Hiking To The Confluence Where Havasu Creek Meets the Colorado River

Tucked deep within the Grand Canyon lies one of the most breathtaking natural junctions in the American Southwest — the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. This surreal meeting of turquoise and red, where Havasu’s sparkling blue-green waters flow into the mighty, rust-colored Colorado, is a bucket-list destination for avid hikers, rafters, and adventurers alike.

Whether you’re hiking from Supai Village, Havasupai campground, or arriving via river raft, reaching the confluence is an unforgettable journey.

Here’s everything you need to know about hiking to the Confluence.

Watch the video below to learn more about hiking to the Confluence where Havasu Creek meets the Colorado River.

• Mileage: 15 TO 16 Miles
• Time: 4 hours to 8 hours hike, depending on your ability
• Type of Hike: Out and Back
• Things To Consider: Start early in the morning to avoid the heat and thunderstorms in the hotter months
• Notes: The best time to hike is fall and spring

The “Confluence” refers to the point where Havasu Creek, fed by a limestone aquifer and known for its stunning blue-green color, merges with the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

The contrast in water colors is stunning and surreal — a dreamlike scene that photographers and nature lovers can’t get enough of.

1. Backpacking from Supai (Havasupai Falls or Havasupai Campground)

If you’ve secured one of the highly coveted permits to visit Havasupai, you can extend your trip by continuing past the famous waterfalls to the Confluence.

• Distance: ~16 miles one way from the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead (8 miles to Supai Village + 8 more to the Confluence).

• Trail Highlights: Navajo Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls. Beyond Beaver, the trail becomes more rugged and less maintained.

• Difficulty: Strenuous. This is not a trail for beginners. You’ll be hiking through water, over rocks, and navigating ladders and scrambles.

• Permits: Required to enter Havasupai territory. Permits typically sell out months in advance via the official Havasupai website.

2. Via Colorado River Rafting Trip

Many Grand Canyon river rafting expeditions include a hike up Havasu Creek as a side excursion.

• • Distance: Varies depending on how far you hike upstream. Many trips will allow time to reach Beaver Falls; few go all the way to the Confluence.

  • Best For: Those who prefer to explore from the river rather than backpacking in.

  • Permit: These are part of commercial rafting trips or private river permits, which are also limited and require planning.

Once you pass Beaver Falls, you are leaving the Havasupai Indian Reservation and entering the Grand Canyon, and the trail becomes wilder. Expect fewer people, more creek crossings, boulder scrambles, and a remote, backcountry feel. Hikers must be prepared for:

• Wading and swimming through sections of the creek.

• Exposure — Narrow canyon, rugged to get to higher ground in case of a flash flood, and no potable water sources beyond what you carry or filter.

• Time and distance — You are more than halfway and entering into the Grand Canyon

The best time to hike to the Confluence is spring (March to May) or fall (September to early November) when temperatures are milder.

Summer is brutally hot in the canyon and should be avoided unless you’re very experienced and well-prepared. Furthermore, you reduce the risk of a flash flood and put your life at risk!

• Start early — especially if doing the hike as a day trip from Beaver Falls.

• Use sturdy water shoes — you’ll be in and out of the creek often.

• Bring a GPS or downloaded offline map — the trail past Beaver isn’t well-marked.

• Filter all water — Havasu Creek is clean-looking but should still be filtered or treated.

• Pack light but smart — carry snacks, electrolytes, sunscreen, and a first aid kit.

• Dry bag – Bring a dry bag for your camera and gear you do not want to get wet.

Reaching the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River is a true adventure — challenging, beautiful, and deeply rewarding. Whether you’re lured by the surreal colors, the remote wilderness, or the sheer joy of pushing your limits, the Confluence is a place that stays with you long after you leave.

Just remember: the journey is just as incredible as the destination.

Hiking The Confluence has been one of our all-time favorite most beautiful hikes ever! Tyler & Mimi

If you liked this hike to The Confluence, check out the link below for some other hikes you may also like.

SIMPLY CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie is our favorite sun hoodie and was perfect for the hike up to The Confluence.

We love our Black Diamond Trekking poles. They are lightweight and compact, and they are perfect for hiking up to The Confluence.

Hoka Stinson’s are our favorite trail running and hiking shoes, and they were perfect for the hike to The Confluence.

When using trekking poles, the tops of your hands will get beat up by the sun. Furthermore, it is nice to have gloves on when using trekking poles. Outdoor Research Activeice Sun Gloves are our favorite sun gloves and were perfect for the hike to The Confluence.

The Osprey Talon 11L is the perfect day hiking pack for carrying a water bladder, a hand-held water bottle, all your clothing, food, trekking poles, and camera gear. It was also the perfect backpack for the hike up to The Confluence.

Fuel and hydration are key in a successful hike to the summit of Mt Whitney. Tailwinds Endurance Fuel is our go-to drink for hydration, electrolytes, and fuel to keep us going while on the trail. Tailwinds was the perfect drink for the hike up to The Confluence.

Capturing the moment is a must while on an epic adventure. The GoPro is our go-to video camera. It is easy to use for video and pictures with its voice command while on the trail. The GoPro was the perfect setup for the hike to The Confluence.

Having a quality camera helps capture epic pictures. Although not inexpensive, the Sony RX100 is worth the cost. It is compact and lightweight, and it beats carrying a full-body camera for a long hike. The Sony RX100 is our go-to camera and was the perfect setup for the hike to The Confluence.

Our go-to tripod while out on the trail. The perfect setup for GoPro and the hike up to The Confluence.

ND filters are helpful on sunny days to capture great footage. The perfect setup for GoPro and the hike to The Confluence.

The Garmin Enduro is our go-to watch for long hikes and backpacking trips. Power Glass solar charging lens harvests the sun’s energy, giving you more power and time between charges. 

Heading out for an ultra run or a hike takes planning and the proper clothes, equipment, and nutrition.

There is nothing worse than finding out you forgot something.

Having a checklist of your essential items is very helpful in setting yourself up for success when hitting the trail.

Below is a link to our essential hiking and ultra-running gear checklist. We print out and check off the items before heading out the door for each adventure.