This Breathtaking Historic Village Inside The Grand Canyon Is Worth The Trek To Visit

Almost 5,000,000 people visit the Grand Canyon every year. What they might not know is that inside this iconic natural wonder, 3,000 feet deep, is a hidden gem that most travelers overlook: Supai. This breathtaking historic village — which some consider to be one of the most remote villages in the contiguous U.S. — is a place of untouched beauty where time stands still, and the ancient traditions of the Havasupai people live on. For those willing to make the intense journey, the reward is an unforgettable experience that combines nature, history, and culture in a way few places can match.

The remote Supai village is home to the Havasupai Tribe, who have lived in the Grand Canyon — one of the seven natural wonders of the world — for over 1,000 years! The name "Havasupai" means "people of the blue-green waters," a reference to the stunning turquoise waterfalls that are the crown jewels of the area (more on that later). The 188,077-acre reservation was established in 1880.

The village itself is comprised of a school, post office, lodge, café, general store, and a small collection of homes, all surrounded by towering 70 million-year-old red rock cliffs that seem to cradle the settlement in a protective embrace. There's limited cell service here, and the internet was just upgraded to broadband in 2022. But the overall remote location allows visitors to unplug from the modern world. You can spend the night at the village's lodge or campground. Worth the trek to visit? You bet. 

Reaching Supai is no small feat. To give an idea of how remote this village is, it can only be accessed by foot, mule, or helicopter. Cars are not allowed, and there is no road access to the village. It's also the last place in America where mail is transported by a train of mules. If you want to take on the challenge, your journey will begin at the Hualapai Hilltop, the trailhead located some 60 miles from the nearest town of Peach Springs, Arizona. From there, an 8-mile trek awaits through the rugged terrain of the Grand Canyon. The hike is challenging, with the path winding down steep switchbacks and narrow canyons. Note: this is not a day-trip adventure.

The Supai village is located within the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which lies outside the jurisdiction of Grand Canyon National Park. Because of this, making an online reservation and obtaining a permit from the Havasupai Tribe is necessary to enter the area, and all visitors are required to stay at least three nights at the lodge or the campground. Bookings go live every year on February 1, but not everyone is lucky enough to score a spot. To reserve a lodge room, call (928) 448-2111. Visitations are seasonal, lasting from February to November. Winter offers cooler weather with fewer crowds, while summer can get extremely hot (up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit) with possible closures due to flash flooding — spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons.

While the village and the trek itself are bucket-list experiences, the true highlight of any visit to Supai is its beautiful waterfalls. Just a short hike from the village, the otherworldly Havasu Falls are renowned for their striking blue-green waters, which cascade over red cliffs into pools below. The vibrant color of the water is due to the high mineral content in the limestone travertine cliffs, which reflects the sunlight in a way that creates that milky hue.

Navajo Falls, Fifty Foot Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls are other waterfalls you can check out in the Havasupai Reserve. Mooney Falls, the tallest of the group, plunges nearly 200 feet and requires a daring climb down a steep cliffside to reach the base. Beaver Falls, on the other hand, has a series of small cascades for a more tranquil setting. Swimming in the pools beneath the falls is permitted and is a refreshing reward after all that strenuous hiking. Bring your bathing suit!

Plan your visit to Supai well in advance, accounting for everything from permits and lodging to gear and supplies. There are also important rules to follow while on the reserve. No alcohol, no drones, no jumping or diving off the cliffs, and please, leave no trace — violating any of these, among all other regulations, is subject to fines and getting expelled by the tribe. The Havasupai people have lived here for centuries; be respectful of their land, traditions, and privacy.