The Only Havasupai Packing List You’ll Need

Are you heading out on a backpacking trip to Havasupai? Havasu Falls is one of the most stunning places that I have ever been, with bright blue waters and a magical landscape. However, planning and prepping for this trip can be incredibly overwhelming. 😮 So, I’ve got you covered with the complete Havasupai packing list!

We had the pleasure of visiting Havasupai, which is the most magical place on earth. But, I had only backpacked once before. Even though, I have spent the past two years going on over 200 hikes. So, I did a ton of research before we went and I gotta say I feel like we packed perfectly!

In this post you’ll find everything you need to know about packing for your trip to Havasu Falls Campground. ⛺️ I have included tips to make your pack easier to handle, a complete list of things you’ll need, and stories from my personal experience. I hope you have an amazing time!

Disclaimer: There are affiliate links in this post. I may make a small commission at no extra charge to you. Thanks for your support!

Havasupai Packing Tips

Packing for Havasupai can be incredibly overwhelming 😩, especially if you’re a first-time backpacker. So, these are the best tips I can give you before you start getting your stuff ready:

1. The lighter the better! Really think about what you need and leave behind excess things. Remember that your pack should be about 20% of your body weight. So, if you’re 150 pounds, your pack should be around 30 pounds. Get a luggage scale.
2. Try out your gear before you go!– This trip is long and gear that doesn’t fit well can hurt. Go get fitted at REI, take your gear for a test trial, and set up your tent ahead of time! That way you’ll be set for your trip.
3. Look at REI Garage sale or Facebook Marketplace– If you need new gear, it can add up. So, look at resale sites for better prices!
4. Repackage bulky food items– You will save a lot of room, if you get rid of the large packing food comes with!
5. Pack extra socks– Your feet will thank you when you have another pair to change into!
6. Bring sugar for the uphills– Add a little candy to your hip belts, so they can power you through the hard parts of the hike.

Havasupai Packing List

Below, you will find a comprehensive list of everything you will need for your trip to Havasupai. 📝 I’ve included gear recommendations, tips that I learned when I went, and every single item you should need on your trip. I hope you find this list helpful!

Havasupai Packing List- Sleep System

Even when you are camping, you want to get a good night’s sleep. 😴 Your sleep system for backpacking is one of the most crucial parts to figure out first. Now, you don’t have to invest in the most expensive gear, but you do want to make sure that you will be comfortable. Try spending a night camping in the backyard to test it out.

Tent

It’s important to have a tent that you have tested before you go, packs down well, is lightweight, and holds up in bad weather. There are a lot of great backpacking tents on the market, but we wanted something that was budget friendly and had good reviews. So, we got the Half Dome tent and we’ve been loving it!

Quick Tip: make sure to practice setting up your tent before you go on your trip!

Sleeping Bag

In general, you will want to bring a lighter weight sleeping bag than a standard camping one. However, we opted to bring our standard sleeping bags and they fit in our packs just fine. But, if you can get a backpacking sleeping bag that will work better for your trip!

In terms of temperature, you want a sleeping bag that is rated for lower temperatures then you may experience, because you can always unzip them. Again, I recommend going to try out bags before you decide, so you pick what’s right for you!

Sleeping Pad

For a decent’s night sleep, you will want to invest in a good sleeping pad. There are two kinds of sleeping pads: inflatable and foam. Inflatable ones are lighter, comfortable, and compact. While foam ones offer better insulation, are more durable, and easy to set up.

I suggest testing a few sleeping pads to decide what feels right for you!

We are big fans of our inflatable sleeping pads and they have not punctured yet. But, they also come with patch kits in case anything happens.

Pillow

A pillow is truly an optional item to bring, but it adds to the comfort. I didn’t bring one and I just used my stuff sack of clothing. But, I think I’d like to get one for my next trip. You can choose between ones that blow up with air or pillows that you fill with clothing items.

Hiking & Camping Gear

Next up, you will need all of your gear for hiking down to the canyon and then camping at Havasu Falls. Some things that are important to keep in mind:

• You must pack out all your trash
• There are bathrooms at the campground
• Havasu Falls has a spring to fill up water
• The hike is 10 miles down and then 10 miles back up

Backpack

Arguably, the most important item of your backpacking trip is a good backpack. Choosing a backpack is a very personal decision, but you want one that fits well, has a good capacity, and includes features you like. For this trip, you will want a 50-80 liter backpack.

