Arizona’s dramatic Havasupai Falls have been closed to visitors since March 16 because of the threat COVID-19 poses to tribal members in the remote canyon. And they won’t be opening for the foreseeable future.
The Havasupai Tribal Council passed a resolution on Dec. 17 to indefinitely extend the closure of the world-famous waterfalls in northwestern Arizona.
“In order to further protect the health and welfare of the Havasupai people and tribal residents, the Council finds it necessary to continue the suspension of its tourism operation until further notice,” Chairwoman Eva Kissoon said in an emailed statement announcing the extended closure.
The email said tribal members are observing CDC guidance regarding travel and quarantines, and no cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Supai Village.
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How to reschedule Havasupai reservations
The tribe said people who have campground reservations can reschedule them at havasupaireservations.com. With no reopening date in sight, however, that will be impractical for many travelers.
People who have questions about Havasupai Lodge reservations should go to havasupailodge.com or email Support@HavasupaiLodge.com.
The tribe asked people not to call regarding campground or lodge reservations. Issues will be addressed by email and online only.
What if you can’t reschedule?
Reservations are nonrefundable. People who can’t reschedule their trips can participate in the tribe’s transfer policy.
A reservation holder can log into their account at havasupaireservations.com, choose an available date and then click the Transfer button. This makes the reservation available to others searching for availability. If someone else claims the reservation, the original holder will be reimbursed for the cost minus a 10 percent transfer fee.
The Havasupai and Havasupai Falls Facebook group has a helpful thread on how to use the transfer process.
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The Havasupai waterfalls are so popular that reservations nearly sell out on the first day they become available each year. It’s an 8-mile hike from the top of the canyon to Supai Village, and another 2 miles to the campground area. Most of the falls are beyond that.
The last time Havasupai closed to tourism was in July 2018 when a flash flood swept through the canyon and 200 visitors were evacuated by helicopter.
Reach me at jill.cassidy@arizonarepublic.com or follow me on Twitter @JillHikes.
