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Cave CreekGuide
WelcomeWe hope that you will find this Guide informative and useful in discovering all that Carefree, Cave Creek and the surrounding communities have tooffer. Please remember to shop and buy local first, supporting those individuals and businesses that have shown their dedication to making Carefreeand Cave Creek such a vibrant and captivating community. People often ask what makes this area feel so distinct and secluded while being so close to metropolitan Phoenix. The answer lies in a unique combination of geography, climate, and a mix of people who live, work and play with a certain philosophy of life. TheCarefree, Cave Creek area is surrounded to the north and east by the Tonto National Forest – a vast, undeveloped preserve – and to the west by themountains that make up Cave Creek Recreational Park. This setting makes possible our incredible sunsets and sunrises,our cohabitation with animalsand critters of all kinds, and the outdoor activities that we truly enjoy year round.When you combine this with 300 days of sunshine, some of the best golf, tennis and hiking available in the country, and a warm and welcomingcommunity, it is easy to see why this is truly a unique and inviting destination for visitors and residents alike.We thank you for taking the time to discover the Carefree and Cave Creek area, and welcome you to all we have to offer.24 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Scan this QR code to visitthe Carefree Cave CreekChamber of Commercewebsite.Guide published by: The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber ofCommerce748 Easy Street | PO Box 748, Carefree, AZ85377480-488-3381chamber@carefreecavecreek.org carefreecavecreek.org© 2023 CAREFREE CAVE CREEK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.Publisher’s Note: The information in this Guide has been collected with every effort being made to assure accuracy. However, its owners,members, graphics department and staff assume no responsibility for omissions or errors. All information contained in this Guide is subject tochange. Reproduction of any part of this without the permisson of the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, is strictly prohibited bylaw.That would be unbearable!“I meet people from different walks of life that I can have relationships with.” – CHARLES HALEY
Two different towns– one fun destination!LOCATION | in the foothills north of Phoenix, AZ, Carefree andCave Creek are adjacent towns that have a unique, naturalenvironment in common, but also have contrasting personalities. CONVENIENCE | The air is cooler and cleaner than in the city and the location is ideal for day trips south to Phoenix, or north to Sedona, Prescott, Cottonwood, Jerome and Flagstaff. UNIQUENESS | With so much going for them, it's hardly surprising that these sister communities have been capturing the hearts and imaginations of countless visitors for well over a century.COME VISIT!
4 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965GOLFINGBoth towns offer a choice of public and private world-class golfcourses, situated among some of the most beautiful desert landscapesyou will ever see. Whatever your skill level, there will be a coursesuited to your abilities, making for a great day on the links.In the scenic Sonoran Desert Foothills, Carefree and Cave Creekare two of Arizona’s most distinctive towns. Small-town charmcombined with friendly locals and more than three hundred daysper year of glorious sunshine makes the area perfect for enjoyingevery type of activity, year-round. Things To DoPhotos courtesy of The Boulders Resort & Spa.
BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965 WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG | 5PARKSThe Cave Creek Regional Park protects roughly 3,000 acres of theextremely lush Sonoran Desert. The steep and very rocky slopes offerexcellent habitats for cacti, desert trees, and many other plants.Wildlife is common at the park. Birdlife is especially abundant,ranging from tiny hummingbirds to hawks. There are excellent trailsthrough Cave Creek Regional Park that range from short and easy tosomewhat difficult. The most popular and challenging is the 4.8-mileGo John Trail, which is amenable to hiking, mountain biking, andhorseback riding. Guided trail rides through the park on horsebackare available from late autumn through the spring. Rangers provide avariety of free, guided hikes and activities for visitors of all agesthroughout the year.Carefree Desert Gardens is only one of two public botanicalgardens in the Valley located along Easy Street in downtown,Carefree, AZ. Situated on four acres, you will find rare andfascinating desert plant specimens on a self-guided walking tour.Amidst the Desert Gardens lies the famous Carefree Sundiallandmark. It is the largest sundial measuring ninety feet across inthe U.S. This ancient time-telling instrument has been attractingvisitors since it was built in 1959.Cave Creek’s historic Spur Cross Ranch, a former guest ranch, wasestablished in the 1920s. It was once a welcoming destination forvisitors from all over the world. Today, its more than 2,154-acreexpanse offers avid outdoors people a gateway into the TontoNational Forest’s scenic network of paths. Several trails, from a flatwide path crisscrossing the stream to a hike up into the mountains ofSkull Mesa, await you. Many of these beautiful trails are open tomountain bikers, horseback riders, and hikers. Spur CrossConservation Area contains fascinating archaeology sites and lushriparian areas which include The Jewel of the Creek which can easilybe reached by two short loop trails. Towering cottonwood and willowtrees along with the unusual year-round presence of water make thislush riparian area a magnet for plant and animal life. This area is amust-see for all wildflower lovers in the spring.Desert Awareness Park is a native habitat park right in the heart of Cave Creek. A nature trail with labeled plants, natural history center, a children’s playground, and shade ramadas with grills make this an excellent picnic and play area for families.Photos courtesy of (1) Jewel of the Creek trail and (2) Carefree Gardens. Continued on page 6.
