description Havasu Falls Overview
Turquoise water drops into a pool beneath Havasu Falls, a plunge waterfall on Havasu Creek within the Havasupai Reservation in Arizona. Dissolved minerals help give the creek its distinctive blue-green color, which contrasts with the surrounding canyon rock. The pool and mineral deposits are as central to the waterfall's appearance as the falling water itself. The remote canyon setting attracts photographers and travelers prepared for a visit that requires planning and physical effort.
Access is controlled by the Havasupai Tribe and requires the appropriate reservation or permit, so the falls are not an unrestricted roadside attraction. For people interested in desert waterways and canyon scenery, the site brings together a flowing creek and a striking geological setting. Its character also depends on its location within the homeland of the Havasupai people.
help Havasu Falls FAQ
How do you get to Havasu Falls?
Havasu Falls is accessible only via a roughly 10-mile hike from Hualapai Hilltop—the nearest road—or by helicopter through the Havasupai Reservation. All visitors must obtain a permit and reservation from the Havasupai Tribe in advance, and the tribe strictly limits the number of people allowed in.
Why is the water at Havasu Falls so blue?
The vivid blue-green color comes from high concentrations of dissolved calcium carbonate and magnesium naturally present in Havasu Creek. These minerals also deposit travertine, forming the striking natural pools and terraced cascades that make the falls one of the most photographed waterfalls in the American West.
Where exactly is Havasu Falls located?
Havasu Falls is located on Havasu Creek within the Havasupai Indian Reservation, in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon in northwestern Arizona. The nearby village of Supai is one of the most remote communities in the contiguous United States and is the only place in the country where mail is still routinely delivered by mule train.
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