havasupai reservation
 

My husband and I are going to Vegas in the beginning of June. We have been reading about an over-night tour from Vegas down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon by helicoper. You stay over night in the Havasupai Lodge and hike to see 3 different waterfalls ( 2meals are included). Does anyone know anything about this tour or the Havasupai lodge?

I have hiked down there, before the lodge was built. It is indeed an incredibly beautiful place. It is not at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, however; Havasu is a side canyon. The Lodge is a tribal enterprise of the Havasupai Tribe:

http://www.havasupaitribe.com/

I think it's pretty bare-bones, but certainly adequate for your overnight. There is more information about the area and photos of the falls here:

http://www.kaibab.org/supai/gc_supai.htm

enzian: Thanks for the information. The tour we were looking at was going to cost $750 each, which I thought to be a bit much for a helicoper ride and one night stay! The web-site you gave me was really helpful and a lot cheaper! Thanks again!

Glad I could help. It does look like that tour operator planned to overcharge you a bit. Maybe they provide a guide for the hikes, etc. But you don't really need one; as I recall it would be hard to lose the trail.

The Kaibab.org website mentions that the pool below Mooney Falls is "the most popular swimming hole" in the Grand Canyon area. Years ago, we had it all to ourselves! But it is wonderful---you can swim around behind the falls. The trail down is carved out of the cliff and goes through some tight tunnels, has a few places where you have to hold onto spikes or chains in the rock. But I don't remember it feeling at all unsafe.

Thanks again for all your info! That price did include a guide for the hike, but that would mean that would be $1,000 guide!Loosing our way, is what my husband was worried about. I didn't think you could get lost. Thanks again! Will let you know how we made out when we get back. We are also going to do the hike in ZION through the narrows. Have you ever done that? We made it part way a few years ago, but didn't have the right gear! This time we are going to try it the right way!

The Narrows is great!

I am copying our experience in Havasupai below from a thread posted a few years ago. The falls are amazingly beautiful - the hike is easy to locate. The Lodge leaves a lot to be desired. Here's what I wrote before:


You asked about the lodge and I will be honest with you. I read a lot of travel guidebooks that said the lodge was simple but clean. On the surface that is true. It had all the important things to me: clean sheets, clean bathroom, air conditioning and a bathroom! But the lodge is badly in need of reburishing. It is very run down. The furnishings were old, and the bathroom tiles were peeling. The light in the bathroom would go off, and then go back on in a few minutes, then go off again. The bureau had no drawers. There was no TV, clock or phone, but we knew that going in. There was no overhead light - just two exposed wires hanging down from the ceiling. We were on the 2nd floor and the balcony was missing one of its railings. In its place was yellow caution tape strung where the railing would be. Now we are usually Holiday Inn type people, so it's not like we only stay at 4-star places. The village of Supai also lacks charm, to put it mildly. The Havasupai homes are small and modest, but many yards were littered with trash. I don't mean a can or wrappers here and there, I mean piles of trash.

The first day we hiked the 8 miles in, checked into our multi-code violation lodge room, and then hiked down to Havasu Falls. On the way, in the heat, my trusty Nike hiking boots that have carried me to so many wonderful places, began to come apart. I was starting to really worry, knowing that we had lots of hiking left to do before we were back in our car, many miles away. But then we saw Havasu Falls and it was just incredible! Another couple in their 50s saw my first reaction to the falls and must have read my mind, b/c she said "It makes it all worth it, doesn't it?" And yes - it did!!

The falls are so beautiful. We've seen lots of waterfalls, but these are among the very best. What makes them so wonderful is that Havasu creek is this beautiful blue green color. The falls have these gorgeous blue green pools under them, perfect for a dip after all the hiking. We spent a lot of time by Havasu Falls, b/c there are lots of terraces and pools at the base of the falls. The first falls, Navajo, is tough to locate. There's a sign indicating a small spur path down to the falls, but it seems to end. A couple was going up and told us the falls are confusing to find, but they recommended we keep trying - the woman thought they were the most pretty. Finally, we scooted across a fallen tree and found our way to the base of the falls. They are wider than the others, with lush vegetation all around - -tropical in appearance. Lastly, there is Mooney Falls, the tallest of the falls and by far the most difficult to get to. You take a side trail down, and all of a sudden there's a tunnel through rock you have to go through. You go through 2 tunnels, and after emerging from the second one, you look down and you're about 4 stories up, and the only way down is by grabbing 2 chains secured into the rock and lowering yourselves down with the aide of some footholds chiseled in the rock. I'm glad I lift weights at the gym, b/c I was holding on really tight for a few steps! It is scary - even my husband admitted that (after we were back up!) After using the chains, you get to a ladder, climb down and you're at the base of the falls. They are beautiful, with another pretty pool at the base. We were all terribly proud of ourselves, and then we saw a group of women who appeared to be in their late 50s or so hanging around the pool. Now how did they get there? So unless you have a real bad fear of heights, if they can do it, you can do it, too! But if you are afraid, go about halfway down, and once you get through the first tunnel is, I think, one of the best views of the falls. Going up is a lot easier - for one thing, you're not looking down!

