Havasu Falls, Arizona

Havasu Falls is paradise on Earth. This is an absolutely amazingly beautiful waterfall located in a remote canyon of Arizona. It takes a good deal of effort to get there, but the reward is worth it. It was even more beautiful than we could have imagined (and we had seen plenty of pictures of the waterfall beforehand - hence the reason we wanted to go there in the first place). If you go to Havasu Falls, you will no doubt think you are somewhere in Hawaii. It is an oasis in arid Arizona.

The hike to Havasu Falls begins at Hualapai Hilltop, about 100 miles from Seligman, the nearest town. Many people stay at Seligman the night before hiking into Havasu, then get up early and drive to the hilltop. We stayed at Sedona, a 3 hour drive away (it was free for us, to stay with my parents there). The first 1.5 miles of the hike is a steep descent down to the bottom of Hualapai Canyon (1000 ft. elevation loss). Remember this descent because you will have to go back up it when you climb back out of the canyon (at the end of a long 10 mile hike). The rest of the hike is mostly flat (6.5 miles to the village, or 8.5 miles to the campground). It is an absolutely beautiful hike along the bottom of Hualapai Canyon, an amazing experience hiking through a steep canyon with the cliffs towering above you. But it is also a long hike. It seemed that the canyon was never-ending. We kept looking around the next corner for the end of the canyon, where it finally joined up with Havasu Canyon and creek, but it never seemed to come. Eventually though, you will reach Havasu Creek. From there it is about a 1.5 mile hike to the village of Supai, as you hike through Havasu Canyon now, along Havasu Creek. Havasu Creek is one of the most beautiful creeks we have ever seen, with amazingly clear blue-green waters. The name "Havasupai" means "people of the blue-green waters", and it is easy to see where this name comes from.

Havasu Falls is a 2 mile hike past the village, located just before the campground. It is a beautiful double waterfall along Havasu Creek, falling into a crystal clear pool, perfect for swimming on a hot day. There is a large beach area for lounging and picniking in front of the waterfall. You can also get to the top of the waterfall and look down (but be careful). There is something very alluring about this waterfall. It is one you just have to see to believe.