The Most Competitive US Hiking Permits: Havasu Falls, Arizona

Havasu Falls quick facts:

• Distance: 16 miles round trip from the trailhead (4 miles RT from lodge)
• Elevation gain/loss: +/- 2,400 feet from the trailhead (-150 feet from lodge)
• Number of applications in 2023: Not available
• Success rate: Low
• Application window: Varies, likely late December 2025 to very early January 2026
• Apply here

Havasu Falls is one of the most breathtaking destinations in the United States, attracting thousands of visitors every year who want to feel the mist off the turquoise waterfalls and stand among its red-rock canyons. A permit is required year-round for all visits, with permits selling out almost instantly due to the high demand. Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls attempt to get permission to visit the falls, which is only allowed if you have a campground or lodge reservation issued by the Havasupai Tribe.

Access to the falls was closed for three years during the pandemic, and the tribe introduced a new reservation system in 2024 that is continuing until further notice. Reservations for both the campground and lodge open for pre-sale applications at the end of each year. You can submit up to three three-night date windows. Each application can have up to 12 people, and you can apply for one of two options: a campground reservation for three nights ($455), or lodge reservations for three nights ($2,277). It costs $20 per person to enter, and if you win, you have about a week to pay for the whole cost of the stay. If you don’t pay for it, your reservation will be cancelled.

If you miss the initial lottery, there is no official waitlist or secondary lottery system. Occasionally, cancellations and availabilities may arise on the reservation website, but these spots are rare. No day-use permits or day hikers are allowed, and you’ll need to hike to reach both the campground and the lodge. The hike starts at the Havasupai Trailhead and continues for around six miles before reaching Supai Village. The falls are another two miles past that. You can reserve mules to carry your bags in advance online.

Alternative to Havasu Falls

If Havasu isn’t in the cards, consider hiking Kanarra Falls in southern Utah. It’s different, with an adventurous slot canyon experience dotted with cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear water, making it a fantastic alternative for those who love unique desert hikes. It’s outside Zion National Park near Kanarraville, Utah, and is about 4.4 miles round trip. It only gains about 700 feet of elevation, making it accessible to most hikers. The trail does require a permit, which is limited to 150 hikers per day and can be reserved online for $15 per person.

Where to stay near Havasu Falls

The only places to stay if you want to see Havasu Falls are the lodge or the campground in Supai Village. But Grand Canyon National Park itself has fantastic hotels and rental homes for extended trips, including glamping and stargazing hotels, Airbnbs inside geodesic domes and vintage trailers, and both an Under Canvas and Backland resort.