It’s no secret that scoring a coveted Havasupai Falls Hiking permit can feel more like winning the lottery these days. With increased popularity on social media, the demand for these permits has far outreached the available supply. Though the Havasupai Tribe allows up to 500 hikers in on any given day during the open season, the permits this year for the more desirable months sold out online within minutes. Luckily though, there are several options for obtaining permits that make attaining them still possible, so don’t give up! Read on for several different options and insights for securing your very own Havasupai Falls Hiking permit.
First, there is some basic information you should be aware of before attempting to obtain your permit:
Hike Overview
Distance: This hike is 20 miles ROUND TRIP and covers a 2500’ elevation loss on the way in and gain on the way out. 1000’ of this is covered in just 1.5 miles at the very beginning of the trail over steep switchbacks, making the hike in and out very challenging with a full pack.
Time: This hike can take anywhere from 4 hours one way to 7 hours one way depending on pace, time of year (heat), and skill level. The average hiker would realistically need around 30-35 minutes per mile. We were able to clock in at a 25-minute per mile average for a total of 4 hours and 18 minutes on the return incline hike (with 35 lb. packs)! #proud
DO NOT attempt this hike if you do not feel you are physically able to handle this. If you feel that you can hike this without a heavy pack, there are several alternative options to having your gear taken care of.
NOTE: There is no day hiking aloud period. Fines for this can be substantial and it would not be worth it anyways!
Permit Pricing
The pricing listed includes all necessary permits, fees, and taxes for 2018 (this may increase in 2019 with increased demand):
One Person, 2 Days / 1 Night: $140.56
One Person, 3 Days / 2 Nights: $171.12
One Person, 4 Days / 3 Nights: $201.67
NOTE: an additional $18.34 per night will be charged for the following dates:
All weekend nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
Holiday weekday nights (February 19, May 28, July 4, September 3, October 8)
Spring Break weekday nights (March 5-8 and 19-22)
Payments must be made IN FULL by a valid credit card at the time of the reservation in order to secure a permit. They are non-refundable, non-transferable, and are resale prohibited.
When to Purchase
The permits go on sale each year on February 1st at 8AM Arizona time. Make sure you are aware what time this is as Arizona does not participate in daylight savings. Permits are available for purchase from February 1st through the end of November. In January and December, the falls are closed to hikers and no permits are issued.
The best time to go is in late April/early May or Late September/early October as the weather is the most tolerable and the water is just warm enough to enjoy. The summer months require hiking in/out very early before the sunrise as the daytime temperatures can reach over 100 degrees. The water is much warmer and a welcomed relief during this time.
NOTE: They close the trail down if temperatures reach over 115 degrees in the summer months.
If you book for the colder months (February, March, November) keep in mind that you may not be able to hike to Beaver Falls comfortably as the water temperatures are very cold and the hike requires crossing the river in several locations. The weather will be much more tolerable during the daytime but will drop at night so make sure to pack accordingly.
As I mentioned earlier, there are several options to obtaining permits. Check out the list below for detailed information and comparisons on each option.
Option 1: Online Reservation
This year (2018) was the first year that the Havasupai Tribe decided to launch an online website with a reservation system. You can access the link to the system directly here. Unfortunately permits are completely sold out for this year and usually sell out within minutes for weekends and dates during the holidays and summer months. This is the easiest and best way to obtain permits as they email you the confirmation information and you input your payment information directly online.
Pro Tip: If you choose to attempt to get permits online for next year, treat this as if you are purchasing concert tickets for your favorite big-name musician. Set a reminder, set a timer, use the world-clock, and have multiple computers set up or friends logged on to help out!
This is absolutely necessary when:
- You have a preference on a certain date over desirable dates (weekends, summer months, or holidays)
- You have a large group going that need several reservations over the same dates
- You want to book b2b reservations (stay longer than the maximum allowed 3 nights/4 days).
Please keep in mind that tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE (i.e. the individual listed on the reservation cannot transfer the reservation to another individual). Reselling tickets is also illegal and is punishable by hefty fines and a potential permanent ban from ever returning.
Option 2: Reservation by Phone
If you cannot obtain a permit online or are looking for a permit for 2018, you can still call the reservation office during the week to check for any reservation cancellations or open reservations that may not be listed online.
If you haven’t ever attempted to contact the Havasupai Tribe Office via phone, be prepared to be as annoying as a stage five clinger desperately calling their unreachable lover hundreds of times until they answer. You may get lucky on the first call, but it is fairly unlikely as there are very few people at the phone lines and thousands of calls coming in every day (especially during February). Persistence will eventually get you through.
