Blooming cacti, warm (but not too hot) temperatures, no flash flood risk, and plenty of daylight. That’s what it’s like visiting Havasupai in May! We hiked Havasupai in May, and it was the perfect time of year to hike through the canyon and explore the electric-blue waterfalls.
We originally had Havasupai permits for late September, but after a flash flood swept through the area and damaged the trail, we rescheduled our trip. While the circumstances were unfortunate, our May visit wildly exceeded our expectations.
Whether you’ve got permits for May or are still deciding when to visit Havasupai, this guide is for you! I hope I can convince you that May is the best month to visit Havasupai.
In this detailed guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about visiting Havasupai in May, including the weather, how crowded it is, what it’s like to swim in the waterfalls during this time of year, and other valuable tips.
But first, four reasons why it’s a spectacular idea to visit Havasupai in May!
Should You Visit Havasupai in May? Yes! Here’s Why
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1. Blooming Cacti
The blooming cacti were the most surprising part of our early May adventure! We were pleasantly shocked to see bright purple, pink, and yellow blooms sprouting from the tips of all the prickly green cacti.
Cacti blooms typically occur in late April through June, with peak blooming season happening in May, so it’s no wonder we saw so many!
While flowering cacti are sprinkled throughout the entire Havasu Falls Trail, these desert beauties are most abundant and impressive on the route from Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls.
2. Warm (But Not Too Hot) Temperatures
May brings warm, but not unbearably hot temperatures to this part of the Grand Canyon. That perfect happy medium!
Unlike the summer and winter, May brings weather comfortable enough for all of the outdoor activities, including swimming, camping, and hiking.
Summers tend to be too dangerously hot to hike, while winters tend to be too chilly to swim in the waterfalls.
May provides that ideal blend of warm swimming conditions, pleasant sleeping temperatures, and bearable hiking conditions.
3. Low Risk of Flash Flooding
Flash floods are a big risk in the Grand Canyon, particularly during monsoon season.
Monsoon season in Supai is late June through mid-September, so this is the time of year when flash floods are most likely to sweep through the area.
While flash flooding can technically occur at any time in the canyon, there is very little risk of it happening in May.
4. Plenty of Daylight
In May, the days are (almost) at their longest. There are around 14 hours of daylight, so May visitors are treated to the maximum amount of time to explore the waterfalls.
Also, those who are interested in hiking to the Confluence are more realistically able to do so in May because of the longer days.
Havasupai in May: What to Expect
Now that I’ve (possibly!) convinced you to visit Havasupai in May, here are some things you can expect, tips for your visit, the best things to do, and frequently asked questions.
Havasupai in May: Weather
May is a fabulous time to visit Havasupai! Daytime temperatures are comfortable for all of the hiking, swimming, and waterfall chasing adventures, while nighttime temperatures are still warm enough to camp.
In May, daytime temperatures in Havasupai hover around 89 degrees while overnight temperatures average around 55 degrees.
We backpacked from May 5-8, and the weather swung from 55 degrees and rainy the first two days to 75 degrees and sunny the last two days. Overnight temperatures were consistently in the mid-40s all three nights.
Pop-up showers are possible in May, but only about 0.4 inches typically fall the entire month. Since the monsoon season is late June through mid-September, you won’t have to worry too much about flash flooding!
With perfect temperatures and low risk of rain, you’ll be able to comfortably hike, swim, and camp, and have peace of mind that flash floods won’t ruin your trip.
Havasupai in May: Crowds
May is one of the best months to explore Havasupai, so the campground and lodge will likely be completely filled up.
At one time, there could be a few hundred people down in Havasupai.
That may sound like a lot, but since the campground is spread over a mile, the lodge is over two miles away from the campground, and the waterfalls are all spread out, the area never felt overly crowded.
The most crowded area was Havasu Falls, especially in the afternoon. But it’s easy to find solitude in places like Little Navajo, Fifty Foot, and Hidden Falls, and along the creek, in between the major waterfalls.
Here are my pieces of advice to avoid crowds:
- Venture to the lesser-known falls like Little Navajo, Fifty Foot, and Hidden Falls.
- Hike to the waterfalls early in the day. (We had Havasu all to ourselves at 7 AM!)
- Continue past Beaver Falls.
- Hang out in the creek between waterfalls.
- Pick a campsite along the canyon wall. They’re bigger, more spread out, and have more privacy.
