I have so much to share from this bucket list backpacking / hiking trip to the beautiful and spiritual lands of the Havasupai tribe in Arizona. But first, since I have been asked these questions many times since we returned home and first shared our experience on instagram stories, I wanted post this first to help others plan!

1. 🎟️ Get a Permit: Apply on the Havasupai Reservations website www.havasupaireservations.com starting February 1st. New 2024: Register during pre-lottery in January for $15 pp to increase your chances of scoring a permit.

2. 💵 Costs: $455/person for camping (3 nights); $2,277/room for lodge (3 nights).

3. 🥾 Getting There: approx. 10-mile hike from Hualapai Hilltop to Supai Village, plus 2 miles to the campground. Hiking in is downhill, out is uphill (switchbacks).

4. 💦 Main Attractions: Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls, Fifty Foot Falls, Little Navajo Falls, Supai village.

5. 🎒 Pack: Hiking shoes, water sandals, camping gear, water, food, first aid, and weather-appropriate clothing. Pack in , Pack out!

6. 🚽 ⛺️ At the campground, there are compost toilets. No showers.

7. 🚫 Restrictions: No alcohol, drugs, weapons, pets, loud music, or campfires.

8. 🗓️ Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall for milder temperatures. If in summer, you MUST hike during the early morning/ shade and always have lots of water. People have gotten sick and even died from heat exhaustion / stroke. 😔

9. 🏃‍♂️ Preparation: Train with longer walks/hikes with elevation change.

10. 🚁 Extra services: Helicopter Service: $100/one-way, Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays (priority for tribe members, weather dependent). Mule Service: Available to carry gear for a fee. Book in advance. $400 RT for up to 4 bags, 32 lbs max each.

*** Can I bring Kids? Families have asked- can kids do this trip? I would say that it entirely depends on the ability of your child to hike long distances (the days in and out will be at least 11 miles and likely more if you want to visit the waterfalls). The descent to Mooney Falls requires some chains, slippery rock face and agility. Only you as a parent can decide if you feel comfortable guiding your child down and handle this trip with many safety considerations (they should also be able to swim giving the water everywhere). Our boys were 9 and 11, hike and camp with us often and are athletic. Even so , they were tired on the overnight hike out. I would not recommend this trip for babies, toddlers or very young kids.

Is this on your bucket list?