Two Tom Weiskopf masterpieces — both ranked Top 100 in the US. Pinnacle Peak views. Desert living at its most dramatic. Homes $800K to $5M+ in one of North Scottsdale's most beloved communities.
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Troon North is one of North Scottsdale's most storied and beloved communities — a neighborhood that has earned a genuine reputation not through marketing hyperbole, but through the raw power of its landscape, its two extraordinary golf courses, and the lifestyle it delivers. Located in the 85262 ZIP code along Dynamite Boulevard and Alma School Parkway in far north Scottsdale near the Cave Creek and Carefree town limits, Troon North occupies some of the most dramatic desert terrain in the entire Phoenix metro area.
The community takes its name from the famous Troon Golf management company — one of the world's leading private club management firms. But what most visitors notice first is not the name on the gate. It's the landscape: massive granite boulders the size of houses, majestic saguaro forests marching up rocky slopes, palo verde trees bursting gold in spring, and at every turn, the iconic silhouette of Pinnacle Peak rising 3,169 feet above the desert floor. The natural setting here is simply breathtaking, and it defines the character of every home in the neighborhood.
Troon North encompasses a range of sub-communities and residential options, from non-gated neighborhoods with relatively accessible price points to tightly controlled gated enclaves with custom estates on hillside lots commanding 360-degree views. This variety gives the area unusual depth for buyers at different price points who all want the Troon North address, the golf club access, and the natural setting that makes this one of Scottsdale's most photographed and most-searched neighborhoods.
The broader Troon North area is part of the Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD), known for Cactus Shadows High School — consistently ranked among Arizona's finest public high schools and home to one of the state's most decorated golf teams (fitting, given the neighborhood). The community sits approximately 30 minutes north of Old Town Scottsdale and 40 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor, making it genuinely remote by valley standards — a quality that's a feature, not a bug, for residents who chose it specifically to escape urban intensity.
"Troon North is the community I point to when someone asks what makes North Scottsdale unique in the entire world of golf real estate. It's not just that there are two Top 100 courses here — it's that those courses sit inside a landscape of ancient granite boulders and towering saguaros that you have to see in person to fully believe. Every sunrise here is a different painting." — Ryan Moxley
Championship Golf
What makes Troon North genuinely exceptional in the landscape of golf-community real estate is not having one Top 100 golf course — it's having two. The Monument Course and the Pinnacle Course, both designed by Hall of Fame architect Tom Weiskopf, are each independently ranked among the 100 best golf courses in the United States. Owning or renting a home in Troon North means you live steps from two courses that golfers across the country travel specifically to play.
The Monument Course is named for the massive granite rock formation that serves as the visual centerpiece of the layout — a geological marvel that has stood in the Sonoran Desert for millions of years and now frames one of the most photographed holes in Arizona golf. Tom Weiskopf designed the Monument Course to make maximum theatrical use of the site's most dramatic features: towering saguaros, enormous desert boulders, and natural rock formations that create a sense of playing golf inside a landscape painting.
From the championship tees, the Monument Course stretches 7,070 yards with a course rating of 73.6 and a slope of 147 — making it a genuine challenge that separates the genuine golfer from the casual player. The layout features broad, sweeping fairways framed by native desert and punctuated by precisely placed bunkers and water features. Signature holes include a dramatic par-3 that plays directly toward the titular monument boulder, and a closing par-5 that rewards the brave second shot with a birdie opportunity on one of Arizona's most beautiful finishing holes.
The Pinnacle Course takes its name from Pinnacle Peak, the iconic 3,169-foot granite summit that dominates the northern horizon and appears in view from virtually every hole on this extraordinary layout. Tom Weiskopf designed the Pinnacle Course to exploit dramatic elevation changes across the property — changes that create genuinely breathtaking tee shots, approach angles, and viewing corridors that the flat Monument Course cannot replicate.
Playing the Pinnacle Course is a different experience from the Monument: more elevation, more visual drama, more shots that require you to trust your yardage book over your eyes because the mountain views are so distracting. From the tips, Pinnacle stretches 7,044 yards with a course rating of 73.2 and a slope of 147. The course is particularly celebrated for its back nine, where the desert terrain becomes increasingly rugged and the views toward Carefree and Cave Creek open up in every direction. Sunrise tee times on the Pinnacle Course are among the most spectacular morning experiences in Arizona golf.
Troon North Golf Club operates as a private club for members while also accepting resort guests through its Scottsdale area hotel and resort partnerships — a hybrid model that provides revenue streams while maintaining high course quality. This is distinct from the purely private model at DC Ranch Country Club or Desert Mountain, meaning that Troon North members may occasionally share their courses with non-member guests, though the Club actively manages access to preserve course quality and member experience.
Membership options at Troon North Golf Club in 2026 typically include:
Golf membership is entirely voluntary — you can live in Troon North without joining the Club. Many residents do exactly this, enjoying the neighborhood's natural setting, schools, and community character without the Club membership financial commitment.
Troon North Golf Club's facilities reflect the company's world-class management standards:
Tom Weiskopf — a major championship winner and one of golf's most celebrated architects — has described both Troon North courses as among the works he is most proud of. Given his portfolio includes Loch Lomond in Scotland, Kingsbarns in Scotland, Estancia in Scottsdale, and numerous other acclaimed designs, that is high praise indeed.
2026 Real Estate Market
Non-gated sections of Troon North and smaller single-family homes in entry communities. 1,800–3,000 sq ft. