Open Space is a very important part of the Cave Creek area as more than 6,000 acres has been protected as open space in the town. The residents voted to tax themselves to pay for the more than 2,000 acre Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area and then the town government worked for years to add another 4,000 acres of prime Sonoran Desert habitat with much of the land adjacent to the Cave Creek Regional Park and the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area.
As part of Maricopa County’s Regional Parks System, the Spur Cross Conservation Area encompasses 2,154 acres of diverse, rugged upper Sonoran Desert. The Cave Creek wash often flows during the winter months and the area contains numerous archaeology sites. Remnants of early mining and ranching, from which the park gets its name, are still apparent in the park. The area is an incredible habitat for desert wildlife.
Gateway Desert Awareness Park, located just off of Cave Creek Road, on Vermeersch Road in Cave Creek has two nature trails that wind through the park to help view the large variety of desert plants and wildlife. Several types of playground equipment can provide entertainment for children if the natural desert isn’t enough on its own. There are also Ramadas, a Desert Heritage Center, Vista Amphitheater which provides space for occasional community events.