Havasupai Falls in April: A Perfect Time to Hike & Camp

April is my favorite time to visit Havasupai Falls. The weather’s warm enough to swim (usually) but you won’t bake in the desert heat.

Plus, while a rain shower might move through, you won’t be at risk of a summer monsoon storm impacting your visit.

You can buy permits to visit Havasupai Falls from February through November each year, but I’d say April and May are the best months to visit.

A place to pause on the descent down Mooney Falls

Key Info on Havasupai Falls

You need a permit to visit, regardless of the month.
Camping permits are $455 for 3 nights (per person).
Lodge rooms in Supai rent for $2277 for 3 nights (for 4 people).
Be prepared to hike 10 miles, since the helicopter is unpredictable.
There are no roads, and you can’t ride a mule to Havasupai Falls.
You can pay to have a mule carry your gear.

Click Here for a Full Guide to Havasupai Falls!

The Weather in April

Generally in April, for the village of Supai, you can expect daily highs in the 70s or low 80s, with overnight lows around 50 degrees.

Average High: 76°F
Average Low: 47°F
Rainfall: 0.5 inches for the month

Daylight Hours

Daylight hours expand in April, to more than 13 hours of sunlight per day.

Sunset: : 6:00 AM
Sunset: 7:15 PM

By late April, the number of daylight hours will make it safe enough to tackle the lengthy hike to the Confluence with the Colorado River.

The Colorado River, on a hike down Havasu Creek

Hiking to Havasupai Falls in April

In February, March, and April, it’s cool enough to begin your hike from the Hualapai Parking Lot and Havasupai Falls Trailhead any time of day.

Carrying all your gear, you’ll still get hot on the hike, but there are plenty of places to rest along the way in the shade.

At times, the Havasupai Tribe enforces a rule, which prevents hikers from beginning after 2:00 PM, so aim for a morning departure from the trailhead.

Trail Conditions and Challenges

Unless an unexpected storm impacts the trail, you won’t have any challenges hiking in April. It’s clearly marked and easy to follow.

Crowds and Permit Availability

It can be difficult to secure a permit to Havasupai Falls any month of the year. April and May are especially difficult, since demand is high.

Over the years, I’ve had success checking the Havasupai Tribe’s “Transfer” website, where people who can’t use their permits can sell them.

Camping on Havasu Creek in April

April is a great month to camp along Havasu Creek, between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls.

The campground itself stretches about a mile on both sides of the creek’s famously blue waters.

Campground Conditions and Best Spots

In April, you won’t have to worry about the creek flooding from either snowmelt or a monsoon storm.

Once in a while, a rainstorm will hit the plateau above the canyon and turn the falls chocolate-brown. Still, you should be fine setting up camp creekside.

My advice for the best camping spots along Havasu Creek is the same year round: head closer to Mooney Falls (even though it means a slightly longer hike) and stay away from the vaulted toilets!

Nighttime Temperatures and Sleeping Tips

Nighttime temperatures might be chilly, but they’re still comfortable in April. I’ve always been fine wearing sleeves and light pants in my sleeping bag, inside the tent.

With that said, check the weather forecast before your trip! Temperatures fluctuate, and can dip down quite a bit colder sometimes at night (especially in early April).

While I’ve seen people sleep in hammocks (without a tent) in April, I’d suggest bringing a tent.

Wildlife and Bugs to Watch For

Bugs can be hit-or-miss. While I’ve heard people complain about flies and mosquitoes in April, I’ve never had a problem with them. Still, I bring a small thing of repellent, just in case.

Another thing to consider is squirrels. They seem to come in waves, gnawing into people’s food supplies. I’ve always been fine securing our food in airtight bags and containers, but many people bring rat sacks as an added precaution.

Aside from that, expect to see frogs and lizards, as you’d expect along the creek.

The canyon on a hike between Mooney and Beaver Falls

Waterfalls and Swimming in April

If you live in the Phoenix area, and you’re used to 90-degree pool water, you’ll find Havasu Creek’s swimming holes cold in April! For everyone else, you’ll enjoy jumping in.

Water Temperature

Here’s a chart of the water temperatures in Havasu Creek over the course of April of 2024.

You can see how it varies by the time of day, but generally is between 60 and 70 degrees.

April water temperatures in Havasu Creek — Screenshot

An April Packing List

My general advice for packing is: Don’t *over* pack, especially if you’re carrying everything in on your back. I’ve carried packs in, weighing 35 pounds or more (partly heavy due to camera equipment) but ideally people try to keep the weight to 30 pounds or less.

Jared Dillingham hiking to Havasupai Falls, leaving the Hualapai Trailhead

In April, you’ll probably have a couple of cooler nights, so bring layers to wear in your tent.

Camping Gear

Hiking Gear

Hygiene & Toiletries

Food & Cooking

Jetboil & Propane
Matches or Lighter
Freeze-Dried Meals
Nuts & Protein Bars
Utensils
Foldable Cups, & Bowls
Electrolyte tabs or packets

Jetboil and kitchen things to pack for Havasupai

Miscellaneous

Cash (for tacos and things in Supai)
Battery Packs (2 minimum)
Quick Dry Towel
Gloves (for climbing Mooney Falls)
Rope (optional)
Rain Poncho (optional)

Wrap: Pros and Cons of Visiting Havasupai in April

If you’re planning a trip to Havasupai, April is one of the best months to go. You’ll usually find comfortable temperatures and longer daylight hours, helping you make the most of your bucket list trip!

Advantages of This Time of Year

Temperatures are likely to be warm, allowing you to make the 10-mile hike any time of the day. By late May, you’ll have to start well before dawn.

You’ll avoid the scorching summer heat, which causes several hikers to get sick from heat exhaustion each season (I know from experience!).

The extra hours of daylight allow you to have more flexibility in your days at the campground or lodge. It makes the lengthy additional hike to the confluence (where Havasu Creek meets the Colorado River) much more doable.

Rainfall is usually minimal in April, meaning less of a chance of flash floods turning the turquoise waterfalls brown. Plus, there’s zero chance of a monsoon storm.

Jared Dillingham on a hike to Beaver Falls in Arizona

Potential Drawbacks to Consider

Some April nights will still be pretty chilly for campers, so just prepare for it by bringing layers and tea, coffee, oatmeal, or something warm to eat and drink when you wake up!

An April visit might create permit challenges since it’s such a desirable time to visit Havasupai Falls. Again, keep trying for dates on the Tribe’s “Transfer” website, and hopefully you’ll land your permit!