Resident Passes
All residents within the Town limits of Cave Creek are eligible for an annual pass to Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area in northern Cave Creek. This pass will allow the holder to access the Conservation Area without paying the usual $3.00 entry fee.
The RESIDENT fee for the pass is $1 per year and passes may be purchased in 1, 5, or 10 year increments. Do you live within the residential boundaries of Cave Creek? Watch this video to see.
Please call or email Roxie Slade with questions. Passes require a photo to be taken at the time of issue. This service is available Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Town Hall, 37622 N Cave Creek Road, Cave Creek, Arizona 85331.
About Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area
On January 9, 2001, then-Arizona Governor Jane Hull, Maricopa County Supervisor Jan Brewer and Mayor Vincent Francia of the Town of Cave Creek signed documents that ensured the conservation of the 2,154-acre Spur Cross Ranch, designating the land as a limited-use public recreation and conservation area. The park has shared ownership between the town, the state, and Maricopa County. Maricopa County Parks Department operates and maintains the conservation area. The multi-use area features hiking, biking, and horseback riding on eight trails, as well as a segment of the 315-mile Maricopa Trail.
The conservation area holds deep historical significance, with nearly 90 documented archaeological sites that reflect use by the Hohokam people between approximately A.D. 500 and 1250. Petroglyphs attributed to the Hohokam are scattered throughout the landscape, offering lasting evidence of their presence. In later centuries, the Apache and Yavapai peoples traveled through the area as part of seasonal movements and trade routes.
Beginning in the late 1800s, prospectors and miners arrived in search of gold and other minerals. Several historic mines remain within the conservation area, including the Maricopa, Phoenix, Mashackety, and Catherine mines, marking an era of exploration and settlement.
In 1928, the land entered a new chapter with the establishment of the Spur Cross Guest Ranch. Over the decades, the ranch passed through a series of owners who adapted the land to reflect changing times, from a working cattle ranch to a destination for visitors seeking an authentic western experience. This guest ranch era represents an important transition from resource extraction to recreation, helping preserve the area’s natural and cultural character while welcoming guests to experience its rugged beauty.
