It is your responsibility to be prepared to hike roundtrip with all of your gear and necessary belongings, including adequate food and water. It is an 8-mile hike with very significant elevation change between the trailhead and Supai Village where the lodge is located. The campground and waterfalls are even further. Consider this to be strong encouragement to pack and travel light but smart.
Also remember, if you bring something onto Havasupai lands, you are responsible for also bringing it back off of Havasupai lands – do not leave ANYTHING behind (this includes partially used items such fuel canisters or other camping gear).
Be sure to bring:
- The license plate number of the vehicle that will be parked at Hualapai Hilltop – you will need it when you check in to receive your parking pass.
- Your government issued Photo ID.
- Your sense of wonder and adventure!
Other recommended packing items:
Backpack to Carry Your Gear In and Out - A properly fitting comfortable backpack makes the trip much more enjoyable. And if you choose to use the Pack Mule service, many people find it helpful to protect their backpack by putting it into a duffel bag. Waterproof bag tags are also a very good idea.
Hydration Day Pack - A day pack is a convenient and comfortable way to carry water and essential gear when you don’t need a full backpack.
Protection from Sun - In the dry desert air, you will often get much more sun exposure than you are used to – so consider long sleeves, long pants, and a sun hat or, at the very least, be sure to protect yourself with sunscreen!
Tent and/or Hammock and Sleeping Pad - Lightweight backpacking gear is recommended for ease of use.
A Bear Canister and Odor-Proof Bags for Food and Trash Storage - While there are NOT bears in Supai, there are plenty of other critters that will be relentless in their attempts to get into your food and trash. Small wild critters (mice, squirrels, etc.) may try to get to your food and trash (and anything else with an odor), even if it means chewing through your pack or tent. Store food and trash in odor and rodent proof containers.
Trekking Poles - Trekking poles may help on the hike in and out.
Phone Charger - Consider bringing a battery pack or solar phone charger. The campground does not have electricity. Keep your phone on “airplane mode” to save battery.
Headlamp - Headlamps make it easier to get to the bathroom at night and get a pre-sunrise start to avoid the peak heat of the day. Ideally use the red beam on your headlamps at night (red light does not mess up night vision), carry your headlamp in your hand pointing down at the ground while in the campground (to not disturb other campers), and keep any lighting at your campsite to a minimum so as to let yourselves and others enjoy the night and the night sky.
Water Filter - There is drinking water available in Supai Village and from a freshwater spring in the campground. All other water should be treated/filtered before using. And to be extra safe, please consider filtering all water.
Food - Many foods are easy and nutritional with no preparation or extra complexity. Freeze-dried meals are very light to carry since all the water weight has been removed – and many freeze-dried meals are delicious and nutritious just by adding cold water (no stove needed!)