Havasupi Canyon Day Hike? Need Permit?

[Borknagar]

Anyone who has hiked havasupi could probably answer these simple questions.

1.) Do you need a permit/reservation to actually hike down and out in one day? I know you need to pay a whopping $35 / person to get into the reservation but would I have problems running down and out?
*I am aware that it's about 20 miles, that's not the problem, the problem will be leaving so soon once I get there!

2.) About how far is it from Flagstaff? Rough estimate is fine.

Thanks a lot! Any cool stories or must do's while there would be cool to hear as well.

[cactuscat]

According to the sign at Hualapai Hilltop, no dayhiking is allowed.

[azbackpackr]

But people do it! You hike down, stop at the office, pay them, they issue you a permit for the day. There was a very recent post on here about someone who did that. Plus, I've known at least two other people who backpacked down solo, and paid for a campsite, without a reservation.

[chumley]

$44 for a day hike. No reservation needed. But you do need to stop in and buy the permit
viewtopic.php?f=55&t=6653#p92069

[Borknagar]

Thanks for the replies! I am excited to do this, just got back from a 30 mile run through the canyon in anticipation for this.
Pretty expensive, but should be worth it.

[AndreyP]

2) From Flagstaff it's 165 mi one way via Seligman (I-40, AZ-66, BIA-18), about 3 hrs driving. The road is paved all the way to Hualapai Hilltop.

[Borknagar]

As an update, we ended up doing this without any problems. They charged $44 each but I would say it was worth it. There are signs that say 'No day hiking' but they didn't give us any troubles.
Thanks for everyone who posted!

[chumley]

I suspect the signs are there as a discouragement to people who don't know any better. The Grand Canyon is littered with signs saying that hiking from rim to river and back in one day is impossible. Or something like that. And for most people, it probably is.

[AndreyP]

Grand Canyon signs say "Do not attempt to hike down to the river and back in one day. A lot of people died trying to do this."
Probably it's another way of saying "If you know you can do it then do it, and if that's an attempt for you then don't".