Supai Things to Do

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At first, the top of the falls looks just like any other cliff top. That is until you step closer to the sign that says "NO DIVING FROM THIS POINT". Once you reach that spot and look down, there you see the waterfall. A walk over to the right will take you to the top of the waterfall. To the left is a trail that takes you to the bottom of the falls.

Once you reach the bottom of the falls there is a great pool for swimming (especially in the heat of the day after hiking). I watched several people swim from the shallow side of the pool to the place that the water crashes down from the falls above, climb the cliff behind the falls, then jump into the water. If I was a more experienced swimmer and wouldn't have been travelling solo, I would have likely tried that myself. As it was I felt content to cool my feet in the water and watch the other tourists enjoy themselves in the water. I found it interesting that there were only about 60-80 tourists total in the canyon and most of them were from foreign countries.

From Havasu Falls there are a few more options further down the trail that a person can chose to visit if they like. Mooney Falls is 2 miles further downstream just beyond the visitor campground. Beaver Falls is further downstream and further yet is the convergence of the blue green waters into the Colorado River.

Havasu Canyon is magical if you can hike to Havasu Falls. I took a week long raft trip down the canyon, and we hiked up from the river to the falls. When I was there you could swim up under the falls to a hidden cave. The travertine landscape of the falls and pools gets changed by occasional flash floods.

We were hiking in mid October and were surprised to see so many desert flowers in bloom. We also noticed many small desert lizards and birds. From the parking lot we saw a black tailed fox with a fresh kill in its mouth.

Keep your eyes open and your camera ready.

Although we were quite hot by the end of our hike, we found the water temperature in October a bit too chilly for our liking, so unfortunately we didn't get to swim. However, many brave souls did and you can swim all the way out to Havasu Falls and swim underneath it if you like.

I suggest you bring water shoes or Tevas with you as will have to wade across the natural terraces which can be quite sharp on bare feet and slippery. There is even a sandy beach and plenty of rocks to sit on to enjoy the beautiful scene.

This waterfall is twice the height of Havasu Falls and also crashes into a beautiful turqoise coloured pool surrounded by red cliffs. Your first sight of this 200 foot waterfall will be from the top, after a one mile hike from Havasu Falls.

You can continue on the path which descends the cliff side along a series of steps, through caves and by scaling the cliff face with the aid of chains. We quite enjoyed our view from the top so didn't venture any further. Although, on a hot day, it would have been a great place for a swim down at the bottom. If you do plan to "go all the way", carry as little as possible since it is a tight squeeze through some of the narrow openings.

From Havasu Falls you have another one mile hike before reaching Mooney Falls. It is a very pleasant, level walk that will bring you through the shady campground and alongside the quiet blue waters of Havasu Creek.

The hike was very rewarding and perhaps a bit tiring, but from the village it is still another 2 miles to Havasu Falls. Follow the path to the left of the church and keep to the right when you come to a fork in the road. This is also the path that leads to the campgrounds. The path will be a bit sandy in places and there will be some hills, but it is all worth it once you get your first glimpse of this spectacular waterfall.

The water descends 100 feet and splashes into a turquoise coloured pool set against what looks like a red petrified curtain. Throw in some pretty green trees and grass and it truly is an oasis.

The last mile of the hike will bring you alongside Havasu Creek, you will hear it before you will see it. You will also be walking under a shady canopy of trees. After crossing the aqua blue water by a small footbridge, you will soon see the first homes of the village and nearby the two towering rock formations, called the Watchmen.