The ten mile hIKE along havasu falls trail

I’ve been trying to write this post for over a week now and I am still struggling to put this trip into words. Hiking the Havasu Falls Trail was unreal. And I’m just talking about the hike to the falls. The falls, shit that’s going to take me even longer to be able to write about them. Having my backpack on again after 5 months was enough to make me the happiest beeb, but then to hike somewhere this beautiful and it be in my own country😳. I don’t know, I just felt so fortunate the entire way down to the campground and couldn’t stop smiling! I read over 20 blog posts/articles before I arrived at Havasu Falls Trail and after doing it myself, felt a lot of helpful information was missing. So, I am going to do my best to make this as detailed as possible so anyone who is going someday can use this post to prepare! Remember you need a permit to hike this trail. Also, there is a packing list to come, so if you are going soon, sit tight! Don’t worry about the pictures spoiling it, pictures don’t do this place justice!

The DRIVE TO Hualapai Hilltop parking lot

If you are coming from Phoenix, prepare to be on the road for about 5 hours until your reach Hualapai Trail Head. The drive there is quite easy and straightforward but much easier if done in the day.  We left Phoenix at 10 pm and drove down Indian Road 18 at 1 am (the last hour of the drive) and I saw more giant elk and cows in 45 minutes than I have in my entire life. If I could do it all over again I would have left in the early afternoon stayed at Grand Canyon Caverns Inn, went to bed super early and left the hotel around 3 am arriving at the parking lot and taking off for the hike by 4/5 am.

The descent from Hualapai Hilltop

We were here at the end of April and the parking lot was completely full with cars parked along the street almost a mile from the parking lot at 3 am. If I were you, I’d drop off your stuff and then park your car so you don’t have to start with that extra mile! You’re able to sleep in your car so if you want to save money and not get a hotel or only need a nap before, you totally can! We started right before sunrise and I am so thankful for that for many reasons. One it wasn’t hot yet. Two it wasn’t busy. Three we got to the campground by 11 and had plenty of time to go and explore for the day. I definitely recommend hiking boots because of the loose gravel, somewhat steep incline and sand, but other than I would say this hike on the way down is quite easy. On the other hand, the way your body feels after the hike and the hike out is another story for another post.This is what the first two miles of the trail looks like.You’ll meet some friends along the way…I loved starting the hike right before sunrise because the sky changed colors every few minutes.

Sunrise on Havasu Falls Trail

By the time we got down the hill (it took about an hour) the sun started to rise up over the canyon. The path starts to get a bit more sandy at this point and levels out.I literally couldn’t stop taking pictures. Every direction you look is so beautiful.The more the sun came up the redder the dirt and rock got.

Havasu Falls trail down into the canyon

You can see the people off in the distance. This is where the trail really levels out and you are walking down in the canyon.
The view before the trail levels out…I loved all the different rock formations!Because we started our hike so early most of our hike was in the shade, another perk of leaving early! It was also partly cloudy so that helped.
We came around this corner about 2 hours into the hike and the lighting on this tree was absolutely perfect! I was so surprised how lush this trail was was for being in the desert!Something you really need to be careful of is the pack mules, they just come out of nowhere and there really is no warning. They won’t stop so make sure you get of their way!

The last two miles before the Village of supai

You’ll come to this rock about 6 miles in and the 2 miles is pretty accurate! You’re getting so close!
Then about 30 minutes later, you’ll come to this sign and you’ll be about 20 minutes from the village of Supai!

THE FIRST BLUE/gREEN water sighting on havasu falls trail

The first time you see the water it feels so surreal. It’s so clear!Signs are very clear along the way and if there are two paths they always merge into one at some point, so no need to worry about getting lost on this trail.

Arriving at supai village along the havasu falls trail

You’ll know you’ve arrived for many obvious reasons but the main indicator is these two rocks, Wii Gl’iiva, these rock formations guard the northern entrance to Havasu Canyon. They are considered sacred to the Havasupai Tribe and legend says that when the rocks fall, the walls of Havasu Canyon will close and the tribe will be no more. If you’re stopping for a simple snack stop at the first convenient store, but if you are needing groceries or want a larger selection, walk another 10 minutes to the main grocery store just past the tourism office.  This first one is quite small but they do have really good ice cream treats! Just a reminder you are in someone’s front yard, street, space when you are in the village so clean up after yourself. After the convenient store, you’ll walk about 10 minutes to the tourism office. Here, you’ll check in your group and get your wristbands for your stay. We stopped and took a few breaks and it took us about 3.5 hours to get to the village.Everyone in the group needs to sign their name and check-in. This was the water source at 9 am on a Friday in April so I can imagine it gets even busier. FYI there is a plethora of water provided by the spring in the campground just an hour from this one, so if you can, just wait until then to fill up. There are public bathrooms located across from the water supply if you need them. Here’s a picture of the larger grocery store. Then you’ll walk the last two miles of Havasu falls trail to the campground!Once again clearly marked….The water really starts to show it’s unique color the last hour of the hike to the campground.The trail is similar to the previous 6 miles but gets even more sandy and there is less shade.

Navajo Falls on the Havasu Falls Trail

The first falls you will see! The flood in 2013 split this fall so it looks a bit different than it used to, it’s great for swimming and just 35 minutes from the campground. We even saw someone snorkeling!Keep following signs to the campground.

Arriving at havasu falls

You can just cry now because you made it and it’s so beautiful.

ARRIVING AT Havasupai campground

The campground starts just five minutes after Havasu Falls. There are plenty of spots so keep looking if you don’t find one right away. There are a lot of spots next to the river and plenty of trees for hammocks! The Fern Spring is located at the beginning of the campground. They constantly check the quality of this water so no filter is needed! You’re basically just going to be walking around with your mouth open because you just can’t believe how beautiful this place is!
I’m going to talk more about this in another post clearing up some misconceptions of the campground and falls area but please follow all campground rules. Respect the area and other campers and most importantly take your trash with you when you leave! To read about the adventure to Mooney Falls, click HERE. Check back for more posts! Like Beaver Falls and 20 Things You Need to Know before hiking to Havasu Falls!