You can get fitted for a backpack at REI!

My husband loves his Osprey Atmos backpack and I used one of his old backpacks which did not work as well. So, after our trip I got fitted for a backpack and I’m currently using the Aura pack from Osprey.

Trekking Poles

Trekking poles are a lifesaver for your knees! I seriously don’t know how I would have completed the hike down to Havasu Falls without using poles. You can choose to get nicer poles or a simple pair from REI. Either way, they’re a necessary item on your Havasupai packing list!

Water Reservoir & Filter

Packing plenty of water is essential for your hike through the canyon! It gets super hot and it’s easy to get dehydrated. They recommend that you bring 3 liters of water per person. 💦

You do not NEED to bring a filter with you, because there is a spring at the campground. However, we brought one with us just in case.

First Aid Kit

I believe that you should bring a First Aid Kit with you on every hike, no matter how short. But, it’s especially important when you are going on a longer journey. You will want to bring a kit that has tools for dressing wounds, medication, and skincare 🤕. I like adding extra items to my kits like extra Advil and blister band-aids.

Jet Boil & Fuel

Having a good cook system is very important for a backpacking trip. We love our Jetboil, because it’s small, lightweight, and it boils water within a couple of minutes. Throughout the weekend, we relied on the Jetboil for all our cooking needs. Don’t forget to bring enough fuel for your trip as well!

Food Storage Container

One thing you have to add to your Havasupai packing list is a method to keep your food safe from animals. This is mostly to keep your food safe from squirrels. We used a Bear canister, because we plan on backpacking in bear country. But, you could also use bags that are rodent safe and hang them up!

I saw a squirrel chew through someone’s backpack in Havasu! 🐿

Food Utensils

Of course, you can’t forget to bring utensils to eat the food you make! This also means a thermos, collapsible cup or water bottle for coffee and electorlytes. I like using camping sporks, but you can also choose to just bring standard silverware that you already have. There’s no need to spend extra money on these.

Hammock

One of the luxury items that I highly suggest is a hammock! It seemed like everyone had one and we were so glad that we had brought one. After a long day of hiking, it was so nice to relax and chill in the hammock.

Utility Cord

Utility Cord is so useful when you go backpacking! It’s a great tool to hang things up to dry or put your food up away from the ground. We put our clothes and swimsuits on the line every day.

Quick Dry Towel

Most likely, you will be getting wet when you are exploring Havasupai. So, you will want a towel that you can use and then dries quickly to use gain. We love our Nomadix towel and it came in handy on many occasions during our trip.

Lantern & Headlamps

It gets pretty dark down in the canyon when the sun sets. It’s important to have a way to see around camp and in your tent. We chose to bring both headlamps and a lantern for the night time.

Stuff Packs

One other item we were super glad we brought was stuff backpacks. These were fantastic, because we left our stuff at camp during the day. So, you will need a day pack to bring around as you hike. These rolled up so small and weighed almost nothing as well.

Kula Cloth

This is for women specifically, but it’s a game-changer for hiking or backpacking. This is a reusable cloth that you can use, so you don’t need toilet paper when you pee. I love mine!

Gloves

Gloves are very specific for the Havasupai Packing List. The hike down to Mooney Falls has chains and ladders that are drenched in mist. So, people wear gloves to help their hands have traction on the chains. We were so glad we had them!

Havasupai Packing List- Apparel

In terms of packing clothing, you want to pack as little clothing as possible. We ended up using stuff sacks to compress our items and save room. But, we tried to limit ourselves to just a few items per person!

Hiking Shoes

Hiking shoes are another one of the most important items to bring. There are tons of great options on the market. But, please make sure that you have worn your shoes before and broken them in!

Hiking shoe preference is really up to the individual. My husband prefers trail runners, while I prefer sturdy boots. Go into REI or another outdoors store and try out a few different brands and fits before you commit.

Break your boots in before you hike Havasupai!

