A Cave Creek institution, 700-plus reviews and counting.
Neighborhood Guide · Maricopa County
Cave Creek
Old West character, modern acreage, and dark skies at the desert's edge.
1986 Year the town incorporated
1-2 AC Typical home lot size
330 Days of sunshine a year
#1 CCUSD rank, Maricopa achievement
Cave Creek is one of the last true Old West towns in the Phoenix metro, incorporated in 1986 and proudly resistant to master-planned development. Its downtown is built from western saloons, boutiques, and award-winning kitchens, and the town of roughly 5,000 keeps a rural, rugged character with homes set on one to two acres or more under some of the darkest skies in Maricopa County.
Homes here range from rustic ranches to full luxury estates, most built between the 1990s and today, with abutting open desert, red rock, and Cave Creek Regional Park as the backyard. The trade-off is honest: walkability is limited, and buyers who want the conveniences of a planned community often look at Tatum Ranch just south. Nearly 330 days of sunshine sweeten the deal.
Know before you go
Cave Creek is where the equestrian and the espresso crowd coexist happily. Lots are large, night skies are dark, and the commute into Scottsdale is a straight shot down Scottsdale Road. If you want a master-planned feel instead, say so, because that is a different floor plan entirely.
Schools & District
Both Cave Creek and Carefree feed the Cave Creek Unified School District, which holds an overall A grade, ranks first in Maricopa County for student achievement, and gets Cactus Shadows High School on most lists of the state's best. International Baccalaureate and STEM signature programs round out the choices, with charter and private options nearby.
Local Spots & Favorites
Fiesta dinner and mariachis in a landmark saloon.
Housed in a 1930s-era stone building, an excellent breakfast.
Comfort food and a proper tavern pour.
Burgers and shakes, worth every calorie.
Your next address could be in Cave Creek.
Tell me what you are looking for in this area, and I will pull the homes that fit before they are gone.