The Havasupai Trail is one of the most iconic backpacking trips in the United States—and arguably the world, taking you down into the Grand Canyon, past towering sandstone walls, big-horned sheep, and, of course, its famed turquoise waterfalls. But packing for this epic three night adventure can be a bit intimidating, especially if you’re new to backpacking—given the trail’s remoteness, you need to pack everything you need to sustain yourself while you’re on the trail, but don’t want to overpack and bring unnecessary weight that you’re going to have to hike 20+ miles with.
My husband, Justin, and I recently backpacked this incredible trail and have crafted the perfect Havasupai packing list with everything you need to make the most of your time on this magical corner of the planet—and what you can leave at home.
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What is the Havasupai Trail?
The Havasupai Trail, also called the Havasu Falls Trail, is a 20+ mile hike that departs from the rim of the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona and heads down to the floor of the canyon to what is considered to be the most remote town in the United States, Supai. This town and the surrounding area are owned by the Havasupai people, an Indigenous tribe that has called the Grand Canyon home for at least 800 years.
While Supai is definitely an interesting town, most visitors travel to this extremely remote place for something different—to see the famed turquoise waters of Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls, which are tucked in the red sandstone cliffs just a few miles past the town itself.
To hike this trail, you must purchase a permit for the correct date. This process is honestly a bit confusing (and expensive!), so we wrote an entire post all about how to get a permit for the Havasu Falls hike. In short, though, you’ll need to reserve a permit online ahead of time for either the Havasu Falls campground or the Havasupai Lodge, which are exclusively sold for four days and three nights.
Accordingly, depending on whether your permit is for the campground or the lodge, you will need different gear for your adventure.
Havasupai Packing List
While Supai has a small general store, a cafe, and two fry bread stands, it does not rent any kind of gear and generally has limited supplies. Accordingly, I’d recommend bringing everything you’ll need for the duration of your four day experience and not rely on picking up supplies in town.
On the flip side, I’d strongly advise you not to overpack. We walked by quite a few people hiking their way out of the canyon that were really struggling, due to their extremely heavy backpacks. One of these hikers was this huge, burly army dude who had literally brought along a cot to sleep on in the campground—and he admitted he had packed way, way too much.
In short, pack what you need—but leave all the “what if’s” at home.
Shelter
Pssst… if you’re staying at the Havasupai Lodge, you don’t need to pack any of this stuff, as each room offers two surprisingly comfy queen beds.
Tent
Justin and I have had this tent for several years and we LOVE it. It’s pretty lightweight, especially given its reasonable price point; it has lots of handy pockets to organize smaller items in; and it has nice roomy vestibules to store your boots and backpack at night.
Sleeping bag
We each have a synthetic down sleeping bag (his and hers).
I’ve read reports of people thinking sleeping bags were too hot in the summertime and that they wished they had brought something more lightweight and breathable, like a camping quilt instead. Something to consider if you’re visiting during the warmer months!
Sleeping pad
I have had this self-inflating sleeping pad for years, whereas Justin uses this foam sleeping pad (self-inflating sleeping pads definitely win from a comfort perspective all day!).
Inflatable pillow
We both are comfort QUEENS and recently bought these inflatable pillows, which have seriously upped our backpacking game.
Backpacking chairs
We brought our lightweight and super packable backpacking chairs, which made doing things like making and eating dinner near our campsite so much more comfortable.
It’s worth mentioning that some of the campsites at Havasupai come with a picnic table so, if you’re lucky and score one of those, a backpacking chair may not be necessary. Still, it was nice to be able to throw our chairs in our backpacks when we wanted to go chill by a waterfall for a while and have someplace more comfortable and less dirty to sit on than directly on the ground.
Food
Okay, so this one is a bit controversial. As mentioned above, Supai has a general store, cafe, and two frybread stands where you can purchase food. So, theoretically, you could hike down with absolutely no food of your own and be totally fine.
However, I really wouldn’t recommend that. Supai gets all of its supplies via mule or helicopter (I told you it was the most remote town in the United States!), so it’s not unusual for the store and cafe to run out of supplies or close down entirely for days at time, due to food shortages. Similarly, the frybread stands are inconsistently open and frequently close at erratic times when they run out of food.
And even if these businesses did have tasty and available food for sale every day, you’d have to walk to and from the campground or the waterfalls, which could be as far as a two mile round trip walk for every single meal (which is not how I’d advise you to spend your time in this magical place!).
