Havasu Falls (also called the Havasupai Falls) is a stunning waterfall along Havasu Creek, below the Supai Village in the Havasu Canyon. It’s the most popular of all the waterfalls along the spectacular Havasu Falls Trail. The water plunges about 30m through a notch in the tall cliffs into a wide pool.
At the base of the waterfall is a wide, sandy beach and a stand of cottonwood trees that provide some shade. The water is a beautiful turquoise colour, formed from minerals (calcium carbonate and magnesium) that naturally occur in Havasu Creek.
Swimming at Havasu Falls
The pool at the base of the falls is a popular swimming spot, which has been rated as “America’s best swimming hole” by Life Magazine. It’s possible to go behind the waterfall, and there’s a small rock shelter behind it.
Due to flash floods, the appearance of many of the waterfalls along Havasu Creeek have changed over time. Prior to a flood in 1910, water at Havasu Falls flowed in a near continuous sheet and the waterfall was known as Bridal Veil Falls. At other times there were multiple streams. The most recent change was in 2008, when part of veil detached, which resulted in the water flowing out of only one side of the notch.
Havasu Falls has appeared in the 2007 movie Next (starring Nicolas Cage, Julianne Moore, and Jessica Biel) and appear in Beyoncé’s 2019 music video for “Spirit”, a song written for the remake of The Lion King.
Getting to Havasu Falls / Havasupai Falls
The waterfall is the second one you reach on the trail from Supai Village, as you descend Havasu Creek towards the Colorado River. It’s about a 12.3km hike from Hualapai Hilltop to Supai, and then about 2.4km further to reach Havasu Falls.
Hualapai Hilltop is a 4.5 hour drive (420km / 260 miles) from Phoenix in Arizona or 4 hours (365km / 225 miles) from Las Vegas in Nevada, which are the closest major airports.
More information
The official “hiking season” is February to November, and during summer (June to August) the trail is subject to close due to flooding and extreme heat. A pre-purchased permit is essential.
- World of Waterfalls – Havasu Falls
- When in Your State – 5 Swimming Holes In Arizona You Must Visit
- Havasupai / Havasu Falls Campground Reservations and Lodge reservations
1 Comment
Hiking to to the stunning Havasu Falls in the Havasupai Canyon | Hiking the World · October 1, 2021 at 10:56 pm
[…] take many photos, and continue… Another 3km and I reach (arguably) the star attraction: Havasu Falls. Being outside peak season there are a few other people on the track and swimming, but there is […]