Havasu Falls

Finally checked off one of the most expensive backpacking destinations in the US! Havasu Falls feels like a giant natural water park built in the middle of the desert. You can walk behind some of the waterfalls and even swim beneath them. On the way to Beaver Falls, there are three river crossings. The first one is fairly deep, so you may need to hold your backpack above your head to keep it dry. The other crossings are shallow. There are also a few sections that require some climbing, which makes the whole experience even more fun. Do you need a sleeping bag? Arizona summers are incredibly hot, but Havasu Falls has so much water that even though the forecast was over 30°C during the day, it didn't feel too bad. Everyone in our group only brought a sleeping liner. Personally, I still felt cold at night and ended up covering myself with extra clothes. Some friends thought a liner alone was enough. Do you need bug spray? Not really. There are some bugs, but they weren't too bad. It's nothing like some of the alpine lakes in California where mosquitoes can be unbearable. Definitely bring water shoes You'll be walking through water at Fifty Foot Falls and Beaver Falls. A pair of shoes that work both in water and on trails makes a huge difference. Protect your food, or the squirrels will eat everything The official website recommends bringing a bear canister. We reluctantly carried one, but on our last night we forgot to put our snacks inside. The next morning, all the food was gone, and we had to start hiking back on an empty stomach. It was miserable. Earlier in the trip, we left some snacks in a backpack because they wouldn't fit in the bear can, and the squirrels chewed a huge hole in the pack. If you're feeling lucky, you can skip carrying fuel Near the entrance to the campground, there were piles of partially used gas canisters left behind by previous hikers. We donated ours when leaving to save some weight. Bring extra water and start early on the hike out The trail is U-shaped. On the way in, it's mostly downhill, somewhat similar to Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon. Even though temperatures are high, the towering canyon walls provide shade from time to time, which can make you underestimate the heat. On the way in, I only drank a little over 1 liter of water. For the hike out, I carried 2.5 liters. By the last mile, my bottles were empty. The higher you climb, the more exposed you become, with almost no shade. My head felt like it was being cooked by the sun. Havasupai Café isn't open every day The café is located in the village, about two miles from the campground. They accept credit cards. You can grab a Pepsi and order a Havasu Burger. There are flushing toilets, Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. It honestly feels like heaven after spending time in the canyon. Cell service is surprisingly good AT&T reception in Havasu Village is excellent. Havasu Falls is the last place where you'll still have a signal. My phone usually had about two bars. Havasu Falls was one of those trips that felt completely different from anywhere else. The turquoise water, waterfalls, river crossings, and red canyon walls made it feel almost unreal. Expensive, yes—but definitely one of the most unique backpacking experiences we've ever had.