16 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Continued from page 5.OUTDOOR EXPLORATION The Tonto National Forest features some of the most ruggedly beautifullands in the country. The cacti of the Sonoran Desert and flatlands lead intothe Mogollon Rim highlands. Perched on a hilltop is Sear-Kay Ruin, a short drive east of Carefree. It contains the masonry remains of a small village built by the Hohokam tribe. A short self-guided hike leads through the ruins. On the way to Sear-Kay, the nearby Tonto Hills development is marked by the world’s largest kachina doll. This impressive 40-foot-tall sentry stands guard and is approachable by road. Drive a little further up the road and you will come to Seven Springs Recreation Area, a popular destination since the early 1900s. Extensive hiking trails lead from the desert floor to changes in higher elevations where you can enjoy a lovely picnic site under large sycamore trees along the creek.There are so many ways to explore the area and its incredible scenic views. One of the most exciting and unforgettable things to do in Arizona is explore the desert on an ATV (quad) or UTV (side by side). Jeep tours and hot-air ballooning are also popular ways to explore the desert.Horseback rides happen any time of the day, but our personal favorite is witnessing one of Arizona’s beautiful sunsets on the back of a horse. MacDonald’s Ranch and Windwalker Expeditions welcome you to your horseback adventure. FISHING AND BOATINGThere are three lakes with swimming, fishing, boating, and water skiingwithin a half-hour drive of Carefree and Cave Creek. Fifteen miles east ofCarefree are Bartlett and Horseshoe Lakes. Bartlett has picnic tables withshade and restroom facilities, boat rentals, a marina, and a restaurant.About twenty miles west is Lake Pleasant, a large lake with a visitor center,restaurant, two marinas, and lots of amenities. The Tonto National Forestborders the area on the north and east with its untouched desert beauty.Photos courtesy (1) Bartlett Lake, (2) MountainBike Riding by Images Arizona Magazine,(3) Time to Ride AZ and (4) Spur CrossConservation Area by Thomas Bakerof Desert Foothills Land Trust.
8 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Nestled behind the gentle shield of Black Mountain and its tumbleof granite formations are the charming towns of Carefree andCave Creek. To their south, in the land beyond the ancient rockformations, is the bustle of the big cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale.But in the protected foothills, the little towns retain their uniquepersonalities and beautiful scenery that have drawn people tothe area for ages.Evidence for prehistoric nomadic people in the area date back manythousands of years, but it was the arrival of the prehistoric Hohokam,a sedentary farming culture, that left the greatest imprint on the area.Their pottery, homes, and tools give us insight into these earlyresidents of the area. The Hohokam chose to live in the Foothills. Theland was agreeable for their crops of corn, beans, and squash andmost importantly, reliable water flowed along the creek and trickled from mountain springs. The Hohokam were true scientists, who explored thebountiful resources the Sonoran Desert offered and experimented withdifferent applications of those resources. The trees, shrubs, and roots wereused for Hohokam structures, medicines, glues, tools, soaps, and of course, food. The Hohokam were also engineers, constructing miles-long, hand-dug irrigation canals. The canals were so well designed that, hundreds of years after abandonment, when historic settlers arrived, the canals were restored for their use.The Hohokam’s archaeological record ends around 1450 CE. For hundreds of years after, no indication has come to light as to who was in the area. Undoubtedly, nomadic groups hunted and foraged, but if so, they left no record. It was not until after the Civil War that the next round of settlers arrived, to farm, to ranch and to test the nearby mountains for gold. Despite nearby water, farming was difficult. However, a few residents had success with vegetable gardens. They even grew roses! Ranching fared better, with both cattle and sheep grazing the land. Along the creek, west of present-day Cave Creek Road, a small remotesettlement developed, with a sheep shearing station, a store, a school, and a post office. Several days of travel were required to get into Phoenix, so workers, ranchers, and miners gathered by the creek, at Cave Creek Station, to find social contact, a game of cards, and perhaps a brew to wet their whistle!Mine diggings, small and large, scarred the nearby mountains. Thebigger mining enterprises brought in huge ore-crushing machinesknown as stamp mills to efficiently process tons of rock in search ofprecious metals. The giant machines thundered as heavy shaftspummeled rocks to bits, a sound so loud that they said one could hearthe rumble in Phoenix. One such machine from the 1890s wasrelocated from its original site on Continental Mountain to the CaveCreek