Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
Campgrounds in Arizona
Photo: Chris English / CC BY-SA 3.0
Near Supai, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
Given these conditions, here's what to pack for a safe and comfortable visit.
Based on the terrain, climate, and wildlife at Havasu Falls Campground, here's what to bring.
Essential
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Water (minimum 2L) — Dehydration impairs judgment and endurance long before you feel thirsty; 2L is the minimum for a moderate day hike.
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Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Phone batteries die, cell service disappears, and trail signs get vandalized; a paper map and compass always work.
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Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — UV exposure intensifies at elevation and near reflective surfaces like water and snow; sunburn can happen in under 30 minutes.
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First aid kit — Blisters, cuts, and sprains happen on even the easiest trails; basic supplies let you treat problems before they force a retreat.
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Extra food — A wrong turn or unexpected storm can extend any outing by hours; extra calories prevent fatigue and poor decision-making.
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Headlamp with extra batteries — Trails that seem short in daylight can take twice as long with route-finding or elevation; a headlamp keeps you moving safely after dark.
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Fire starter — Hypothermia can set in even during summer at higher elevations; a reliable fire starter provides warmth and a signal for rescuers.
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Emergency shelter (space blanket) — A space blanket weighs under two ounces and reflects up to 90% of body heat, buying time in an unplanned overnight.
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Knife or multi-tool — From cutting cord to preparing food to improvising gear repairs, a knife is the most versatile tool you can carry.
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Extra clothing layer — Mountain weather can shift from sunshine to sleet within an hour; an extra layer prevents dangerous heat loss.
Wildlife Gear
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Bear canister — Storing food in a bear canister prevents bears from associating humans with food, which is the leading cause of dangerous bear behavior.
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Bear spray — Studies show bear spray stops aggressive bear behavior in over 90% of encounters, outperforming firearms in field effectiveness.
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Bear bell — Most bear encounters happen when hikers surprise a bear at close range; a bell provides continuous noise that alerts bears to your presence.
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Hiking buddy (avoid solo) — Groups of three or more are almost never involved in serious bear incidents; larger groups make more noise and appear more intimidating.
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Noise maker — Clapping, whistling, or using an air horn warns wildlife of your approach, preventing surprise encounters on blind corners.
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Gaiters — Snake-proof gaiters provide a physical barrier against venomous bites below the knee, where most strikes occur.
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First-aid snakebite kit — While evacuation to a hospital is the priority, a snakebite kit helps you stay calm and follow proper first-aid protocols.
Climate Gear
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Layering system (wide temp swings) — Desert and mountain environments can swing 40+ degrees between dawn and midday; layers let you adapt without overheating or freezing.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
The Urban terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Havasu Falls Campground supports 7 outdoor activities, with camping being the most popular draw.
Photographers rate this area 65/100, with Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers being a major draw.
Activities
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camping — Spend the night outdoors in a tent or campsite under open skies.
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hiking — Follow marked trails through forests, deserts, or alpine terrain for a deeper connection with nature.
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photography — Capture landscapes, wildlife, and changing light across trails, coastlines, and mountain vistas.
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picnicking — Spread a blanket, unpack a meal, and enjoy food outdoors surrounded by fresh air and open views.
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stargazing — Far from city lights, the night sky reveals constellations, planets, and meteor showers.
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walking — A simple way to explore trails, shorelines, and park paths at your own pace while taking in the scenery.
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wildlife_viewing — Observe animals in their natural habitats, from grazing deer to soaring raptors overhead.
Best months: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Terrain: Urban — Urban terrain blends built infrastructure with parks, green spaces, and fragmented natural habitats.
Wildlife Safety at Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
While the wildlife here is part of the experience, some species require caution and preparation.
With a danger score of 45/10, Havasu Falls Campground has a few wildlife hazards worth preparing for.
- Bears present
- Mountain lions
- Venomous snakes
- Remote (136mi from city)
- Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2)
- 3 excellent meteor showers
- Fall foliage
- Spring wildflowers
Bears
This is Black Bear country. Encounters are uncommon but possible, especially during .
A stocky bear with rounded ears, a straight facial profile, and short curved claws built for climbing.
Store all food and scented items in bear-resistant containers and keep a clean campsite.