So I’d highly recommend bringing enough of your own food to survive for four days and, if you get to get a meal or two at either the cafe or one of the stands, then yahtzee!
Meals for four days
Usually, people start the Havasupai hike extremely early on the first day and start their hike out of the canyon on their fourth day.
Accordingly, you’d need:
- 4 breakfasts
- 3 lunches (you will usually be done with your hike out of the canyon before lunchtime on the fourth day)
- 3 dinners
I’d recommend bringing along dehydrated meals, like this kind for breakfast and options like this or this for lunch and dinner.
If you’re staying at the Havasupai Lodge, there is a refrigerator were you can keep food, so you may have a bit more flexibility in bringing non-dehydrated food with you—just remember that you’re still going to have to carry whatever food you need on your back through the desert for approximately eight miles until you reach the lodge.
Snacks
I’d recommend bringing along some snacks, like Clif bars or granola bars, that are quick and easy to eat while you’re hiking to get your energy back up.
Coffee
If you’re an addict like me
Campstove
Including a burner, propane canister, and lighter.
Some people leave half-used propane canisters near the entrance of the campground (pssst… don’t be one of these people—it’s disrespectful to the land and the tribe!). So, theoretically, you could not bring one of these and may just be able to use one of the canisters that have been left behind. However, we wouldn’t recommend relying on this!
Additionally, if you’re staying at the lodge, it has a microwave, so you can probably get away with leaving your campstove at home.
Cookware
We have this cook set, which has a lidded pot and two cups, which we use for drinking our morning coffee, and a larger steel cup, which we use for drinking things that are higher volume, like soup.
Folding camping sporks
Bear canister or rat sack
Even though the Havasupai website recommended packing all of our food in a bear canister or rat sack, we thought we could get away with just storing it in our dry bag.
Nope! A squirrel ate right through our bag, trying to get our food, on the second day. So, learn from our mistakes and pack all of your good-smelling items away in a rodent-proof container.
Once again, if you’re staying at the lodge, this isn’t something you’ll need to worry about.
Water filter
There’s potable water in the town of Supai, as well as a spring near the campground that allegedly has potable water. However, the spring didn’t exactly look the cleanest to us, so we were happy to have our water filter with us to provide an extra layer of security.
Additionally, it’s nice to have your filter if you want to simply get water directly from Havasupai Creek while you’re at your campsite or out hiking and not have to walk all the way to the spring.
Refillable water bottle
We both brought our comically enormous Nalgene bottles with us. This was definitely enough water for our climb back out of the canyon, where you won’t run into any water sources for about eight miles, in mid-April.
However, if you’re hiking during a hotter period of the year, I’d recommend bringing even more water with you on the hike—unfortunately, multiple people have died due to heat-related dehydration while climbing out of the canyon. So, if you’re hiking in the summertime, you may want to bring along something like a 3L water bladder and electrolyte packets (as well as starting your return hike well before sunrise!) to make sure you stay nice and hydrated during your climb.
Clothes/hiking gear
Tops (x3-4)
I’d generally suggest bringing a 2-3 lightweight short sleeve tops or tank tops (I swear by these crop tops and Justin always hikes in these t-shirts) and a warmer base layer (here’s an option for men and one for women).
Bottoms (x2-3)
If you’re visiting during colder months, you may want to stick to long pants (like this option for men and this option for women).
However, if you’re visiting during the warmer months, you may want to mix in or exclusively bring shorts (here’s the kind Justin uses and the pair that I use).
Puffer jacket and beanie
If you’re going in the summertime, you can skip bringing these items and save some weight.
Otherwise, Justin uses this puffer jacket and this beanie and this is my jacket and beanie—they pack down to nothing and keep you nice and warm during the cold desert nights!
Swimsuit
If you’re visiting in November through February, the water is likely going to be too cold to swim in the waterfalls, so you might want to leave this one at home.
Underwear (x3)
Hiking socks (x3)
Baseball hat and sunglasses
Waterproof hiking boots
The traction and support that sturdier hiking boots provide are helpful along the steep and uneven switchbacks down to Havasu Falls and for the very wet climb down Mooney Falls.
These are the pair that I use to hike and this is the pair that Justin uses.
