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This was my second year going to Havasupai and I learned a lot after my first trip and made some changes. Deciding what to bring and what to leave at home for your upcoming backpacking trip can make the difference between a heavy pack and a lighter load. Here you will find a packing list for Havasupai to make sure you don’t forget any of the key items.

The most important thing to do before you head to Havasupai is to check the weather. My trip this year was at least 10 degrees cooler overall than my trip last year, despite going at the exact same time of year. Here is the packing list for Havasupai:

What to Wear:

• Nylon pants and shorts
• Dry-fit tops
• Leggings
• Swim suit
• Multiple pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks
• Water shoes or sandals (I have Keen’s which I love)
• Neoprene socks (if you will be hiking long distances in your sandals – like to the Confluence or Beaver Creek Falls)
• Supportive hiking shoes or boots (lots of hiking in sand)
• Rain jacket/jacket
• Hat
• Weather dependent:
  • Warm hat in early spring, late fall and winter
  • light-weight gloves in early spring, late fall and winter
  • Long underwear in early Spring, late fall and winter
  • 1-2 long-sleeved fleece or wool layers

Gear:

• Backpack (get fitted at your local REI)
• Trekking poles
• Backpacking tent (can be rented at REI)
• Lightweight sleeping bag
• Lightweight sleeping pad (love this one – doesn’t make noise and is super comfortable)
• Camping pillow
• Stuff sac for clothing
• Backpacking stove
• Stove fuel (if you are flying make sure you grab once you land)
• Matches or lighter
• Cooking pots and pans
• Plates, bowls, utensils, mugs, cups
• Rag for cleaning out pots/pans and to use as hot hands
• Water bottles/water bladder
• Headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries
• Sunscreen and bug repellent
• Towel and/or Chamois
• Rope
• First Aid Kit including band-aids
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Knife
• Body Glide (anti-chafe)
• Packable daypack

Food, Snacks, Drinks:

• Energy bars
• Electrolyte mix
• Snacks (nuts, trail mix, dried fruit…etc.)
• Breakfast food: granola, bagels/cream cheese
• Lunch food: bread, peanut butter, honey, chips, fruit
• Dinner food: dehydrated backpacking meals (we enjoyed this chicken risotto and this Santa Fe chicken)
• Water treatment (iodine, chlorine or water filter)
• Anti-squirrel food storage
• Cash for Fry Bread Stand

Other:

• Hammock/mosquito net
• Camera and batteries
• Power Bank / solar charger
• Camping chair – plenty of picnic tables, but if you want one by the falls and don’t bring a towel to sit on
• Book/deck of cards

Tips and Tricks for Packing for Packing List for Havasupai

Packing for Havasupai isn’t just about stuffing a backpack full of camping gear. Rather, it’s about preparing for one of the most unique and remote hikes in the U.S.

After all, the 10-mile trek into the Havasupai Reservation takes you deep into the Arizona desert to turquoise waterfalls surrounded by towering red cliffs.

But getting there and enjoying yourself once you arrive requires a bit of planning and strategic packing. So, use these essential packing tips and tricks to avoid the many mistakes that first-timers make.

Start with a lightweight, internal-frame backpack (40–60 liters). Make sure it’s well-fitted and tested beforehand. Trust me, you don’t want to find out it rubs your hips raw on mile 5 of a 10-mile descent. Also, use a rain cover or waterproof liner inside your bag since you don’t want all your gear to get soaked during an unexpected shower. Trust me, flash floods and random rainstorms do happen.

Food and Cooking

Sadly, you won’t find any restaurants near the campground. Therefore, you must pack in and prepare all of your own meals.

Backpacking meals or freeze-dried options are easiest. You just add hot water and have a delicious, calorie-dense meal ready in minutes.

Bring other lightweight snacks too like trail mix, jerky, and non-chocolate protein bars since the chocolate can melt.

A small backpacking stove (like Jetboil) and fuel are also crucial if you want to have any hot meals during your trip. Finally, don’t forget a long-handled spoon, collapsible bowl, and lighter/matches.

Bring Tons of Water

There’s a reliable spring near the campground. However, you still need to carry enough to get there. This means that you’ll need to carry at least three liters of water with you.

To carry this much water, a hydration bladder is ideal. You could also bring a collapsible water bottle and a water filter or purification tablets.

This way you can grab water once you get to the campground. It’s also important to pack electrolyte tablets or powders since they can help you recover from the intense desert heat.

Before your trip, be sure to weigh your pack since you’ll have to hike with everything on your back. Aim for your bag to be under 30 pounds total.

You should also do a practice hike with your full pack before the trip. This way, you can make changes and adjust the weight if it’s too much for you. I

f it’s your first time backpacking, consider splitting gear with a friend to reduce your load.

With smart packing and a little foresight, your Havasupai experience can be safe, comfortable, and unforgettable. This way you can focus on the waterfalls and not the weight on your back.

Hopefully you find this packing list for Havasupai helpful for your trip! Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments!

Flying out to the west? Find out how to book cheap flights here.

Headed to the Confluence of the Havasu Creek and the Colorado River, check out this post for more details.

Looking for an overview of the hike to Havasupai, click here.

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