Hiking out took us about 4 hours as well. The last mile was tough b/c it was already in the 90s at 10am. We thought we carried a lot of water, but we drank it all before getting about all but 1/4 mile up. We weren't worried, though, b/c we knew we had more water in the car.

Any questions, feel free to ask. I know I was unable to find a lot out about Havasu before we went. Oh, one more thing - I have heard that the lodge often does not answer it's phone. Keep trying, by phone, to get through. The lodge starts taking reservations for the prior year starting on a day in December. I called all throughout the day and got a busy signal until I finally got through around 3pm. I've also heard it's a very good idea to re-confirm your reservation. We were sent a confirmation in the mail, and had no problems this way.

Karens,

Thanks for the info, I have been trying to reach the lodge, and no one answers, I'll keep trying. We want to go this June, do you think it is too late to make a reservation? I wanted to helicoper down, b/c I am one of those 50+ women you were talking about :-)

We are also doing the Narrows on the same vacation. Have you done the ENTIRE NARROWS? (with the right equipment) I'd be happy to hear what your experiences are.

Thanks again!

PrincessDee---you might want to start a separate query about the Narrows hike--put that in the title and people who have hiked Zion will respond (I haven't so I can't help you with that one).

<We are also doing the Narrows on the same vacation. Have you done the ENTIRE NARROWS? (with the right equipment)>

I haven't done this, but if you're talking about doing the entire hike (from Chamberlain's Ranch to the bottom) it's a 16 mile trek and is usually done as a 2-day backpack. If doing the entire route, you need a permit. I suspect you're talking about the more commonly done route where you start at the bottom, walk up as far as you want and then turn around and come back.

I am talking about the more common one :-) The last time we tried this we didn't have the right gear, we were in sneakers, no walking sticks etc. This time we would like to try and make it past the bend we made it to before. The hike is absolutely breath taking!

Hi again, PrincessDee. No, I have not done the entire Narrows. We hiked up a bit past Orderville Canyon. It was on the most memorable hikes I've ever done.

Re: Havasupai Lodge reservations. I think, and I very well could be wrong, that you might be able to do this on-line, too? I recall seeing something on line, but we did call. We went in late May and I think I called over the winter. I don't know when their busiest times of year are, so I can't help you there.

After your trip, let us know what you think! I think Havasu and Mooney Falls are two of the most beautiful waterfalls I've ever seen.

Hi again Karens,

I agree with you about the Narrows, that is why we are going back!

I have tried to see about thr Havaaupai Lodge on line, but found nothing but a number and an email address to contact them. I have been trying both. I guess I will have to keep trying. There is a tour company that will pick you up in Vegas, but they want $750 each. A bit too much when it would only actually cost around $500-$600 for two of us for a helicoper ride both ways ($85 ea way), one night at the lodge (last price I saw was $135 per nite) and meals.

Thanks for your help, and will let you know if and when we get the reservation. I love waterfalls and I am a photography buff, so I really hope we get to go!

Do you have any travels in your future? Who knows, you might be headed for somewhere I have been that I can help you with.

Take care,
Dee

I hope you have not yet paid for the helicopter tour. Air West Helicopters charges $85 per person each way to fly from Hilltop down to Havasu Village. WARNING- on our last hike in 2006 we hiked to the village and saw a HUGE line of people waiting to helicopter out. Some of them had been waiting for hours. The hike out takes 4 hours and is not too difficult. I cannot understand why someone would wait 6 hours for a helicopter ride instead of doing a beautiful 4 hour hike! We have hiked many times to Havasupai. You won't get lost on the trail. The lodge is 2 miles from the waterfalls. We have been to the 3 waterfalls many times. June is the best time to go. Definitely swimming is best at Navajo Falls.

We are not going to do the tour! I really don't know where they come up with such an outragious price! We did call about the helicoper in and out and they told us the same price $85. each way. Unfortionately, I finally got through to the lodge and there are no rooms available the week we are going to be on the west coast. Did you stay at the lodge or did you camp? I'm going to have to plan better next time! We didn't know about the reservation and the falls until a week or two ago (through internet searching). They said they start taking reservations June 1 for the following year, so I'm going to
have to plan a lot better the next time! Right now, we have our vacations planned through 2008! Gives me plenty of time to get my act together :-)
We are not real experiened hikers, so I think we would have to wait for the flight back :-(. On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the hardest) what would you rate the hike back up?
Well atleast we can still do the other part of our trip, that is hiking part of the Narrows in Zion.
Thanks for your info!
Dee

Dee---when we were there (I hate to tell you how long ago that was), we camped in the campground. If you can round up the gear, you might consider that. We found it very pleasant (but we are backpackers, and accustomed to camping out).

