Jewel of the Creek
This 27-acre preserve is a desert oasis filled with towering cottonwood and willow trees along Cave Creek, at the northern edge of the Town of Cave Creek and bordering the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area. The property holds 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 and migratory birds in midst of a great desert riparian habitat. There are 2 loop trails that go through the preserve. The south loop accesses Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area at the south end of Dragonfly Trail.
Site Information
Region: Phoenix and Central
County: Maricopa
Directions: From the Loop-101, take the Cave Creek Road exit. Head north on Cave Creek Road for just over 12 miles. On the north side of Cave Creek Road is Spur Cross Road. Take Spur Cross Road 4 miles north to the small parking area of Jewel of the Creek Preserve. Jewel of the Creek Preserve is noticeable as you are pulling up, as large cottonwoods come into view. The parking area will be on the west side of Spur Cross Road.
Latitude: 33.884182
Longitude: -111.954997
Operational Hours: Open all year, dawn til dusk
Admission or Fees: None
Habitats: Desert, Stream or river
Know Before You Go
Safety First! Arizona has many beautiful places to explore and we’d like to help you make it a safe and enjoyable experience. Check out our recommendations for hiking precautions.
Species Highlights
Speciality: Abert’s Towhee, Canyon Wren, Lucy’s Warbler
Charismatic: Cactus Wren, Gambel’s Quail, Lesser Goldfinch, Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Contact Information
Desert Foothills Land Trust
P.O. Box 4861
Cave Creek, AZ 85327
Phone: 480-488-6131
Website: https://www.dflt.org/
Email: info@dflt.org
Additional Resources
Learn more about birds reported at this location at eBird:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L589332
