Luxury Homes on Large Lots for Sale in Cave Creek, AZ

Most $1M+ homes on an acre or more in Cave Creek sit in the Town's Desert Rural zones, on lots of roughly 1 to 4.4 acres or more, plus larger parcels north toward Spur Cross and the Tonto National Forest. Expect custom desert homes, guest houses, horse setups and a lot of protected open space, with Town rules on lighting, native plants and water.

I'm Terry Day with DeLex Realty. When buyers tell me they want land and a luxury home without a big-city feel, Cave Creek is usually one of the first places we look. The Town was built around keeping things rural, and that shows up in the zoning, in the open space it keeps buying, and in how homes are tucked into the desert. Here is how large-lot luxury works in Cave Creek and what I check before you write an offer.

Cave Creek luxury large lots at a glance
  • What this page covers: single-family homes priced at $1M or more on lots of 43,560 sq ft (1 acre) or larger
  • Town zoning: Desert Rural DR-43, DR-70, DR-89 and DR-190 (about 1, 1.6, 2 and 4.4 acre minimums)
  • Height: 2 stories or 25 feet in all residential zones
  • Guest houses: detached living quarters allowed in DR zones only
  • Horses: private ranch use needs at least 2 contiguous acres in a DR zone
  • Water: Town water (CAP-supplied) for many homes, private wells for others
  • ZIP codes: 85331 and 85327 (85331 also covers Tatum Ranch, which is in Phoenix)

See Cave Creek $1M+ homes on 1+ acre Call Terry: 602-483-4665

Town of Cave Creek or just a Cave Creek address?

This is the first thing I sort out with large-lot buyers. The Town of Cave Creek was incorporated in 1986, but the Cave Creek mailing address reaches well beyond it. ZIP 85331 also covers Tatum Ranch, which is inside the City of Phoenix, and some nearby land is unincorporated Maricopa County, such as Desert Hills (ZIP 85086), where the land was split from an old ranch into 10-acre lots in the 1950s. Town zoning, Town water and Town fire service only apply inside Town limits, so on every home I confirm the jurisdiction with the county parcel record before we talk about horses, guest houses or a future shop. You can read more about the Town itself in my Moving to Cave Creek guide.

How Desert Rural zoning shapes these lots

Inside the Town, most luxury acreage is zoned Desert Rural. The Town says the purpose of these zones is to protect scenic views, natural habitat, hillsides and washes, and the rules follow from that. Under the residential zoning chapter (effective December 2025):

  • DR-43: 43,000 sq ft minimum, 145 feet wide, up to 15% lot coverage
  • DR-70 and DR-89: 70,000 and 89,000 sq ft minimums, 250 feet wide, up to 10% coverage
  • DR-190: 190,000 sq ft minimum (about 4.4 acres), 300 feet wide, up to 10% coverage

Coverage plus disturbed ground is capped at 75% of the lot, and on the larger DR lots the front and rear setbacks are 60 feet with 30-foot side setbacks. In plain words, homes sit well back from the road and from neighbors, and a good share of every lot stays natural desert. That is a big part of why these properties feel private. It also means a buyer who wants to add a large garage, arena or second structure should check the remaining coverage before closing, not after.

Guest houses, horses and outbuildings

Cave Creek allows detached accessory living quarters, like a casita or guest house, in the Desert Rural zones only, on the same parcel as the main home. They are not allowed in the Town's single-residence (R) zones, so a guest house on a smaller R-zoned lot is something I verify with the Town before you count on it.

For horses, the Town requires at least 2 contiguous acres in a DR zone under one owner for a private ranch, with set limits on the number of large and medium animals per acre. A commercial boarding operation is a special use that needs at least 5 acres. If horse property is your main goal, my Cave Creek horse properties page goes deeper.

Walls, fences and gates need a Town zoning clearance, and in DR zones fences and corrals sit at least 12 feet from property lines. Pools also keep a 12-foot setback in those zones.

Building or remodeling in the desert

Many $1M+ buyers here are buying a lot with an older home they plan to rebuild, or a newer custom home they want to expand. A few Town rules matter for that:

  • Height: 2 stories or 25 feet, with extra hillside rules on steeper ground.
  • Native plants: saguaros, barrels, ocotillo and other protected plants in the work area must be inventoried with a salvage plan, moving a saguaro over 4 feet needs a clearance, and in DR zones native plants within 12 feet of the property line generally stay.
  • Grading: a permit and financial assurance are required before grading or clearing.
  • Night sky: outdoor lights must be fully shielded and aimed down, dusk-to-dawn lights are not allowed, and wall-mounted fixtures top out at 10 feet.

