Grand Canyon’s Havasu Falls to reopen to visitors after 3-year closure

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Grand Canyon’s Havasu Falls to reopen to visitors after 3-year closure

January 26, 2023

(CNN) — Havasu Falls, one of the Grand Canyon system’s most interesting features, is reopening to visitors after a three-year closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. But it’s a catch.

The reopening is scheduled for February 1st. However, access is initially restricted to a specific small group.

Those whose previous reservations were put on hold get their first crack by rescheduling a visit to the waterfall and the mesmerizing aquamarine pool at its base.

Havasu Falls is located on the land of Havasupai Indian Reservation Managed by tribes. The reservation is adjacent to, but not part of, the Grand Canyon National Park. The tribe controls all access to the waterfall.

No new bookings have been offered for 2023, but if you’re looking to go this year, there’s a potential loophole if you’re lucky and flexible.

If the visitor is unable to reschedule the visit, the spot will be opened via an online listing.

Tight schedule to see Havasu Falls

Response times are tight for people to reschedule, and the tribe warned, “This is a new check-in process and we are working through the system, so there may be some delays.”

On Thursday, Jan. 26, the tribe sent detailed instruction emails to travel leaders with arrival dates between Feb. 1-28, 2023, according to the latest Facebook post.

Some hopeful visitors posted that they were having trouble coordinating check-in times as well as quickly making new arrangements to start the trek.

One person posted: ‘Thanks for the update, but I really wish this was more timely. It’s changed.You gave me a week’s notice.My reservation is 2/3.”

Why was Havasu Falls closed for so long?

Havasu Falls is just one part of the larger Havasupai Reservation.of specific health problems The tribes noted that the challenges faced by the Native American tribes contributed to the long closure.

‘Reservations closed in March 2020,’ says Tribe wrote on the website“With limited access to meaningful health care, closing the reservation was the best way to keep our community safe and healthy. remains closed to.”

Then in October 2022, severe flooding damaged the trails and bridges used by tourists as well as tribe members in the village of Supai, home to about 200 people. According to VisitArizona.com.

Finally, the tribe said they had problems with third-party tourism operators.

But with the debris cleared and new tourism operators on board, Havasupai has set a reopening date of February 1st.

Hard Trekking to Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls: A difficult hike to a fun destination.

Richey Miller/Cal Sport Media/AP

It’s not easy to get to or leave the site.

It’s a long hike from the canyon rim. The village of Supai is 13 km (8 miles) and the waterfall is 3.2 km (2 miles). And then you have to hike back.

Visitors should be physically fit, able to carry at least a gallon of water (there are no water sources on the trail), and prepared for hard desert hikes.

During the summer, temperatures can reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius). If the temperature exceeds that number, the trail will be closed.

Above Image: Havasu Falls in Supai, Arizona. (Photo: Richey Miller/Cal Sport Media via AP Images)