Museum where dedicated volunteers laboriously restored theancient relic to a fully functioning stamp mill. As with miners of old,the museum has hopes some gold will be found during runs of themill!Cave Creek remained small and remote, but its citizens, like the Hohokam before them, chose to live near the creek. The residents promoted their town’s well-being, forming the Cave CreekImprovement Association, which brought pavement to Cave Creek Road and other advances to the little community. In 1955, the Mother’s Club was formed to organize school and civic activities, including the area’s newspaper, the Vacuum Cleaner, where townsfolks could read “all the dirt.”One item from a 1959 issue announced, “the arrival of the largest sundial in the western hemisphere.” The sundial was the harbinger of growth and change. For many years,it had been the dream of K.T Palmer, Tom Darlington, and Les Rhuart to create a planned community far beyond the population centers of Scottsdale and Phoenix. They chose a whimsical name for their future town: Carefree. The dreamers concocted equally fanciful names for their streets. One may meet at the corner of Ho and Hum Roads, be undecided on Nonchalant Avenue, or put one’s feet up on Leisure Lane. To enhance interest in the new town, an airport was built for ease of arrival of residents; a golf course was built for their amusement; and, in the town center, amid shops and restaurants, a sundial was installed “Where the sun marks time,” and where visitors can rest in its shadow or explore the peace of adjacent desertgardens.Both towns have grown over the decades, offering much to enjoy,from the solace of a hike at Spur Cross Conservation Area to aboisterous time during Cave Creek Rodeo Days. Restaurants aboundand unique shops dot both towns, promising entertaining andenlightening explorations of the beautiful desert foothills.HistoryPhotos courtesy of the Cave Creek Museum.
Art | Culture | Entertainment10 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Over forty art studios are open to the public every Novemberfor the nationally recognized Hidden in the Hills Studio Tour,which is sponsored by the Sonoran Arts League. In the fall,winter, and spring, Carefree holds its Thunderbird ArtistsFine Art and Wine Festivals, bringing more than 30,000 artlovers to town. Works of art from life-sized bronze sculpturesto an array of pottery, photography, paintings, and jewelryare on display. The Desert Foothills Theater has beenproviding high-quality theater to Northeast Valley residentsfor over 40 years. Each year DFT’s performances drawthousands of attendees and have received severalnominations for ariZoni awards.For music lovers, the ArizonaMusicfest regales the community with concerts by world-renowned classical, jazz, and Broadway musicians duringFebruary and March. For more information about concerts or to purchase ticketsvisit the website at www.azmusicfest.org.The beauty of the natural environment in the Carefree Cave Creekarea inspires artists, musicians, and writers. The two towns arecommitted to promoting the arts with festivals, public artinstallations, and art galleries. The galleries rival, and some saysurpass, the galleries in Scottsdale and Sedona, for the quality anddiversity of the art shown, and for the artists’ regional and nationalreputations.Photos courtesy of (1) Vermillion Promotions and (2) Thunderbird Artsts.
When it comes to live music, many venues offer live entertainmentseveral nights per week and a few nearly daily, Cave Creek’sentertainment district is red hot. Numerous types of eveningperformances are featured including all genres of music from originalcountry to pop cover bands and jazz. You can often find a sologuitarist with a microphone at numerous establishments or just aguitar hanging on the wall waiting for the musician to walk in andentertain. Several very talented local bands are regulars throughoutthe area while national acts are also featured throughout the year.Cave Creek is definitely one of the valley’s best places for a live showalmost any day of the week.In addition to music, there is plenty of other live entertainmentand events throughout the area. Live bull riding is availablethroughout the year as well as rodeo events featuring all thetraditional Western competitions. Western dance lessons areconducted on various days at more than one local saloon. Sportsenthusiasts will find televised games and loyal fans cheering ontheir favorite teams each week at many local bars and restaurants.With so many options, it is no wonder that Carefree and Cave Creek are one of the most popular destinations for residents and visitorsof Arizona to enjoy live entertainment.BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965 WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG | 11Photos courtesy of (1) Hot Air Balloons, (2) Arizona Musicfest, (3) Indian musician and dancer byVermillion Promotions, (4) Barbara Bowman painting in studio by Kathy King, (5) Cave Creek RodeoDays by Sam Sin Photography and (6) live entertainment.
