Cave Creek
Horse property and custom desert acreage with a western downtown at its center.
~5,100
Population
$1.2M
Median Home Price
+14.5% over the last 12 months
61
Median Age
$107,067
Avg. Household Income
1986
Incorporated
~28.2 sq mi
Land Area
Living in Cave Creek
Cave Creek incorporated in 1986 largely to keep its large-lot, low-density character intact as Phoenix and Scottsdale grew north toward it. Most of the town sits on Desert Rural zoning with 1- to 5-acre minimums, and anyone owning at least two contiguous acres in a DR zone has the right to keep horses, which is exactly why so much of the town's inventory is genuine equestrian property: barns, arenas, and private wells on unpaved roads a few minutes from a paved highway.
The town's identity runs through its Frontier Town-style downtown strip along Cave Creek Road, a stretch of saloons, steakhouses, and galleries that's stayed deliberately western while the acreage around it filled in with architect-built custom homes. Cave Creek Regional Park and the adjoining Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area sit at the town's northern edge, putting a combined tens of thousands of acres of hiking, biking, and horseback trail directly against the back fence for many properties.
Horse Property & Acreage
Large-lot Desert Rural zoning with no HOA on most parcels; two acres or more comes with the right to keep horses, and private wells are common on the town's northern edges.
Frontier Town Downtown
A walkable strip of saloons, steakhouses, and western-wear shops on Cave Creek Road that's kept its character since the town's ranching days.
Trail Access
Cave Creek Regional Park and Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area border the town's north side with miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trail.
Golf
1 course in the area, all within a short drive of each other.
Where to Eat
A handful of standout tables in and around Cave Creek.
Tonto Bar & Grill
Southwestern fine dining at Rancho Mañana in the restored 1940s dude ranch building, one of the area's best patios.
El Encanto
Old-World Mexican restaurant since 1989 built around a pond courtyard with tile work and wrought iron.
Harold's Cave Creek Corral
Western saloon and steakhouse operating since the 1930s, live music and dancing most nights.
Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse
Cowboy fare, live bull riding, and dance hall energy on five acres, a Cave Creek Road fixture since 1951.
Big Earl's Greasy Eats
1950s-style drive-in serving burgers and shakes made with all-natural, hormone-free meat.
Schools
Zoned to Cave Creek Unified School District, with a cluster of top-rated private options nearby. Fair housing law means I can't offer an opinion on school quality, always confirm boundaries with the district and check independent ratings below.
Black Mountain Elementary School
PublicPreK-6, performing-arts emphasis
Horseshoe Trails Elementary School
PublicPreK-6, serves the town's northern acreage
Sonoran Trails Middle School
PublicGrades 7-8, World Language School of Excellence
Cactus Shadows High School
PublicGrades 9-12, the district's only high school, AP and IB coursework
Carefree Christian Academy
PrivatePreschool through high school, faith-based, ACSI and Cognia accredited
Dig Into the Data
Independent, third-party sources for the numbers that matter before you buy.
GreatSchools.org
Independent ratings and reviews for every school zoned to this area.
Niche.com
Crime, demographics, and resident-reported livability scores.
Walk Score
Walkability, bikeability, and transit access by address.
Crime Map (MCSO)
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office crime map; MCSO provides contracted law enforcement for Cave Creek.
Homes for Sale in Cave Creek
Active and recently sold homes in Cave Creek, pulled from the map above.
Thinking about Cave Creek?
Let's talk about what's actually on the market and whether it fits what you're after.