Cave Creek Mountain Biking: A Complete Guide to the Trails
Cave Creek may not be the first name that comes up when you talk about the mountain biking around Phoenix, but I recently pedaled around this trail network and I was pleasantly surprised.
The trails may not be smooth, buff, and mountain bike-tailored like Hawes or fast and flowy like Brown’s Ranch, but they are beautiful and offer more of a backcountry experience (which I love!).
As always, though, it’s important to know what you’re getting into, though, so in this post I’ve put together all the info and tips you need for a great day of Cave Creek mountain biking.
Where is Cave Creek?
Cave Creek Regional Park is located north of Phoenix in the town of Cave Creek.
Unlike the rest of sprawling Phoenix, Cave Creek actually feels like you’ve left the city and entered a different town. It’s cute, it’s artsy, and it kind of feels like the Wild West (in a very chic, upscale way).
I wish I’d had more time to explore the main street and shops, but we did stop for an ice cream post-ride at The City Creamery, which I highly recommend!
Where to park
We parked at Flat Tire Bike Shop (great bike shop if you need anything!) in Cave Creek. This is a good place to start if you want to do the big loop through Cave Creek Regional Park that I recommend below.
If you want to do the shorter loop that I recommend below, you can park at the Nature Center.
Entrance fees
Like all of the Maricopa Parks around Phoenix, there is an entrance fee for Cave Cave.
- If you park at the Nature Center, the entrance fee is $7/person
- If you park at the bike shop or the Spur Cross Trailhead and/or enter through Spur Cross Conservation Area, the fee is $3/person (cash only)
Why mountain bike at Cave Creek?
As I mentioned in the intro, Cave Creek mountain biking is not as popular as some of the other trail networks around Phoenix.
However, it’s still good and if you enjoy a bit of old-school, backcountry riding, you’ll like it.
Here are a few reasons to head to Cave Creek for a day of riding:
Important things to know
Before you head off to Cave Creek, here are a few important things to know about mountain biking there:
- Fees are required. See above and please pay them.
- This is a popular place with hikers and equestrians. Stay in control, slow down, and say hi.
- Spur Cross is a commitment. I really like the Spur Cross trail, but if you plan on riding it as a loop, be prepared for a 20+ mile day (you can do it as an out-and-back, too).
- There is no water. Bring at least 2-3L.
- This is not ‘new-school’ riding. The trails can be loose, rocky, and rough at times. Swear words may come out.
Best Trails to Ride
There honestly aren’t a ton of trails around Cave Creek, but the ones that are there definitely vary on the fun factor. Here’s what I recommend sticking to:
Beginner
Cave Creek is not a great place for beginners. Head over to the nearby Phoenix Sonoran Preserve for more beginner-friendly trails.
Intermediate
- Spur Cross – I climbed up Spur Cross and really enjoyed it. You could do it as an out-and-back or make it part of a bigger loop. Some stretches are very loose and kind of steep, so some riders may need to walk.
- Overton – a really fun descent! Watch out for hikers.
- Slate – Routed through some interesting patches and slabs of slate. It’s pretty cool, although parts of the trail are a bit of a grind.
Advanced
- Go John Loop – this is a ‘soft’ black, but there are some steep and rocky sections that may be a hike-a-bike for some. It makes for a good loop or you can cobble parts of it together with adjoining trails (like a descent down Overton!). Ride it CCW.
Just looking for the best of the best mountain bike trails? Here are my top singletrack trail recommendations around Phoenix.
Route Recommendations
Alright, let’s dive into the fun part! Here are two route recommendations I have for Cave Creek mountain biking.
Go John Loop
This loop is a good loop that has a little bit of everything from techy climbs to fun descents. The east side of the Go John Loop is more technical than the west and some riders may need to walk sections. See below for how to make it a bit easier.
Note: Overton Trail can get very busy on weekends with hikers and equestrians. Please check your speed and yield to other trail users.
Ride it for:
- Fun descent on Overton
- Unique terrain on Slate Trail
Need to know:
- Please be respectful to other trail users
- Some technical rock gardens on Go John may need to be walked
Route directions: Cave Creek Parking (this is different than what is shown on the map) > Slate > Military Trail > Flat Rock Trail > Quartz > Go John
Make it easier: There’s no way to really make the climb on Go John easier on the east side, but you can opt to take the descent down Overton on the west side. This is a fun trail, but it does get busy on weekends.
Cave Creek Mountain Biking Classic Route
This is a classic ride in Cave Creek. It mostly follows the annual Cave Creek Cactus Classic (C4) race route.
It’s a big ride – over 20 miles – but I found that the miles ticked by relatively quickly. There are some steep, loose climbs and some chunky descents, but overall I really enjoyed it. It’s a rugged, backcountry ride if you’re into that kind of thing!
Ride it for:
- Backcountry feel on Spur Cross
- Fun descent on Overton
- Unique terrain on Slate Trail
Need to know:
- This is a big ride, be prepared
- Skip the black section of Town Trail – it’s not worth it
- GPS navigation is a must
- $3 trail fee (cash only) to enter Spur Cross Conservation Area
- Once you’re committed, you’re committed
Route directions: Flat Tire Bike Shop parking > Cave Creek Town Trail (skip the black section) > Spur Cross Trail > C4 Reroute (not very fun…) > Go John > Overton > Slate > North Rancho Manana Blvd > Conestoga > N. Cave Creek Rd.
Make it easier: If you’re not up for a big loop, you can do Spur Cross Trail as an out-and-back.
What to wear & pack
Mountain biking at Cave Creek is mostly cross-country with a little bit of tech if you do the full Go John Loop.
Be sure to have your mountain bike pack essentials, appropriate riding clothes for the weather/temps, and plenty of water if you plan on doing the Classic loop I recommend above. (There is no place to fill up along the route).
If you’re new to mountain biking or want some gear suggestions, check out these posts:
Looking for a new hydration pack?
Carry all your tools, water, and snacks for your ride. I know there are three camps when it comes to mountain bikers: the hydration backpackers, the hip packers, and the water bottlers.
I fall firmly in the hydration backpack club for a few reasons. I drink a lot of water, I eat a lot of snacks, and I like to be prepared with all the tools and spares I might need (especially when mountain biking alone).
The Osprey Raven (Raptor for the guys) is my favorite pack that I’ve tried. It has a ton of organization including its own tool roll, it’s comfortable, and it can carry a 3L water reservoir.
Camping at Cave Creek Regional Park
If you’re looking for a place to camp, there is a nice campground at Cave Creek that provides easy access to the trails.
It has bathrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, fire rings, and potable water. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during the peak winter months.
Ready to head out and explore the trails at Cave Creek? I hope this post gives you all the info to choose the best trails and routes for your ride.
I really enjoyed my time at Cave Creek. Even though the trails aren’t ‘the best’ or curated for mountain bikers, the park is beautiful and has an awesome backcountry feel, especially if you ride Spur Cross Trail.
Enjoy!
Read next
Looking for some great riding around Phoenix? Check out these other mountain bike networks to explore:
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Have you done an mountain biking at Cave Creek? What’s your favorite route or trails to ride? What questions do you still have? Leave a comment below!
Thank you so much for all the great info! Your guides are so well done! See you on the trail!
So glad you find them helpful! Have fun out there 🙂