Water, sewer and septic

Water is the topic I spend the most time on with Cave Creek buyers. The Town runs two water systems. The Cave Creek system uses Colorado River water delivered through the Central Arizona Project and treated at the Town's plant, and the Desert Hills system uses Town wells topped up with treated CAP water. The Town says it generally does not extend new service outside its boundaries and is no longer accepting will-serve requests outside Town limits, and homes without Town water rely on wells permitted through the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Because the Town depends on CAP water, Colorado River shortage news matters here. In 2026 local reporting covered possible CAP cuts, and the Town Council put water items on its October 2026 agenda, including a proposed voluntary Stage 1 "Water Watch." For any home I confirm the water source, the well records if there is a well, and whether sewer is available. Many large lots are on septic, and in Maricopa County a septic system must be inspected within six months before a sale, with the buyer filing a transfer notice within 15 days after closing.

Open space all around

Large lots here back up to a lot of public land. Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area covers about 2,154 acres north of the Town Core, is run by Maricopa County Parks and links to the Maricopa Trail. Cave Creek Regional Park adds roughly 2,900 acres, and the Cave Creek Ranger District of the Tonto National Forest covers more than 570,000 acres. In March 2026 the Town Council voted to pursue buying about 4,005 acres of State Trust land inside Town limits to keep as open space, and in October 2026 it moved to rezone more than 400 acres across five parcels to open space. For buyers, that means many views are better protected than in most of the Valley.

Areas where large luxury lots show up

  • North of the Town Core toward Spur Cross: some of the area's highest-priced homes sit on acreage near Spur Cross Road and the forest edge.
  • Continental Mountain Estates: a planned gated enclave of 13 five-acre lots north of Town on about 70 acres.
  • Cahava Springs: a 982-acre master plan in the Town with estate home sites and a large share of desert set aside as open space.
  • Desert Hills (county): rural acreage south and west of Town with a Cave Creek or Phoenix address, often on wells or hauled water.

Other things to check before you buy

  • Fire and brush: the whole Town is a wildland-urban interface area. Fire and EMS come from Daisy Mountain Fire through an agreement with the Town, and the Town offers free defensible-space evaluations.
  • Taxes and trash: the Town does not levy a municipal property tax (county and school taxes still apply), and there is no Town trash pickup, so you choose a private hauler.
  • Roads and washes: check driveway access, wash crossings and who maintains the road.
  • Schools: most of the area is served by Cave Creek Unified School District. Confirm boundaries with the district for any address.

Questions buyers ask

What zoning do most large-lot homes in Cave Creek have?
Most are in the Town's Desert Rural zones, DR-43 through DR-190, which set minimum lot sizes from about 1 acre to about 4.4 acres. Homes outside Town limits follow Maricopa County or City of Phoenix zoning instead, so I confirm the parcel's jurisdiction first.

Can I build a guest house on my Cave Creek lot?
Yes, if the lot is in a Desert Rural zone inside the Town, since detached living quarters are allowed there on the same parcel as the main home. They are not allowed in the single-residence zones, and permits and setbacks still apply.

How much land do I need for horses?
Inside the Town you need at least 2 contiguous acres in a Desert Rural zone for a private ranch, with limits on animals per acre. A commercial ranch needs at least 5 acres and a special use approval.

Will the home have Town water or a well?
It depends on the address. Many homes in the Town are on Town water supplied by the Central Arizona Project, while others, especially outside Town limits, use private or shared wells, so I verify the source and records for each home.

More Cave Creek and large-lot pages

Looking for a luxury home with room to breathe?
Call Terry Day at DeLex Realty to tour Cave Creek acreage or price yours at 602-483-4665.

Details come from the Town of Cave Creek zoning ordinance and town pages, Maricopa County, county parks, the U.S. Forest Service, local news and MLS data, and can change. Verify zoning, water, septic, school assignment and HOA rules for a specific home before you buy.

