Cool Canine Adventures in Cave Creek, Arizona
- Luie Boone
- Nov 1
- 9 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fourth blog series, Hounds Honored.
Cave Creek, Arizona is where the wild west lives! And Luie Boone knows a whole lot about the wild west... well, mostly from the old western movies that his hooman father always watches. There are horses, cowboys, and a bunch of yee-hawing. Cave Creek fits right into that description. Back in 1870, the town was settled in by soldiers on horseback! These soldiers rode in from Fort McDowell—a fort established by California Volunteers to protect others from the Apache. Three years later, in 1873, a group of prospectors would ride in from the Bradshaw Mountains and find gold in the town. Luie Boone doesn't know a whole lot about gold, just that it's shiny and worth a bunch of moola. When he's vacationing in Cave Creek, he's going to put his sniffer to good use and try to sniff out some gold for his hoomans. They can use it to bedazzle his collar.
His hoomans say that Cave Creek, Arizona, offers a delightful desert escape for dog lovers seeking adventure and relaxation. The town is nestled in the Sonoran Desert—the third-largest desert in North America. It covers approximately 100,000 square miles, has a very unique ecosystem, and has two rainy seasons. Of what Luie Boone knows about deserts, he's pretty sure rain is not supposed to be happening in them. He'll have to ask his hoomans if they'll be vacationing there during one of those rainy seasons. Unlike his kitty brother, Tobi, he doesn't go skedaddling for cover when he starts to rain. Luie Boone actually quite enjoys it! It sure does make him stinky, though, which his hoomans are never impressed by. They'll just have to deal with it, especially if they want to go searching for the saguaro cactus. The saguaro cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert, and it can grow over 40 feet tall! That's like eight of his hooman sister, Rachel, stacked on top of each other.
The town of Cave Creek is charming, offering a variety of dog-friendly attractions, dining options, and outdoor experiences. For outdoor enthusiasts, the trails are an absolute must! The Blue Wash Trail to Camp Creek Falls is a popular one. It's an almost 3-mile, out-and-back trail located in the Tonto National Forest. It winds through sandy terrain and gentle inclines, taking you past unique rock formations. The reward? A stunning waterfall! Please note that the falls are seasonal, so a hike on this trail would be best enjoyed after a heavy rainfall. Another great trail system to visit is located within the Spur Cross Ranch Conversation Area. This conservation offers over 2,000 acres of open, desert space and an extensive network of trails. There are many desert plants and gorgeous scenic views to take in.
When it’s time to refuel, Cave Creek has a vibrant dog-friendly dining scene. The Grotto Cafe is one local gem. This cafe offers lush garden seating for hoomans and their pups, and it serves both breakfast and lunch. Luie Boone sure hopes that one of his hoomans get him a banana or some fruit. Another great spot is the Creek Patio Grill, which welcomes pets at its outdoor tables. They offer a full menu, including brick-oven pizzas, burgers, steak, seafood, pasta, and more. Luie Boone reckons his hooman dad should order a steak, so he can nibble on the bone afterwards. If you're searching for more authentic Mexican flavors, Ofrenda features a dog-friendly outdoor patio, where pooches can watch their hoomans savor tacos, enchiladas, and more! Luie Boone will be sure to enact the cheese tax.
Cave Creek also offers a variety of dog-friendly lodging options that make traveling with your furry friend stress-free. From cozy casitas tucked into the desert to charming vacation rentals with fenced-in yards, there’s a comfortable stay for every kind of traveler! Many of these accommodations welcome in dogs of all sizes and offer thoughtful amenities—such as pet beds, outdoor patios, and easy access to nearby trails. Always be sure to double-check pet policies when booking your stay, as these policies are subject to change. Luie Boone will woof more about the rental that his hoomans scoped out, Horsey Hideaway, later on in this post. Just know that his horsey friend will be tagging along for the trip.
With its mix of outdoor adventure, small-town charm, and pet-friendly amenities, this desert town ensures both hoomans and their pooches have an unforgettable getaway.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Cave Creek, Arizona. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Horsey Hideaway
This rental has 3 bedrooms with 5 beds and 2 bathrooms.
Photos courtesy of Evolve
It features the following amenities:
Private pool (depth 3'-10') with diving board
Covered patio with flat-screen TV
Grilling station with mini refrigerator
Gas fire pit
Fenced-in backyard
On-site horse stable with riding arena
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
If there's anyone more excited than me to stay at Horsey Hideaway in Cave Creek, Arizona, it'd be my brand-new horse stuffy named Checkers. He's covered in soft, checkered patterns and packed with personality. We are so excited to go on vacation together. From what I've heard about the place, there's a big, fenced-in yard, where I can run free. There's also a sparkling pool to cool off by. And, best of all, there's an on-site stable and riding arena with real-life horses! After chilling in the hammock together and stealing marshmallows at the fire pit from my hooman sister Brooke (she's too slow), I am going to introduce Checkers to some real-life horses. We promise to be polite. I might ask one of my hoomans to take Checkers with them on a horseback ride. Checkers would definitely enjoy it. Me, personally? I'm focused on the fiddles. I'll be helping my hooman dad man the grill. It always seems like something tasty accidentally (wink-wink) falls my way. Something tells me that Horsey Hideaway is going to be a place full of tail wags, happy hoomans, and unforgettable adventures with my buddy Checkers!