Calendar of EventsCALENDAR OF EVENTS 12 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG 1BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965JANUARY 13 – MARCH 26 19thAnnual Fine Art Expothunderbirdartists.comJANUARY 19-21 31st Annual Winter Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival thunderbirdartists.comDECEMBER 2 Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast kiwaniscarefree.orgMARCH 15-17 2nd Annual Cave Creek Sculpture & Wine Festival thunderbirdartists.comMARCH 16 Cave Creek Rodeo Days Parade cavecreekrodeo.comMARCH 21-24 Cave Creek Rodeo Days cavecreekrodeo.comMARCH 22-2429th Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival thunderbirdartists.comMARCH 29 – APRIL 7 Cave Creek Bike Week hideaway-usa.comAPRIL 3-7 AZ Bike Week azbikeweek.com Second Wednesday of every monthChamber Member Mixercarefreecavecreek.orgLast Thursday of every month Chamber Business Breakfast carefreecavecreek.orgEvery Friday Oct – May and June – Sep Carefree Farmer’s Market arizonafarmersmarkets.comFor details on these events and more, pleasevisit carefreecavecreek.org/events2024ONGOINGPhotos courtesy of (1) Cave Creek Rodeo Days bySam Sin Photography and (2) Thunderbirds Artists.NOVEMBER 2023 – April 2024 Arizona Musicfest azmusicfest .orgThird Thursday of every month Art Walk visitcarefree.com
Shop | Dine | Stay114 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Escape to spectacular views of the Sonoran Desert and ContinentalMountains, colorful native wildflowers, towering Saguaro, and the humblecacti of Tonto National Forest. Truly unique among our city neighbors,Carefree and Cave Creek invite you to enjoy the historic Southwest at itsfinest. Select from luxury resort rooms, residential-style Villas, privatecasitas, hotels, condominiums, or cozy bed and breakfastaccommodations. This amazing destination is a haven for outdoor lovers –boasting first-class amenities.Along Cave Creek’s quaint main street visitors can while away many happy hours rummaging through quirky curio shops, upscale western shops, and funky stores. From Western wear to consigned designer fashions, home accessories, Native American crafts, pottery,postcards, and souvenirs to fine art and furnishings, Cave Creek hasan eclectic mixture of shopping. Well-known saloons, liveentertainment, authentic southwestern food, ranch-style BBQ, andfine dining have established Cave Creek’s reputation as one of themost recognized and charming Western towns in the U.S.Carefree, by comparison, boasts several top-notch galleries andjewelry shops, displaying some of the Southwest’s finest examplesof native and contemporary art and design. Fine art, wine, andgourmet food along with outdoor cafes and flowering courtyards allset in pedestrian-friendly Easy Street provide a selection of diningand shopping experiences. The whimsical street names andgorgeous settings add to the ambiance. Photos courtesy of (1) Boulders Resort & Spa, (2) Terras at CIVANA Carefree and(3) Vermillion Productions,
1BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965 WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG | 15LODGINGBoulders Resort and Spa Scottsdaletheboulders.com 34631 Tom Darlington,Carefree 480-488-9009CIVANA Resort, Spa & Sanctuarycivanacarefree.com 37220 Mule Train Rd, Carefree 480-653-9000Hampton Inn by Hilton Carefreecarefree.hamptonbyhilton.com 2 Easy St, Carefree 4 80 - 476 -9200Prickly Pear Inn6200 E Cave creek Rd, Cave Creek 4 80 - 4 88 -2616pricklypearinnaz.comSpirit in the Desert7415 E Elbow Bend Rd, Carefree 480-488-5218spiritinthedesert.org Villas of Cave Creek38001 N School House Rd, Cave Creek 480-595-1200villasofcavecreek.com Escape to spectacular views of the Sonoran Desert and Continental Mountains, colorful native wildflowers, towering Saguaro, and the humble cacti of Tonto National Forest. Truly unique among our city neighbors, Carefree and Cave Creek invite you to enjoy the historic Southwest at its finest. Select from luxury resort rooms, residential-style Villas, private casitas, hotels, condominiums, or cozy bed andbreakfast accommodations. This amazing destination is a haven foroutdoor lovers – boasting first-class amenities.Photos courtesy of (1) CIVANA Resort, Spa & Sanctuary,(2) Prickly Pear Inn, (3) Boulders Resort & Spa,(4) Sue Bickerdyke Interiors, (5) Gift Gal and(6) Stefan Mann.