Havasupai in May: Waterfalls and Swimming
Due to geothermal heaters, Havasu Creek stays a comfortable 70 degrees year-round. And with the air temperatures being so high, typically in the 80s, you can comfortably swim in the waterfalls in May!
As for volume and color, I didn’t notice a difference from photos I’d seen on blogs. The waterfalls were all roaring, and the creek was bright turquoise for our visit in May.
If it rains hard enough, dislodging dirt and debris from the banks, the creek could turn brown. But again, this is unlikely in May.
Havasupai in May: Tips For Your Visit
Start your hike early. Midday temperatures can reach mid to upper-80s in May, so begin your hike into and out of the canyon early. That way, you will experience as little harsh sunlight and suffocating heat as possible.
Pack layers. While the average overnight temperatures in May are in the mid-fifties, we experienced low to mid-40s overnight. So pack plenty of layers for overnights, early mornings, and evenings. Get my full packing list here.
Don’t forget your rain jacket. While rain isn’t too common or abundant in May, we still got rained on…twice. So bring rain gear: rain jacket, rain cover for your backpack, dry bags, etc.
Havasupai in May: What to Do
Chase Waterfalls
The best thing to do in Havasupai is to chase the picturesque turquoise waterfalls!
There are six major waterfalls down in Havspuai, and you can read my full guide for details on each, including how to find them and what to expect down at the falls.
But I’ll give you a brief overview below!
Havasu Falls is the most iconic waterfall in Havasupai and can be accessed by hiking about a quarter-mile south of the campground. The descent to this waterfall is easy and only a little steep.
Mooney Falls is the tallest and most impressive waterfall in Havasupai and can only be reached by conquering the treacherous chains down the cliff face. If you don’t want to descend the chains, you can also view it from above, at the north end of the campground.
Beaver Falls is the most unique waterfall in Havasupai and can be accessed by hiking 2.5 miles downstream from Mooney Falls. This is the best hike in the area, in my opinion!
Little Navajo Falls is the most underrated waterfall in Havasupai. Located about 1 mile south of the campground, Little Navajo tends to get skipped. But this waterfall was my favorite!
Fifty Foot Falls is a swimmer’s paradise. It’s located about 1 mile south of the campground and a quarter-mile upstream from Little Navajo Falls.
Hidden Falls is the waterfall that most people miss (including us!). It’s located just downstream from Little Navajo Falls.
Hike the Confluence
Thanks to the longer days, hiking to the Confluence in May is actually realistic. If you’re in the mood for an extended adventure, continue hiking past Beaver Falls for another 6 miles (one way) to the Confluence, the point where the Colorado River and Havasu Creek merge.
Eat Fry Bread
You can’t come to Havasupai without trying the fry bread!
I tried my first fry bread in Grand Canyon National Park, and it was so delicious that I thought about it long after leaving. So I was definitely dreaming about these in the days and weeks leading up to our trip. It was worth the wait!
PRO TIP: The fry bread near Havasu Falls was much better than the fry bread at the village cafe!
Havasupai in May FAQs
Is May a Good Time to Go to Havasupai?
Yes! May is one of the best months to visit Havasupai.
May has the best combination of warm (but not too hot) weather that’s comfortable for swimming, camping, and hiking.
When Is the Best Month to Go to Havasu?
May! Other great months are April and October.
Pssst: Wondering what it’s like to visit Havasupai in all 12 months? Check out my month-by-month comparison guide!
What’s the Weather Like in May in Havasupai?
80s during the day and 50s overnight. Rain is possible, but flash floods aren’t likely.
Finish Planning Your Trip to Havasupai
Take the stress out of trip planning with the help of my guides!
- Ultimate Havasupai Packing List (+ Free Printable!)
- What It’s REALLY Like Camping at Havasupai
- How to Find the 6 Havasupai Waterfalls: MAPPED!
- Is Hiking to Mooney Falls Actually Scary?
- All About the Adventurous Beaver Falls Hike
- Getting a Havasupai Permit in 2026: Step-By-Step Guide
- Best Time to Visit Havasupai? Month to Month Comparison
- Backpacking Havasupai: Everything You Need to Know
Discover Your Next Adventure
Where to next? I’ve got some suggestions!
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This guide is so thorough!! Fingers crossed I’ll get permits one day. I’ll bookmark it so I can find it easily once I get them.
Woohoo! I hope you get to go!