Hiking sandals
There’s a ton of water crossings on the hike to Beaver Falls or the confluence of Havasupai Creek with the Colorado River, which hiking sandals, like our beloved Tevas (his and hers), are perfect for. Plus, they’re so nice for slipping on and off at your campsite or walking to Supai.
Gardening gloves
To reach Mooney Falls, you’ll need to climb down a steep cliffside while holding on to a soaking wet, slippery chain. Gloves are super helpful to provide additional traction for this climb.
It’s worth mentioning that there was a huge pile of used gloves left right before the chains leading down to Mooney Falls (again, please don’t leave stuff anywhere in the Havasupai Reservation!). However, all of these gloves are cold, muddy, and wet—which, if you’re like me and a bit nervous about making the climb, it wouldn’t be the most pleasant experience to dig around this pile to find a pair before making your descent.
Trekking poles
Tech gear
Camera and lenses
We brought a wide angle and telephoto lens, which we used for wildlife shots!
Phone, battery bank, and cords
If you’re staying at the lodge, there’s electrical outlets and wifi. Otherwise, your only option to charge your phone is using the outlets at the cafe in town, which may be used by someone else during your visit (or, as mentioned above, the cafe may be closed entirely!).
Headlamp
Satellite Communicator
This is especially important if you’re hiking to the Confluence, where it’s relatively easy to get lost in the canyon.
GoPro
To take photos and videos in the waterfalls if your phone is not waterproof
Toiletries
Sunscreen
Hand sanitizer/biodegradable soap
This one is actually super important—there’s been outbreaks of viral infections in Havasupai, because everyone is touching the same railings, bathroom door knobs, etc. After coming into contact with high touch surfaces, be sure to sanitize your hands—I can’t imagine how miserable (and dangerous) it would be to hike for any length through the desert while sick.
Bugspray
This isn’t necessary most of the year, including in April, when we visited, but you might want to check AllTrails ahead of time for recent reviews to see if anyone has reported problems with mosquitoes.
Toothpaste and toothbrush
Deodorant
Any medications you might need
Wet wipes
There’s no showers here, but, luckily, dirtbag showers will do just fine.
Miscellaneous
A printout of your reservation
To put on the dashboard of your vehicle at the trailhead, as well as a printout for each member of the trip that they should carry with them at all times.
A printout of the Proof of Account on Havasupaireservations.com and a valid photo ID
For each member of the trip
All of the paperwork given to you when you pick up your permit at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn before your hike
Including your wristband, tent tags, and a copy of your reservation
Cash
To use at the frybread stands, cafe, and general store.
Additionally, if you don’t feel like hiking the whole trail, there’s a first-come first-serve helicopter that you may be able to take to and from Supai on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays. It costs $100 per person, plus $50 per piece of luggage, each way—cash only!
Keep in mind, the helicopter is inconsistency reliable and you may not be able to count on it being available. Accordingly, I would only visit Supai if you are physically able to hike yourself in and out.
Poop kit
The campground has vault toilets and the lodge has flush toilets—however, there’s no toilets along the trail from the trailhead to the Havasu Falls campground or anywhere along the trail from Mooney Falls to the Confluence.
Accordingly, I’d recommend bringing along a lightweight trowel, toilet paper, and smaller Ziploc baggies (to store used TP), in case nature calls while you’re on the trail. Plus, the bathrooms in the Havasu Falls campground were regularly out of toilet paper when we visited so I’d bring along extra!
Gallon baggies and garbage bags
To pack out any waste you might generate while you’re at the campground (friendly reminder to always leave no trace!)
First aid kit
Quick-dry camping towel
Drybag
Masks
To wear in the village or on the helicopter, per the requests of the Havasupai Tribe
What not to bring to Havasupai
As of 2025, the Havasupai tribe prohibits the following items on their land:
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Drones
- Amplified music
- Fishing equipment
- Animals of any kind
- Wagons, carts, or any kind of wheeled vehicles
- Fireworks
- Firearms or weapons of any kind
- Watercraft of any kind, including stand up paddleboards
- Pool toys, including water guns
- Firewood
You shouldn’t bring any of these items in the first place, as you’re guests on the Havasupai’s land. However, if you need an extra incentive not to bring any of these things, I have heard that Havasupai rangers can search and seize prohibited items from cars or people’s packs (it didn’t happen to us, but something to be aware of!).
There you have it—everything you need to pack for an awesome backpacking trip to Havasupai! Do you have any questions about what to bring on this epic adventure? Let us know in the comments below!
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