Havasu Falls
Arizona • 100 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
A Havasupai Tribe campground or lodge reservation is required for every visitor; day hiking is not allowed, and entering without a permit and wristband is treated as trespassing.
Photo Credits (5)
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Length
20.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
2,400 ft
About Havasu Falls
Havasu Falls is a roughly 100-foot waterfall on Havasu Creek, whose mineral-rich water gives its pools a blue-green color. It lies on the Havasupai Reservation, outside Grand Canyon National Park, and is administered by the Havasupai Tribe. Visiting requires an advance campground or lodge reservation; day hiking is not allowed. The falls are about 10 miles one way from Hualapai Hilltop, between Supai Village and the campground.
The Setting
Havasu Falls sits at 2,841 feet within Havasupai Reservation, fed by the Havasu Creek, in the hills of Arizona. At 100 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Arizona.
Height: 100 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Mooney Falls (200 ft) lies 0.8 miles to the northwest. Also nearby: Fiftyfoot Falls (50 ft, 0.7 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The hard 20.0-mile out-and-back trail gains 2,400 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
The trail begins at Hualapai Hilltop with steep switchbacks into the canyon, then follows a mostly dry wash 8 miles to Supai Village. Havasu Falls is about 1.5 miles past Supai on the main trail, just before the campground 2 miles beyond the village. The trip to the falls and back is about 20 miles with roughly 2,400 feet of climbing on the way out, usually split over a three-night stay.
What to Expect
The falls cascade 100 feet. Swimming is permitted.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Havasu Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets, service animals and private horses are not allowed anywhere on the Havasupai Reservation, including the trail, campground, lodge and village.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🤑 Fee: $455.00
Permit required
Permits are required to visit Havasu Falls and must be obtained in advance through the Havasupai Tribe's official website. Permits often sell out months in advance.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Havasu Falls?
✅ Swimming is allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit due to milder temperatures. Summer can be extremely hot, and winter may bring cooler temperatures and icy conditions on the trail.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Watch for flash flood warnings during monsoon season (July through September).
Safety Information
The hike is challenging and can be dangerous in extreme heat. Carry plenty of water, wear appropriate footwear, and be prepared for the physical demands of the trail. Flash floods are a potential hazard, especially during monsoon season (July-August).
Current Water Conditions
69 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 26 years of record
6.93 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge HAVASU CREEK ABOVE THE MOUTH, NEAR SUPAI, AZ (8 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
69 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Barely Flowing
69 cfs
5/10Fri
Barely Flowing
69 cfs
5/10Sat
Low
79 cfs
3/10Sun
Barely Flowing
73 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
75 cfs
3/10Tue
Low
76 cfs
4/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early March to late March, peaking in September.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Kaibab hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Havasu Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
Havasu Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 74°F to 47°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 69 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar shows Havasu Falls dropping about 275 feet in a single sheer step. That is more than the listed 100 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 2,788 feet above sea level.
The ground changes about 25 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 284 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,788 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 275 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From I-40, exit at Seligman and take historic Route 66 west, then turn right onto Indian Highway 18 and drive about 63 miles north to Hualapai Hilltop. The drive from Grand Canyon Village takes about 4 hours. Permit holders must first check in with photo ID at Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn on Route 66 on their start date or the day before.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Parking is along the road at Hualapai Hilltop. There are no services at Hilltop, and camping or sleeping in vehicles there is not permitted; the nearest services are in Peach Springs, about 66 miles away.
Elevation
2,841 feet above sea level
Coordinates
36.255148° N, -112.697952° W
Land Management
Managed by TRIB Restricted Access
Visitor Tips & Gear
Book a permit through the Havasupai Tribe's official reservation site; reservations are for three-night stays and day hiking is not permitted. Wear the issued wristband for your whole stay, and pack out all trash. Mules and helicopter flights can be booked separately.
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This challenging 20.0 miles trail gains 2,400 ft in elevation — come prepared with proper hiking boots and trekking poles.
Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter
The backcountry standard — filters 99.9% of bacteria and weighs just 3 oz.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Timberland Euro Sprint Mid Waterproof
Trusted waterproof boot with premium leather and grippy rubber sole — reliable on rocky, wet trails.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Lightweight aluminum, cork grips, and flip-locks that actually hold — a best-seller for good reason.
Where to Stay
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby Campground
JUMPUP CABIN
24.3 miles away · 1 sites
Overview Since the 1900s, Jumpup cabin has been used by ranchers as well as the Forest Service, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The site consists of a historic two-room cabin, shed and composting toilet. Recreation Jumpup cabin is located at the trailhead for the Ranger trail, a 17-mile wilderness trail that winds through Kanab Creek. Hiking this area is very popular in the spring and fall months, but is discouraged during the hottest summer months. Water is scarce and
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Havasu Falls, Arizona
Lava Warm Springs
Lava Warm Springs flows at 90°F on the Hualapai Indian Reservation in Mohave County near Peach Springs, emerging 20 degrees war...
Pumpkin Spring
Pumpkin Spring emerges as a mineralized thermal feature in the Grand Canyon's depths, located on the Hualapai Indian Reservatio...
Colorado Pool
Colorado Pool flows at 86 degrees Fahrenheit near the Grand Canyon in Coconino County at 2,912 feet elevation, requiring approx...
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Havasu Falls, Arizona on SoakingSprings.
Explore Arizona springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Other waterfalls in the area include Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, and Navajo Falls, all of which can be accessed via additional hiking from Havasu Falls.
Wildlife
The area is home to various desert wildlife, including lizards, birds, and small mammals. Visitors may also encounter horses and mules used by the local Havasupai people.
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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