Before the Havasupai Falls Hike: Where We Stayed, How We Prepped, and Why Parks, AZ Was Perfect

Today, I went full potato. I napped, I vegged, I cooked beautiful and delicious food, and watched the sunset with my husband before indulging in some hot cocoa while reading. It was a good day. Today marked the first actual day of being fully in Arizona, in which we typically use to prep our gear and fuel our bodies with rest and good grub before backpacking 60-70 miles with dehydrated meals on our backs for the next 4 days. Here’s a quick bit about our time in chilly, amazing, perfect Parks, Arizona.

Back in September of 2024, we were scheduled to hike the incredible trek to Havasupai Falls. (We can call it Havasu though since “Havasu” means “blue-green water” and “Pai” means “people.”) If you’ve been following the Habitual Balance journey, you’ll know that we were forced to reschedule only a few weeks before our trip due to a tragic flash flood.

Although we considered traveling elsewhere when we found this out, it was eventually decided that we would stick with the original plan and work around those few days we were to be at the falls.

I couldn’t be more pleased with how that trip worked out. We camped for several days at different locations that had totally different weather. First outside of Sedona where we found a small swimming hole that we could kayak into a cave on the other side, and next here in Parks, at an awesome little Hipcamp spot that we got to enjoy in the wilderness right outside of Coconino National Forest.

Our Tiny Home Stay Before the Havasupai Falls Hike

Since we were the only ones present at the time, it was quiet, almost eerie how silent it was at night when we got up to go to the outhouse. We heard coyotes and horses and woke up to frost on the ground which was much different than sleeping super hot outside of our sleeping bags the previous day near Sedona.

However, we loved the area so much that we immediately booked a tiny home that they had on the property for 2025 when our Havasu trip was rescheduled. We planned to use it as a recovery day from traveling and to get out of the work mindset, to relax and unwind and cook yummy food, and to get a small active recovery hike in before the big one in a few days time.

…Which leads us to the here and now!

The owners of the property have made this place 100% one to remember. It has been just as amazing as last time and I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to stay here again. The tiny home was perfect and since no one was in the other unit they even upgraded us to a bigger one! Which ended up working great for the space we needed to organize our gear and hang out for a while.

If you’re wanting to check out what they offer, check out their site at thetinyhomeinn.com!

Although the weather could have been slightly warmer so I could have stayed on the hammock longer (boo!) I still got to enjoy it for a little while and we were able to immerse ourselves in the beauty of Humphreys Peak which we hiked last time as well. Check out these incredible views just a 1 minute walk from our spot!!

Not only could we enjoy the sunrise, (check out one of the pics above to see the sunrise from the bedroom!) sunset, and mountain nearby on this property, but they have also allowed us into another magical place nearby just a short hike away.

Sycamore Canyon is an underrated Arizona bucket list place in my opinion. It’s vast and wondrous just like its bigger sister only a few hours away, but I’ve never heard anything about it until coming here! While the spot they mention that you can go to is quite perfect with its swimming hole and epic scenery with the rocks and pines, I challenge you to check out the rest of the canyon as well if you ever make it here. (Which you totally should).

We decided to keep going and did about a 5 mile trek mid morning when it was warmer and crisp. This is my absolute favorite kind of hiking weather. Cool enough that I’m not super sweaty, but warm enough that I’m not shivering the entire time.

I thought it was cool that these rock piles were kind of like the same idea as the cairns you see out in Sedona and other areas with the red rock and less vegetation. Also, check out this neat bone we stumbled upon during our hike!

*Did you know? Mineral precipitates, such as salts, present in the soil matrix may crystalize on the bone surface resulting in calcium carbonate encrustations, which may bleach the bone causing a white discoloration.

According to Google…A bone that is completely bleached white throughout, meaning even on the inside, indicates that it has been heated to a high temperature (over 600°C) for a sufficient time, burning away all organic matter like collagen, fats, and proteins, rather than being a measure of its age. 🧐

Why We Prepped Early for the Havasupai Falls Backpacking Trip

Once we were back from the hike, we got our gear ready for the upcoming trip by placing everything on the floor from our luggage and organizing it into the backpacks. (Which we decided we would be doing FIRST next time, due to spending less time organizing while on vacay!)

We also realized that if we would have packed the backpacks before leaving home, that we would likely have packed less clothes due to recognizing that we needed less than we actually brought. Supes annoying. *eye roll*

I always have a tendency to overpack but I’ve been getting probably 10% better with every trip. If you worry about over packing or overthinking your items needed for an upcoming trip of your own, check out this travel checklist I created to help my anxious brain chill out a bit so I can rest assured I have all that I actually need.

If you’re interested in knowing more about how we shop for groceries or what our favorite go-to items are to eat during this time of our trips, drop a comment and I’ll be sure to make a future post going into more detail on that specifically. In the meantime, here’s what we ate during the first two days in our tiny home to ensure we are fueled up and ready to hit the trail!

As we pack up and head onto our next adventure in Seligman, (where we’ll grab our permit for Havasu at the Grand Canyon Caverns & Inn), I think about how much different the scenery is depending on where you choose to stay in Arizona. That’s something I love most about this state. Depending on your elevation or the place you book, the weather and scenery can be totally different and I think that is so cool.

When we pulled into Parks on Friday, it was a full out snowstorm, and when we get to the bottom of the Grand Canyon where the Confluence is, we will likely be in the 70 degree range or higher. That is a crazy shift but I am so here for it! What an experience to be able to be in multiple different seasons in just a few hours time.

If you’re into weird weather scenarios or epic scenery with postcard-type views, I invite you to explore more of this state. It’s known for Sedona and the Grand Canyon the most, but if you’re willing to adventure out into the wilderness a little more, you’ll likely encounter some pretty cool spots you may not have even known existed.

Check out the upcoming posts if you’re interested in knowing more about this trip or hearing how we manage on the Havasu Falls Hike! Including a post specifically dedicated to our previous and current times in Sedona, and all about why we probably won’t be making the trip back for a while… 👀
Looking forward to sharing our journey with you friends.

🥾 Thank You for Reading: Before the Havasupai Falls Hike: Where We Stayed, How We Prepped, and Why Parks, AZ Was Perfect

Thank you so much for following along on our journey as we gear up for the incredible Havasupai Falls hike. While this post was all about the peaceful moments leading up to the adventure — from tiny home living in Parks, AZ to crisp hikes through Sycamore Canyon — it’s just the beginning of what’s sure to be an unforgettable experience.

If you’re planning your own Havasupai Falls hike, I hope this gave you a glimpse into what early prep can look like: nourishing your body, organizing your gear, and finding calm before the climb. The trail ahead is not only physically challenging, but also mentally and spiritually rewarding. And trust me — taking a few days beforehand to recharge in a quiet place like this makes all the difference.

Stay tuned for the upcoming post where I’ll share how the actual Havasupai Falls backpacking trip goes — trail highlights, campsite stories, lessons learned, and of course, those jaw-dropping blue-green waters.