Water Shoes/Camp Shoes

Your feet will thank you when you have something to wear outside of your hiking boots! But, on this trek in particular you will want shoes that you can wear when you need to cross the river. I highly recommend a pair of Tevas, because they work for both comfy camp shoes and water shoes for day hikes.

Base Layer

Even though it gets hot down in the canyon, it can be cold in the morning and evening. I really appreciated having my base layer on our trek into the canyon. So, I recommend bringing one if you can. I recommend the Smartwool base layer.

Shirts

In terms of shirts, I suggest bringing:

• One shirt that you can wear for both the way in and the way out.
• One extra hiking shirt
• One casual shirt to hang around in or sleep in at night

Bottoms

Then, when it comes to bottoms, I recommend:

• One pair of hiking pants or leggings for the long trek days.
• One extra pair of shorts/leggings to hang in around camp or wear on day hikes.
• A comfortable pair of joggers or shorts to wear to sleep and stay warm at camp!

Rain Jacket

Even if there is no rain in the forecast, it’s a smart idea to wear a rain jacket. First, because you never know when the weather will change. Second, because you may want to wear a rain jacket as you hike down to Mooney Falls. You’ll get drenched there!

Lightweight Jacket

At first, Dylan and I debated weather we would need a jacket. But, we are so glad that we brought our nano puffs! It ended up being pretty cold in the morning and at night, so having them to layer on was so nice. I suggest bringing one along that you can stuff in your bag!

Socks

I suggest bringing three pairs of socks with you to Havasupai. Two pairs of hiking socks to wear on your treks and then a pair of comfortable socks. Then, you can put your comfy socks on at night to stay nice and warm.

Swimsuits

Havasupai is known for the glorious waterfalls and stunning creek, which makes it a fantastic place to swim! Now, you only need to bring one swimsuit 👙 that you can rewear every day. But, I brought two because they barely took up any room and I liked having the option.

Hat

Like I’ve said before, the sun is incredibly strong in Arizona. ☀️ So, you will want a hat that provides you with some extra sun protection, plus a hat for the cold as well. You can bring a baseball cap or a sun hat, whatever you prefer!

Undergarments

Something you shouldn’t skip on is your undergarments. Bring enough sports bras and underwear for your four day trip. If you want to, you could even sneak in an extra pair of underwear just in case (if you know, you know).

Electronics

Although you’ll be out in the wilderness, you’ll still want to bring some of your electronics with you. 📱 Just make sure to pack enough portable chargers and cords to last the duration of your trip!

Satellite Phone

So, it’s not required that you bring a Satellite phone. But, satellite phones are the best way to make sure you can get ahold of emergency services 🆘 in the case of a problem. We have the Garmin mini and we bring it on all of our hikes!

Camera

If there’s one backpacking trip that I recommend bringing a nice camera on it’s this one! The waterfalls are incredibly photogenic and I couldn’t get enough pictures of them. I brought both my normal camera and a Go Pro and I used them both a ton!

If you want a comfortable way to carry a camera, consider investing in a camera clip. 📸

Phone

Of course, you probably won’t forget to pack your phone. But, in case you do, here’s your reminder! Make sure that you also pack a cord to charge it on your portable charger as well.

Extra Batteries

It’s always good to have a back-up for all of your electronics when you’re gone for four days. I brought two camera batteries, so that I would be set for the entire time we were on our trip. I’m glad I did, because I used my camera a lot!

Portable Chargers

As you spend the whole weekend taking pictures on your phone or tracking your hike with your Apple Watch, you’ll most likely need a charge ⚡️. Bring a portable charger or two, so that you don’t lose juice on your favorite electronic items. 

Tripod

Now, this is definitely an optional item. But, if you want to do any long exposures of the waterfalls, then you will need your tripod. I know that tripods can add a lot of extra weight, so you will have to determine if it’s worth it to you!

Havasupai Packing List- Food

It’s important to really plan strategically for your food during your trip to Havasu Falls. We did a lot of research before we went on how much food we needed and what to bring. But, my biggest tips are to repack your food into smaller bags, re-use one of your dehydrated bags for dinner, and pack extra snacks!