Become a VolunteerAmong the many things that make our community a vibrant place tobe and a unique place to live is the spirit of volunteerism that unitesus all. Abundant opportunities exist for getting involved and givingyour time and talents to our great community organizations thatdepend on volunteers to operate.COMMUNITY SERVICECarefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce is always looking for menand women to volunteer as a Chamber Ambassador. The Chamber is involvedin many unique events throughout the year and will be looking for great menand women who would like volunteer and be part of the many festivals thathappen in our community. If you have a love for our community and meetingnew people, we need you!Foothills Caring Corps is a program that provides services to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities to maintain their independence by delivering meals and providing transportation to doctor’s appointments, the grocery store and to cultural events. Foothills Food Bank, Domestic Violence education and assistance, and The Holiday Project are other programs that depend on volunteers to reach out to those in need.CULTURAL PROGRAMSThe Holland Center facilitates many community projects that enhance thequality of life for our neighborhoods and provide service options for volunteers: the Desert Foothills Theater, Cave Creek Christmas Pageant,Foothills Film Society, and many other events.The Desert Foothills Library and the Cave Creek Museum could not operate without the generosity of volunteers who assist visitors, update exhibits, staff the circulation desk, shelve books, and keep the doors open to share resources with the community. Artists or art lovers may volunteer with the Sonoran Arts League to plan the annual Hidden in the Hills Art Tour and other art shows. The Arizona Musicfest organization welcomes volunteers to plan and support the Annual Festival of Music, special signature events and music programs for youth.ENVIRONMENT/WILDLIFE16 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation, Spur Cross Ranch ConservationArea, Desert Awareness Committee and Desert Foothills Land Trustoffer volunteers a chance to connect with others who share concerns aboutpreserving our wildlife and environment. Foothills Animal Rescue, TierraMadre Horse Sanctuary, and Wild at Heart are additional communityorganizations that can satisfy your need to volunteer with birds, includingbirds of prey, horses, dogs, cats and other animals.A comprehensive list of community organizations and contact information can be found in the Community Calendar on the Chamber website at www.carefreecavecreek.org.
18 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Athens on Easy St | 480-618-0014athensoneasy.com7 E Sundial Circle, #4, Carefree | GreekArizona Restaurant Company | 720 281-3719 wocswendys.recruiting.com 4815 E Carefree Hwy, Cave Creek | Wendy's Fast FoodBlack Lion Cafe | 480-336-3410 black-lion-cafe.com 34250 N 60th St, Cave Creek | Breakfast, LunchBlack Mountain Coffee and Café | 480-488-9261 blackmountaincafe.net 7211 E Ho Rd, #23, Carefree | Breakfast, LunchCarefree Coffee Roastery | 480-595-5050 carefreecoffeeroastary.com 7171 E Cave Creek Rd, Carefree | Breakfast, LunchCarefree Spirits Distillery | 480-466-7424 carefree-spirits.com 6201 E Cave Creek Rd, #C, Cave Creek | Celestial Artisan Meads | 602-828-7247 celestialartisanmeadery.com 100 Easy St, #100, Carefree | Mead Brewery, CharcuterieConfluence | 480-488-9796 restaurantconfluence.com 36889 N Tom Darlington Rd, Carefree | New AmericanEl Encanto Restaurants | 480-488-1752 elencantorestaurants.com 6248 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek | MexicanFiliberto's Mexican Food | 480-488-3875 filibertos.com 31414 N Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek | MexicanFive Star Taco Grill | 480-488-7088 farebites.com/RestaurantMenu/Menu/64 4935 E Carefree Hwy, #105, Cave Creek | MexicanGiordano's Trattoria Romana Ristorante | 480-595-0233 giordanostrattoriaromana.com 7275 E Easy St, Carefree | ItalianHarold's Cave Creek Corral | 480-488-1906 haroldscorral.com 6895 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek | Casual AmericanHorny Toad Restaurant | 480-488-9542thehornytoad.com6738 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek | Casual AmericanIndian Village | 480-488-2827 indianvillageaz.com 6746 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek | Le Sans Souci | 480-488-2856 lesanssoucirestaurant.com 7030 E Bella Vista Dr, Cave Creek | French CuisineLiberty Station Terravita | 480-595-9930 libertystationtavern.com 34522 N Scottsdale Rd, #180, Scottsdale | Pizzicata Ristorante Pizzeria | 480-488-2848 pizzicatausa.com 7208 E Ho Rd #4, Carefree | Pizza, ItalianPomodoro Italian Grill & Seafood | 480-524-0989 pomodorousa.com 6710 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek | Roadhouse | 480-488-3300 hideawayroadhouse.com 6900 E Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek | Casual AmericanSesame