Beaver Falls Arizona Hike Review- Havasupai
Beaver Falls is one of the well-known Gatorade-blue waterfalls at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, within the Havasupai Indian Reservation. If you’re reading this post, I’m assuming you’re either planning to get reservations or you already have them. If you have them, congrats, because it can be tricky to get permits! The four main waterfalls in Havasupai are Little Navajo Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls. Of those four, I found that I was least prepared for the hike to Beaver Falls. When I was hiking I thought, “I wish I would have known about this before coming,” so I’m writing this post to prepare YOU for your trip to Beaver Falls and beyond.
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DON’T HAVE HAVASUPAI PERMITS?
Havasupai is on tribal land and you can’t go unless you have permits. Previously, on February 1st at 8:00 AM, permits would open online for the rest of the year. But then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the land was closed. Permits went online and people were allowed to sell their permits on the Transfer Board.
We purchased our 4 tickets off the Transfer Board in late 2020 and finally got to use them on April 1-4, 2023. You can still purchase permits on the Havasupai Reservation page each morning. I’ve seen people get permits online and go on their hike a few days later.
Once you get your permit (or if you already have one), you can finally hike to BEAVER FALLS IN HAVASUPAI!
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BEAVER FALLS HIKE
The Beaver Falls hike was VERY FUN and VERY ADVENTUROUS. I wasn’t expecting it to have so many elements to it. I thought it was just a short, flat stroll. HAHA. I like to be prepared, which is why I’m writing this for you.
HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Waterfall Spray (aka you’ll get soaked)
- Caves
- Climbing numerous rickety wood ladders
- Hanging onto wet chains on a cliff
- Multiple water crossings up to your thighs, some with strong current
- Palm tree tunnel
- Minimal shade
- Rock climbing
- Lines of people
- Beautiful waterfalls, of course
If this sounds of interest to you, keep reading! I think it’s 1000% worth it.
PACKING FOR HAVASUPAI AND BEAVER FALLS
When I finished this hike, I made a list in my mind of things I wish I didn’t bring and things I’m glad I brought. So now I can share that information for your hike to Beaver Falls.
THINGS I’M GLAD I BROUGHT
Sturdy Hiking Shoes– Danner Mountain 600
Garmin InReach Mini 2– It’s easy to get lost in the canyon. This allows you to send an SOS and TrackBack your steps.
Micro Fiber Towel– Lightweight. 1 is enough for 2 people.
Teva Water Sandals– to change shoes for water crossings
WHAT I’d do different
I feel like the picture above explains perfectly what I’d do differently. My mom and her wife brought small backpacks for day hikes- like this REI Flash 22. We didn’t so my husband brought his giant pack and it was just too much.
Also, YOU DON’T NEED HIKING STICKS. They get in the way. We thought we’d want them from being tired from the hike in, but we were wrong.
NEED PACKING ADVICE FOR HAVASUPAI?
I detailed my entire packing list for Havasupai in my post HERE.
BEAVER FALLS HIKE
Let’s get to the good stuff, yeah? I’ll go over the stats of the hike and then get into things you should expect along the way. You’ll feel so prepared after reading this, which will make your hike so much better (and safer!).
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STATS
Length: approx 6 miles RT from campground (5.1 from Mooney Falls base).
Elevation: 1,155 ft gain
Time: 6-7 hours (we hiked from 10am-5pm)
Features: Descending a cliff, water crossings, wood ladders, waterfalls
We’re going to break down this hike into steps, based on different landmarks and elements on the hike that will help you know you’re going in the right direction!
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 1
DESCENDING MOONEY FALLS
Once you leave the campground, the first element you’ll hit is Mooney Falls. To get to the base and continue onto Beaver Falls, you will need to go through tunnels, and then hang onto wet chains and ladders down a steep cliff. I know right- YIKES! I had SO MUCH FUN!
