Trip Reports and Advice

Havasupai closed itself to tourism in the beginning of 2020 for obvious reasons and finally reopened in February 2023 only to close again due to flash flood damage in August 2024. The canyon is susceptible to flash flooding and may close at any time if threat looms. For this reason, you should always have alternative plans for your trip to Havasupai. My suggestions for Havasupai-style destinations: The Palisades, Paria Canyon, Phantom Ranch, and/or Coyote Gulch. Read more about this here: https://www.basecampoutdoorgear.com/post/alternatives-to-havasupai FYI for "Havasupai-style" I mean: • Amazing blow-your-mind destinations! • About 4-5 hours drive from Las Vegas • Backpack roughly 7-10 miles into a remote area and set up basecamp for a couple of nights in an otherworldly environment • Use your "rest day" to lounge around camp or keep hiking around to explore many more hidden marvels • Hike back out the way you came • Great for beginner and experienced backpackers alike Of course, there are countless other amazing destinations in the Southwest that don't necessarily require any backpacking. That's why I live here! So much to do and see :) Do you have any other suggestions? Add them in the comments!

I highly recommend camping at Valley of Fire State Park, it's full of red-rock hikes, some short, some long. A small slot canyon (at White Domes trail), the Fire Wave, and Seven Wonders (which is a longer loop). Just an hour and a half drive north of Las Vegas. A good dozen hikes with official parking areas await you, but if you camp, you feel like you are gifted a more spectacular experience as compared to a day visit. Camping there allows you to get to the Fire Wave before the crowds show up, it really is spectacular. Also, you can create your own longer hike into the Fire Wave (see :https://trailpeak.com/trails/valley-of-fire-extended-firewave-loop-near-las-vegas-nv-12316 There are lots of other hikes (shorter) which have different features so those are worth it, e.g. you might see Petrogpyphs (Mouses Tank). So you have lots of options, longer hikes are there or just invent your own hike if you have back-country navigation skills. Great for families who want to do the official hikes, and the more adventurous have options too . The red rock formations are non-stop so it's worth camping at one of two camp areas in the Park with a total of 72 sites. Book early, I think I booked Atlatl Rock (walk in site from car park area #22) in February, was completely booked by late March. Was so easy to pop into Basecamp rental location near the airport and pick up tents, stove, chairs and other gear, I really like the shelf of items left for other campers, I selected two partially empty fuel canisters rather than take a new one, and, I look forward to returning to try a new area.

The weight's the same, the price is the same. What am I missing? Which stove should I take to Havasupai?