Inn | 480-595-8888 sesameinncarefree.com 34482 N Scottsdale Rd, C-100, Scottsdale | Sticks Golf & Cigar Lounge | 480-575-0993 sticksgolf-cigarlounge.com 37555 E Hum Rd, Carefree | Cigars, Cocktail LoungeStumblina's Cantina | 480-687-9077 stumblinascantinaaz.com 6268 E Cave Creek Rd, Ste 1, Cave Creek | The City Creamery | 480-397-1130 citycreameryicecream.com 6268 E Cave Creek Rd, #8, Cave Creek | Ice CreamThe Creek Patio Grill | 480-538-7910 thecreekpatiogrill.com 28244 N Tatum Blvd, Cave Creek | The Grotto Cafe | 480-499-0140 thegrottocafe.com 6501 E Cave Creek Rd, #8, Cave Creek | The Honey Baked Ham Company | 480-581-4440 honeybaked.com 4705 E Carefree Hwy #111, Cave Creek | Tonto Bar & Grill | 480-488-0698 tontobarandgrill.com 5736 E Rancho Manana Blvd, Cave Creek | Tox Bar, LLC | 480-590-6102 toxbarmedspa.com 100 Easy St, Carefree | Speakeasy, ItalianVenues Café | 480-595-9909 venuescafe.com 34 Easy St, Carefree | Bistro, Wine Bar, SouthwesternMexican, Fry BreadAmerican, BBQChinese, AsianSteaks, Seafood, PastaAmerican, Seafood, SteakWestern-style CuisineHam, Turkey, SandwichesAmerican, SouthwesternBreakfast, Lunch, AmericanDining and Sweet Treats
This community is known for its academic excellence through public, private and charter schools. There are many choices for your family.Cave Creek’s Unified School District’s first school dates to the late 1800s and was located on School House Road. The little, white-painted schoolhouse served students for many years until it was expanded into a new four-room school in the 1950s. The newly expanded school included a corral for the students’ horses and a room designated as the Cave Creek Library. Today’s schools look quite different from the old schoolhouse but still strive to provide the quality education and neighborhood school atmosphere that has served our community for more than 100 years.The Cave Creek Unified School District is composed of five elementary schools, one middle school, a high school, Fine Arts Center, and District Offices. The serene, rural atmosphere provides high-quality educationalexperiences to all students with personalized attention designed to develop the potential of each student. The Arizona Department of Education has ranked several CCUSD schools as “A” schools, with the highest achievement grade possible. Not only do students enjoy outstanding academic experiences, but they also can participate in award-winning sports, fine arts, and extracurricular programs.The tradition of academic excellence is maintained by our local charter and private schools. These schools provide another excellent choice for quality education where children are encouraged to develop at their own pace in a nurturing environment supported by a team of dedicated teachers. Superior programs, smaller class sizes, and innovative curricula enhance children's emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development and provide the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Smaller campuses allow students to thrive academically while enjoying a safe learning environment that is second to none.Paradise Valley Community College at Black Mountain, a part of the Maricopa Community College system, is located just off Carefree Highway and 60th Street. PVCC offers courses that transfer to major universities. Some of the 100 credit and transferable classes offered at this campus include art, astronomy, math, science labs, fire science, and more.Education22 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965PUBLIC SCHOOLSCave Creek Unified School District Offices ..................480-575-2000Cactus Shadows Fine Arts Center .................................480-575-2039Black Mountain Elementary School ............................480-575-2100Desert Sun Academy ........................................................480-575-2900Desert Willow Elementary School ...................................................480-575-2800 Horseshoe Trails Elementary School ............................................480-272-8500 Lone Mountain Elementary School ...............................480-437-3000Sonoran Trails Middle School .................................................................................480-272-8600 Cactus Shadows High School .................................................................................480-575-2400PRESCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS Annunciation Catholic School .........................................480-361-8234 Carefree Christian Academy ............................................480-553-0856ECS Child’s Play Preschool...............................................480-575-2440Our Lady of Joy Preschool ...............................................480-448-2229 Quality Interactive Montessori School ........................480-595-5280COLLEGE / CONTINUING EDUCATIONParadise Valley Community College – Black Mountain Campus .............................................602-493-2600Photo courtesy of Cave Creek Unified School District.
