Havasupai - Everything you need to know

I'll try to update this with any more info I come up with. Some people have asked what to put if they don't have rental car info. You can send a question to the Tribe (e mail is on their website. I think under the Help and Contact section.) Personally, I would put down my own vehicle's info to register/buy permits. And when I got to the Inn, I would tell the person who I got the permit from and ask what you need to do to change it. Leave a copy of the paperwork on the dashboard. I haven't seen anything that makes me think they check vehicles against the permits or anything. But this is just my opinion. I don't know, and they haven't gotten back to me from my original questions yet. I doubt it would help to send another. Edit 1: I finally got a response from the Tribe about the trail and checkpoint hours, but it was just a canned response that basically said it depends on the time of year and conditions and I should check back when it gets closer to the date of my hike. In response to how many vehicles can you park at the trailhead on a single reservation, they said this; "For parking options, there is ample parking available for all visitors. However, it is important to adhere to the parking regulations to avoid any inconveniences. Please refrain from parking in areas that are designated as "No Parking" and avoid using the parking area by the helipad, as this is reserved exclusively for members of the Havasupai Tribe. Parking on the road itself is also prohibited, and vehicles parked in violation of these regulations may be subject to towing. While there is limited parking for RVs, you may need to park at a distance from the trailhead along the side of the road. Please be aware that turning around on the way out may be challenging due to tight parking conditions." Edit 2: Appears there have been a lot of overbookings and the presale didn’t go smoothly. It’s a shame. Hopefully they’ll get it sorted out for 2025. Edit 3: I wasn’t able to get info on when the checkpoint opens, ie how early you can start hiking. I’ve also read a random comment that said the checkpoint is gone. I don’t know if that’s true or not. If you’re concerned about what time you can start hiking and you’re coming in the night before, I recommend you confirm when you can go when you pick up your permit. If you’re getting your permit the day you start hiking, you’ll probably be limited by when the permit office opens. Either way, I recommend starting as early as they’ll allow.

Wow! The last time I was in Havasupi was 1969. We went down with a group of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts 40 of us in all. It was the third week in October. We were the only group down there. We camped at Mooney Falls. Amazing the swing rope is still there in the same location. We actually went there each Oct in '66, '67, '68 and '69. It was an amazing and spiritual adventure. I can't imagine it would be the same with 400 other souls.

"Didn't see any propane in the village store.". After seeing those leftover cylinders, I'll bet not. This seems like THE comprehensive guide for this destination. Really well done. I don't know that I'll ever want to go there myself but a lot of the questions I had about Havasupai were answered and I appreciate your commitment to no trace and respecting the people who live there.

Jerry, you are so easy to listen to, voice, delivery, everything.

Thanks for the video. I enjoy your channel immensely. Make sure you keep us fans up to date on the surgery and recovery process. You have many more good years left in you.

Great video. How things have changed since I used to go there in the mid 90's. I remember that we had to pay 2 $20 for the permit. We'd camp overnight in the parking lot before hiking down. One trip I happen to get sick the morning that we had to hike out. I paid $20 to have a mule take my pack up. I was able to hike out. When I arrived at the parking lot my pack was just left leaning against the light pole. I don't believe at that time no where near 400 hikers down there. Once seen a boy scout group coming down kids were carrying ice chests, luggage and what not. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity back then to hike there. By the way, I really like altra's for hiking too.

This one got me to just get the permit and go, got kinda stuck on my list of things I must do and spooked off by recent events and high demand. The video was key to scoring a permit Feb 1 and knowing all the things I needed to do at the start. There are too many people in the campground but at least I knew to expect a crowd, most are friendly and that made it fun. They let groups arrive at the trailhead super early, especially as it gets warm -- no need to worry about early access, they told us to go on in if nobody is there. It seemed most people were leaving from the Caverns at 4AM and drive to the Hilltop. We did the full backpack in and out and the canyon has more shady spots than I expected, only the switchback section is difficult, but please note with this comment: I hike Grand Canyon every year the last 50 years.

