly spaced throughout the campground, and during both of my visits they were surprisingly clean with plenty of toilet paper (although it\u2019s not a bad idea to pack some just in case). There are NO showers. <\/p>\n If you have to pee in the middle of the night, please make the trek to the toilets and don\u2019t just pee at your campsite. With all of the people who are camping here, if everyone did that, the campsites would be smelly and gross. If this is going to be an issue for you, bring a jug to pee in and dump it in the toilets in the morning.<\/p>\n Campfires are not allowed\u00a0in the Havasu Falls camping area or anywhere on the Havasupai Reservation. <\/p>\n There is potable water available in the Havasupai campground. You will need to bring vessels to transport your water back to your campsite. If you don\u2019t want to constantly walk back and forth to the spigot, I recommend bringing a water storage bag<\/a>. Don\u2019t do dishes or use soap here. <\/p>\n Watch out for marmots and squirels. They are sneaky and will get into your food if it\u2019s left out where they can get to it. The first time I was there, a rodent chewed through my friend\u2019s backpack and ate her lunch when we were swimming at Fifty Foot Falls. <\/p>\n Then last time I was there, I saw squirrels hopping two off the ground onto people\u2019s bags hanging from a tree. They then ate right through the backpacks to get to the food inside.<\/p>\n They will even chew through your tent to get to you food (believe me, I saw that happen too)! These little buggers are pretty relentless, and as a result, bear canisters<\/a> are now required for all campers. <\/p>\n When you leave your camp to go for a swim or a hike, make sure to leave all of your food and scented items in a bear canister outside of your tent. <\/p>\n There are signs everywhere throughout Havasu Falls that ask you to pack out your trash. I was disgusted to see people leaving garbage bags of trash by the bathrooms and piled by the ranger station despite all this signage. There are also people leaving camping gear, nearly empty fuel canisters, and discarded water shoes at the ranger station. This behavior is not okay \u2014 please be respectful and pack out ALL of your trash and camping supplies.<\/p>\n All of the trash that you choose to leave behind has to be helicoptered out by the Havasupai Tribe. So please don\u2019t be lazy and leave your food or any other trash at the campsites or in the restrooms.<\/p>\n Havasu Falls is a photographer\u2019s paradise. It\u2019s literally impossible to take a bad photo and it\u2019s a great place to practice if you want to improve your camera skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, drones are NOT allowed on the Havasupai reservation. Everyone down there is trying to enjoy nature, and drones are loud and disturb the peace. <\/p>\n Also, the Tribe asks that you don\u2019t take photos of the locals or while in the village. So you can leave your camera in your pack while you\u2019re passing through.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to remember that the Havasupai tribe doesn\u2019t have to let tourists into Havasupai to visit these falls. Recognize that we are visitors in their home and it\u2019s a privilege to be there, not a right. Be respectful of the rules and their land, and be friendly, just as they are to us. Here are some other rules that you need to follow on the Havasupai Reservation:<\/p>\n Advanced permits are required in order to camp at Havasu Falls. You must secure one online through the Havasupai Reservations website and pick up your permit in person at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn near Seligman, which is 90 miles from the Trailhead. <\/p>\n \u2192 For more details<\/em>, see my Havasu Falls Permit Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be able to sneak in \u2013 permits are highly regulated at Havasupai. There is a guard stationed on the road about 5 miles from the trailhead who checks permits for every person in your group. Additionally, each vehicle must have a copy of their reservation displayed in their window.<\/p>\n There are two ways to get to the Havasu Falls Campground. A majority of people hike since helicopter rides are not guaranteed. I would suggest that you should plan a trip to the Havasu Falls campground unless you are willing and able to hike.<\/p>\n The main way that most people get to the Havasu Falls campground is by hiking. It\u2019s 10 miles each way. The hike in is long, but fairly easy as it\u2019s all downhill. The hike back to the car is more challenging due to the 2,200 feet of elevation gain and the sun exposure. <\/p>\n \u2192 Check out<\/em> my Havasu Falls Hiking Guide<\/a> for everything you need to know to prepare for the hike to the campground.<\/p>\n If you\u2019d rather not hike to or from Havasu Falls, there\u2019s a first-come, first-serve helicopter that leaves from both the Hilltop Trailhead and the landing pad in Supai Village. <\/p>\n It\u2019s operated by a private company called Airwest Helicopters. It flies from March 15 to October 15 on Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays, and the rest of the year it only flies Sundays and Fridays. Call \u00a0(623) 516-2790 for the latest info.<\/p>\n In the past, it cost $100\/person (tack on a $10 fee if paying by credit card), and you are allowed to bring one bag on the helicopter up to 40lbs.