MOONEY FALLS DESCENT
I won’t go into much detail on this portion of the hike now, but I created a more detailed post on the Mooney Falls descent HERE. Check it out!
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 2
FIRST WATER CROSSING
After descending Mooney Falls and enjoying the base of the falls, you’ll continue on the trail down the canyon. You can use AllTrails to guide you, but it’s not overly accurate for this hike, unfortunately. It helps to hike with other people or at more popular times of the day. I also didn’t know beforehand HOW MANY water crossings there would be.
The first water crossing comes just a few minutes after hiking past the base of Mooney Falls. You’ll hit what seems like a dead end. I didn’t realize you cross here! There are some chairs and a table to change your shoes from boots to water shoes for the rest of the hike.
Like what you’re reading so far?? Check out some of my other recent posts below!
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 3
VINE FOREST
After you do your first few water crossings, you’ll start hiking through what I call a vine forest. There’s a skinny pathway that passes through vines on both sides. It was bare when I visited in early April, but in the summer it is lush and green. If you’re lucky, you may see a bighorn sheep while you hike too.
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 4
MORE WATER CROSSINGS
The “vine forest’ will eventually end and you’ll cross the creek a few more times. The highest the water got was right under my butt (and I’m 5′ 6”).
DON’T KNOW WHAT WATER SHOES TO BRING??
Some people suggest water shoes that cover your toes, but I’ve been using active sandals for years + love them. There’s a big debate in the outdoor world between TEVA and CHACO, and I’m 100% on team TEVA.
Find my shoes HERE.
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 5
THE LADDERS (RICKETY OLD ONES)
Once you start climbing up a ladder after the water crossings, you know you’re getting close to being done! These ladders aren’t nearly as sketchy as climbing down Mooney Falls, but they aren’t frequently maintained, so they can be a little rickety and broken. It’s easy to get splinters too- so bring a tweezers in your first aid kit.
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 6
PALM TREE TUNNEL
This area was so cool! It’s a GIANT palm tree (at the bottom of the Grand Canyon- what), that created a tunnel against the canyon wall. I had seen many videos of this spot, but didn’t know it was part of the Beaver Falls trail until I was hiking it! Look forward to this. It’s beautiful.
When you get through the Palm Tree Tunnel, you’ll be graced by beautiful calm blue water, and a sketchy ladder. Honestly climbing up and down this ladder was way worse than going down Mooney Falls.
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 7
SKETCHY LADDER IN THE WATER
I’m not kidding, this ladder is freaky. When my stepmom tried to climb down it, I saw the ladder falling. A week or so later we saw on the tribe’s facebook that they tried fixing it. If you were to fall getting from the rock to the ladder going down, you’d fall about 15 feet into very shallow water. Be very careful and take your time. There was a giant line waiting to go down when we headed back. Down is worse than going up. Quite the adventure.
BEAVER FALLS HIKE STEP 8
BEAVER FALLS LOOKOUT
Once you climb up a few steep steps and mini switchbacks, you’ll walk through a trail of Prickly Pear Cactus and then quickly see the “Beaver Falls” sign. At this point, you’re on the canyon wall looking DOWN at Beaver Falls.
Beware, you’re supposed to have your receipt and wristbands on at all times. There was a tribe member here that checked on our stuff. The lookout here is beautiful! After this, you’ll go DOWN some steep trails and ladders to get to the base of Beaver Falls.
BEAVER FALLS- DESTINATION
You made it to Beaver Falls! EXPECT there to be crowds here. It’s very hard to get photos without people in the background. but have fun! Jump in. Explore all levels of the falls. Bring some lunch. you won’t regret it.
FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BEAVER FALLS HIKE
The Mooney and Beaver Falls hike was one of the MOST ADVENTUROUS HIKES I’ve ever done. the caves, the ladders, the water crossings, the caves, etc. It was so much fun! I just wish I would have been prepared, so I hope this post gave that to you! Check out my other Havasupai posts before you go!
