You’ll feel as if you’ve stumbled across the secret Garden of Eden when you visit Beaver Falls in Havasupai, Arizona. 😌 Vibrant blue waters cascade over tiered terraces while the red walls of the canyon rise up on either side. It’s truly paradise on earth!
I visited Havasupai this past spring and I spent a whole day swimming in the waters of Beaver Falls. It was absolutely magical. 💦
But, these falls not easy to get to- with a 10 mile backpacking trek, a difficult permit system, and daunting chains down a cliff. There’s a lot you need to consider before you visit this idyllic spot!
So, I’ve created a guide for everything you need to know about hiking to Beaver Falls! This post includes tips on getting permits to Havasupai, a detailed trail description, a thorough packing guide, and the best time to visit. So, you’ll be set for your backpacking trip!
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Beaver Falls Havasupai Hike Details
Quick Hike Info
Distance: ~6ish miles from Havasu Campground and back
Elevation: 500 Feet
Type: Out and Back
Length: 2-4 hours
Difficulty: Hard (you will need to use chains and ladders)
What is Beaver Falls in Havasupai?
Beaver Falls is one of the most stunning waterfalls in the United States. Gorgeous light blue waters cascade over tiered terraces creating a stunning visual. It’s truly mesmerizing! 🤩
Luckily, this waterfall is also a fabulous swimming hole, with water temperatures remaining at 70 degrees year round. Once you get there, you’ll never want to leave the paradise of Beaver Falls.
However, getting to Beaver Falls is no easy feat! The only way to get to this incredible waterfall is to get a backpacking permit to stay in Havasupai. These permits are hard to acquire, but you can read more below!
Once you acquire a permit, you must hike 10 miles down into the Grand Canyon and then continue 3 miles further to Beaver Falls 🥾. However, along the way you’ll need to climb down a series of ladders and cliffs covered in mist, which is a bit nerve wracking! But, it’s so worth it.
After you get your permit, you’ll need to find a place to stay before the hike! If you’re camping check out some of these awesome locations. 🏕️
Detailed Beaver Falls Trail Description
Mooney Falls Climb
There’s no doubt about it, the most difficult part of getting to Beaver Falls is the first part when you have to climb down to Mooney Falls. In order to get down to Mooney Falls, you’ll have to walk through a cave, then descend on mist covered ladders and chains to reach the valley floor. All while getting soaked by the mist!
If you are afraid of heights, I would recommend skipping this hike or going early to avoid crowds, so you can go slowly! ⛔️⛔️
I recommend wearing gloves or picking up a pair from the huge pile on the ground, to have good traction on the chains. Then descend slowly, step by step and focus on each foot. If you do all of that, then you will make it to the ground safely!
Stop there, to enjoy Mooney Falls or plan on visiting on your way back. My husband and I went all the way to Beaver Falls and then spent time at Mooney towards the end of the day. Which was great, because no one else was around.
Through the Valley
Finally, once you’re on solid ground again, you can enjoy the absolutely stunning canyon. From here, the canyon opens up and it’s a gorgeous hike.
We saw lush tall grasses, bighorn sheep, and endless Havasu creek views. Honestly, although most people focus on the waterfalls, the hiking scenery is also amazing! Just make sure to bring water shoes, because you will have to cross the river a few times.
I recommend downloading the Alltrails Map for your trip to Beaver Falls.
Enjoying Beaver Falls
At the very end of this hike, you’ll get to an opening in a wall, with a ladder behind it. You will once again have to climb over a couple of ladders. 🪜 These ladders are way easier than the ones in Mooney, so you don’t need to worry as much!
You’ll only have a bit more to go before the incredible views of Beaver Falls come into view. Soon, you’ll get down to the a perch that overlooks the glorious cascades. This was my favorite spot for photos, so make sure to stop and admire the views! ⭐️
My favorite vista is right before the last ladder down to the falls!
Then, climb down one more ladder and you’ll be at the base of Beaver Falls. Enjoy a day of relaxation in the waters, swim behind the waterfall, and bask in the sun!
Best Time of Day to Go to Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls is magnificent at all times of day. That being said, I highly recommend going early in the morning! 🌅 We left at 7 am from Havasu Campground and had Beaver Falls all to ourselves for a bit!
Plus, on our way out of Beaver at like 2 pm, the sunlight was leaving the canyon. So, if you want to get there while the sun is still shining, try to get there before mid-day. Regardless, you’ll love it there.
Packing Guide for Beaver Falls Day Hike
Beaver Falls is a wonderful day hike, but you’ll want to be prepared because there are a few obstacles along the way. I recommend wearing a rain jacket and gloves 🧤 as you descend down the chains by Mooney Falls. This waterfall’s mist will soak you and the chains are hard to hold!
