Havasu Canyon is home to the world-famous turquoise waterfalls of the Havasupai, a string of blue-green cascades pouring over red-rock cliffs into travertine pools deep in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon. It is one of the most sought-after hiking destinations in the American Southwest, and reaching it is a genuine wilderness journey: the trail drops from Hualapai Hilltop down a dramatic switchbacked canyon and follows Havasu Creek about 8 miles to the village of Supai, then roughly 2 more to the campground and falls, around 10 miles each way.

Along the creek lie the celebrated waterfalls, Havasu Falls, with its iconic plunge into a wide blue pool, the towering Mooney Falls (descended by ladders, chains and a cliff tunnel), and, further down, Beaver Falls, all colored an unreal aqua by mineral-rich water. The lush, palm-and-cottonwood oasis against the desert cliffs feels worlds away from the arid rim above.

Crucially, this is not the national park and not a free or day-use hike: Havasu Canyon lies entirely on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, and every visitor must have an advance reservation and permit from the Havasupai Tribe, which includes required nights of camping or lodging and a fee. Permits are limited, sell out far in advance, and day hiking is not allowed. The hike is long, hot and strenuous with a tough climb out, summer temperatures are extreme, and flash floods are a serious danger in the narrow canyon. For those who secure a permit and come prepared, Havasu is unforgettable, one of the most beautiful places in the entire Grand Canyon region.