Havasupai Gardens: Canyon Backpacking Classics
Designed for families and beginners, this trip introduces you to backpacking in Grand Canyon with manageable trails and a focus on essential skills. Explore the canyon’s hidden treasures while learning about its natural and cultural features. This is a great option for those looking for an introductory backpacking experience.
- Dates:
April, May, October
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trip Length: 4 Days
- Cost: $1,100
- Group size: 9
Trip Highlights
- The "Art" of Backpacking - This session will be devoted to the basics of backcountry travel, with a focus on proper equipment, food, and preparation
- Explore Grand Canyon geology, natural history, and flora and fauna with expert guides
- Learn tips and tools for hiking in hot desert regions along with prevention of common backpacking injuries and illnesses
- Discover trail etiquette and principles of low impact backcountry travel and camping
- Learn about the tribal communities that call the canyon home
- Explore the geology, plants, animals, ecology, and human history of Grand Canyon with an expert guide
What's Included
Price for the class includes:
Expert and educated instructors
Comprehensive gear list
Food and menu planning ideas
Receive a comprehensive 60-day workout schedule from GCCFI, with mobility, strength, and cardio exercises
Expedition First Aid kits
Rat sacks
Group water filter
Satellite phone
Backcountry permits for backpacking into Grand Canyon
Food containers are provided in the campgrounds
What's Not Included
You are responsible for:
Transportation to and from the canyon
All of your food and gear
Hotel lodging in the park before or after your trip if you would like
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation 15-20% of trip cost, read this article to receive more guidance)
Itinerary
Please note that itinerary details are subject to change. Specific trails and distances traveled may be adjusted due to weather, trail maintenance or closures, or other factors outside our control. We will communicate any adjustments to the itinerary details during orientation.
Meet your Grand Canyon experts
Marjorie “Slim” Woodruff
PhDMarjorie “Slim” Woodruff was born in Arizona. Growing up in primeval desert, she became comfortable with things that crawl, sting, bite, and gnaw, which served her well when she started working with adolescents. While attending Northern Arizona University, she spent much of her free time exploring Grand Canyon. After graduation she led backpacking trips, taught cross-country skiing, drove a tour bus, and otherwise participated in outdoor education and recreation. Slim considers herself a lifelong learner, and employs her time researching Canyon history, anthropology, geology, and natural history. Her writing has appeared in the Grand Canyon anthology On Foot, and in High Country News Writers on the Range.
Melanie Miles
BEdMelanie Miles, originally a native of England, was a teenager when she first visited the Grand Canyon and immediately fell in love with its landscape, geology, and natural & cultural history. From her home base of Prescott, AZ, she has more than 30 years of experience as a teacher and naturalist. Melanie leads groups throughout the world, teaching natural history, earth science, climbing, environmental education, and backcountry skills.
Lisa Kearsley
MSLisa Kearsley came to love the Grand Canyon while spending her childhood summers on the North Rim as her father studied Kaibab squirrels. She moved to Arizona in the 1980s to earn a master’s degree in biology at Northern Arizona University and, like many who have come to Arizona, she never left. She has worked for the National Park Service at Grand Canyon as an interpretive park ranger and as a researcher, studying the effects of Glen Canyon Dam on the river, and she wrote and published a river guide book, the San Juan River Guide. She eventually found that introducing people to the Southwest is her true calling. She now focuses on helping people experience the Grand Canyon by getting them prepared for Grand Canyon river trips and by leading hikes and backpack trips into the canyon. She also is a natural science illustrator, working with pen and ink and watercolor.
Haley Johnson
Haley Johnson is a seasoned guide and passionate steward of Grand Canyon, with over a decade of experience living and working in this awe-inspiring landscape. Since 2015, she has guided for Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute, combining her expertise as a certified Leave No Trace Trainer and Wilderness First Responder with her love for the canyon’s rich history. A former historical society president and longtime board member, Haley is an avid history enthusiast who thrives on sharing the canyon’s stories with her guests. She draws inspiration from her personal explorations and finds joy in seeing Grand Canyon through the fresh eyes of those she guides.
Additional notes
This is an introduction program, no previous backpacking experience is necessary. Previous camping and hiking experience is encouraged
Age Restrictions: Participants must be 17+ years older for this backpacking program
Cancellation Policy
Please notify our office as soon as possible should you need to cancel your registration. If you cancel or leave a trip for any reason:
- 60+ days of program start date: full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee will be issued
- 59 - 45 days prior start date: 50% refund will be issued
- Less than 45 days to start date, or once trip has begun: we will retain your entire program fee with no exceptions.
Reserved spots are non-transferable to different programs. However, you may substitute members of your party, specific to the trip date with GCCFI approval, with no penalty, up to 30 days prior to departure date.
GCCFI reserves the right to cancel all, or a portion, of a trip for circumstance beyond our control. Circumstances might include, but are not limited to—public land closures, road closures, weather events, fires, or other natural events. Refunds are not offered in these situations. A full trip credit will be issued, minus any non-refundable expenses occurred by GCCFI if the program is cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control. GCCFI staff will work to change itinerary to another trail or move hiking locations to a safer area.
We reserve the right to cancel any trip if sign-up is inadequate to make the trip economically feasible for us to operate. In this event, we will give a full refund of the trip price.
GCCFI is not responsible for: air tickets, visa fees if applicable, gear, medical expenses, clothing, and any expenses occurred while preparing for this trip.
We HIGHLY encourage the purchase of trip insurance to help offset any costs incurred if cancellation occurs
Testimonials
The Zelkovic Family
“Our day with the Field Institute exceeded all our expectations and we came away with a great respect for the canyon and for the work of the Conservancy. It was such a wonderful experience from beginning to end and hope we can return in the not so distant future to participate in one of your multi-day programs.”
The Jankowskis
“Our family’s experience was nothing short of amazing! Slim (our guide) provided a perspective we would have never been able to get on our own and we learned so much. Her passion for the canyon and what she does came through too, which made our time something we’ll never forget!”
Amy Waits
“The guides were awesome – so educational and patient!!! Encouraging & helpful in every way. Such an amazing first visit to the canyon – Life changing to have experienced the GC up close & personal… Thank you so much!”
Andy M.
“Top to bottom, the Field Institute exceeded all of my expectations .... they ensured we packed wisely for our trip and saved me from lugging around 5 lbs. of junk I didn't need. Overall, it's packed with value that I don't think commercial outfitters would provide and delivered a deeply rich experience.”
