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Got those vibrantly turquoise Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, or Beaver Falls in Arizona on your adventure bucket list? You’ll need to get a permit from the Supai Tribe first before you can start planning your trip.
Typically, permits to hike to Havasupai Indian Reservation are released each year on February 1st. However, since Havasu Falls was closed to visitors in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no new permits to hike to Havasu Falls were released in 2023. Instead, any hikers with a permit from 2020 can hike into the Havasupai Indian Reservation when it reopened in February 2023.
Don’t have a Havasu Falls permit from 2020? Don’t you worry! You can still hike to the world-famous Havasu Falls and Beaver Falls in 2023. I’ll show you step-by-step how you can score a transfer permit to Havasupai Indian Reservation and hike to these magical waterfalls!
Located just outside of Grand Canyon National Park in the Havasupai Indian Reservation, the majestic Havasu Falls and Beaver Falls are not on public lands. Managed by its residents, the Supai Tribe, you'll need a permit if you want to hike to Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls or camp in Havasu Campground.
Thinking about day hiking to Havasu Falls to avoid getting a permit? Don’t! Day hiking is not allowed.
Permit costs and minimum stay lengths continue to change year after year.
When I hiked to Havasu Falls in 2018, I stayed the minimum length of 2 nights at Havasu Campground. However, in 2023, visitors are required to stay a minimum of 3 nights.
For the 3-night minimum stay, Havasu Falls permits in 2023 will cost $395/per person.
Although these are the most expensive permits I’ve ever paid for, the unworldly experience of hiking to Havasu Falls is worth visiting! So much so that I hiked to Havasu Falls for the second time as soon as it reopened in February 2023.
Permits to hike to Havasu Falls for the entire year are released on February 1 by the Supai Tribe. And to be honest, getting a permit is even harder than the actual 10-mile hike into Havasupai itself! These permits typically sell out within minutes of when they are released, mostly due to the popularity of this hike. But with a little bit of strategy, persistence, and a whole lot of luck, you may be able to get a permit.
However, for the 2023 season, no new permits were released by the Supai Tribe. The only way you can hike to Havasu Falls in 2023 is if:
Want to hike to Havasupai in 2023 but don’t have a permit? Keep reading and I’ll tell you how to score a canceled permit!
You can only purchase new and transfer/canceled permits for the Havasu Falls hike from the official Havasupai Reservation system.
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If you want to hike to Havasu Falls in 2023 but don’t already have a permit, it’s not too late to get a 2023 permit. These permits are available to the public for purchase when original permit holders cancel their Havasupai trip.
The list of canceled permits is updated every morning at 8:00 am Arizona Time. From what I’m seeing, there are plenty of canceled permits coming up daily. So as long as you and/or your group are flexible with dates and can get to the trailhead easily, you shouldn’t have an issue getting a permit to hike to Havasu Falls in 2023.
Although new permits were not released in 2023, you can still hike to Havasu Falls in 2023 by reserving a permit that becomes available through a trip cancellation. Check the permit cancellation/transfer list on the official Havasupai Reservation system regularly, since this list gets updated daily at 8:00 am Arizona Time. As long as you are flexible with your trip dates, getting a Havasu Falls permit should be pretty easy!
October - early May is the best time of year to hike to Havasu Falls. Day temperatures during this time of year are comfortable. However, during the winter months, you’ll need to pack for cold nights. When I hiked to Havasu Falls on February 2-5, 2023, we experienced comfortable day temperatures of high 40’s - low 50’s and cold nighttime temperatures of high 20’s - low 30’s. And during my first hike to Havasu Falls in March of 2018, day temperatures were perfect, in the mid-50F to low-60F, while night-time temperatures were in the mid-30F - low-40F.
I do not recommend hiking to Havasu Falls during the summer months when temperatures are well over 100F and there are no water sources available to hikers along the Havasupai trail. However, if you end up hiking in the summer, start as early as possible and carry more water than you need.
I’d argue that getting a permit to hike to Havasu Falls is even harder than the hike itself! Within hours of being released, permits are typically completely sold out. However, if you are flexible with your travel dates, you can always keep an eye out for any permit cancellations that come up.
Yes. Since Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls are located in the Havasupai Indian Reservation, any visitors planning to hike to Havasu Falls or camp in Havasu campground, are required to secure a permit first.
Day hiking is not allowed in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. The minimum stay for visitors is 3 nights. Anybody wishing to visit or access Havasu Falls, Beaver Falls, or the Havasu campground is required to secure a permit.
Since there are several check-ins and checkpoints along the route, you will not be able to sneak in.
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