20 Havasu Falls Photos to Inspire Your Adventure

Havasu Falls is undoubtedly one of the most unique backpacking trips in the US, and it’s also one of the hardest to pull a permit for.

Located near the Grand Canyon on Havasupai tribal land, Havasu Falls is a lush oasis in the middle of one of the most beautiful deserts I’ve ever visited, as these Havasu Falls photos will prove.

Known for its spring-fed, turquoise waters, deep orange canyon walls, and bright green vegetation, the color explosion here will literally make your jaw drop no matter how many times you visit.

Visiting Havasu Falls requires a lot of advanced planning. Permits become available on February 1st each year and sell out within minutes.

Luckily, we have a number of Havasu Falls blog posts on Bearfoot Theory to help you secure a coveted permit and plan your trip:

Havasupai Permits and Camping Guide: Learn the ins and outs of the permit process and how the campground is set up
Havasu Falls Packing List: Get packing with our detailed backpacking gear checklist
Havasu Falls Do’s and Dont’s: Make sure you are a good tourist so the Havasupai people continue to allow us to visit their land
Guide to the 5 Waterfalls in Havasu Canyon: It’s not just about Havasu Falls. Learn about the other amazing waterfalls to check out on your trip
Leave No Trace: New to backpacking or need to brush up on LNT? Head here for all of our posts on Leave No Trace.

This blog post featuring 20 of my favorite Havasu Falls photos from my 2 trips is intended to get you excited and inspire you to start planning.

This post may contain affiliate links.

The Trail to Havasupai

The trail to Havasu Falls starts at Hualapai Hilltop which is located between Las Vegas and Flagstaff.

The 9.5-mile hike into Havasupai takes you deep down into the colorful walls of Havasu Canyon.

Tip: Start your hike early for the best chance at snagging a riverside campsite.

Woman standing on edge of cliff overlook at the start of the Havasu Falls trail wearing a backpacking backpack — The start of the trail to Havasupai starts on Hualapai Hilltop

Woman hiking through narrow red rock canyon on the Havasu Falls trail in Arizona — As you descend from the trailhead, you enter a red-rock canyon

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Fifty Foot Falls & Navajo Falls

After a long, dry hike, you reach the first set of waterfalls – Fifty Foot Falls and Navajo Falls.

Each year floods cause these falls to change shape.

Waterfall cascading into a pool of turquoise water surrounded by red canyon walls at Havasu Falls in Arizona — Fifty Foot Falls is the first waterfall you’ll come to on your way to Havasupai

Two people sitting in turquoise-colored natural pool in Havasu Canyon, Arizona — Cool off in one of the beautiful pools at the base of Fifty Foot Falls before continuing your hike!

Get inspired to visit Havasupai in Arizona! Here are my favorite Havasu Falls photos along with tips and advice for planning your backpacking trip. — Navajo Falls changes shape every year from flooding through the canyon

Havasu Falls & Campground

After you stop and check in at the tourist office in the Supai Village, you’ll continue just a bit further down the trail to reach Havasu Falls.

View down onto turquoise-colored river from the top of Havasu Falls — View from the top of Havasu Falls down onto the campground

Man standing with back to camera looking at Havasu Falls waterfall cascading into a turquoise-colored pool of water surrounded by red rock cliffs — Take your time to enjoy your first views of Havasu Falls – it’s magical!

Havasu Falls cascading into turquoise-colored pool of water in Havasu Canyon, Arizona — The color of the water really is an incredible shade of turquoise blue

Don’t get too distracted here, though. You’re just a few minutes away from the campground.

Woman sleeping in a hammock next to turquoise-colored river at Havasupai in Arizona — The first time I visited Havasu Falls, I opted to sleep in a hammock.

Read next: Not sure what to pack? Head over to our complete Havasu Falls packing list for gear tips and recommendations.

Tent set up between red rock cliffs of Havasu Canyon with dusk sky overhead

Mooney & Beaver Falls

On Day 2, head down to Mooney and Beaver Falls. It’s a beautiful hike with a lot more solitude than the area shown so far in these Havasu Falls photos.

Take your time on the hike down to Mooney, though. It’s very steep and a little slippery, but soooo worth it.

Also, pay attention to the weather. If there is a chance of rain, flash flooding can occur in Havasu Canyon and you don’t want to get caught down below.

Woman sitting at the top of Mooney Falls in Havasu Canyon surrounded by red rock cliffs — Enjoying a quiet moment at the top of Mooney Falls

Man hiking down steep and technical rock trail to the base of Mooney Falls in Havasu Canyon, Arizona — The hike down to the base of Mooney Falls is steep and challenging, but so worth it!

Wooden ladders leading down to Mooney Falls in Havasu Canyon — The trail down to Mooney Falls is made up of ladders and chains – take your time and go slow

A couple getting their photo taken in front of Mooney Falls in Havasu Canyon, Arizona — Don’t forget to get your picture taken in front of Mooney Falls!

Once down at the base of Mooney Falls, follow the riverside trail down to Beaver Falls.

Make sure you have a good pair of water shoes since you’ll be in and out of the river all day.

Woman walking through turquoise-colored waters of Havasu river — Pack a good pair of water shoes because you’ll be wading through the river on your way to Beaver Falls

If you’re lucky, you may cross paths with a bighorn sheep. Do not approach them, try to feed them, or chase them down for a photo.

Just let them be and quietly observe.

Big horn sheep crossing Havasu Creek — We felt super lucky to see this Big horn sheep make its way across the river

Beaver Falls is marked with a sign. There are some short but steep uphill sections to get there.

Trail sign to Beaver Falls in Havasu Canyon — The trail to Beaver falls is short, but steep

Turquoise-colored pools at Beaver Falls in Havasu Canyon, Arizona — Beaver Falls is a series of beautiful pools filled with turquoise-colored water

Water cascaded down rock terraces at Beaver Falls in Havasu Canyon

The hike back out

At the end of your trip, try to get an early start to beat the sun and bring plenty of water since there is very little shade.

Another option is to stay to enjoy the falls and hike out in the dark by headlamp. Just make sure you’re prepared!

Purple sky at dusk over canyonland landscape in Arizona

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I hope you enjoyed these Havasu Falls photos! Have you visited Havasupai? What is your favorite memory or which photo is your favorite?

3 Comments

Alexia says:

January 23, 2019 at 1:37 am

Very beautiful. I am in love with this place. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos.

Kesari says:

January 28, 2019 at 2:38 am

Really very interesting post you have shared with us. Thank you so much for wonderful post and experiences.

Janet L Condino says:

February 12, 2019 at 8:58 am

I’ve been there and it is truly magical!