The reservation phone lines are open from 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. on Monday through Friday. There are four different numbers with two operating on any given day. When you call through listen for an automated voice asking for you to press two numbers. If you get the automated voice, you have reached one of the lines in operation for the day and will hear a ring after pressing the numbers.
Reservation Line Phone Numbers:
- (928) 448-2180
- (928) 448-2237
- (928) 448-2141
- (928) 448-2121
NOTE: these phone lines are for Havasupai Falls Camping permits ONLY. If you are looking to stay at the lodge with included permits, you will need to call a different number listed in the Lodging option below.
Option 3: Havasupai Lodge Reservations (Includes Permit)
Image: Tripadvisor.com
If you are not much of a camper, don’t have the necessary gear, can’t carry a heavy pack, or prefer basic amenities like hot water, electricity, and Wi-Fi, then staying at the Havasupai Lodge is the best option for you. The lodge is located in town 8 miles into the hike on the way to the main waterfalls and campground. It is an additional 2 miles from the lodge to Havasupai Falls and an additional 6 miles to Beaver Creek Falls (the farthest landmark waterfall on site) so keep this in mind if you plan to hike to all of the waterfalls in the area.
This is a separate reservation system available only by phone, so I do not think the permits sell as quickly though I would assume they still sell out within a few days.
Lodge pricing is different from the regular Havasupai permit pricing. A one night stay in the lodge will run you $175 with a 10% additional tax rate for a total of $192.50 per night. A $60 deposit is required for each night of stay booked, and a one-time additional PERMIT fee of $90 is required per person. This will be your permit to visit all of the waterfalls on the Havasupai grounds. If you have 4 people to share a room, this cost is very comparable per person to the cost of a camping permit at $138.13 for one night, $186.25 for 2 nights, and $234.38 for 3 nights.
NOTE: If you choose to cancel your lodging reservation more than two weeks in advance, you will receive a full refund for the deposit. If you cancel within 2 weeks of the reservation, no refund for the deposit will be issued.
There are 22 rooms in the lodge with double beds, sleeping up to 4 people in each room. The lodge is very basic but includes a communal fridge and microwave for use. There are also two charcoal grills to use at the lodge. You can buy charcoal or food at the store in town during the day. It is suggested to bring your own food though, as the store and one café in town can be quite pricey (all supplies are carried in by mule or foot). You will need to check into the lodge between the hours of 8 am and 5pm so make sure to plan your hike accordingly.
Option 4: Book a Guided Tour
If you were not able to score a permit on your own and a lower end budget/money is not an issue, check out the option of booking a guided tour with one of the below companies. They have a calendar and all pricing option information as well as full itineraries available on their websites. These are very pricey (most of them start at $1400 per person and up) but include all necessary food, gear, supplies, permit fees, and guides. Some of the tours have options to add additional hikes and activities in along with the Havasu Falls hike.
Wildland Trekking – based in Flagstaff and one of the more reputable companies. Tours start at $1,230 for 2 nights with round trip transfer.
Four Season Guides -based in Flagstaff. Tours start at $1,250 for 2 nights with RT Transfer.
Just Roughin’ It – based in Phoenix Tours start at $1,370 for 3 nights and include round trip transfer.
BG Wild – Cheapest option at $595 per person for a 3 night trip – transportation RT from Phoenix available at an additional cost of 100$ per person.
Arizona Outback Adventures (AOA) – This is the priciest option at $1,415 for 2 nights not including transfer from any major cities. You have to meet these guys at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn.
Final Advice:
Be prepared to be flexible and be willing to hike during the week. The weekends and more desired dates sell out in lightning speed. If you want to guarantee a spot, be prepared to go whenever you can get a permit. If you do not want to sacrifice the dates you are wanting, I suggest going through a guided tour agency as they usually have an allotted amount of permits available long after the official permits go on sale.
Please keep in mind that if you hike in without a permit, there is usually someone checking names on a list at the entrance trail and in the first mile or so of the hike as well as people checking at the tourist office in town and in the entrance of the campground area. If you do not have a wristband and permit reservation, you can be fined or charged double for the permit fee on arrival if they allow you to stay. You do not receive your permit wristband until you reach town 8 miles in, so it is ill advised to attempt sneaking in only to have to hike the 4 hours back!
Whatever you do, DON’T GIVE UP. Getting a permit is possible but it won’t happen if you don’t put in the effort!
Have you found any other ways to guarantee a permit to the falls? Let us know in the comments below!