After living in Arizona for 28 years I was astounded to read an online article about a town that I’d never heard of before. Imagine my surprise to learn that there is an actual settlement at the bottom of the Grand Canyon – which is considered to be the most remote place anywhere in the United States! It seems it me that somewhere in Alaska would have that honor, but apparently the award goes to Supai, Arizona according to http://onlyinyourstate.com What makes this village so inaccessible is that it’s located at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, requiring a painstaking journey of eight miles down into the depths of the canyon walls to reach it. Since Supai is nestled within the immense vastness of the Grand Canyon National Park the nearly 1,902 square miles of this region can rightfully be called “God’s Country” – so it’s amazing to consider just how remote the village is.
This is all the more remarkable considering that the only way to get down there is by pack mule. The first image that comes to my mind is of grizzled, ornery gold prospectors from the 19th century navigating treacherous terrain with pack mules in a vintage Hollywood western from the 1940s. In fact, that is exactly how mail is delivered to and taken out of Supai in 2023 – actually by mules! Supai is believed to be the only place in the US where this process still occurs! While the above mentioned website touts Supai as the best place “to get away from it all”, not just anyone can go there at any time. A limited number of highly coveted permits are issued by lottery once per year to gain access to the site. Although this remote location may seem intimidating, it’s also exciting and pleasing to know that there are cars or trucks there, and no roads – with the closest one being eight miles away. With no motor vehicles there is the complete absence of noise, pollution, traffic snarls, and parking issues associated with all of that. So, unless you are hiking, riding a mule, or being dropped in by helicopter, there is no other way into Supai.
Understandably, because it’s a wilderness region there are limited amenities here, but this is the main factor that makes it so peaceful and unstressed. However, Supai does have a small lodge, one convenience store and a small cafe. Keep in mind that it may not be possible to get a cell signal – so mobile phones, iPads, laptops, etc. are not going to be of great use here. Then again, that’s a big point about spending time in Supai – – to be unfettered and undistracted by all of these things. That’s what we call truly “getting away from it all! A visit here is the opportune time to focus on nature, to soak in the brilliance of the red rocks that comprise the surrounding canyon, maybe catch some glimpses of the wildlife. Also, this is the area to enjoy the magnificent Havasu Falls (which is only 1.5 miles from Supai village) with its stunning 100 foot drop. Since the falls are also a part of tribal lands, a permit is required to hike and camp there. For more information about this, it would be good to visit the following site: http://destinationstei.com Once again, it’s very important to keep in mind that the Grand Canyon National Park is very much a wilderness area. Being physically capable of hiking long distances over rough terrain and having the proper supplies (especially lots of water) is absolutely vital before embarking on this adventure. Careful planning before visiting the Supai area is key to having an safe, enjoyable time there.
Having respect for the local residents is also of paramount importance. The community has a permanent indigenous population of only 208 persons( all members of the Havasupai tribe). Having respect for their land and values should go without saying, but not creating trash issues should be uppermost in the minds of any outside visitors. The http://onlyinyourstate.com website reminds visitors to “pack out whatever you pack in” if there is no other way to properly dispose of it. Also, as that above mentioned website pointed out, the Havasupai people have lived there for millennia and their way of life has been well-preserved – and they want to keep it as unspoiled as possible.
Another useful site to check out regarding travel to Supai is: http://dothecanyon.com
