Havasupai Camping and Lodge Permits Explained for 2026
We were lucky enough to get permits to visit in 2018, right before Havasupai Falls blew up in popularity. Back then, you had to reserve permits over the phone. Unfortunately, they released permits for the season all at once. The day they released permits, we called more than 60 times before getting through. We’d call, get a busy tone, hang up, and try again, knowing we were competing with thousands of people around the world.
Finally, on Meghann’s last try, she got through. She nearly panicked when she heard a voice pick up on the line. We’d thought ahead and planned what dates would work well for us, but in the end, we didn’t have much of a choice. Whoever was on the phone said their next availability was at the end of April — so much farther out than we’d anticipated. Without a pause, Meghann said she’d take it. Zach and our other group members would have to make the dates work!
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Where is Havasupai Falls located?
Potential Alternative Trip Leader
Where is Havasupai Falls located?
Havasupai Falls is in the Grand Canyon on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, just outside of the Grand Canyon National Park. The closest town outside the reservation is Peach Springs, Arizona, on Historic Route 66.
How to get to Havasupai Falls
There are no roads leading to Havasupai Falls. Access to the Supai Village is done by hiking, or helicopter, by permit only. Day hikes are not allowed – all visitors must get permits in advance and spend the night in the campground or lodge.
How to get permits
The Havasupai Tribe grants about 100 permits per day, welcoming 30,000 visitors to Supai per year. Permits are reserved online nowadays, but they still sell out within minutes.
Early access permit reservations begin on January 21st, 2026 at 8 a.m. Arizona time and ends January 31st 2026 at 5 p.m. Arizona time.
Regular permit reservations are available between February 1st, 2026 at 8:00 am Arizona time.
Early access sale
The early access sale allows anyone to purchase camping and lodging permits for an additional fee.
Early access reservations for 2026 open on January 21, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. Arizona time and close on January 31, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Arizona time. There are separate logins for the lodge and the campground, but early access is available for both.
Camping permits
Camping permits go on sale on February 1st at 8 a.m. Arizona time each year. To get a reservation, set up an account under the Havasupai Falls campground page in advance. Enter your credit card information in advance so you’re all set to go when permits go on sale.
On February 1st, log in shortly before 8 a.m. Arizona time. Refresh your browser at 8 a.m. and select your dates and group size as quickly as you can. The Tribe is using a new booking platform so things may change, but when applying for permits in the past, you’d get to the page for final payment only to have the website glitch and send you back to start the process over. Be patient and keep trying.
Havasupai Lodge permits
The Havasupai Lodge permits go on sale each year on Febuary 1st at 8 a.m. Arizona time each year. The reservation process is the same as making a reservation to camp. Since there are only 24 rooms available, they book up quickly.
Native American and military discounts
Tribal members with a Certificate of Indian Birth (CIB) and members of the military can visit Havasupai Falls with a discount. You must go through the same reservation process, paying all fees upfront. Discounts are processed upon check-in with valid reservation and identification.
Permit costs will increase
Permits will likely continue to rise in price annually. Not only because of demand, but because of trash removal (seriously, pack out what you bring in), trail management, environmental protection, flood mitigation, repair, and emergency rescues.
For reference, when we visited in 2018, the total cost of our three-night stay in the lodge was $300. By 2025, the cost was raised to $455 per person to camp or $2,277 to stay in the lodge.
Permit costs
Permits are sold for three nights/four days each. Making a shorter or longer reservation isn’t an option. However, you can start your hike in on any day of the reservation. No matter when you hike in, you must leave on the last day of your reservation. There are no refunds for unused permit days. We highly recommend using every day of your permit to experience as much of Havasupai Falls as possible. This itinerary has great suggestions on how to spend your time there.
Early access permit costs
Early access permits require an additional fee on top of the standard permit price. The remaining permits will become available for purchase on February 1st, 8:00 am Arizona time.
Early access campground permits cost:
$455 campground permit per person
Plus an additional $40 per person
Up to 12 people
Early access permits for the lodge cost:
$2,277 lodge permit
Plus an additional $160
Up to four people and three rooms
Campground permits
Camping permits are charged per person. Regular camping permits costs $455 per person, for three nights. You can have groups of up to 12 on one reservation.
For more information on the campground, check here.
Havasupai Lodge permits
It costs $2,277 to reserve a room at the lodge for three nights for a regular permit. Each room sleeps up to four, and the cost is the same regardless of your numbers. You can book up to three rooms.
For more information on the lodge, check here.
Potential Alternative Trip Leader
Whoever purchased the permits will be the assigned trip leader, but the Tribe strongly recommends naming a Potential Alternative Trip Leader (PATL) at the time of booking. Either the trip leader or the PATL must be present at check-in. If you can’t attend and did not designate a PATL, no one in your group will be allowed to check in or hike.
PATLs can only be added when the reservation is made. The PATL does not need to be present at check-in as long as one of the listed leaders checks in and provides valid identification.
What if I need to cancel my trip?
The Tribe updated its cancellation policy for the 2026 season. Cancellations are now allowed with restrictions. You can receive a 50% refund of the permit cost, excluding early access fees, if you cancel at least 90 days before your permit start date.
If you need to cancel more than one permit, each reservation must be cancelled separately to receive the partial refund. Cancellations made within 90 days of the permit start date are not eligible for a refund, but the Tribe still requests that you cancel any reservations that you won’t be using.
Permit transfers
Before 2026, the Tribe only offered refunds by submitting your permits to be resold on the Havasupai website’s “transfer board”. This has been discontinued and is no longer an option to purchase permits.
When to visit
Peak season
May to September
Havasupai Falls sees the most visitors between spring and fall. However, we don’t think this is the ideal time to visit. This is when temperatures are hottest, and it coincides with monsoon season (more on that below). Go if you’re willing to brave the heat and take your chances with possible rain between mid-July and early September.
Best temperatures
March to April and September to November
Early spring and late fall are the best times to visit. Temperatures are cooler, but it’s still warm enough to spend your day swimming.
Fewest crowds
December to February
Colder temperatures scare most visitors away during the winter months. However, the water maintains a consistent 70 degrees year-round. It’s warm enough for the brave to take a dip, but you won’t be soaking in it like you would in the summer months. It’s also not unheard of to have the sights to yourself during these times but expect to be chilled once the sun drops below the canyon walls.
Monsoon season
Floods can occur any time of year; however, monsoon season at Havasupai Falls is from late June into early September. During this time, there is a high risk of flash floods.
When this happens, visitors may be evacuated, and hiking in is prohibited. There are no refunds for trips being cut short. If they allow visitors to stay, those camping must camp on high ground. This means sharing space with others and sleeping on uneven ground.
If you visit after recent monsoons or heavy rain, the waterfalls will be a muddy brown for days, rather than the usual turquoise.