<\/p>\n The thing is they don\u2019t take reservations, and it\u2019s not guaranteed you will be able to use it. Locals and Tribe Members get first priority, and the helicopter doesn\u2019t fly in bad weather. This means that you shouldn\u2019t rely on the helicopter, and you should always be prepared to get to the campground by foot if you don\u2019t make it on the chopper. <\/p>\n While I\u2019ve personally never taken the helicopter, when BFT contributor Courtney Stephenson visited, she took the helicopter out to save time and energy for the drive home. She started the hike from the campground to the village at 5:30am and was #9 in line for a ride out.<\/p>\n Flights begin around 10am so be prepared to arrive early and wait around. The helicopter takes 6 passengers at the time, and based on the number of locals, she ended up on the 3rd ride out of the day, arriving back to her car by 11am. <\/p>\n I imagine if you\u2019re trying to fly out in peak summer heat, you need to arrive even earlier and be prepared to wait for hours. They will continue flying until everyone is accommodated or until it gets dark. <\/p>\n Courtney said that taking the helicopter was a unique experience (what other backpacking trip can you take a helicopter out of?!) with stunning views of the canyon. <\/p>\n Permits for camping at Havasu Falls are good for 3 nights \/ 4 days. So how should you spend your time? Luckily there is so much more to do than visiting Havasu Falls. There are a total of 5 waterfalls in Havasu Canyon<\/a> that are worth exploring on your camping trip. <\/p>\n Here is an itinerary for your Havasu Falls camping trip: <\/p>\n For your 4-day \/ 3-night trip to Havasupai, you need to pack in AND OUT all of your gear and supplies. This includes food, supplies, trash, and camping gear. <\/p>\n \u2192 For a complete list<\/em> of what hiking and camping gear you need for Havasu Falls, check out my full Havasu Falls Packing Checklist<\/a>.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll want the basics (tent, sleeping bag, tent, sleeping pad, cooking gear, water filter, etc) plus gear for hiking and swimming at the falls, and a bear canister<\/a> to protect your food.<\/p>\n Water is available at the campground. There is a small store in the village of Supai where you can get basic snacks and drinks, but don\u2019t rely on supplies here.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll want to check the weather ahead of your trip, so you can plan accordingly. A tarp to hang over your picnic table isn\u2019t a bad idea, and a hammock is a nice way to relax at your campsite. <\/p>\n Download my Free Havasu Falls Packing Checklist<\/a> <\/strong>to your phone so you can make sure you don\u2019t forget anything!<\/p>\n The best time to camp at Havasu Falls depends on what you want to do there. Do you want to swim? Or do you want to avoid the crowds? Here\u00a0are the pros and cons of visiting Havasu Falls in the different months:<\/p>\n A note about monsoon season<\/strong>: Monsoon season in Arizona typically runs from mid-June through September. Havasu Canyon has historically seen flooding, including dangerous flash floods. Be prepared by checking the weather forecast, complying with rules and regulations, and paying attention to any alerts from the Rangers.<\/p>\n I hope this guide helps you plan an unforgettable camping trip to Havasupai! It\u2019s one of the most special places I\u2019ve ever camped, and I\u2019m sure you will love it too!<\/p>\n What questions do you have about planning a camping trip to Havasupai? Have you been? Leave a comment below!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The post Havasu Falls Camping: Must-Know Planning Tips<\/a> appeared first on Bearfoot Theory<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Havasu Falls and the surrounding area on the Havasupai Reservation is one of the most special places I have ever visited. I\u2019ve been twice now, and both times my mind was blown. The creekside campground is central to five incredible and massive waterfalls with turquoise swimming holes around every corner \u2013 all surrounded by vibrant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=277"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":294,"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/277\/revisions\/294"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.nezam-hormozgan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Finding a Good Campsite<\/h3>\n
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Bathroom Facilities<\/h3>\n
Campfires<\/h3>\n
Drinking Water<\/h3>\n
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Wildlife<\/h3>\n
Trash<\/h3>\n
Photography Rules<\/h3>\n
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Other Havasupai Camping Rules<\/h3>\n
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Due to its remote location, this is not a place you want to get hurt, so do everyone a favor and don\u2019t go cliff jumping. There are signs EVERYWHERE reminding people of this rule.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\nHavasu Falls Camping Permits<\/h2>\n
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How to Get to the Havasu Falls Campground<\/h2>\n
Hiking<\/h3>\n
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Helicopter<\/h3>\n
Havasu Falls Camping Itinerary<\/h2>\n
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What Camping Gear to Pack<\/h2>\n
Best Time to\u00a0Camp at Havasu Falls<\/h2>\n
February, March, and November<\/h3>\n
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April, May, and October<\/h3>\n
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June, July, August, and September<\/h3>\n
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Save this post to Pinterest<\/h6>\n
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More Camping Tips<\/h2>\n
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