After a three-year closure, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon has finally reopened to visitors this month. However, access will be limited to an exclusive group of travelers.
People whose initial reservations had been suspended because of the closure – triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic – will have priority in rescheduling a visit to Havasu Falls.
Havasu Falls is located on the lands of the Havasupai Indian Reservation and is controlled entirely by the tribe. The reservation is adjacent to but not actually part of Grand Canyon National Park.
Unfortunately, no new 2023 reservations are being offered, but there is a potential loophole for the most fortunate and flexible among us. If those whose initial visits were suspended cannot reschedule their trip, those spots will become available through an online reservation system.
On its official Facebook page, the Havasupai tribe has stated that “the only way to get a reservation for 2023 is to purchase off the official transfer list. Open an account at www.havasupaireservations.com to see what is available.” The tribe has also warned that “this is a new check-in process and there may be some delays as we work through the system.”
More About Havasu Falls
Havasu Falls forms just one part of the broader Havasupai Reservation. The unique healthcare problems faced by Native American tribes contributed to the lengthy closure, the tribe noted. “We closed our Reservation in March 2020,” the tribe wrote on its website. “With limited access to meaningful healthcare, closing the reservation was the best way to keep our community safe and healthy. We have remained closed to tourists since that time.”
Additionally, severe flooding in October 2022 damaged trails and bridges used not only by tourists but also by members of the tribe in Supai Village. What’s more, the tribe said it experienced problems with its third-party tourism operator.
Getting to Havasu Falls is no simple feat, either. According to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), getting there and back requires an overnight stay. Visitors must arrange to sleep either at a campground or at the Havasupia Lodge.
It’s a long, arduous hike from the canyon rim – eight miles to the village of Supai and another two miles to the falls themselves. Visitors must hike back up and out. Rock climbing and night hiking are not permitted. Drones, alcohol, and weapons are also prohibited.
