A Guide to Havasupai Falls in June: The Heat, Hike, Campground, & More

June is a hot, but enjoyable time to visit Havasupai Falls … as long as you’re prepared for the desert heat.  

Especially by the end of June, you’ll have to prepare for hiking and camping in temperatures that can climb toward triple digits. As long as you keep hydrated, the warm days are great for swimming in Havasu Creek!

The other factor you’ll have to be aware of (by late June) is the unpredictable summer monsoon season. The monsoon is a weather system, which sends storms (severe at times) up into Arizona. It usually lasts from late June into September.

Key Info on Havasupai Falls

• You need a permit to visit (no matter when you go).
• Permits are $455 for the campground, per person for 3 nights.
• Lodge rooms in Supai are $2277, for 4 people for 3 nights.
• The helicopter is unpredictable, so be ready to hike 10 miles.
• There are no roads, and you can’t ride a mule.
• You can pay for a mule to carry your gear.

Crowds and Permit Availability

It can be difficult to secure a permit to Havasupai Falls any month of the year, and it’s the same in June.

My advice, which I’ve followed several times myself, is to keep checking the Tribe’s “Transfer” website. It’s the only place to buy permits from other people who no longer want them.

As for crowd size, Havasupai Tribe doesn’t release exact numbers, but public filings online with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other agencies provide some insight.

The tribe grants roughly 100 permits per day. Up to 30,000 people visit Havasupai Falls each year. The campground is almost always buzzing with new people arriving and other groups packing up to leave.

Hiking to Havasupai Falls in June

In the spring (even through much of May), it’s cool enough to begin your hike to Havasupai Falls any time of day.

*BUT* … in June, you should consider beginning your hike *before dawn* from Hualapai Hilltop.  Depending on your pace (and how many stops you make along the way to rest) it’ll take around 5 hours to make the hike.  

While there are shady spots along the way, you definitely don’t want to be hiking in the heat of the midday sun, which really gets too hit by late morning in June.

Keep in mind: the Havasupai Tribe often enforces a rule, mandating all hikers depart the trailhead by 2:00 PM. Based on that, evening/sunset hikes aren’t always permitted, so it’s best to begin your hike before dawn.

Trail Conditions and Challenges

Storms likely won’t impact the trail conditions in June. You should find the route clearly marked and easy to follow.

Camping on Havasu Creek in June

In June, you have to be prepared for warm nights while you camp along Havasu Creek.   

You’ll find campsites on both sides of a one-mile stretch of the creek, between Havasu and Mooney Falls.

Campground Conditions and Best Spots

In June (and through the summer into September) there’s always a small risk of a flood, triggered by monsoon rainfall up on the plateau above the canyon.

Over the years, campers have had to head to higher ground, leaving their campsites behind when the waters rise.  

Otherwise, my advice for the best camping spots in June is the same as it is any time of year. When you arrive at the campground, keep hiking toward Mooney Falls and find a campsite right along the beautiful blue creek.

As always, pick a site away from the vaulted toilets, since the odor can get bad during the summer.

Nighttime Temperatures and Sleeping Tips

Nighttime temperatures will be warm in June.  Keep that in mind when you’re choosing your sleeping bag and tent. By June, many people choose to sleep in hammocks rather than tents.  

The next time I go in June or July, I might not even bring a sleeping bag. It might work better if you bring a sheet to use over your sleeping pad rather than a sleeping bag.

Wildlife and Bugs to Watch For

I’ve never had any issues with bugs, flies, or mosquitoes, but I know that others have. Because of this, I usually carry a small bottle of insect repellent, just in case.

When it comes to squirrels and other campsite scavengers, their presence can vary. Sometimes you’ll find evidence that a mischievous rodent has gotten into someone’s food. Personally, I’ve always managed to keep our food secure in airtight bags and containers, but many people opt to bring rat sacks as an extra precaution.

As for wildlife, you’re more likely to encounter frogs and lizards near the creek, as you would expect.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the sheep down past Mooney Falls.