As for rating the hike, that isn't really meaningful. My "5" might be a "10" for someone who is not used to hiking. I believe the trail down drops about 1800 or 1900 feet in the eight miles to the village. The campground is another two miles down the trail.

And a question for Dee---do you happen to find out when the lodge opens up each year? Is it May? Or before that?

enzian,
I guess we are going to have to do this on our next trip to the west coast. Getting a little too old to be camping. Love the outdoors, but like the idea of a bed with clean sheets at night :-) RVing is as close to camping as I get :-)

Enzian,
Not sure when the lodge opens. Didn't think to ask, after they told me the next opening they had was in July! I am trying to get through to them again to see if they have any kind of waiting list (cancellations)! They do not answer emails, and do not answer their phones too often. You just have to keep trying. If I get through to them I'll find out the opening date for you.

I understand completely---I know I'm in the minority. But the camping gear is so good now. . . we're still very comfortable.

Your information about the lodge taking reservations June 1 for the following year is very helpful. . . I'm going to look into this myself. My husband has not been there, and it really is a magical place.

Oooops--didn't see your last post. Yes, please do ask about the opening date and let me know here. I think we'd rather go in late April or May than in June if it's open.

The hike is not difficult but it is long-10 miles each way. The trail drops 1000 feet in the first mile on switchbacks. This is the only slightly difficult part. The rest of the hike is flat.

My husband, 14 year old daughter and I hiked out in 4 hours in June 2006-each carrying 30 pound backpacks.

Several members of our family hiked in and then rode horses out. They made arrangements to ride horses at the last minute by asking around down at the campground. They have twice made the last minute horseback riding arrangements and LOVED it.

The Havasupai Tribe does offer round trip horseback riding into the canyon for $150 per person. I'm not sure if you could avoid an overnight if you use go with the tribe because of the departure times. Here's the website:
www.havasupaitribe.com/horses.


We have always stayed at the Grand Canyon Caverns and Inn the night before hiking in. They have a day tour of Havasu Canyon on horseback-not sure how much it costs.

We always camp at the campgrounds-much more scenic than the lodge area iin the Village. You could probably still get a reservation for the campground for June if mid-week-call 928-448-2121/2141/2237. Last June the weather was so warm we really didn't even need a tent- just a couple of sleeping mats and a sheet.

Just one more thought. Havasu Canyon offers more than spectacular scenery. The tribe has lived in this remote canyon for centuries. It is an amazing cultural/historical experience.

marymarathons---is the campground truly more pleasant than the lodge? I am thinking of taking some friends that are not really campers, but would be willing to try it. I would have to round up gear for them. Is the campground so much nicer than the lodge areq that it would be worth it? I was there 30 years ago, but I'm sure it's changed since then. Facilities are just porta-potties and a water spigot? Or is there an actual washroom too?

Re: Havasu hike. The first 1.5 - 2 miles is steep, and then the trail flattens out. But it is hot, which affected more than the distance/conditions.

On the hike out, the last mile or two being steep in 90 degree weather was difficult. Bring plenty of water and get an early start. I think we left at 7am, but we saw plenty of people leaving earlier.

marymarathons- I would be interested in the answer to enzian's question too, being I am not a camper.
Dee

The campground area is very scenic. Most campsites are located along the Havasu Creek shaded by tall trees. The campground is spread out along the creek between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. It is a very peaceful campground.


I have never seen the lodge but we hike through the village to reach the campground-2 miles distant. The village is not a place I would want to spend too much time in. We do always stop at the cafe to eat the hike in.

No 'washrooms' at the campground- only porta potties and spigot. Some of the best tasting water I've had!!

The tribe has been planning to upgrade the campground for years but I'm not counting on it. In such a remote location, I imagine it is extremely costly to provide 'washrooms' in the campground. Since the campgrounds stay full as it is - I can see why the tribe may not feel compelled to provide such facilities.

On one of our recent visits we witnessed a helicopter dropping off a clean porta potty and removing the 'full' porta potty!


On our last visit we hiked in on May 30- leaving at 6:30am. Looking back at my notes, the trail was shady for the first 5 miles (shade from canyon walls). We started to feel warm at mile 6-7.

On the hike out we left on June 2 at 5:40am. Trail was shady for 7 miles.

Try to camp mid-week for less crowded campground and cleaner porta potties.