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Cave Creek Regional Park
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My tail points to the Cave Creek Recreation Area on the map.
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From I-17, go east on Carefree Highway. Turn north (left) onto N. 32nd Street. Follow N 32nd Street into the park. Scroll down to "Directions" for more detailed information.
Pay the entrance fee at the booth located at the entrance to the park. Click the link under "resources" below for entrance fee information.
As in all regional parks, visitors are not permitted to remove anything from the park.
An early morning drive up I 17 from Phoenix often provides a colorful display of helium balloons. We counted over 10 balloons gloriously floating above the desert.
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Cave Creek Regional Park is located north of Phoenix in the upper Sonoran Desert. Elevation ranges from 2,000 ft to 3,060 ft.
Trails can be used for biking, hiking or horseback riding. Camping is allowed only in the campground.
The 4.8 mile Go John trail is the longest trail through the park.
Switchbacks provide gentle climbing while one gains elevation. The upper elevation of the Go John trail
provides sweeping views to the north and south.
We took this hike in May and it was over 80 degrees at 7 AM. There was also an abundance of insects. Fortunately, none of them were of a biting or stinging variety.
Still, it made it difficult to stop to take photos. Each time I stopped, I was immediately covered by swarms of gnat sized bugs.
REMEMBER BUG REPELLANT.
Insect activity depends upon time of year and time of day.
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Click photos for larger view.
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Go John Trail Above: Jumping Cholla cactus in foreground; Right: Trail wrapping around hillside.
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Go John Trail Incline
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Bouquet of flowers atop blooming Saguaro.
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Special Tips
Traveling with children, pets or special needs
Vista from top of hill on Go John Trail.
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 Accessibility
There are no roads through the park other than the one that enters and leads to the trail heads. A manual wheelchair could not manoever the steep, rocky trails. A motorized scooter or wheelchair with
larger tires could navigate the flatter areas. Horseback riding is available and might provide an appropriate alternative for those who cannot hike the trails. See resources below.
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 Traveling with children
The park is located close to Phoenix, so is very accessible (no long car ride if you are coming from Phoenix).
Horseback riding provides added entertainment and education for explorers of all ages. See "Resources" below. Public restrooms, a children's area and picnic
area are located in the trailhead area.
Children dehydrate more quickly than adults, so have plenty of water with you. Sunscreen and bug repellant are also important items.
As in any park, children must stay on the trail for their own safety as well as that of the environment.
Some of the trails are high on hillsides and there are no railings.
 Traveling with pets
Leashed pets are allowed on the trails. The leash should be no more than 6 feet in length.
Pets can dehydrate quickly; bring plenty of water and a bowl. Allow your pet to rest in shady areas as needed.
For your pet's safety, as well as the protection of the environment, keep your pet leashed. When a dog tangles with a cactus, the cactus always wins.
NEVER leave a pet unattended in a vehicle. ALWAYS clean up after your pet.
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Directions & Resources
From I-17, go east on Carefree Highway. Watch for the sign to Cave Creek Park (it is on the right side of the road).
Turn left just after the sign, onto North 32nd Street. Follow N 32nd into the park area. Turn left onto Oliveine Avenue to view the campground, or continue on to get to the trail areas.
N. 32nd Street turns into Cave Creek Parkway. The road ends at the horse staging area. Turn left just before the horse staging area, on Tonalite Drive, to get to the trail heads.
The Clay Mine trail leaves from the campground and joins up with the west loop of the Go John trail.
As in all regional parks, hiking IS NOT permitted beyond the park boundaries without a permit. Camping is allowed only in the campground.
Resources:
www.maricopa.gov Maricopa County: Cave Creek Recreation Area. Maps and information about park activities.
cavecreektrailrides.com Horseback riding rates, hours and other information.
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