37200 N Cave Creek Road Unit 1033, Scottsdale
(602) 483-4665
DeLex Realty
Desert Mountain is a private club community of about 8,000 acres in the high Sonoran Desert of far north Scottsdale, along the edge of the Tonto National Forest. It is the only private community with six Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, and its 35 villages range from lock-and-leave condominiums to custom estates and homesites. Here is my plain-language guide to buying and selling here.
See all Desert Mountain homes for saleCall Terry: 602-483-4665
Desert Mountain sits at the far north end of Scottsdale, north of Carefree and about 4 miles from the town of Cave Creek. The main entrance is on Desert Mountain Parkway off Cave Creek Road, and the community borders the Tonto National Forest, so the views open up to mountains and saguaro-covered hills instead of rooftops. Plan on about 20 minutes to Loop 101 and about 30 minutes to Scottsdale Airport. For day-to-day errands, residents head into Carefree, Cave Creek and the shops and offices along Scottsdale Road and Pima Road to the south. My Moving to Scottsdale guide and Moving to Carefree guide cover the surrounding area.
Developer Lyle Anderson started Desert Mountain in the mid-1980s after building Desert Highlands near Pinnacle Peak. Master planning involved Taliesin Associated Architects, the firm that grew out of Frank Lloyd Wright's practice. Renegade, the first Nicklaus course, opened in 1987, and the senior tour event known as The Tradition debuted on the Cochise course in 1989. More courses followed over the next decade and a half, with Outlaw opening in 2003.
Desert Mountain is laid out as 35 separate villages, and each has its own feel. Some are clusters of villas, condominiums and townhomes that work well as a lock-and-leave home. Others are custom estates set on larger lots with long views, and there are still custom homesites for buyers who want to build. Community guidelines call for environmentally sensitive architecture, so homes are designed to blend into the desert rather than stand out from it. Because of the elevation changes and natural washes, two homes of the same size can feel very different depending on the lot, the view and how private the setting is.
Golf is the headline. Desert Mountain Club runs seven courses: Apache, Chiricahua, Cochise, Geronimo, Outlaw, Renegade and No. 7, a par-54 short course. Beyond golf, the club lists a 42,000-square-foot Sonoran Clubhouse, several more clubhouses around the community, a fitness center and full-service spa, nine tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, about 25 miles of private trails, ten restaurants and grills, and more than 40 member-led social clubs. Outside the gates, the Tonto National Forest and the trails and town centers of Carefree and Cave Creek are close by.
Desert Mountain is in the Cave Creek Unified School District. The assigned schools are Black Mountain Elementary School, Sonoran Trails Middle School and Cactus Shadows High School. Boundaries can change, so please confirm the assigned schools for a specific address with the district.
Every home is part of the Desert Mountain Master Association, which has its own board, policies and rules, including leasing restrictions. Many villages also have their own village association on top of the master association. Desert Mountain Club is a separate organization from the homeowners association, with several membership categories that set which amenities you can use. When you are serious about a home, I gather the master association, village association and club information for that exact property so there are no surprises.
Start by deciding how you want to use the home. A villa or condo might fit a seasonal schedule, while a custom estate suits a full-time move. I help you compare villages, check the club rules for the property, and look closely at the lot, view and age of the home. If you are early in the process, my first steps to buying a home in Arizona is a good read. If the seller has a low-rate loan, ask about assuming it. My assumable mortgage guide explains how that works.
Buyers here often shop several villages, and sometimes Desert Highlands, Silverleaf or Estancia too, so your pricing has to stand up to those comparisons. Village, view, lot privacy and updates all matter. Read how to price your Arizona home to sell and my north Scottsdale home values seller guide, then call me for a pricing review.
Is Desert Mountain in Scottsdale or Carefree?
Desert Mountain has a Scottsdale address, ZIP 85262. It sits just north of Carefree and a few miles from Cave Creek.
How many golf courses are there?
Seven. Six are Jack Nicklaus Signature courses, and No. 7 is a par-54 short course.
Do I have to join the club to buy a home?
Desert Mountain Club is separate from the homeowners association and offers several membership categories. I confirm the current club rules for the specific home before you write an offer.
How far is Desert Mountain from the freeway?
Plan on about 20 minutes to Loop 101 and about 30 minutes to Scottsdale Airport.
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Community details come from public sources and can change. Confirm HOA, school, club and builder information for a specific home before you buy.
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