What to pack for your Havasu Falls Hike
If you’re not sure what to pack for your Havasu Falls hike, here is my packing list for the Havasu Falls hike. Even though I always use the Pack Mules to carry my backpack into Havasupai, I still love to pack as light as possible. You may want to pack more or less.
This Havasu Falls packing list article is part of my Complete Guide to Hiking Havasu Falls.
Note: there are three sections to this pack list:
- Clothing I wear as I hike in and out,
- What I carry in my daypack, and
- What’s packed in my backpack (carried by the pack mules.)
I’ve also included an “Optional” packing section. This is a FREE downloadable Havasu Falls packing list, and you can download it here: Packing-List-Havasu-Havasupai-Hike
Or continue to read more:
WHAT TO WEAR as you hike 10 miles (16 km) into Havasu Falls
- Shoes or boots – I recommend high-top hiking boots for added ankle support … find out why by clicking here.
- Hiking socks – I use ultra-thin toe socks and thick wool socks for added cushion
- Shorts and T-shirt for hiking in and out
- Straw hat
- Hiking poles
- Daypack (see below)
WHAT I CARRY IN MY DAYPACK
- Three liters of water
- Havasu Reservations – printed copy
- Lunch and snacks
- Camera/smartphone with small battery backup
- Shoulder holder that attaches to daypack for smartphone
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Light rain jacket – doubles for wind jacket on another layer when necessary (Check out my recommendations for best lightweight rain jackets.)
- ID and copies of printed Havasupai Reservations and Pack Mule Reservation
- Confirmation
- Journal and pen
- Medications
- Small first aid kit
- Band-Aids – all sizes,
- Neosporin,
- Moleskin,
- Ibuprophen,
- packaged antiseptic wipe,
- small Swiss Army knife
Leave a cooler in your vehicle stocked with Gatorade or other non-alcoholic beverages for refreshment after your grueling hike out of Havasu Canyon.
Now that you know what I carry in my daypack, take a look at what’s in the backpack that I send down with the mules:
PACKING YOUR BACKPACK FOR HAVASU FALLS, ARIZONA
This is what I packed in my backpack for my 3-night Havasu Falls hike:
- Water shoes such as Tevas or KEENS – I use KEENS when hiking in rocky creek beds added toe protection.
- Quick drying shorts and T-shirt shirt for swimming (doubles for hiking clothes)
- Midweight baselayer bottoms or yoga pants for cool nights – can be worn under shorts
- Beanie or other warm hat for sleeping and cold mornings
Light puffer jacket or fleece jacket - Coleman stove
- Propane gas canister
- Two pans
- Cups and utensils for cooking and eating
- Biodegradable dishwashing soap – please don’t wash your dishes in the creek or at the spring.
- Food and snacks
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Foam or inflatable mattress (Check out recommendations here.)
- Large battery back-up and cords to recharge camera/smart phone
- Extra pair of glasses
- Backpack cover – protection from the dust and grime if you have mules carry your pack in. We used one heavy-grade plastic garbage bag for each backpack, but wished we would have brought an extra bag for the way out.
- Duct Tape – to tape your “Mule Reservations” on to your bag if no one is at the trailhead to receive your bag.
- Water – Carry 3 liters of water for the hike in your daypack – I thought it was worth re-mentioning here. You’ll be able to refill at Fern Spring in the campgrounds. We also found 5-gallon plastic water bags at the Havasupai Campground Headquarters that we used for the duration of our time at the Campground. We returned them to the Campground HQ when we left.
Optional items to Pack for Havasu Falls Hike:
- Towel – I leave mine at home because it is so dry in Arizona, I simply air dry.
- Swimming suit – you might notice that I didn’t include a bathing suit on my list. It’s not because clothing is optional at Havasu Falls. In fact, nudity is strictly forbidden by the Havasupai Tribe. I chose to honor the sacred place by wearing more modest quick-drying shorts and T-shirt instead of a swimsuit.
- Rat sack – to keep the very aggressive ground squirrels out of your food at Havasupai Campground. We used the 5-gallon plastic utility buckets that were provided by sympathetic donors. You might find them at the Havasupai Ranger Station or at the campsite.*
- Hammock – I left mine at home because it adds just one more complication to picking your campsite in an already over-crowded camping facility. If you bring it, you’ll have to find a campsite that has two trees spaced for your hammock. I like to keep it simple. (KIS)
Download this FREE Packing List HERE
This Havasupai Packing list is downloadable to an easy-to-read PDF with check boxes for your convenience. Download the FREE packing list here: Packing-List-Havasu-Havasupai-Hike.
If this FREE Havasu Falls Hike packing list is of any benefit to you, please leave a comment in the the comment field below. I would love to hear from you.
UNSTOPPABLE Stacey is an Arizona travel writer who writes about her hiking adventures that take her across the globe.
Related articles:
Feeling like a Non-Native Species at Havasu Falls
Complete Guide to Hiking Havasu Falls
