Cave Buttes Recreation Area

West of the Intersection of Cave Creek and Jomax Roads
Phoenix, AZ

The Cave Buttes Recreation Area is located in North Phoenix just west of the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Jomax. The area is administered by the Maricopa County Flood Control District and is home to a number of dams and dikes that control flooding from drainages of Cave Creek. The park was once part of the City of Phoenix park system but has been closed to the public for decades. Because the site is closed to the public, the park contains some of the most pristine mountain and desert landscapes in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

The Greater Phoenix Orienteering Club has worked directly with the Flood Control District to get special permits for orienteering events. Participants in our Cave Buttes events have a rare opportunity to visit a little-known part of the Phoenix area.

Directions

The Cave Buttes Recreation Area is located just west of the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Jomax Road. Except for the day of events, the site is closed to the public and access to the site is blocked by two locked gates. On the day of the events, we will provide access to the site only to participants in the GPHXO events.

To get to the Entrance of the Cave Buttes Recreation Area:

• Approaching from the south via AZ Loop 101:
  • From the Cave Creek exit off the Loop 101 (exit 28), travel north on Cave Creek Road approximately 4 miles to Jomax Road. Click here to open a map in Google Maps in a web browser.


• Approaching from the north via Cave Creek Road:
  • From the intersection of Cave Creek Road and the Carefree Highway, travel south on Cave Creek Road approximately 5.6 miles to Jomax Road. Click here to open a map in Google Maps in a web browser.


• Approaching from the northwest via I-17 and Dove Valley Road:
  • From the Dove Valley Road Exit off I-17 (exit 222), travel east on Dove Valley Road approximately 9.3 miles to the intersection with Cave Creek Road.
  • Turn south on Cave Creek Road and continue 0.6 miles to Jomax Road. Click here to open a map in Google Maps in a web browser.

To Continue to the Event Parking Area

Turn west on Jomax Road and pass through one or two separate gates guarding the entrance to the Cave Buttes Recreation Area. Except for the day of the event, these gates are typically locked. On the day of the event, signs will direct you to the event parking. To pass through the second gate, someone from the Greater Phoenix Orienteering Club may be present to allow you access into the park.

Maps

Click on a map below to open an equivalent Google map in a separate window.

Directions from I-17 to the Adobe Dam Event Site

Directions from the north via Cave Creek Road

From I-17 and Dove Valley Road (exit 222)

West on Jomax Road