- Store food properly - use bear boxes or hang food bags
- Keep a clean camp - no food scraps
- Make noise while hiking
- Never approach cubs - mother is nearby
- Back away slowly if you encounter a bear
Venomous Snakes
Venomous snakes here include Western Diamondback, Mojave, Sidewinder. They're most active during warm months.
A heavy-bodied rattlesnake with bold diamond-shaped blotches along the back and a black-and-white banded tail ending in a rattle.
Seek emergency medical care immediately and keep the bitten limb immobilized at heart level.
A large rattlesnake with diamond-like dorsal blotches and a banded tail similar to the Western Diamondback.
Call emergency services immediately and limit movement to slow venom spread.
A small pale rattlesnake with horn-like scales above each eye and a sidewinding mode of travel.
Seek immediate medical attention and immobilize the affected limb.
- Watch where you step and place hands
- Stay on trails
- Wear boots and long pants in snake country
- Do not reach under rocks or logs
- If bitten: stay calm, immobilize limb, seek medical help immediately
- Do NOT: cut wound, suck venom, apply tourniquet, ice, or alcohol
Nature & Wildlife at Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
The Urban terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
Havasu Falls Campground sits within a Urban ecosystem home to 6 documented mammal species and 30 bird species.
Wildflowers (1)
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Crimson Monkeyflower — Bright red tubular flowers with yellow throats.
Shrubs (5)
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Creosote Bush — An evergreen desert shrub with small resinous leaves divided into paired leaflets. -
Brittlebush — A rounded desert shrub with silvery fuzzy leaves and bright yellow daisy-like flowers. -
Engelmann's Hedgehog Cactus — Bright cup-shaped flowers open in sunlight and are followed by spiny fruits. It thrives in rocky desert slopes and well-drained soils.
Other Plants (5)
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California Barrel Cactus
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ocotillo
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Echinocereus canyonensis
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Utah Agave
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Plains Pricklypear
Mammals (6)
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Bighorn Sheep — Stocky mountain sheep with tan coat and white rump. -
Mule Deer — A large deer with oversized mule-like ears and a black-tipped tail. -
Rock Squirrel — A large ground squirrel with mottled gray-brown fur and bushy tail. -
Wapiti — Also known as elk, this large deer has a tan body with dark neck and pale rump patch. -
Desert Cottontail — Gray-brown rabbit with large ears and white underside to tail.
Birds (30)
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Red-winged Blackbird — Male black with red and yellow shoulder patch -
Rock Pigeon — Blue-gray with two black wing bars -
Gambel's Quail — Gray body with chestnut flanks -
Mourning Dove — Soft gray-brown body -
White-crowned Sparrow — Bold black and white crown stripes
Reptiles (11)
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Common Side-blotched Lizard — A small slender lizard with mottled brown or gray coloration. -
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — A medium rattlesnake with speckled gray or pink coloration. -
Gopher Snake — A large tan or yellowish snake with dark brown blotches along the back. -
Desert Spiny Lizard — A robust lizard with rough spiny scales and gray to brown coloration. -
Western Whiptail — A slender, fast-moving lizard with a very long tail and distinct pale stripes over a dark body.
Amphibians (2)
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Red-spotted Toad -
Woodhouse's Toad
Insects (12)
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Thistledown Velvet Ant -
Master Blister Beetle -
Southwestern Tent Caterpillar Moth -
Obscure Darkling Beetle
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Western Honey Bee
Other Wildlife (3)
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Arizona Bark Scorpion
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Desert Tarantula
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Swift Woodlouse
Nature Bingo at Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino Climate & Sun
For detailed planning, here's the climate data for this area.
The climate at Havasu Falls Campground averages 60.1°F annually, with Arid conditions.
Climate type: Arid
Annual avg temp: 60.1°F
Annual precipitation: 9 in
With an average annual temperature of 60.1°F and 9 inches of precipitation, Havasu Falls Campground has warm, arid conditions. Summer highs average around 82°F, while winter lows drop to 41°F.
