desert mountiain · north scottsdale, ARIZONA
Your Guide to Living in Desert Mountain
Luxury at a scale nothing else in Scottsdale matches with 8,000 acres, seven golf courses, and a full club lifestyle behind the gates of far North Scottsdale.
~$2.275M
Median Sale Price
~$764
Price / Sq Ft
107
Avg. Days on Market
Buyer’s
market type
is this the place for you?
A private world, not just a neighborhood
Desert Mountain is luxury at a scale nothing else in Scottsdale matches. Spread across 8,000 acres at the base of Apache Peak in far North Scottsdale, this member-owned, guard-gated community is built around seven golf courses, seven clubhouses, ten restaurants, a resort spa, a tennis complex, and 20 miles of private trails. It’s less a neighborhood than a private world which is exactly why people choose it.
Begun in the mid-1980s by Lyle Anderson, it has grown into a collection of intimate villages with Sunrise as the first, joined over the years by Hacienda, Apache Cottages, Lookout Ridge, and the newest, the Village at Seven with architecture ranging from Tuscan-inspired villas to sleek contemporary estates. Homes run from lock-and-leave patio homes to custom hillside estates with sweeping mountain views.
It suits active, amenity-loving buyers, many of them seasonal or second-home owners, who want world-class golf, security, and a full club lifestyle behind the gates. If that’s the life you’re after, here’s what to know before you make a move.
PRICES BY PROPERTY TYPE
Lock-and-leave villas to hillside estates
Desert Mountain holds everything from lock-and-leave villas to hillside estates, and the village, view, and membership all shape the price.
| Property Type | Typical Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Patio homes & villas (lock-and-leave) | ~$1.2M – $3M | The entry point; ideal for seasonal and second-home owners |
| Single-Family & custom homes | ~$2M – $8M | The core of the market, across the established villages |
| Hillside custom estates | ~$8M – $20M | Elevated lots with the most dramatic views. The top of the market |
| New Construction (Village at Seven) | Homesite ~$2M – $5M | Modern lock-and-leave condos, villas, and custom homes around the newest course |
Tell me which village and home type fits your plans, and I’ll send you exactly what’s available.
Cost of Ownership
The club membership works differently here
Membership often comes with the home: Desert Mountain is a member-owned equity club with three tiers, Full Golf, Seven Golf, and Lifestyle, and, unlike clubs where membership is a separate purchase with a long waitlist (such as Silverleaf), an equity membership is included with many Desert Mountain home sales. It still requires club approval, and homes in the Village at Seven require membership. Because whether (and which) membership conveys materially affects value, I always confirm it on any home before you make an offer.
HOA: There’s a community association plus village-level sub-HOAs, covering the guard gates, security, and shared infrastructure. I’ll get you exact dues for any home.
Property taxes: Arizona property taxes are relatively low compared to much of the country which is meaningful even at these price points.
Short-term rentals: Generally restricted by the HOAs here; we’ll confirm the specifics if it matters to you.
Life Here
What people fall for
Seven golf courses
Six Jack Nicklaus Signature par-72 championship courses which has long been billed as the most at any single club in the world plus the newest, the USGA-rated par-54 No. 7 at Desert Mountain, each with its own character and clubhouse.
A full club lifestyle
Seven clubhouses and ten restaurants, the newly renovated Sonoran Spa and Fitness Center, and a tennis complex with both clay and hard courts.
The outdoors
Around 20 miles of private hiking and biking trails wind through 8,000 acres at the base of Apache Peak, with open desert and mountain views in every direction.
The villages
Intimate enclaves, Sunrise, Hacienda, Apache Cottages, Lookout Ridge, the Village at Seven, and more. Each with its own architecture and feel, from Tuscan villas to contemporary estates.
Security
One of the most genuinely secured gated communities in Scottsdale, with staffed guard gates rather than just an electronic entry.
Schools
Served by the Cave Creek Unified School District, with Carefree and Cave Creek just minutes away.
Commute & Travel
Getting around
Desert Mountain sits at the far northern edge of Scottsdale, so it trades distance for scale, privacy, and views.
| Destination | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|
| Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | ~45 min |
| Scottsdale Airport (private / general aviation) | ~25 min |
| Old Town Scottsdale | ~35 min |
| Downtown Phoenix | ~50 min |
| Carefree / Cave Creek | ~10 min |
Times vary with traffic and time of day. For Desert Mountain’s many seasonal owners and frequent travelers, Scottsdale Airport’s private and general aviation is the more convenient option.
Ready When You Are
Buying or selling – let’s talk
For Buyers
Desert Mountain is as much a club decision as a home decision including which village, which membership tier, and whether a membership conveys all shape your lifestyle and your costs. The scale is a real advantage, but it takes local knowledge to match you to the right village and read the membership picture correctly. I’ll help you do both.
Get first look ->For Sellers
Selling here means marketing both the home and its membership story to the right, often out-of-state or seasonal, buyer and pricing to your specific village and home type. With some segments (like patio homes) currently favoring buyers, sharp pricing and presentation matter more than ever.
What’s My Home Worth ->Good to know
Desert Mountain FAQs
What’s the price range in Desert Mountain?
It’s wide. Lock-and-leave patio homes and villas run from about $1.2M to $3M, single-family and custom homes are roughly $2M to $8M, and hillside custom estates climb from around $8M past $20M.
Does buying a home include club membership?
Often, yes unlike some clubs where membership is separate and waitlisted (such as Silverleaf), an equity membership is included with many Desert Mountain home sales, subject to club approval. There are three tiers (Full Golf, Seven Golf, Lifestyle), and homes in the Village at Seven require membership. I always confirm what conveys with a specific home.
How many golf courses does Desert Mountain have?
Seven total golf courses with six Jack Nicklaus Signature par-72 courses, long billed as the most at any single club in the world, plus the newer par-54 No. 7 at Desert Mountain. There are seven clubhouses and ten restaurants across the community.
Is Desert Mountain good for a second home?
Very much so. A large share of owners are seasonal, and the lock-and-leave patio homes and villas, plus the full club amenities and strong security, are built for exactly that.
How far is Desert Mountain from Sky Harbor?
About 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Scottsdale Airport, for private and general aviation, is closer at roughly 25 minutes.
Thinking about Desert Mountain?
Whether you’re buying here or selling a home you already own, let’s talk. I’ll give you a straight, no-pressure read on your options.