UtilitiesResidential utilities within the Town of Cave Creek are supplied by a number of private and public entities. We have provided currentcontact information for those utilities below.ElectricElectric service is provided by Arizona Public Service (APS).Customer care center: phone 602-371-7171 or phone 800-253-940GasNatural gas service is supplied by Southwest GasCustomer assistance: phone 877-860-6020If you have an emergency or safety related issue, call phone 602-271-4277 or phone 800-528-4277WaterWater service is provided by the Town of Cave Creek to most residences and businesses in the Town. The Town also owns and managesthe Desert Hills Water System. If you are uncertain whether your residence is connected to the Town’s water system, please contact theTown’s Utility Department at phone 480-488-6620.Cave Creek Service Area:Start or stop water service: phone: 480-488-6620Report a water leak during regular business hours (7:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Thursday), call phone 480-488-6620Billing questions: phone: 480-488-6620After hours or weekend emergency water repairs: phone: 602-667-4574Desert Hills Service Area:Start or stop water service: phone: 480-488-6620Billing questions: phone: 480-488-6620After hours or weekend emergency water repairs: phone: 602-667-4574Sewer Sewer service is provided by the Town of Cave Creek to residences and businesses in the core portion of the Town. If you are uncertainwhether your residence is connected to the Town’s sewer system, please contact the Town’s utility department at phone 480-488-6620.GarbageGarbage pick-up is provided by several companies, so residents need to contact their chosen service provider to establish service or forservice questions.Area Disposal: phone: 480-515-4300Republic / Allied Services: phone: 602-237-2078Waste Management: Customer service phone: 602-268-2222RecyclingSeveral of the waste pickup providers listed above offer curbside recycling. The Maricopa County Transfer Station located at 3955 E.Carefree Hwy also accepts specific categories of items for recycling. Fees may apply.Telephone - Land Line Provider for this areaPlease call CenturyLink Arizona for Plans & Pricing at phone 877-510-3957. Additional information may also be obtained by visiting theCentury Link website.
PARKSCave Creek Regional Park.................................................602-506-2930 Desert Awareness Park .....................................................480-488-1400 Spur Cross Ranch.................................................................602-506-2930 Tonto National Forest Ranger .........................................602-225-5200MAJOR MEDICALAbrazo Cave Creek Hospital ............................................602-824-3900 5227 E Carefree Hwy, Cave Creek, AZ 85331HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center....................623-879-610019829 N 27th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85027HonorHealth Sonoran Health and Emergency Center ......................................................623-683-5000 33423 N 32nd Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85085Mayo Clinic ..........................................................................480-301-8000 13400 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85259Mayo Clinic Hospital ..........................................................480-342-2000 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054Abrazo Scottsdale Campus ...............................................602-923-5000 3929 E Bell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85032HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center ....................................................................480-324-7000 7400 E Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255SCHOOLSCave Creek Unified ................................................................,,,,..............480-575-2000 Paradise Valley College .....................................................,,,,.................602-787-6700LIBRARIESDesert Broom Library .......................................................,...602-262-4636 Desert Foothills Library...........................................,..............480-488-2286POST OFFICESGASSouthwest Gas ......................................................................877-860-6020PHONECox.............................................................................................623-594-1000 Qwest .......................................................................................800-244-1111TRASHAllied/ Republic Waste.............................................................602-237-2078 Curbside .......................................................................................602-225-0020 Waste Management .................................................................602-268-2222 Area Disposal .............................................................................480-515-4300 Cave Creek Waste Transfer Station ......................................602-722-1908WATER / SEWERCave Creek Utility Department..........................................480-488-6620Carefree Water .......................................................................480-48-9100Liberty Utilities .....................................................................844-367-2030COMMUNITY ASSISTANCEAnimal Control .......................................................................602-506-7387Foothills Caring Corps ..........................................................480-488-1105 Foothills Food Bank .............................................................480-488-1145 ELECTRICArizona Public Service ........................................................602-371-7171Carefree ........................................................................480-488-3781 Cave Creek ..................................................................480-595-9598Town of Carefree ...............................................................480-488-36868 Sundial Circle, Carefree, AZ 85377Town of Cave Creek ............................................................480-488-1400 37622 N Cave Creek Rd, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce ............480-488-3381 748 Easy St, PO Box 734, Carefree, AZ 85377 Arizona State Legislature: House of Representatives ............................................602-926-5998State Senate ..................................................................602-926-3559State Government .........................................................602-542-4331U.S. Congress .................................................................202-224-3121Cave Creek Fire Station #1 .................................................623-465-7400 Call 911 for EmergenciesCave Creek Fire + Medical Services ................................480-437-3583 Call 911 for EmergenciesCarefree Fire Station 821 .....................................................480-627-622Maricopa County Sheriff .....................................................602-876-1742Cave Creek Marshal ............................................................480-488-6636Meals on Wheels Community Loan ClosetMotor Vehicle Department ..............................................602-255-0072Poison Control Center .......................................................800-222-1222Salvation Army ....................................................................480-565-8535 Social Security .....................................................................800-772-1213 St. Vincent de Paul Society ..............................................602-261-6886 Voter Registration ..............................................................602-506-1511Services and OrganizationsGOVERNMENT AND LOCAL SERVICES: NON-EMERGENCY24 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965
Housing | Population268 | WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965Greetings from the Town of Carefree!John CraneMayor of Carefree8 Sundial Circle | PO Box 740 | Carefree, Arizona 85377 (o) 480-488-3686 | (f) 480-488-3845 carefree.orgAs the Mayor of our beautiful Carefree community, it is my pleasure tointroduce and invite you to explore the Town's remarkable offerings.Our vibrant town boasts a unique blend of natural beauty, rich heritage, and a thriving business community. The Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce is a fantastic partner. They play a vital role in supporting and promoting local businesses, ensuring a robust economy, and fostering a strong sense of community.The Chamber of Commerce serves as a dynamic platform that connects businesses, residents, and visitors, facilitating collaboration and creating opportunities for growth and prosperity. Through its extensive network of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and community advocates, the Chamber of Commerce offers invaluable resources and support to its members.I am proud to be part of a community that values collaboration, entrepreneurship, and the spirit of togetherness. As the Mayor of Carefree, I am committed to working with local businesses and our residents to ensure our town continues to thrive and flourish.Together, we will shape a prosperous future for Carefree. I look forward to witnessing the great things we will achieve together. Come Enjoy Carefree!Warmest regards,3.0%sales tax8.85square miles3,687population99.9%high school grads$117,813median household income$805,900single family homes, condos,patio homes or townhomes6.3%county and state tax59.7%college grads2,402foot elevation66.7median ageTAXES:BY THE NUMBERS:ADULT EDUCATION LEVEL:MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME:COST OF HOUSING – MEDIAN VALUE:Photo courtesy of CarefreeStatistics from Census Reporter 2021 and United States Census 2021, 2022.
BUILDING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY SINCE 1965 WWW.CAREFREECAVECREEK.ORG | 297Warm regards,Robert MorrisMayor of Cave CreekWelcome to Cave Creek!37622 North Cave Creek Road | Cave Creek, Arizona 85331(o) 480-488-1400 | (f) 480-488-2263cavecreekaz.govSuccess for the Town of Cave Creek and its cherished businessesrequires teamwork. I pledge my efforts and collaboration in thatspirit of teamwork.On behalf of the Town of Cave Creek, it is my great pleasure toextend a warm welcome to the Carefree Cave Creek Chamber ofCommerce. As the Mayor of our vibrant town, I take immense pridein our local businesses and the vital role they play in drivingeconomic prosperity and creating employment opportunitiesfor our community.Our business's involvement with the Chamber strengthens both thebusiness and benefits our residents. An organized and focused voiceis critical to help guide our community's future and preserve theSonoran Desert lifestyle which has made our community a notedplace to live, shop and vacation.3.0%sales tax37.71square miles5,135population98.9%high school grads$91,463$582,200single family homes, condos,patio homes or townhomes6.3%county and state tax2,395foot elevation55.3median age40.28%college gradsmedian household incomeTAXES:BY THE NUMBERS:ADULT EDUCATION LEVEL:MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME:COST OF HOUSING – MEDIAN VALUE:For additional information on employment and wages please refer to theArizona Department of Commerce website at www.azcommerce.com.Photo courtesy of MacDonald's Ranch.