1. Cave Creek Regional Park
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (623) 465-0431
Address: 37900 N. Cave Creek Pkwy.
Description: The Cave Creek park has picnic areas, a horse staging area, and more than 11 miles of trails within sight of the McDowell and Continental mountains. Several old mine shafts lie within the park, but they are off-limits. The park has 38 camping sites, all with water and electrical hookups, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings. The comfort stations have showers, and a park host is on the premises. Cost is $25 per night.
2. Cave Creek Regional Park
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (623) 465-0431
Address: 37900 N. Cave Creek Pkwy.
Description: The Cave Creek park has picnic areas, a horse staging area, and more than 11 miles of trails within sight of the McDowell and Continental mountains. Several old mine shafts lie within the park, but they are off-limits. The park has 38 camping sites, all with water and electrical hookups, picnic tables, grills, and fire rings. The comfort stations have showers, and a park host is on the premises. Cost is $25 per night.
3. Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (480) 488-9118
Address: 6811 E. Cave Creek
Description: This is arguably the top country bar in the Valley. The cowboy boots nailed to the roof are a clue that you’re in the right place. Dine on barbecue, dance to live music, and enjoy the country culture of Cave Creek. Buffalo Chip also hosts buffet nights for $10 per giant plate, in addition to other events. There’s live bull riding at the rodeo right behind the bar. So be cautious about how many beers or whiskey shots you take down if you’re going here with impulsive friends.
4. Buffalo Chip Saloon & Steakhouse
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (480) 488-9118
Address: 6811 E. Cave Creek
Description: This is arguably the top country bar in the Valley. The cowboy boots nailed to the roof are a clue that you’re in the right place. Dine on barbecue, dance to live music, and enjoy the country culture of Cave Creek. Buffalo Chip also hosts buffet nights for $10 per giant plate, in addition to other events. There’s live bull riding at the rodeo right behind the bar. So be cautious about how many beers or whiskey shots you take down if you’re going here with impulsive friends.
5. Cave Creek Regional Park
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (623) 465-0431
Address: 37900 N. Cave Creek Pkwy.
Description: This 2,922-acre county park is within the town of Cave Creek. Its entrance is on 32nd Street, 1.5 miles north of Carefree Highway (AZ 74). Interesting rock formations and scenic views are the park’s hallmarks. There are a number of old mine shafts in the park, and visitors are advised not to enter them because they are hazardous. The park includes 51 individual picnic sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Four large ramadas for group picnics can be reserved for a fee. There are 38 individual campsites plus a group campground that is available by reservation only. A horse-staging area and trail rides can be booked in the cooler months. The park has 6 well-maintained trails, totaling 11 miles. The trails close at sunset. All are multiuse, unless otherwise marked. To get to the park from downtown Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Carefree Highway exit and head east to 32nd Street. You can also reach the park from north Phoenix by taking Cave Creek Road, or from Scottsdale by taking Scottsdale Road. When you reach the Carefree Highway from either road, proceed west to 32nd Street.
6. Spur Cross Ranch Recreation Area
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 488-6601
Address: 44000 N. Spur Cross Ranch Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: Cave Creek Regional Park gets a lot of attention because of its size and amenities, but Spur Cross is far more picturesque. The 2,100-acre conservation area is ideal for hiking over the big rocks of the riparian zone that lines Cave Creek, which flows pretty freely, especially after heavy rains. It’s also an ideal place to see the rugged high-Sonoran Desert terrain by horseback. Local groups organize riding trips in the spring along the creek. Hikers are treated to foothills covered in wildflowers and saguaro cactus. There are about 7 miles of trails to explore. The Elephant Mountain Trail leads visitors into the neighboring Tonto National Forest. Spur Cross is one of the more lush and green parks in the Phoenix area. Park rangers organize hikes that are listed on the park’s website. Driving north from Scottsdale, take Cave Creek Road through the town of Cave Creek to North Spur Cross Ranch Road. The entrance to the park is about 30 miles from central Scottsdale.
7. Extreme Arizona
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 488-8529
Address: 6061 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Description: This shop rents all sorts of extreme adventure vehicles, including dirt bikes, Jeeps, ATVs, Tomcars, and a variety of watercraft. The store will deliver the watercraft to Bartlett Lake and Lake Pleasant for a fee. The security deposits are steep, but this is your chance to enjoy the Sonoran Desert on its hundreds of miles of trails. Maps and other help are provided. Please remember to respect the land.
