HikeArizona.COM

With social media really getting more people involved in backpacking, this is the first year I've NOT been able to secure camping reservations at Havasu Falls / Supai for my summer hiking season. I spent 3 days trying to get through and all the tribe had open was a few dates in September after the holiday.

In my experience, I only recall ONE weekend where the campground was totally packed; all the other times there were plenty of spaces.

So, taking out the "cheap" factor - has anyone EVER been turned away by the tribe for showing up without reservations? I know there is a 100% penalty for showing up without, but at this point I don't care - I really like the 11 mile hike (except the 1st mile, sometimes I feel like other hikers are "pushing" you down the hill since they are all in a hurry).

-nate

I've heard of some getting through paying the penalty. Recently heard of some getting refused too. I'd imagine on nice weekends.

haolenate wrote:all the tribe had open was a few dates in September after the holiday.

Best Time to hit a Popular Place IMHO...Everybody is back in School, all the Family Vacations are done for the Summer....I love hitting Popular Places after Labor Day!

@haolenate
Considering how difficult it can be to find a campsite when you do have a reservation, I would not want to imagine what a "full" campground looks like down there

It seemed half empty this past September (Havasupai campground). Weekdays.

Joel Hazelton wrote:@haolenate
Considering how difficult it can be to find a campsite when you do have a reservation, I would not want to imagine what a "full" campground looks like down there

Its pretty damn aweful. there were people camping along the pathway through the campsite and even further up the east embankment where the river splits (in the campground). the bathroom pod on the east side of the river was also "out of service" and even saw a lone tent along the footpath TO the bathrooms! fortunately we set up camp as some people were leaving to hike out in the evening, so we were lucky. AND then we woke up to find MORE tents in odd spots, and even someone sleeping ON the table between us & the next tent.

and of course, seeing all the litter along the roadway(? - had lots of ATV traffic that day) down to the campsite made me realize there are NOT hikers, no trace of LNT anywhere I think we filled up a 30 gallon garbage bag on our hike down.

@haolenate
And somehow you are disappointed you may not be able to enjoy it again this year?

ha.. well, that was only ONE trip where it was packed to the gills. The others have been very nice; its especially nice to arrive on a Sunday when everyone is stampeding OUT. One one of my trips, we WERE the only people at the falls all day, with exceptions of a few insane trail runners (out and backs).

this is one of the reasons I continue to have no interest in ever going to Havasu Falls. I keep it in my list of places that have been sacrificed to the crowds so that hopefully they won't branch out into the other awesome places.

Out of season is a better time to visit.

The place was almost empty on Oct 1st a few years ago ... it was great.

I called last week checking on reservations and was told that they were full. I have been 3 times previously in summer and never saw it close to full... I just read that the Falls were featured in a New York newspaper so I suppose we may never get reservations again unless we can plan a year ahead....That's place will be ruined soon I fear... Sad....

@travlnman

I blame Instagram more than anything else. Its exposing all the good places.

travlnman wrote:I just read that the Falls were featured in a New York newspaper

It's not just NY; travel writers all over have been plugging Havasu to death for the last few years.

I am getting a lot of questions about it at work from my river tour guests. It's always been popular, but not quite like what's happening now. I wonder if a solo hiker can still get a campsite just by hiking down with cash.

@azbackpackr
Walk ins were getting in paying double. Past couple months I keep hearing they are turned away. Maybe it'll ease up once it's 110.

If they're smart they'll quadruple the fee next year. Based on the GC permit/fee for R2R, people love to pay fees. No need to hesitate, make 'em happy!

@hikeaz
I think you posted in the wrong thread...

This is the thread for emotionally charged responses to horse abuse on the Havasupi Res...;)

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=9526&p=118043&hili ... se#p118043

friendofThundergod wrote:@hikeaz
I think you posted in the wrong thread...

This is the thread for emotionally charged responses to horse abuse on the Havasupi Res...;)

viewtopic.php?f=55&t=9526&p=118043&hili ... se#p118043

Merely ANOTHER reason to avoid the place.........

joebartels wrote:If they're smart they'll quadruple the fee next year. Based on the GC permit/fee for R2R, people love to pay fees. No need to hesitate, make 'em happy!

The current fees are the main reason I've never gone. Seems hard to justify over $70 per person for two nights. $280 deserves a nice comfortable bed and continental breakfast.