Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls lies on Havasu Creek, a side canyon of the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, on the reservation of the Havasupai Tribe. It is about 1.5 miles below the village of Supai and is the best known of several waterfalls on the creek.

The falls have changed shape many times. They were once called Bridal Veil Falls when the water spread over the rim in several streams, and flash floods have repeatedly reshaped the lip since a notch first appeared in 1910. Today the water falls mostly as one main chute.

The creek drops about 90 to 100 feet into a series of plunge pools. Its blue-green colour comes from calcium carbonate dissolved in the water, which also builds travertine terraces and dams around the pools. Visitors can swim in the pools and picnic on the far bank. Further downstream are Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls, reached by a steep descent with chains and ladders.

Reaching the falls takes effort. The trail starts at Hualapai Hilltop and runs 8 miles down to Supai, then another 2 miles past Havasu Falls to the campground. There is no drinking water between the trailhead and Supai, which has a small store and café. The falls have appeared in the 2007 film Next and in Beyoncé's 2019 Spirit music video.

All visitors need a permit reserved in advance through the Havasupai Tribe before entering the reservation, and permits sell out quickly. As of 2026 the tourism season runs from February to November, with reservations opening on 1 February. Carry plenty of water, start the hike early to avoid the heat, and take care when swimming, as drownings have occurred. Flash floods can close the area in the monsoon season.

Permits are the biggest cost of a trip. For the 2026 season the Havasupai Tribe charged $455 per person for a three-night campground permit, and a lodge room in Supai cost $2,277 for three nights for up to four people. Permits cannot be resold or transferred. Cancelling by email at least 90 days before the start date returns 50 per cent of the permit fee; later cancellations are not refunded.

Hikers who prefer not to carry everything can book pack mules, which cost $400 for a round trip per mule, and a helicopter flight between the hilltop and Supai costs $300 per person one way. Both are run on the tribe's schedule and can be cancelled in bad weather, so plan to walk out if needed.

The tribe calls the falls Havasuw Hagjahgeevma. The village of Supai, 1.5 miles above the falls, has a general store and a café where hikers can buy food.