Ok,.....Last April was my 4th time down to supai and while I enjoyed myself I couldn't help but think......This isn't worth all the time and money anymore!!?? I'm happy with a simple trip to Fossil Creek for $6. At my age of 58....I hate to feel like a Chump or Sucker....and that's how I felt. Rafting the Colorado river 180 miles this summer ...can't wait. Skiing Flagstaff tomorrow! Lol Timmy C the forever bachelor.

Fabulous work. With your note about the time put into it -- it sure shows in results. Nicely done editing stuff from past trips to make this so complete -- exceptionally good and useful for any level of outdoor experience, or even essentially no prior experience at Grand Canyon.

What a perfect video. You covered everything that needs to be known without revealing too much that would spoil the fun. Great work!

Thank you for this unbelievably informative, thorough video, Jerry. Grateful for your work, especially while you're injured. Love you man!

Good way to continue to post while dealing with your injury. Keep them coming. My wife and I are traveling to the south west sometime in March and I will try to get her to do a few of your hikes with me. Since the high in Minnesota was -2 degrees, I think she may be convinced. Take care Jerry!

Wow. My grandfather used to take us to Havasu every summer. I was too little to go with the bigger kids on the trails, but these are fascinating. I think i see brickwork every once in a while, especially at 33:48. These look man-altred to me. I'm learning about Lake Bonneville and how it altered the West. There was a catastrophic event that destroyed a lot of villages and structures. It was the melted tops that threw me off. All I can see at some of these places is high-pressure water marks, with no receding watermarks. It is very confusing, especially in a desert. I even think that I see megalithic blocks throughout this video and regular size bricks here and there. Did anything look like brickwork to you? Amazing cave system and the terraced ponds that struck me as a paradise to live in. The possibilities in the canyon for ancient life are 100%. Check every box! Thank You for the information and for taking us along. 😊

Thank you for such a great video. Honest. Detailed. Everything you need to plan this trip. Been on my wife's bucketlist for years. We never knew all the details behind this trip and we just need to be honest its not something we physically can do. Great video. Thank you.

Wow! What a thorough, informative video. Clearly, you put a lot of thought and work into this. Well done! My wife and I went there around 1988 with a group of other U of A grad students. We had the place pretty much to ourselves. We stayed at the lodge and even starving grad students could easily afford it then. We made it to the bottom of Mooney Falls but not further, unfortunately. I would love to go back there. The natural beauty there is spectacular and it deserves its reputation. Thanks for your rant about packing it out. That should go without saying but unfortunately some people just aren't up to speed on a lot of things that should be common sense.

Three of my school friends (Class of ‘73!) and I hiked into the canyon on 4/29/24. All of us will be 69 years old this year, but are in good shape. We had a ball, and your informative video (and the one of Mooney Falls chains and ladders) was so helpful. Thanks so much for the work and editing you put into your videos. We made it to Beaver Falls—gorgeous.

Fantastic video segment! Will probably never make this trip (I'm 67 now). Really enjoy your segments. Hope you and Tina are well.

Got my reservation. Would not have even known about the lottery without this video coming out right on time, thank you good sir.

You are always so thorough. 💪 I can't wait to rewatch this in a year or so.

I had forgotten how much of a concern it was for the water shoes question. I was so wrapped up in the forums that I actually bought a separate pair just for that trip. They worked and were fine, but like you said, I could have easily just worn my altras and brought camp shoes. One of those things you kind of learn as you hike and backpack more, I guess. On my first try, I was able to snag a Memorial Day weekend date, back in 2017, for my son's 18th. It was warm, but it was fun. On our last day, we hiked out just after 7 pm and made it to hilltop at midnight. It was slightly too warm for us to chance waiting on the helo and then not getting it. Hike in and out was beautiful, even saw a coyote in the evening. On the way in, one of the tribal members on horseback did stop and check our permit. Also, that road to the TH, make sure you keep an eye out driving! Elk, cows, and jack rabbits are often alongside and/or on the road. Great trip! Still debating on if I'll try again. So many other places to see that I could apply that fee. It's definitely a place to visit at least once.