“explore the sonoran”
Cave Creek was named for the small stream that rises in the hills to the northeast and flows southwesterly for 25 miles before reaching Paradise Valley. The stream, in turn, was named from a high, overhanging bluff along its west bank that forms a wide, open cavern about two miles north of the present day Cave Creek. People have taken shelter there for centuries. A bloody skirmish occurred within the cave between Apache Indians and U.S. Troops in 1873. Cave Creek Regional Park offers over 11-miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Park trails range in length from 0.2 miles to 5.8 miles and range in difficulty from easy to difficult. If you are looking for an easy, relatively short hike the Slate Trail is recommended. If you are looking for a longer, more difficult hike, try the 5.8-mile Go John Trail. The trails within the Cave Creek Regional Park are very popular, with dramatic elevations and spectacular views of the surrounding plains. All trails are multi-use unless otherwise designated. All trail users are encouraged to practice proper trail etiquette. Always remember to carry plenty of water and let someone know where you are going. Ancient Hohokam Indians stayed in the area from around 800 A.D. until 1400 A.D. Many reminders of their living in the area still remain. Stone huts, pit houses, terraced field and irrigation ditches were left behind. There are also many petroglyphs that were carved by the Indians. The Cave Creek area has a rich archeological foundation. Dozens of prehistoric sites have been discovered. However, many more remain undisturbed. During the 1400s, bands of Apache Indians began drifting into the area. Soon, the Apaches spread throughout the State. They brought with them different lifestyles than the Hohokams. Instead of farming, the Apaches lived by hunting, gathering, and raiding. The 1500s saw the arrival of Spanish explorers. The Spanish found the desert to be very inhospitable. On their maps, central Arizona was labeled as "deplobado" meaning, "desolate wilderness." Mining began to become a focal point in central Arizona history in 1863. The call "Gold in the Bradshaws" rang out. Fabulous rich gold outcroppings were found in high peaks such as Antelope Hill. In 1864, Henry Wickenburg uncovered the richest strike, the Vulture Mine. Miners were sure that the Aqua Fria River, New River, Cave Creek and the stream of the Tonto were also rich with gold. A few miners tried to find the treasures, but met the Apaches who ran them out of the area. The Tonto Apaches controlled the area, so for the time being, mining had to wait. Ranchers and farmers followed lured by reports of mild climate, plentiful water, tall timbers and lush grass. All of the reports failed to mention that hostile Indians surrounded the area. Of all the tribes in the area, the Tonto Apaches were the most feared. They ate animals they captured including horses, mules, oxen, and burros. The Tontos were highly mobile, unpredictable, and difficult to capture. Newcomers to the State appealed to the Federal Government for assistance. The Civil War was demanding the need for every soldier. Washington leaders decided they did not want to lose the potential gold production capabilities of Arizona. In 1863, Arizona was declared a new and separate territory, splitting off from the territory of New Mexico. A Governor was sent to Arizona along with a small force of troops to Fort Whipple in Prescott. In 1865, the army sent a small force of 300 volunteers from California to establish Fort McDowell. Fort McDowell was located 18 miles east of Cave Creek. One year after the Californians arrived, a regular army infantry unit settled into Fort McDowell. For 15 more years, skirmishes, ambushes, and bloody confrontations raged between the soldiers and the Tonto Apaches. On December 1, 1873, Lieutenant Walter S. Schuyler, of the 5th Cavalry, led a scouting expedition out of Fort McDowell that resulted in the first skirmish along Cave Creek. After weeks of searching for Indians, Lt. Schuyler and his troops found a band of Tontos held up on the West bank of Cave Creek. On Christmas morning the troops attacked the Tontos, killing 9, including one of the most fearless leaders named Nanotz. Just North of Cave Creek, the area of Bloody Basin was the site of a bitter skirmish on March 27, 1873. Army scouts trailed a group of Apaches to the top of Turret Peak. The scouts crept up the peak during the night. At dawn they captured or killed nearly all of the Apaches. The pressure on the Tonto Apaches began to have its effects. With the army destroying any discovered food storage areas, the Apaches were beginning to suffer. Hunger drove the Apaches to surrender. By 1877 about 5,000 Indians from various tribes shared the San Carlos Reservation. The Battle of Turret Peak proved to be a major turning point. The time of the Tonto Apaches along Cave Creek was over and a new era of mining was coming to Cave Creek.
Reviews of Cave Creek Regional Park
32 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G/5G
Confirmed by 15 users | Last reported on October 04, 2023AT&T 4G
Confirmed by 7 users | Last reported on October 04, 2023T-Mobile 4G
Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on June 13, 2021
Cave Creek Regional Park was our first experience in Maricopa County parks and it's an amazing park. The park is very well-kept and brimming with ways to enjoy the landscape.
Our site was level and spacious with easy access for our 50' of truck and toy hauler. The bathrooms and showers were always clean and we never encountered a line or wait to use them, even in peak season which was a surprise.
I'm thoroughly impressed by the park system. It's very well run and drive-throughs by the county deputies multiple times give an added sense of safety and security. Multiple camp hosts keep things running smoothly.
The price point for partial hookups would normally be a negative in other places. But given how wonderful these parks are, the free showers, dump station, and the popularity of the park system, it's reasonable.
The reservation system can be cumbersome if you're trying to piece together your stay since you reserve specific spaces and you sometimes have to move within the park to get the nights needed for your visit. But it is doable but definitely reserve well in advance since they are in such high demand at certain times of the year.
