GOLF COMMUNITY GUIDE
Desert Mountain
A private golf community on 8,300 acres of Sonoran Desert in North Scottsdale.
Desert Mountain is quieter than people expect. The roads climb gradually, the homes sit low against the desert, and by the time you reach the upper villages the city lights are a long way below you. I spent my working days here before I ever sold a home, and what stayed with me was the pace: early tee times, long lunches at the clubhouse, and neighbors who know each other by name.
At a glance
The golf
Seven courses: Apache, Chiricahua, Cochise, Geronimo, Outlaw, Renegade and No. 7. Six are Jack Nicklaus Signature courses, and one is a par-54 short course.
The club
Seven clubhouses, ten restaurants and grills, a fitness, spa and wellness center at the Sonoran Clubhouse, nine tennis courts, eight pickleball courts and 25 miles of private hiking trails.
The community
More than 5,000 residents across 35 villages, behind gated entries. Homes range from lock-and-leave condominiums to mountainside estates.
Figures as published by Desert Mountain Club, October 2026.
Where it is
Desert Mountain sits at the northern edge of Scottsdale, where the city gives way to the Tonto National Forest. Old Town Scottsdale is about 27 miles south, roughly 40 to 45 minutes by car. Scottsdale Airport is about 30 minutes away, and Phoenix Sky Harbor is about 45 to 50 minutes.
A look around
A few photos I have taken around Desert Mountain over the years, from bright winter mornings to the rare day it snows on the saguaros.
Photos by Abby Burton
Membership
Owning a home in Desert Mountain gives you the opportunity to apply for club membership. It is not automatic with a purchase, and the club offers several membership categories through its membership office.
Membership options, fees and waitlists change often. For the latest on membership options, fees and waitlists, contact Abby Burton.
Homes and prices
Desert Mountain is made up of dozens of villages, and each one lives a little differently. These are the ones I point buyers to first.
- Apache Cottages and Quail Ridge: single-family and patio homes for buyers who want the Desert Mountain lifestyle without a sprawling estate.
- Apache Peak, Painted Sky and Cintarosa: the highest elevations in the community, and where I would send anyone who is buying for the view.
- Seven: some of the newest homes in Desert Mountain, with condos and single-family homes along the par-3 course. It sits lower on the mountain, which means a quicker drive into town.
- Land and lots: homesites are still available for buyers who want to build a custom estate.
The market right now
Desert Mountain is a market where patience pays. Over the past twelve months, half of the homes that sold took about four months or longer to find their buyer, and most closed a little under asking. Here is where things stand.
86
Homes for sale
144
Sold, last 12 months
$2.7M
Median sold price
$707
Median price per sq ft
120
Median days on market
95%
Sold price to list price
How long homes took to sell
Under 30 days · 13%
31 to 60 days · 11%
61 to 90 days · 16%
91 to 120 days · 10%
More than 120 days · 49%
Price range
For sale now: $1,350,000 to roughly $18 million, with a median home of about 4,360 square feet.
Sold in the last 12 months: $1,020,000 to $12,100,000, with a median home of about 3,970 square feet.
Source: ARMLS via Flexmls, residential listings in Desert Mountain, 85262. Active figures as of October 11, 2026. Sold figures cover October 11, 2025 through October 11, 2026. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Questions buyers ask
Is membership included when you buy a home?
No. A home purchase gives you the opportunity to apply, and membership is arranged separately with the club.
Do you have to be a member to live in Desert Mountain?
No. You can own and live in Desert Mountain without joining the club. Without a membership, though, you cannot use the club amenities, including the Sonoran Clubhouse, dining, golf and the pools.
How far is Desert Mountain from Old Town Scottsdale and the airport?
Old Town Scottsdale is about 27 miles south, roughly a 40 to 45 minute drive. Scottsdale Airport is about 30 minutes away, and Phoenix Sky Harbor is about 45 to 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
What are the HOA fees?
HOA fees vary by village and property type. For current figures, or anything else about Desert Mountain, contact Abby Burton.
Keep exploring
More North Scottsdale golf communities
Ask me about Desert Mountain
I can tell you what daily life there is like, and which homes are worth seeing.