4717 E Quailbrush Road, Cave Creek
$1,749,000
4 Beds ⋅ 4 Baths ⋅ 7103224 MLS ⋅ 3,460 SqFt.
Custom contemporary home in Cave Creek's Estado de Cholla, built in 2018 on over an acre near North Scottsdale. This 3,460 SF residence offers 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a pool, no HOA, and a cooled 3-car garage with EV charger. A striking glass-and-iron entry door creates a memorable first impression from the front courtyard. Stacking glass doors open to paver patios and outdoor living spaces. A whole-home Lutron system illuminates clean lines, expansive art walls, and refined interiors. The kitchen features European-style cabinetry that is both esthetic and functional. The generous lot offers room to add an RV garage. For buyers who have been searching for contemporary architecture rather than another traditional desert home, Quailbrush Retreat offers an entirely different point of view. There's something particularly compelling about a home that doesn't look like everything else around it. At Quailbrush Retreat, contemporary architecture takes a different approach to the traditional Cave Creek aesthetic, with clean lines, generous proportions, and interiors that invite individual expression. The architectural details begin before you enter. A striking glass-and-iron front door creates a memorable arrival from the private courtyard, introducing a home where design is evident in even the smallest details. Consistent tile flooring creates a visual connection throughout the interior, while expansive stacking glass doors extend the living spaces to generous paver patios, the pool, and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. For the art enthusiast, the possibilities are immediately apparent. Expansive white walls provide a beautiful backdrop for a treasured collection, while carefully placed art lighting creates opportunities to showcase everything from large-scale contemporary pieces to photography and sculpture. The builder's European background in electrical design is evident in the sophisticated lighting, enhanced by a whole-home Lutron system that allows the atmosphere to change throughout the day and evening. Even without a significant art collection, the architectural simplicity gives buyers the freedom to make the interiors distinctly their own. The kitchen continues that attention to detail. A substantial island anchors the space, surrounded by European-style cabinetry, built-in refrigeration, a beverage refrigerator, appliance garage, pot filler, and a streamlined backsplash with concealed outlets. Just beyond the kitchen, an exceptionally large walk-in pantry provides an abundance of storage, keeping the kitchen's clean aesthetic intact without compromising functionality. The floor plan balances generous living areas with well-defined private spaces, and it's here that the home reveals some of its most interesting possibilities. One bedroom has a separate entrance accessible from the driveway, making it particularly well suited for a home office where clients or visitors can come and go without passing through the main residence. Another bedroom is ensuite with direct access to the pool, creating a wonderful arrangement for visiting guests who can enjoy the outdoor spaces right from their room. The primary suite is equally thoughtful, featuring a soaking tub, dual-entry walk-in shower, and a custom-designed walk-in closet with its own washer and dryer. The home also includes a separate, generously sized laundry room with built-in cabinetry, providing substantial space for household organization and storage. These are the kinds of practical details that may not immediately catch your attention, but make a meaningful difference in everyday life. The home's functionality extends to the three-car garage, equipped with a mini-split cooling system and EV charger. Natural gas is available at the property, although not currently connected, and the home is plumbed for gas with a stub at the cooktop. With more than an acre of land and no HOA, the property also offers room to add a detached RV garage, subject to applicable approvals. For an RV owner, automobile enthusiast, or someone seeking additional enclosed storage, this presents an opportunity to further customize the property. Minutes from Cave Creek's distinctive western town atmosphere, with convenient access to North Scottsdale, golf, hiking, dining, and shopping, Quailbrush Retreat offers a combination of contemporary design, individual character, and practical features that make it worth experiencing firsthand.

4717 E Quailbrush Road, Cave Creek

5040 E Rockaway Hills Drive, Cave Creek
$2,500,000
4 Beds ⋅ 5 Baths ⋅ 7100569 MLS ⋅ 4,471 SqFt.
Set on 5 private hillside acres overlooking Cave Creek, this single-level custom home offers the kind of quiet and views that are hard to find. Mornings open to Black Mountain and the Cave Creek Mountains, evenings bring some of the best sunsets in the desert, and at night the city lights glow in the distance. A home with views like these, on land this private, rarely comes to market. There's no HOA, and the home has a brand-new roof. The 4 bed, 4.5 bath, 4,471 sq ft split floor plan gives the owner's suite its own wing, with 3 ensuite guest suites and an office on the other side, giving everyone their own space. The kitchen features a Thermador oven and microwave, a Wolf induction stovetop and a Sub-Zero refrigerator. The heated pool and spa have updated equipment and a new Pebble Tec finish and tile. Carefully maintained and updated, it has brand-new well pumps, solar, EV charging, Starlink Business internet, a new energy-efficient water heater and washer/dryer, new Nest smoke/CO detectors and freshly filled propane tanks. Recent improvements also include new paint, LED lighting throughout, remote-controlled blinds, new garage doors with camera-equipped openers, new landscaping, deck boxes, a custom front fountain and resealed vigas. Hiking trails are about 10 minutes away, and so is downtown Cave Creek, a genuine Old West town with saloons, live music, local restaurants, galleries and shops, where you may still see horses tied up out front. Deer, owls, javelinas, roadrunners and hummingbirds are regular visitors, and Nacho Libre, the neighbors' donkey at the bottom of the hill, is a local favorite.