8. Cave Creek Regional Park
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (623) 465-0431
Address: 37900 N. Cave Creek Pkwy.
Description: This 2,922-acre county park is within the town of Cave Creek. Its entrance is on 32nd Street, 1.5 miles north of Carefree Highway (AZ 74). Interesting rock formations and scenic views are the park’s hallmarks. There are a number of old mine shafts in the park, and visitors are advised not to enter them because they are hazardous. The park includes 51 individual picnic sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Four large ramadas for group picnics can be reserved for a fee. There are 38 individual campsites plus a group campground that is available by reservation only. A horse-staging area and trail rides can be booked in the cooler months. The park has 6 well-maintained trails, totaling 11 miles. The trails close at sunset. All are multiuse, unless otherwise marked. To get to the park from downtown Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Carefree Highway exit and head east to 32nd Street. You can also reach the park from north Phoenix by taking Cave Creek Road, or from Scottsdale by taking Scottsdale Road. When you reach the Carefree Highway from either road, proceed west to 32nd Street.
9. Spur Cross Ranch Recreation Area
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 488-6601
Address: 44000 N. Spur Cross Ranch Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: Cave Creek Regional Park gets a lot of attention because of its size and amenities, but Spur Cross is far more picturesque. The 2,100-acre conservation area is ideal for hiking over the big rocks of the riparian zone that lines Cave Creek, which flows pretty freely, especially after heavy rains. It’s also an ideal place to see the rugged high-Sonoran Desert terrain by horseback. Local groups organize riding trips in the spring along the creek. Hikers are treated to foothills covered in wildflowers and saguaro cactus. There are about 7 miles of trails to explore. The Elephant Mountain Trail leads visitors into the neighboring Tonto National Forest. Spur Cross is one of the more lush and green parks in the Phoenix area. Park rangers organize hikes that are listed on the park’s website. Driving north from Scottsdale, take Cave Creek Road through the town of Cave Creek to North Spur Cross Ranch Road. The entrance to the park is about 30 miles from central Scottsdale.
10. Extreme Arizona
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (480) 488-8529
Address: 6061 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Description: This shop rents all sorts of extreme adventure vehicles, including dirt bikes, Jeeps, ATVs, Tomcars, and a variety of watercraft. The store will deliver the watercraft to Bartlett Lake and Lake Pleasant for a fee. The security deposits are steep, but this is your chance to enjoy the Sonoran Desert on its hundreds of miles of trails. Maps and other help are provided. Please remember to respect the land.
11. Binkley’S
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (480) 437-1072
Address: 6920 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Description: The menu is constantly being changed and modified like any developing work of art. Chef Kevin Binkley’s place, located about 45 minutes out of downtown Phoenix, has become a favorite of even the most traditional critics. Binkley is known as a daring, creative, and technically masterful chef, which is interesting because Cave Creek is known more as a chuck wagon Old West town. Try the tasting menu to get a sense of his creations, which include some fantastic takes on rarer proteins like guinea hen, monkfish, venison loin, and filet beef tips. This is the place to dig into cheese and dessert as well. Take your time. There are few better ways to cap an evening in the Northeast Valley than on the cool Binkley patio with a banana bread “puddin’,” a signature dessert served with dried cranberries, Brazil nut praline, and dark rum cream.
12. Binkley’S
City: Cave Creek, AZ
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (480) 437-1072
Address: 6920 E. Cave Creek Rd.
Description: The menu is constantly being changed and modified like any developing work of art. Chef Kevin Binkley’s place, located about 45 minutes out of downtown Phoenix, has become a favorite of even the most traditional critics. Binkley is known as a daring, creative, and technically masterful chef, which is interesting because Cave Creek is known more as a chuck wagon Old West town. Try the tasting menu to get a sense of his creations, which include some fantastic takes on rarer proteins like guinea hen, monkfish, venison loin, and filet beef tips. This is the place to dig into cheese and dessert as well. Take your time. There are few better ways to cap an evening in the Northeast Valley than on the cool Binkley patio with a banana bread “puddin’,” a signature dessert served with dried cranberries, Brazil nut praline, and dark rum cream.