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.