The small Native American village of Supai, Arizona sits along the Havasupai River just four miles from the raging Colorado and eight miles below the canyon’s rim. The seat of the Indian reservation bearing its name, Supai is the only included township actually within the Grand Canyon, and with the exception of a pricey helicopter ride, the only way to the village is by foot.

Havasupai Trail
The trailhead is located at Hualapai Hilltop, where there is a large parking lot, a heli-pad, bathrooms, and the main office for the Havasupai. The trail can be traveled by foot, by horseback, or on a mule service the Havasupai offer. A series of switchbacks takes the trekker into the upper canyon landscape of sage and cacti, but soon the narrow walls and sheer red cliffs come into view. Water trickles out of the ground here and shares the trail while flowing to the Havasupai.

The switch-backs stop when the plateau is reached, a point that is marked by a small rest area made from rocks and cement. The trail then leads down off the plateau into a dry streambed. When the canyon breaks along the Havasupai River, lush trees and vegetation reflect in the passing current. The village sits within fenced pastureland and includes a clinic, school, church, café and motel.

For a fee, the trekker can descend below the town and visit three amazing waterfalls. The more picturesque and photographed falls, the Supai, breaks at the brink, sending two streams into a swimmable pool below. As the river recuperates meandering toward the next drop, tent sites are designated beneath shady trees. The trail extends past a couple more falls and cascades before ending at torrential Colorado.

Tourism
Havasupai means people of the blue-green waters. The spectacular waterfalls and isolated community within the Havasupai Indian Reservation attract thousands of visitors each year. Tourism is the main source of revenue for the Havasupai tribe. The town receives on average 12,000 visitors per year. A fee of $35 per person - plus 10% - tax is charged to enter or cross any portion of the Havasupai Indian Reservation. This fee can be paid in advance.

The Tribe also offers a mule service to carry either passengers or luggage, or both, down to the campgrounds. There is also an outside contractor that offers helicopter rides which start at Hualapai Hilltop and end at the café. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available at the Havasupai Cafe near the lodge. Picnic tables, general store, and post office are also found in the village. The Tribe also offers a small lodge where visitors can rent rooms.

Tags: havasupai trail and tourism, natural beauty at havasupai, spectacular waterfalls