Discover Cave Creek

Cave Creek brings together desert landscapes and regional history. The town was founded in 1870, began as a mining and cattle-ranching community, and served as a stop for the U.S. Cavalry. Mining and ranching are also reflected in the traces found at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area; the Arizona Gold Mining Experience explores the heyday of the Cave Creek Mining District. On the nature side, a desert oasis, creekside areas and trails take center stage.

Desert Oasis and Traces of Early Land Use

The Jewel of the Creek Preserve is a desert oasis with tall cottonwood trees and willows along Cave Creek; it borders Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. There, lush creekside areas line Cave Creek, which flows during the winter months. Remains of early mining and ranching are also still visible at Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. The two areas have different features: the Jewel of the Creek Preserve is shaped by oasis vegetation, while Spur Cross also features seasonal water flow and visible traces of earlier ways of making a living.

Trails in the Upper Sonoran Desert

Cave Creek Regional Park covers 2,922 acres in the Upper Sonoran Desert. The Go John Trail loops around a mountain. Guided trails in the park lead to sites associated with the region's gold prospectors of the 1870s. The Go John Trail focuses on the loop around the mountain; the guided trails focus on the historical connection to gold prospectors. The dates mark different historical reference points: 1870 is the year Cave Creek was founded; the 1870s are the period associated with the gold prospectors at the guided trail destinations.

Plants and Natural History

At Desert Awareness Park, two self-guided trails pass signs pointing out naturally occurring desert plants. The Desert Heritage Center in the park presents the region's natural and cultural history. Unlike the guided trails in Cave Creek Regional Park, where trails lead to sites associated with gold prospectors of the 1870s, you can explore the plant signs here on a self-guided walk. Desert Awareness Park is open to the public daily during daylight hours; check conditions before your arrival.

Cultural and Historical Insights

The Cave Creek Museum features exhibits about life in the Sonoran Desert and works by local artists. The Arizona Gold Mining Experience vividly recounts the heyday of the Cave Creek Mining District. The Golden Reef Stamp Mill is Arizona's only fully operational ten-stamp ore-crushing mill. Demonstrations and visiting hours may vary; check current hours before your visit.

The historic Tubercular Cabin contains its original furnishings; its current presentation may change.

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