Havasupai Backpacking Gear List: What to Bring in 2025
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Backpacking in Havasupai had been a dream of mine for years, and I’m so grateful my friends made it happen by snagging permits. After flash floods postponed our original September 2024 plans, we finally made it out in April 2025, and it was so worth the wait. From stunning waterfalls to a few surprises, our Havasupai adventure was unforgettable. In this post, I’m sharing our full experience, where we stayed before and after the hike, and my complete Havasupai gear list to help you plan your epic trip!
About Havasupai
Havasupai, meaning “people of the blue-green water,” is a Native American tribe deeply connected to the Grand Canyon region, with their lands nestled within the national park. Famous for its mesmerizing turquoise waters, especially at Havasu Falls, the tribe’s bond with the land and water is central to their way of life. The name “Havasupai” itself speaks to their unique relationship with these stunning natural resources. The village of Supai, home to the Havasupai people, remains one of the most remote communities in the contiguous United States, accessible only by foot, mule, or helicopter.
Tourism plays a crucial role in the tribe’s economy, with hikers and adventurers flocking to Havasu Falls and other waterfalls within the canyon. Despite the influx of visitors, the tribe’s cultural and historical ties to the land remain strong, and their stewardship of this pristine area is vital.
The Weather – A Mixed Bag of Adventure
I visited in mid-April 2025, and the weather was as unpredictable as it was exciting! From chilly nights that dipped into the 30s to daytime highs of 77°F, we got a little bit of everything. And as if the elements weren’t enough, we also experienced rain, hail, and some seriously wild winds. If you’re heading out there, be ready for anything — the weather can change on a dime, so it’s always good to pack layers and be prepared for all kinds of conditions. It’s a good idea to use the AccuWeather app with the Supai location to monitor the forecast.
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Havasupai Backpacking Gear List (Packing List)
Planning your own trip? Here’s my complete Havasupai backpacking gear list — everything I personally used on our 4-day adventure. I’ve been backpacking for years and have my setup pretty dialed in, so these are tried-and-true picks. I’m linking the items I brought (and loved), including one new addition I picked up just for this trip: a rat sack — lighter than a bear canister and perfect for keeping critters out of your food. 🙂
🏕 Shelter and Sleep
If you’re staying at a campground, you’ll definitely need a shelter, most commonly a tent or a hammock, as well as a sleeping pad and a pillow to ensure a comfortable night’s rest.
🍳 Cooking & Eating
Bringing your own food is highly recommended, as the facilities in Supai aren’t always open. There is a small store about 2 miles from the campground that sells cold drinks, ice cream, and shelf-stable goods, but access isn’t always convenient to hike 2 miles (one way) to go there. You’ll also find a couple of fry bread stands at the entrance to the village (over 2 miles from the campground) and one more conveniently located at the top of Havasu Falls, near the campground entrance, which typically opens in the afternoon.
Here’s everything I brought for my trip. Tip: A rat sack was absolutely essential. Small critters like mice and squirrels are very active at night and will go after anything with a scent—food, trash, even toiletries—and may even chew through your backpack or tent to get to it. Always store scented items in odor-proof bags inside a rat sack or bear canister, and secure it outside your tent.
- Spork + Collapsible Mug
- Stove & Pot + Fuel + Lighter
- Trash Bag
- Rat Sack (medium size 18×19)
- Biodegradable Soap + Dish Cloth
- Dehydrated meals, trail mix, bars (food post coming soon!)
🧥 Clothing & Accessories
I usually pack light when it comes to clothes on backpacking trips, but since we knew the weather would be unpredictable, I brought a bit more than usual for this one.
I brought a couple of items that I didn’t end up using. First, the rain jacket — it rained a lot, but mostly at night when I was in the tent. I didn’t need it during the day, so a poncho would have been a lighter alternative (hindsight is always 20/20). I also packed neoprene wetsuit bottoms for the 16 water crossings to the Confluence, thinking the chilly, rainy weather would make them necessary. But I ended up wearing shorts, and thanks to being tall, my shorts stayed mostly dry, and my legs dried quickly, so I was warm enough all day.
Clothing
- 1 Tank Top
- 1 Sun Hoodie
- 1 pair of Shorts
- 1 pair of Hiking Pants
- 1 Pullover
- 1 pair of underwear + sports bra
- 3 pairs of Hiking Socks
- Swimwear
- Neoprene wetsuit bottoms (I didn’t end up wearing them)
Outerwear & Layers
- Puffy Jacket
- Rain Jacket (it rained but I never used it… in hindsight, a poncho would’ve been lighter)
- Buff
- Hat + Sunglasses
Sleepwear
Footwear
🧭 Navigation & Safety
I didn’t bring a physical map or a compass since both my phone and Garmin have those features built in. My backpack also has a whistle attached, so I didn’t pack a separate one. I highly recommend downloading the AllTrails maps ahead of time before starting your adventure.
- Headlamp
- Map + compass
- Satellite Phone
- First Aid Kit + whistle
- Multi-Tool Knife
- Emergency Shelter
- Sunscreen & Lip Balm
💧 Hydration
When backpacking in places with water sources, I typically bring two 1L Smartwater bottles: one for clean, filtered water and one for “dirty” water that I drink through a Sawyer filter. I also pack a collapsible water bladder for camp use and a 16-oz Nalgene just for electrolytes
🎒 Miscellaneous
I didn’t bring a camp chair on this trip since many of the campsites have picnic tables and benches. However, I packed a pair of grippy gloves, which were super helpful for the descent to Mooney Falls, and a microfiber towel that ended up being more useful as a rug inside the tent — the wind blew in so much sand that it made a big difference.
There are three restroom locations in the campground: one near the entrance, one in the middle, and one at the far end near Mooney Falls. However, it’s a good idea to bring a backcountry poopy kit with you since there are no restrooms along the hike or while exploring.
- Backpacking Backpack
- Daypack – I didn’t end up bringing this daypack, but I purchased it for the trip. It’s only 4oz, and I highly recommend it as a day pack for the day hikes in Havasupai.
- Trekking Poles
- Powerbank (don’t forget your charging cables!)
- Microfiber Towel
- Grippy gloves (these gloves are a must for Mooney Falls — super grippy and held up well even in wet conditions)
- Hygiene kit
- “Backcountry poopy kit”
- Camera
- Gear Repair Kit
