Arizona's Havasupai Falls to Remain Closed Through End of Season

Arizona's Havasupai Falls will remain closed until the end of the tourist season after the Havasupai Tribe made the decision to extend its suspension of tourism.

The northern Arizona falls, which have been closed since 2020 to protect against the spread of COVID-19, will now remain shut to the public for all of summer 2022.

"We have seen our tribal lands return to their natural beauty over the last two years and are eager to share their beauty once again," said Chairman Thomas Siyuja, Sr.

"River guides and boaters are encouraged to honor this request out of respect and safety for the Havasupai people," the NPS added.

In a typical year, visitors to the falls (one of the world's most beautiful) must make a reservation. Reservations tend to get so popular, they practically sell out the first day they are made available each year.

Tourists who have booked a reservation for 2022 will automatically be rebooked to the same date in 2023, according to the tribe. At this time there will be no additional reservations for 2023.

A representative for the Havasupai Tribe did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Travel + Leisure.

The decision to extend the suspension of tourism comes as many Indigenous communities in Arizona are seeing a rise in COVID-19 cases, but at a much lower level than the state as a whole, the Arizona Mirror reported.

For more information on booking reservations for the future, tourists can visit the Havasupai tribe's tourism website.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.