Cave Creek Nature Trail #603

Access

The Cave Creek Nature Trail can be accessed from multiple locations along Cave Creek Canyon.

The northeastern terminus is at the Silver Peak Trailhead Parking Area (31.89642, -109.16445) along Forest Road 42, 0.2 mile southwest of the Cave Creek Visitor Information Center. After passing through the pedestrian gate, take the left fork. There is no charge to park here.

The southwestern terminus is at the north end of the Sunny Flat Campground. (31.88559, -109.17542) Parking here costs $10 per day.

Additional spur trails connect the Cave Creek Nature Trail to Forest Road 42 close to the entrances of both Idlewilde (31.89436, -109.16613) and Stewart (31.89079, -109.16879) Campgrounds. The spur trail closest to Stewart has a small fee-free parking area which can fit one to two vehicles. Parking within the campgrounds themselves costs $10 per day.

History

This trail is built atop a water line between the campground and the Cave Creek Visitor Information Center, and was put in place to make use of the impact from digging the trench for that water line as well as maintain access for maintenance in the future.

Trail Description

An easy, short walk through the riparian area of Cave Creek Canyon, with many opportunities for birding or just generally enjoying the sights, the Cave Creek Nature Trail begins just outside the pedestrian gate at the Silver Peak Trail trailhead parking area. It is marked with a sign and a kiosk. The trail roughly parallels the Cave Creek Road (FR 42) at a distance of 50 to 300 feet as it travels from this point to the Sunny Flat Campground. Spur trails occasionally lead to the road, to the creek, and to birding points with benches. Nearly the entire trail is under tree cover, with large sycamores dominating the area.

1000 feet from the parking area, the first spur trail travels east-southeast 200 feet to connect with the Idlewilde Campground on the other side of FR 42. 1600 feet further, a 50 foot trail connects to a two car parking area just across the bridge from the Stewart Campground.

After another 500 feet, the trail begins to parallel Cave Creek, and after 0.3 mile of walking along its northernwestern bank, you'll come to a rock structure with a steel door, which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s to store explosives for the construction of Forest Road 42 over the mountain. (31.88722, -109.17369) Across the trail a short distance away, a second, smaller structure can be found. From there, it's only 0.16 mile to the Sunny Flat Campground. There are public restrooms at the southern edge of the campground, along the paved road loop.

Map

Last updated July 13, 2025.