Breakfast

You want to bring enough for 3 breakfasts. We decided to keep it really simple for our breakfasts. We brought one backpacking meal of granola and then for all of the other days we had protein bars. But, other things I would recommend bringing are oatmeal or protein bites.

Lunch

In terms of lunch, we brought a large thing of salami, low moisture mozzarella cheese, and crackers. That way, we could make our own little mini sandwiches during the days 🥪. Plus, we got fry bread one day for lunch.

I would pack enough food to have 3 lunches in case you need all that food. Other great lunch ideas include beef jerky, peanut butter & jelly roll ups, mac & cheese, or the bags of tuna.

Don’t forget to bring cash for fry bread! 💵

Dinner

Dinners we kept it very basic by just packing dehydrated backpacking meals. We packed six in total, but only ended up using five of them. I’m a firm believer that you should have plenty of food, so if you have to overpack something it should be that.

So, make sure that you have enough food for three dinners. Other great things you could eat for dinner include ramen, mac and cheese or other pasta. Plus, if you have a dehydrator you could make your own meals!

Snacks

I highly suggest bringing plenty of snacks that will keep you fueled on the hikes and satisfied during the day. We brought trail mix, goldfish, and dried mangos for snacks and we ate them every single day!

One other tip is to bring some sort of sugary snack (that doesn’t melt) like candy 🍬 and keep it in your hip belt during the long days of backpacking. Then, when you are going on the uphills you can eat a little sugar to help power you through. We brought Sour Patch Kids and High Chews.

Sour patch kids kept me going on the tough hike up the canyon!

Drinks

Mostly, you should be drinking plenty of water on your long days of backpacking. But, it’s also important to have electrolytes and coffee if you are a normal coffee drinker. We brought Liquid IV as well as instant coffee packs, which I highly suggest!

Toiletries

Some of the last things I thought about when packing were my toiletries. But, these items are essential to add to your Havasupai packing list! I am so glad that I brought extra wipes and had enough sunscreen for the journey.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is one of the most important things to bring for your trek into Havasupai! The sun in the canyon is extremely strong, so you’ll likely want to reapply every few hours. Also, having sunscreen that is mostly zinc and nontoxic is a plus!

Chapstick

Lots of people forget to bring chapstick, but I’ve learned that mistake the hard way. My lips have gotten burnt on a few hiking expeditions and they have suffered. Chapstick is so important to help your lips stay moist and to protect from the sun!

Bug Spray

Although we didn’t end up using the bug spray, it’s always a good idea to bring it. You really never know when there will be bugs out on the trail. We bring bug spray for all of our hikes and camping trips.

Toothbrush & Toothpaste

We ended up bringing a couple of sets that we had gotten on previous flights. But, if you have a small travel set of toothbrush and toothpaste that would be best!

Wipes

As a couple of individuals that live in a van, we are very used to not getting showers often. But, it can get uncomfortable to feel sweaty 🥵 and sticky after a long day on the trail. So, I recommend bringing some wipes for an alternative way to wash yourself off. Just remember, you have to pack out your trash!

Deodorant

You can bring your standard deodorant or try to get a travel sized one to take up less space. But, you’ll definitely want to remember this when your hiking all day every day in the hot canyon!

Chafing Ointment

After long hikes, you might notice that your skin begins to chafe. 😣 You can get special chafing sticks or simply use things like Aquaphor and vaseline to protect your skin from chafing. Trust me, you’ll thank me for this one!

Miscellaneous Items:

Now, that you have all of the basics here are a few more things you should bring on this trek:

• Cash– If you want frybread, you will need to use cash.
• ID– Make sure you have your ID on you at all times, because they may ask to check!
• Zip Lock or Plastic Bag– You can use one of these for laundry items, wet clothing, or your trash. I always think it’s a good idea to have.
• Medications or Feminine Products– You might have regular medication that you need to take or it’s the time of the month. Don’t forget these when you pack!

Final Tips for Your Havasupai Packing List

I hope you have an incredible journey to Havasupai, it’s one of the most magical experiences that I have ever had. Before you go, just remember to double check this Havasupai packing list and print out your confirmation for check in! Otherwise, if you follow these tips you’ll have an incredible trip.

Let me know in the comments if you found this packing guide helpful!

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