Spur Cross Ranch

A loop through upper Sonoran Desert along Cave Creek, which flows through the winter, in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area north of the town of Cave Creek.

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area protects 2,154 acres north of the town of Cave Creek, along the creek of the same name, which flows through the winter. This loop pairs the Spur Cross and Tortuga trails through the hills, past leftovers of the mining and ranching that gave the area its name. The county calls it a must-see in spring wildflower season.

Parking

No parking details yet.

Trailhead: Spur Cross Trailhead (44000 N. Spur Cross Rd.).

Fee

$5/person

Under 15 free; Cave Creek residents exempt. Exact cash in the envelope at the entry station, or an annual pass.

Dogs

Dogs on leash

Shade

Not confirmed yet

Hazards

• No specific hazards recorded beyond desert heat.

Best months

1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D

October to April, when the average high in Phoenix is under 90°F.

Trail map

Spur Cross park map · Maricopa County Parks (PDF)

Sources

8 sources · last verified Sep 24, 2026. Report a change

Photo: BowenLarsen · CC BY-SA 4.0

Where each fact comes from

• Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area map — Maricopa County Parks (PDF) checked 2026-09-27
• Trails — Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Maricopa County Parks checked 2026-09-24
• Park Fees — Maricopa County Parks and Recreation checked 2026-09-24
• Park Rules — Maricopa County Parks checked 2026-09-24
• Spur Cross Trailhead (signpost) — OpenStreetMap checked 2026-09-24
• Loop: the Spur Cross and Tortuga trails in the county trail table join to form a loop from the trailhead checked 2026-09-24
• Best months: normal high under 90°F, Phoenix Sky Harbor 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI) checked 2026-09-24
• Spur Cross Ranch — Maricopa County Parks checked 2026-10-02