Recreational-resort communities, offer a pleasant blend of the older historical theme of Cave Creek with the newer planned community of Carefree. Both towns are nestled in the Sonoran Desert foothills, directly north of Scottsdale and northeast of Phoenix. Cave Creek, which was settled in the late 1870's became a booming mining camp during the 1880's and incorporated in 1986. Carefree, on the other hand, was established in the late 1950's as a planned community and incorporated in 1984. The two communities are basically residential areas with heavy emphasis on resort-style living.
Tourism is the largest contributor to the area economy.
A substantial number of retail and commercial establishments serve the residents and visitors of the communities. Carefree and Cave Creek are communities so embroidered into the surrounding landscape that it is difficult to determine where one begins and the other ends. Much of the natural scenery is spectacular, with massive piles of granite boulders, sharp mountains and an abundance of desert growth that thrives at this 2,000 to 2,700 foot altitude. Because of low-density development, residents share the area with deer, bobcats, cardinals, coyotes, javelinas, coveys of quail, and an occasional mountain lion. The National Forest borders the area on two sides with its untouched desert beauty.