Imagine hiking through the heart of Arizona’s Grand Canyon, surrounded by towering red cliffs, only to discover bright turquoise waterfalls that look almost too beautiful to be real.
From spectacular waterfalls to natural limestone terraces and thrilling trails, Havasupai is packed with incredible adventures.
But visiting these famous waterfalls takes some serious planning, especially since you’ll need a permit, a challenging hike into the canyon, and enough time to explore all the best spots.
That’s where this Havasupai waterfalls itinerary comes in!
I’ll walk you through the must-see waterfalls, what makes each one special, and everything you need to know to make the most of your trip to one of Arizona’s most spectacular destinations.
1. Fifty Foot Falls
Fifty Foot Falls is one of the first waterfalls you’ll see in Havasupai, located along Havasu Creek near Supai Village in Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
As the name suggests, this gorgeous waterfall drops around 50 feet over a series of limestone ledges, creating beautiful turquoise pools surrounded by green trees and towering red canyon walls.
You can swim in the clear blue-green water, relax in the shallow pools, snap incredible photos, or explore the nearby cascades before continuing toward Navajo Falls and Havasu Falls.
The best part is that Fifty Foot Falls often gets fewer crowds than the bigger waterfalls, making it a fantastic spot to cool off after the long hike into Havasupai!
2. Little Navajo Falls
Just downstream from Fifty Foot Falls, Little Navajo Falls is another gorgeous stop along Havasu Creek, where bright turquoise water tumbles over several wide limestone ledges surrounded by lush greenery and towering red canyon walls.
Unlike the taller waterfalls in Havasupai, Little Navajo Falls features a series of smaller cascades that spill into shallow, crystal-clear pools, making it a fantastic place to swim, wade through the water, and snap photos.
The waterfall formed after a massive flash flood in 2008 changed the course of Havasu Creek, reshaping the canyon and creating new waterfalls where the original Navajo Falls once stood.
You can reach Little Navajo Falls on your way toward Havasu Falls, so it’s worth taking a little extra time to explore its beautiful pools before continuing down the trail.
3. Hidden Falls
After exploring Little Navajo Falls, keep an eye out for Hidden Falls, a lesser-known waterfall tucked away in a narrow side canyon near Supai Village, away from the main trail leading to Havasu Falls.
This beautiful spot features a multi-tiered waterfall cascading down a steep rock wall into a turquoise pool, with tall canyon walls and thick greenery making it feel wonderfully secluded.
Getting here takes a little extra exploring along Havasu Creek, and you may need to wade through shallow water and follow unmarked paths, so check current access rules and ask a local guide for directions before heading out.
If you can visit, bring your camera and enjoy the chance to see another side of Havasupai beyond its famous waterfalls.
4. Havasu Falls
Next, make your way to Havasu Falls, the star of the show, a spectacular waterfall that plunges about 100 feet near Supai Village in the heart of Arizona’s Havasupai Reservation.
Here, Havasu Creek plunges over a massive red limestone cliff into a brilliant turquoise pool, creating one of the most photographed waterfalls in the Grand Canyon.
You can follow the steep trail down to the base, swim in the refreshing water, relax on the sandy banks, or snap incredible photos from the overlook above the falls.
The water gets its famous blue-green color from dissolved calcium carbonate, which forms the smooth travertine terraces around the pools, and the nearby Havasupai Campground is just a short walk downstream.
5. Mooney Falls
Just a short walk from Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls takes things to a whole new level with a jaw-dropping 200-foot drop, making it the tallest of Havasupai’s famous waterfalls in Arizona’s Grand Canyon.
Getting to the bottom is an adventure itself, as you’ll need to climb through two narrow rock tunnels before descending a steep cliff using metal chains, ladders, and footholds carved into the rock.
Once you reach the base, you’ll find a massive curtain of turquoise water crashing into a deep pool, sending clouds of mist into the air and creating an incredible backdrop for photos.
Mooney Falls is named after James Mooney, a prospector who died here in the 1880s, and the challenging descent makes this one of the most unforgettable stops on your Havasupai itinerary.
6. Beaver Falls
After conquering the steep descent at Mooney Falls, continue downstream to Beaver Falls, the final stop on your Havasupai waterfall adventure and one of the most rewarding hikes in the Grand Canyon.
Unlike the towering drops at Havasu and Mooney Falls, Beaver Falls features a series of beautiful limestone terraces where turquoise water cascades into several natural pools, creating the perfect spot for swimming and relaxing.
Getting here is half the fun, as the trail follows Havasu Creek through narrow canyon passages, lush grapevine-covered walls, several creek crossings, and wooden ladders that add a little extra adventure to the journey.
Be sure to save enough energy for the 3-mile hike back to Mooney Falls and its challenging ladder climb, especially since you’ll still need to return to Havasupai Campground afterward.
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