Grand Canyon Village Where Mules Still Deliver Mail for the 'People of the Blue-Green Waters'

Deep within Arizona's Grand Canyon, the U.S. Postal Service continues a tradition of delivering mail by mule to the remote village of Supai. This historic method transports essential supplies to the Havasupai community, known as the "people of the blue-green waters."

A caravan of 10 to 22 mules, guided by a horse rider, navigates a rocky nine-mile trail into the canyon. The journey down takes about three hours, while the return trip uphill requires five hours. Once unloaded, the mules are released to find their own way back.

Each mule can carry up to 200 pounds, carefully balanced for stability. The postal service even uses a special postmark featuring the mule train. While the exact start date of this service is unclear, the USPS has documented mail and goods transport via mules since the 1930s.

Supai, the most isolated settlement in the contiguous U.S., is accessible only by trail, mule, or helicopter. The village lies 13 kilometers from the nearest road. According to the 2010 census, around 208 people live in this vehicle-free oasis, where summer temperatures can reach 114°F (46°C).

Recent concerns have arisen regarding the welfare of animals used by independent tour operators. In response, the Tribal Council has implemented strict controls to assess the physical condition of commercial animals. Visitors must also obtain formal permission from the Tribal Council before entering the valley, which attracts over 20,000 tourists annually.

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people of the blue-green waters