5040 E Rockaway Hills Drive, Cave Creek

31214 N Ranch Road, Cave Creek
$1,095,000
4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 7099855 MLS ⋅ 3,300 SqFt.
Awesome Cave Creek location meets beautifully updated interior and exceptional outdoor living on this spacious 1.25-acre property. Surrounded by mature shade trees, this inviting retreat offers a peaceful rural feel just moments from everyday conveniences. Interior updates completed in 2019 bring enduring style to this generous four-bedroom, three-bath home with a large loft and separate office/den. Soaring ceilings create an airy main living area, while a striking two-way fireplace with a stone surround adds warmth and character. The spacious kitchen connects naturally with the living and gathering areas, making everyday meals and entertaining equally inviting. The sense of space continues outdoors with nearly 1,000 square feet of private covered patios wrapping around three sides of th home. Enjoy morning coffee in a quiet seating area, an evening beverage overlooking the refreshing private pool, or a weekend barbecue with friends. Multiple outdoor gathering spaces offer inviting places to relax throughout the day. Inside, the expansive loft provides flexibility for an art studio, game room, gym or work-from-home retreat, while the separate office/den offers additional privacy. An oversized shed/workshop and a separate large storage container that conveys with the home provide abundant room for tools, equipment and hobbies. Beautiful finishes, versatile living spaces and room to spread out--inside and out--make this a wonderful place to enjoy the Cave Creek lifestyle.

31214 N Ranch Road, Cave Creek

39402 N 67th Place, Cave Creek
$2,650,000
4 Beds ⋅ 6 Baths ⋅ 7097429 MLS ⋅ 5,000 SqFt.
PRIVATE DESERT RETREAT | PANORAMIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS | STRIKING CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE Tucked away in the scenic desert landscape of Cave Creek, this luxury contemporary estate offers a rare combination of architectural character, privacy, and breathtaking mountain views. Completely taken down to the studs and rebuilt in 2020, the home was thoughtfully designed to embrace its natural surroundings, with striking contemporary design, expansive walls of glass, and seamless indoor-outdoor living. With a split floor plan, the interior showcases custom luxury finishes and thoughtfully designed living spaces, and dual primary suites each with direct pool access, sitting rooms, and exterior entrance access. The stunning main retreat is complete with a private mountain-view deck. Situated on over 2 acres, the backyard is an entertainer's dream, designed for everything from intimate evenings around the fire pit to unforgettable gatherings with family and friends. Spend sunny afternoons lounging by the resort-style pool, unwind in the handpainted courtyard beneath the desert sky, or host dinner outdoors with the mountains as your backdrop. An outdoor kitchen, dining area, and shaded gazebo complete this exceptional outdoor setting. An extended four-car garage and circular driveway add to the property's functionality. Here, privacy and seclusion meet convenience, with Cave Creek's charming restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and scenic trails just minutes away. A truly distinctive contemporary masterpiece hidden in the desert. From its remarkable architecture to its breathtaking surroundings, this is a property that must be experienced in person to truly appreciate

39402 N 67th Place, Cave Creek

6914 E Highland Road Unit Lot 1&2, Cave Creek
$1,350,000
4 Beds ⋅ 3 Baths ⋅ 7095291 MLS ⋅ 2,932 SqFt.
Few communities offer what Cave Creek does, and few properties in Cave Creek offer what this one does. Situated on 4.6 acres across two adjacent 2.3-acre tax parcels, this exceptional equestrian property offers breathtaking 360-degree mountain views, direct access to miles of riding and hiking trails, outstanding horse facilities, and no HOA. The eastern 2.3-acre parcel features a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence configured for multigenerational living, including an attached 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom casita with its own kitchen and living area. The property also includes a 3-stall mare motel, spacious turnout, tack shed, multiple storage outbuildings, and a large fenced backyard with mature fruit trees. Location, lifestyle, acreage, and equestrian amenities rarely come together like this, The western 2.3-acre parcel is an equestrian's dream, featuring a 120' x 200' laser-leveled, de-rocked riding arena, professionally prepared with 120 tons of washed mortar sand providing approximately 3.5 inches of premium footing over the base. Ride or hike directly from your front door! Cave Creek's public trail system runs along Highland Road immediately in front of the property, connecting riders and hikers to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area and the surrounding National Forest lands. Additional features include a circular driveway, abundant parking for horse trailers, RVs, and recreational vehicles, and a new roof. The home is clean and comfortable as-is, with opportunities for cosmetic updates reflected in the asking price. Two exceptional purchase opportunities: $936,000 -- Eastern 2.3-acre parcel with the residence, casita, mare motel, and improvements. $1,350,000 -- Both parcels, totaling 4.6 acres, including the professionally prepared riding arena. A fully updated residence on the eastern parcel alone could command a listing price exceeding $1.3 million, making this a compelling opportunity to acquire a remarkable Cave Creek property with substantial upside. Motivated Seller, bring all offers.

6914 E Highland Road Unit Lot 1&2, Cave Creek

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