United States
Arizona (AZ)
Central Arizona
Cave Creek
Things to Do in Cave Creek
Spur Cross Ranch
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Spur Cross Ranch

See all things to do
See all things to do
Spur Cross Ranch
5
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2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
145 reviews
Excellent
120
Very good
22
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
worms2u
Washington DC115 contributions
Nice location, easy walks
Feb 2020
Visited here after being disappointed by options for easy walks at Cave Creek part. This area was overall more attractive and had the option of an easy 1-2 hour walk along a well-maintained road/trail. Public parking is very limited (10 cars) but was not a problem on a nice sunny Thursday in lat Feb. Cars left at relatively frequent intervals.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dr Phil
14 contributions
Outstanding Hike in the Foothills
Mar 2020
I am relatively new to the Cave Creek area and my Son and his girlfriend came to visit for a long weekend. I had not been in SpurCross before as I have been too busy. Their visit was the excuse I needed to visit SpurCross and we had an amazing time in this vastly beautiful area. Trails range from easy to challenging but no matter where we went, the views were spectacular. SpurCross was well maintained and a real local treasure. This area is decidedly different from the Sonoran Desert and not to be missed. Entrance fee is $3, parking is ample and the experience is memorable.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tailor My Time AZ
Scottsdale, AZ20 contributions
Highly recommend
Jan 2020
Visiting Spur Cross Conservatory Ranch is a must do when visiting the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Cave Creek area. We hiked the Spur Cross Trail to Dragon Fly trail. There are other choices but we prefer a loop and needed to keep it around 6 miles. This is a relatively easy hike. Love that it is a smooth trail and you don't have to look down all the time to watch your step. The views are spectacular. There are parts of the trail that are so green and you can hear and see the streams of water you forget you are in Arizona. That is until you come across Sugauro after Sugauro. At times I felt like I was back east hiking Great Falls Park along side the Potomac River. The scent of the foliage was similar.
$3.00 per person to get in. Benches along the way to take a break or take it all in.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
retiredteacherAZ
Scottsdale, AZ329 contributions
Hike from Spur Cross tinto the forest to see Petroglyphs
Nov 2017 • Solo
I heard there were petroglyphs located in the Tonto Nat'l Forest, exactly 4 miles from where one pays to enter Spur Cross. I headed out there...walking on the Metate Trail until I came to the entrance into the forest. You hike up until you get to the corral ...then head turn right onto the trail marked (48 or 4).....this will lead you across the wash and after a mile you will come to a sign for the skull mesa trailhead. You now have hiked 2 miles so 2 more to go. You take the trail on the left at the sign and head out for 2 miles. You will come to a large gate and sign saying it is the ranch and private property. You are allowed to enter and the petroglyphs are about 200 yards further.....about a dozen boulders in all. Just amazing. Roundtrip, with about a 30 minute stay at the petroglyphs, should take you about 3 and a half hours. Be sure to bring enough water and snacks (I bring a 70oz camelback, two 20oz bottles of Propel, three tangerines, and two snack bars). Fantastic Hike!
Written November 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon F
Cave Creek, AZ9 contributions
quintessential desert experience
Jan 2019 • Friends
The trails vary from easy to difficult. You will feel far away from the Phoenix metropolitan area, even though it is only a 30-45 minute drive from most locations. The beautiful Jewel of the Creek walk takes you to running water most times of the year. For hikers new to the Valley, this is not to be missed and never overly crowded.
Written March 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brandasa
Centerville, OH1,364 contributions
Metate Trail!
Mar 2019 • Friends
Took the round trip trail with Metate up to Spur Cross. In hindsight, I wish I would have walked up Metate, then turned around and did it backwards. Metate had HUGE cacti, streams, and wildflowers. The Spur cross trail is a large wide trail that is not as interesting. If you want to hike among cactus this is the place to do it!
Written March 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff S
Saint Charles, IL41 contributions
Great place to see the desert
Mar 2019 • Friends
Have a look at the photos. They speak for themselves. Oops, I need at least 100 characters. Great cactus, nice creek (in season), cool cave, and a reasonable height mountain to climb without any particular preparation. A nominal $3 access fee has been added to ensure you have clean bathrooms. One of the most pleasant desert hike locations in the Phoenix area.
Written March 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Experience695
1 contribution
Beautiful hike
Mar 2019 • Friends
Spur Cross has the best hiking trails north of Phoenix. Loop trails that you can make as long or as short as you want. The diversity of the topography, botanical life, wildlife, and of course, the creek, make it very special
Written March 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kansascheryl
Wichita, KS14 contributions
Hiking Close to the city
Feb 2017 • Solo
Sometimes the hardest part of hiking is the drive to and from the hiking location. Spur Cross is close to Scottsdale and Cave Creek. A short drive, for a very remote feeling. 8 trails including easy, moderate and extremely difficult. The length of the trails are variable, but they cross each other and you can combine to make longer hikes. You are likely to see Native American artifacts and Cave Creek runs through the recreation area. Full moon guided hikes, nature guided hikes are available for a mere $3. Well worth the price and the drive to get your nature/hiking fix when you don't have the the time to drive for hours.
Written February 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeB1952
Santa Fe, NM1,072 contributions
Jewel of the Creek Preserve Hike
Oct 2021
About 45 minutes north of Phoenix is the Preserve/ Conservation Area. The trail starts out in the open with lots of different cactus types. It then drops down into a canyon with much more vegetation, some larger trees and water tinkling (not much, but enough to let the world know that there’s running water down there). And, it’s lots cooler below with trees, water and vegetation. There is evidence of flooding at some time in the past. As we walked, there would be a swarm of butterflies. Little yellow things fluttering here and there. They seemed to be getting some nectar from the shrubs. And a number of small frogs (like quarter size). They kept jumping away (an inch a jump). But fast enough that it was hard to photograph. And, there walking onto a rock was a lizard just posing for a photo. The lizard found a perch and stayed there for a bit (like probably only a few seconds). Then, the loop climbs out of the canyon back onto the desert where it’s dryer and fewer shrubs/trees and lots of different kinds of cactus. The total trail was about 2 to 3 miles. By the time we were walking back to the car, it was hot. Glad we began early.

A wonderful area. Can't wait to get back.
Written October 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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