Havasupai Falls is a must-see for anyone traveling near Lake Havasu or near Grand Canyon National Park. The crystal clear, turquoise tinted water against the earth tones of the canyon walls is a sight you don’t want to miss. Coming up with a budget before you go is the best way to put your worries aside so you can focus on the beauty of Havasupai Falls.
Currently, the standard cost to visit the Havasupai Falls is $57 per person. However, the cost tends to fluctuate depending on the season, how you choose to get to Supai, and where you end up staying. It’s also important to factor in any outside costs that you’ll need to make the trek.
Havasupai Falls is beautiful but can be difficult to reach if you are not properly prepared. Knowing how much money you need to bring, and where you’ll spend it is important. Keep reading to find out more about what it costs to go to Havasupai Falls.
What Costs Should I Expect?
While the base cost to consider is how much it will take to enter the land itself, you should also consider other factors. These will usually include if you plan to camp or stay at the lodge if you need to bring food and backpacking equipment.
Permit to Visit Havasupai Falls
Since the falls are on tribal land, it is required to make reservations in advance. It is even said that you should consider doing so months in advance to ensure you can get a spot. There are entrance fees, campground fees, and environmental fees. These are each per person. NO DAY HIKING IS ALLOWED.
All fees must be paid at the camping office, which is located in the village of Supai, about 8 miles from Hilltop. The entrance fee is $35, the campground fee is $17, and the environmental fee is $5. Each of these is per person, so for one person to camp at the Havasupai campground, they must pay $57.
The Campgrounds (or Lodging)
The campgrounds provide some utilities that allow you to pack somewhat lighter. These are composting toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. Other than this, you would need to bring your equipment for camping.
It is important to note that no campfires are allowed, so be sure to bring food that can travel well and won’t need to be cooked. Make sure to plan accordingly, especially considering how long the hike down is, so you won’t want to overpack or not have enough food.
If you’re not interested in camping there is another option. We’ve had friends that have gone this route and highly recommend it. There is Havasupai Lodge for those not interested in camping. The Havasupai Lodge is located in the village of Supai which is down from Hualapai Hilltop Trailhead and before you get to the waterfalls.
Getting There
While the standard way to get to Havasupai Falls is by hiking the almost 10-mile trek, other ways are less strenuous. If you do decide to use a different method of reaching the falls, then be sure to check the prices when calculating how much it will cost.
Helicopter
There are helicopters available on certain days and times to take visitors down to Supai. You will proceed to pay all of the standard fees there before hiking the last two miles down to the campgrounds. The cost of a helicopter typically starts at $85 a person but can go up depending on the time of the year. If you choose to take the helicopter know it’s a first-come-first-serve basis. The Natives get to go on first then proceed from there. You may have to wait many hours before you get on and you are allowed 1 bag only per person.
Mules
Another popular method to reach the falls is by renting a mule. You will need to make reservations at least a day before your trip and meet them at Hilltop to begin your journey down to Supai. The cost to rent a mule is $105 per person, and can also go up depending on the time of the season. It is good to keep in mind that this is for each way, so plan accordingly.
Gear and Food
This is an unexpected cost for many, but highly important to note as it could be your most expensive one. Factoring in gear and food costs is especially important if you need to purchase new equipment. However, you can use this equipment again, so the cost may be worth it if you plan to use it often.
Food
While the campground does have water, they do not provide food or allow campfires. Make sure to bring food you won’t need to cook but make sure it will provide enough energy to allow you also to hike back.
Supai does have a convenience store and restaurant, both small, but it is two miles from the campground. The restaurant is not always open You may want to consider stopping by on your way down or on your way out, but don’t plan on making daily trips unless you are prepared for the hike.
Some of the best foods to bring are items like energy bars or MREs, as they will give you the most energy while being the easiest to prepare. There are also small backpacking stoves you may be interested in purchasing, but note that this would be extra weight you would have to carry.
Gear
This is most likely the most expensive part of the trip if you don’t already have some of these items. You will want items like a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and decent hiking clothing. Hiking shoes/boots and a good pair of water socks are also recommended since there can be a lot of hiking through the river.
You will also want a bag that is large enough to carry everything while still being comfortable to carry. Note that you will need to bring water for the hike, so this is a large weight you will need to consider in your bag.
While most people do prefer to purchase the majority of their equipment, there is also the option to rent some of these. You can usually do so at a nearby store, and the best items to rent are usually gear like a tent. However, if you plan to make multiple trips like this, then it may be cheaper, in the long run, to purchase your tent.
The biggest thing to note is that the hike isn’t easy. This means you will want clothing and gear that helps lighten the difficulty somewhat. Having decent hiking shoes and a proper backpack that won’t strain your shoulders is a must!
Guided Tours
This isn’t a cost everyone will experience, but many prefer having a tour package to make the trip somewhat easier. This will often help ease the stress of planning the entire trip and finding where you are supposed to go and allows you to enjoy the beautiful falls.
Each of these tours can vary in length or experience, so make sure to research them to make sure you are getting the most out of your trip.
Havasu Falls Outfitted Package
This guided tour includes rental gear, meals, and assistance with everything. The only thing this package doesn’t include is the reservation itself.
No reservation means you would be required to make the reservation yourself, and then this package will take care of all of the equipment and food you will need for the actual trip. The Havasu Falls Outfitted Package is for a trip that is three to four days long and starts at $140 per person.
Havasu Falls Explorer
The Explorer package includes the fully guided tour, gear, meals, and the reservation itself. For a four-day trip with this package, it would cost $940 per person. However, it is important to note that $475 of that cost is based on what they predict the reservation will most likely cost. There is a slightly cheaper version of this package as well, which is simply because it is only a three-day trip instead of four.
Final Thoughts
Havasupai Falls is a beautiful location that comes highly recommended by everyone who has visited. It is a difficult hike, so it is important to make a note of this and prepare plenty in advance for the 10-mile journey.
While the initial cost for a single night stay is only $57, which may change depending on the season, it is important to note the cost of equipment and food. These can vastly change your expenses depending on what you need, and it may be cheaper to consider renting instead.