Nightly Rate: $32.00
Days Stayed: 5
Site Number: 43
We were visiting Cave Creek to visit family for Christmas and this campground was very conveniently located. Sites were very well maintained and campground hosts seemed very active in keeping the campground up. Sites differed in size but most could handle larger rigs. The campground is very busy in the fall/winter, when we first were looking for a spot over a month in advance it was completely full, we lucked upon a cancellation for the full length we needed. Bathrooms and showers were clean and showers were free.
Campground is fairly open dessert but site spacing is good so fairly good privacy. Nice hiking trails in park.
Nightly Rate: $32.00
Days Stayed: 10
Site Number: 22
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
Did a bunch of research and the reviews definitely do this location justice. Site 53 is a very large pull through site. Plenty of room between sites, super quiet. Hosts are awesome, very friendly and helpful. Very well maintained grounds - would definitely come back.
Nightly Rate: $32.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 53
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
I've camped on the east, west, and south sides of Phoenix before, but this area (on the far NE outskirts of Phoenix,/Scottsdale) was completely new to me. I chose it due to the proximity to good biking/hiking trails including the excellent Brown's Ranch complex. Cave Creek is a cute little town as well. Sprouts Market and Walmart are on Carefree Hwy less than 5 miles away. The campground is fantastic - huge sites, widely spread, level, natural landscaping, very well tended even though the campground staff kept a low profile. Very quiet as well. A couple of times I spotted coyotes trotting through the campground. There is a nature center, riding stable, double lane dump station, water, and electricity at each site. Beautiful morning and evening vistas too. Speed check for AT&T hotspot 75 down/10 up, T-Mobile cell phone 15 down/11 up.
Nightly Rate: $32.00
Days Stayed: 5
Site Number: 15
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
T-Mobile 4G
This entire campground is beautiful, but we feel our site, 38, was probably one of the best. Every site is very large and this one was no exception. We had the most beautiful sunrises over the parks mountain. The large gravel area with the picnic table and fire pit was groomed before we got there. Everything was very clean. We could barely see our camping neighbors while at our site. All sites are so spread out from each other. Not only did we have great views from our site, we were a very short walk to the bathhouse. We enjoyed having electricity and water at our site. I would highly recommend the back-in sights. The pull through sites are right on the street. Our site was very level. The park itself is wonderful. We hiked the trail right from the campground. We also took a sunset horseback ride on the trails through the mountains. The nature center was very nice and our kids enjoyed the playground. All this Beauty made you feel so far from everything, yet the nearest Walmart was just down the road at 12 minutes away. The community of Cave Creek it’s very pretty.
Nightly Rate: $33.00
Days Stayed: 5
Site Number: 38
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
There are two campgrounds. The main campground is nice, unfortunately I am crammed into what is called the village (approximately sites 35-50). Don’t stay in the village. Sites are very close and no vegetation or screening between sites. Lots of barking dogs.
The main campground is VERY nice, spacious sites with lots of separation. I would definitely camp in the main campground but NOT the Village. Main campground is 5 stars. I Don’t ever use campground restroom so I cannot comment on them
Nightly Rate: $30.00
Days Stayed: 4
Site Number: 45
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
My wife and I live in Phoenix and chose Cave Creek Regional Park campground for an impromptu 2-night getaway from the city.
Good choice.
We enjoyed the scenic views in all directions, modern amenities and close proximity to Phoenix.
Each campsite has a flat asphalt pad with water and electricity hookups, a large concrete picnic table and fire pit with grate. (I’m posting pics, too.)
Thanks to the staffed entrance gate, the only people coming and going in the campground are those with reservations and their guests. The stables and main visitor center entrance are on a different road.
When we camped here at full capacity in mid-Feb, most of the rigs displayed out-of-state plates and most sites only had two people at them. We heard no loud noises from adjacent sites - only birds and horses. At night, the stars sparkled like diamonds.
If you like to hike, there’s a great trail that starts on the north end of the campground and heads into the hills. We hiked Clay Mine Trail east/northeast and took a left on Overton. At the junction with Go John, we turned around and traced our steps back to the campground. Total distance was about 5 miles. Views were incredible.
Even though it was good to get out of the city, it was good to know there were plenty of places to get groceries and supplies.
Nightly Rate: $32.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 21
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
It is a wonderful location, close to North Scottsdale and in the beautiful Sonoran desert. We took a hike and visited the nature center. The sites are closer together than at McDowell Mountain Regional Park.
Nightly Rate: -
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: -
This location is absolutely beautiful. The spots are spacious and separated from others. Each site is immaculately maintained. The views are gorgeous day and night. They allow campfires at night and the campground is so quiet which is great. We loved staying here and can’t wait to stay here again.
Nightly Rate: $30.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 2
I stayed here for 5 days and it was fun. There is a lot of hikes around and everybody is nice and polite. I recommend if you’re in the area.
Nightly Rate: $5.00
Days Stayed: 5
Site Number: 36
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Cave Creek Regional Park
Hours
- Sun - Thu: 6:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Fri, Sat: 6:00 am - 10:00 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- Other public land (TVA, DOD, county parks with campgrounds)
- Last Nightly Rate
- 32.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 42.0
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 5.0
- Max Length
- 45 ft
- Sites Count
- 38
- Standard Tent Sites Count
- 38
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Rec Facilities
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Water Hookup
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Outdoor Seating
Campground, Parking, Dining, Restrooms
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