You can read my complete packing guide for Havasupai here!
Then, as you walk through the valley you will cross over multiple rivers, so it’s a good idea to wear water shoes. Finally, once you get to the gorgeous waterfall, you will want to relax. So, pack a hammock and a swimsuit and enjoy a day in this lovely place!
Packing List For Beaver Falls Havasupai
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Water Shoes
- Day Pack
- Hiking poles
- Rain Jacket
- Gloves for Traction
- Water Reservoir
- 1-2 Liters of Water
- Snacks and Food
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Hammock
- Bug Spray
- Satellite phone
- Camera Clip
Planning a Trip to Beaver Falls Havasupai
How to Get to Havasupai
Havasupai is a reservation at the bottom of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The Supai people are known as the “People of the Green Water.” It’s a fitting name as the gorgeous turquoise waters of Havasu Creek run down through the canyon creating gushing waterfalls.
One of the reasons the Havasupai permits are so sought after is because of the remoteness of this area. The closest large city is Flagstaff, which is 2 hours and 45 minutes away, while Seligman and Kingman are about 90 minutes from the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead.
The only way to get down to the Havasupai reservation is to hike 10 miles or take a helicopter from the trailhead. Most people, including myself, do the long trek because getting a helicopter is pricey and they can get canceled for weather.
How to Get a Permit for Havasupai
One of the things that makes this place so special is the difficulty in getting there. Havasupai camping permits are like golden tickets, they’re very hard to get, so you will want to plan in advance!
First, you’ll need to create an account on the Havasupai Reservations website before you even attempt to secure a permit. Once you have an account, it’s important to put in all your account information, so that you’re ready to get a permit when they are released.
In 2024, Havasupai had a presale in the month of January, where you could select a number of date preferences. Then, the regular permits went on sale on February 1st.
Regular permits go on sale on February 1st at 8 am mountain time. Be ready to choose your dates then!
Once you get your permits, everyone in the group will need to create an account on the site as well to spend time at Havasupai campground. However, if you miss out on permits or are planning last minute, you can check the cancellations page to try your luck on getting one!
Things to Know Before You Go
☀️ Weather changes quickly in the canyon. Large rainstorms can cause flash floods. It’s important to check the weather before you go and travel to high ground in the case of rain.
⚠️ To get to Beaver Falls, you will need to use ladders and chains. If you are afraid of heights, you may want to skip this trail.
⛺️ You will need to get permits for Havasupai, which are a minimum of 3 nights and cost $455. Campsites can have up to 12 people, but everyone must have an account on Havasupai.
🎫 When you check in they will give you a wristband, which you must wear even when hiking to Beaver Falls.
🦅 There is a lot of wildlife throughout the area. Make sure to keep your distance and do not feed any animals!
🦮 Pets are not permitted on this hike or in the Havasupai reservation in general.
👨👩👦👦 Because of the hard hike and camping conditions, it’s recommended that you don’t bring any small children with you.
📸 There’s no commercial photography permitted and you may not use drones when you are in Havasupai.
🍃 Remember to follow the Leave No Trace Principles and PACK OUT everything you bring. As always, you want to leave nature looking better than you found it.
Best Time to Visit Beaver Falls in Arizona
Beaver Falls is stunning year round, with bright blue waters that remain at 70 degrees. However, the best times to visit Beaver Falls is when temperatures are mild and the skies are clear. ☀️
The best time to hike to Beaver Falls is the spring or fall. 🌸🍂
If you want to spend plenty of time swimming and enjoying the sunshine, then you will want to try and visit during the spring and fall months. During that time, you can expect sunny skies and great temperatures. We went in April and we spent all day hanging and swimming in the water by Beaver Falls, it was magical!
While summer is a wonderful time to go swimming and cool off, it is monsoon season. Monsoons in this area can cause flash floods, which can be fatal. That being said, plenty of people visit in summer and love it!
Meanwhile, if you plan a winter trip, then you should prepare for freezing temperatures. 🥶 The water remains at 70 degrees all year, so you may still be able to dip your feet in. But, it will be a different experience.
Final Tips for Visiting Beaver Falls
Beaver Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Havasupai! Just know that it can be a tiring hike after your long day of backpacking, so make sure to save enough energy for your hike. Prepare for your trek ahead of time by packing gloves, good water shoes, and a swimsuit. If you do all that, then you’ll have an amazing time!
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments!
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Thanks for the tips… I went back in 2013 for $30.00 by default cause the north rim and south rim were closed cause of government shutdown.
Wow it’s definitely become a lot more expensive!