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing at Cave Creek, Arizona!
Tonto National Forest
The Tonto National Forest is over 2.8-million-acres of land—making it the ninth largest national forest in the United States. The Cave Creek Ranger district of it consists of about 570,000-acres of desert, semi-desert grassland, chaparral, and pinyon-juniper types of vegetation. Hiking with dogs is a common activity here. While hiking, Luie Boone recommends paying attention to how beautiful the land is, because a mining conglomerate is trying to acquire over 2,000 acres of it for copper mining.
Blue Wash Trail to Camp Creek Falls
Luie Boone barked a little about the Blue Wash Trail to Camp Creek Falls trail a little earlier. It is found in the Tonto National Forest. The 2.8-mile, out-and-back path features sandy walkways and a gentle incline, leading adventurers to a beautiful waterfall. It is recommended to keep your dog leashed (or have a near-perfect recall), as the trail is heavily trafficked by other hikers, dogs, and even horseback riders. Luie Boone will have to bring Checkers along then.
Jewel of the Creek
Jewel of the Creek is a 27-acre preserve. It's a desert oasis filled with towering cottonwood and willow trees, located along Cave Creek at the northern edge of the Town of Cave Creek. Your pooch will enjoy hanging out by one of the last remaining perennial streams in Maricopa County! The unusual year-round presence of water offers birders the chance to see the resident birds and migratory birds in the midst of a great desert riparian habitat. Please be aware of the caves that are blocked off and have signs indicated that they are dangerous to enter.
Elephant Mountain
At Elephant Mountain, there is a 6.6-mile, loop trail. This trail may be somewhat challenging, but it is very popular and dazzles with stunning desert views. It also has an archeological treasure—the remnants of a fortress built by an ancient Native American tribe! This tribe was the Hohokam, who lived in the area between 800 A.D. and 1400 A.D. The name Hohokam comes from the O’odham word “huhugam,” which means “the people who disappeared.” And, the Hohokam, in fact, did disappear, as they left the area by the middle of the 15th century!
Frontier Town
Step on into the quirky Old West at Frontier Town! Here, hoomans and their pups can experience unique shops, Western-themed restaurants, and fun attractions—such as the lively shoot-out show! The area features rustic metal art, locally made products, and a popular goat milk creamery. Luie Boone sure hopes that dogs can have a slurp of goat milk. There's a rotating stock in the shops, which means there's always something new to check out.
Skull Mesa
The trail to Skull Mesa passes through a beautiful riparian habitat—which are wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams—and then gently rolls through the desert, before ascending steeply to the summit. From the summit, you’ll have wide open mountain views that make you feel like you can see forever. Those with a keen eye can spot at least two crested saguaros! If you’re a fan of harder hikes, you and your doggo will love Skull Mesa. It’s beautiful, challenging, and doesn’t get as much traffic as other trails.
Black Mountain
Black Mountain is a popular, gorgeous mountain. Reaching the summit is easy, yet steep. From the parking area, it is just over one mile to the summit, bringing you up 1,200 feet. Luie Boone wonders how the mountain got its name. His hoomans told him that it's because the top of the mountain is tinted black! You can see the tinted black top when viewing from the east.
Local Jonny's Tavern & Café
Local Jonny's Tavern & Café is a hometown restaurant, which welcomes dogs at outdoor tables—as long as the weather is nice. For a burger or two, Luie Boone wouldn't mind getting drenched by the rain. This spot specializes in serving creative American breakfast and lunch, plus coffee drinks and craft beer. They do offer dog treats and water for your best bud. Luie Boone would much prefer a burger, thanks.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Cave Creek, Arizona
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
At first, I thought a vacation to Cave Creek, Arizona, sounded amazing. Sunshine! Cactus! Lizard chasing! Long walks in the desert breeze! But then, I overheard something that made my fur stand on end: The Sonoran Desert Toad. Apparently, this toad isn’t your average backyard hopper. It’s big, bumpy, and poisonous to dogs. One lick could make me really sick. I mean, I don’t usually go around licking frogs, but when someone says don't, suddenly it sounds super interesting. I learned that in Cave Creek, these toads like to hide any place where water collects after rain. So, if we’re wandering near a desert stream or checking out a shady pool, that’s where they might be lurking. Yikes! That’s a lot closer than I want. It’s hard for me to imagine a frog being dangerous because my hooman sister, Rachel, has a frog friend of her own. It's a stuffed one named Frog-o. She won him from a vending machine, and he just hangs out in Rachel’s egg chair. Soft, quiet, totally harmless, and always smiling. Frog-o has never, ever tried to hurt anyone. He’s the good kind of frog. You know, the kind of frog that makes you feel safe. Even with the thought of the Sonoran Desert Toad looming over my desert dreams, I’m still excited because Cave Creek sounds amazing. It's full of trails, open skies, and desert smells that I’ve never sniffed before!
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