Havasupai Reservation is part of the Grand Canyon. We applied for permits for hiking and camping. It was early in the season, but also it is less visited compared to the Grand Canyon. This was my first desert and backpacking experience. I had my trusty new Vasque boots on and was ready for our hike. Most of the hike was relatively flat. We did have a steep descent and ascent to get in and out of the canyon near the trail head. Our goal was to follow the GPS and maintain at lease a 3.0 mph walking speed.

Havasupai Reservation

Views during our hike.

Some amazing highlights of the trip:

1. Dogs. I am a huge dog lover. We had a couple of dogs following/leading us for the first portion of the trail; we felt like we were characters in a book. We made new friends and were not sure how long they would tag along. After they knew we were safe to continue on our own, they turned around.

Hiking Guide

Our 4-legged friend resting while we hydrate.

2. Aqua Blue Water. Havasu Creek towards the end of the hike and into Supai, Arizona was amazing. The color contrasts of bright aqua blue surrounded by the warm natural colors of the canyon, browns and reds, and the blue sky was unbelievable.

Campsite

Campsite by Havasu Creek

3. Waterfalls. Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls are picturesque and are nothing like any waterfalls I have seen before. We couldn’t help walking around in our Chacos after a long day of hiking and refreshing our feet with some fresh, cool water. The down-climb to the base of Mooney Falls was fun and scary with ropes to hang onto and old ladders to climb down. We also saw Beaver Falls on our hike, which is a cascade waterfall.

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls

Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls

4. The campsite. We strategically picked our campsite near the water. It was nice falling asleep to nature’s music.

Campsite

Campsite

My first backpacking experience was a success. The trail is 10 miles one way. We also explored Supai, which is the village where the Havauspai Native Americans reside. They use ATVs, donkeys, horses, and helicopters to get in and out of the village since the nearest road is 8 miles away. It definitely takes you back to a simpler lifestyle and reminds you of history. They also have accommodations for visitors who fly into the area that do not camp.

Ranching in Havasupai

Transporting supplies to Supai.

Have you ever been to a Native American Reservation?


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4 Highlights from Backpacking the Havasupai Reservation