Best months to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 41°F | 0.9 in |
| Feb | 44°F | 1.0 in |
| Mar | 51°F | 0.8 in |
| Apr | 58°F | 0.4 in |
| May | 67°F | 0.3 in |
| Jun | 77°F | 0.2 in |
| Jul | 82°F | 1.2 in |
| Aug | 80°F | 1.3 in |
| Sep | 73°F | 0.8 in |
| Oct | 61°F | 0.8 in |
| Nov | 49°F | 0.5 in |
| Dec | 40°F | 0.8 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.7 hours in winter to 14.6 hours in summer — a difference of 4.9 hours.
Summer: 4:12 AM – 6:49 PM
Winter: 6:34 AM – 4:17 PM
Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Planning your trip to Havasu Falls Campground — here's the practical information you'll need.
The nearest major city to Havasu Falls Campground is Las Vegas, about 136 miles away.
Visitor Friendliness
This location rates likely_allowed for dogs, excellent for families, and highly_suitable for elderly visitors.
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: highly_suitable
- Strollers: excellent (100/100)
- Beginners: Good starting point (Moderate difficulty (+5))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (90/100)
Places Near Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
There's more to explore in this part of Arizona.
There are 9 outdoor destinations within easy reach of Havasu Falls Campground.
Nearby Trails
- Havasu Canyon Trail, Coconino 4.96 mi
- Schmutz Spring Trail, Mohave 13.85 mi
- Stone Creek Trail, Coconino 15.06 mi
- Surprise Valley Trail, Coconino 15.58 mi
- Deer Creek Trail, Coconino 15.98 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
- Indian Hollow Campground, Coconino 18.61 mi
- Tuweep Campground, Mohave 20.2 mi
- Jumpup Cabin Campground, Coconino 24.23 mi
Stargazing & Night Sky at Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
Once you're geared up and settled in, the night sky here offers its own rewards.
The skies above Havasu Falls Campground register a Bortle class 1, making this a Excellent dark-sky site location for stargazing.
Constellations
From Havasu Falls Campground, you can trace Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus across the sky on clear nights.
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Ursa Minor — Home to Polaris, the North Star, Ursa Minor forms a small dipper shape that circles the northern sky year-round. -
Cassiopeia — Easily recognized by its bright W-shaped pattern, Cassiopeia stands out in northern skies. -
Cepheus — Cepheus appears as a faint house-shaped pattern near Polaris in the northern sky.
Meteor Showers
Time your visit around December 13-14 for the Geminids, the strongest meteor shower visible from this latitude.
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Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)One of the most reliable and active showers of the year; best viewed after 10 PM when Gemini rises higher in the sky.
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Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)This brief but intense shower peaks before dawn; early morning hours offer the best chance to see multiple meteors.
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Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)A summer favorite with warm nighttime viewing; look northeast after 10 PM.
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Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Best seen before dawn in the southeastern sky as Aquarius rises.
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Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)Best viewed after midnight when Aquarius is higher in the southern sky.
Planets
Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:
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Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue
Equipment Guide
- Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
- Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
- Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune
Viewing Tips
- Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
- Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
- Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
- Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
- Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
- Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)
Best Viewing Months
- Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep
Seasonal Highlights at Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino
The sky isn't the only thing that changes with the seasons at Havasu Falls Campground.
The seasons shape the experience at Havasu Falls Campground — here's what each one brings.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: April - May
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: September 15 – October 10
Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak
At 2995ft elevation, expect peak about 1 week earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: April - May
Fall peak: September - October
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Havasu Falls Campground sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.
Bedrock Geology
- Rock Type
- Permian sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
- Lithology
- Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
- Age
- Permian
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 5
- Unique Species
- 4
- Oldest
- 504.5 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 11
- Richness
- Moderate
- Minerals Found
- Uranium, Gypsum-Anhydrite, Vanadium, Lead, Zinc, Copper, Semiprecious Gemstone, Cobalt
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 116°F (1985-07-05)
- Record Low
- -24°F (1990-12-23)
Wildfire History
This area has a moderate wildfire risk. Be aware of fire restrictions during dry months and practice safe fire practices.
- Recorded Fires
- 3
- Largest Fire
- Willow (223.2 acres)
- Most Recent
- 2024
- Fire Risk
- Moderate
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a dry climate
- Karst Score
- 40
Watershed
- Watershed
- Robinson Wash
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Havasu Falls Campground, Coconino Safety & Conditions
Before heading out, check these real-time safety resources for current conditions.
Check current conditions at Havasu Falls Campground before heading out using these official sources.
Coordinates: 36.256771, -112.700454