Havasu Falls — 100ft Plunge in Arizona

Havasu Falls is a 100-foot plunge waterfall in Coconino County, Arizona, reached by a strenuous backcountry trek over 10 miles.

Havasu Falls is the 100-foot turquoise-blue plunge waterfall on the Havasupai Indian Reservation deep inside the Grand Canyon — among the most photographed waterfalls in the world, fed by mineral-rich Havasu Creek that gets its impossible blue color from dissolved calcium carbonate. Access requires a Havasupai Tribal permit (released annually each February, typically sells out in minutes), a 10-mile hike from Hualapai Hilltop down to the reservation campground, and at minimum a 3-night stay. There are no day visits. Everything about reaching Havasu Falls is hard; the result is consistently described as worth every step.

What to expect

Win a permit in the February release on havasupaireservations.com. Drive to Hualapai Hilltop (rural northern Arizona, end of a long road from Peach Springs). Hike 10 miles into the canyon — descending from the rim, then a long flat creek-bed walk. Camp at the designated campground; Havasu Falls sits between Supai village and the campground. Multiple other waterfalls (Mooney, Beaver, Fifty Foot) are accessible via day-hikes from camp. Plan 3-4 nights minimum.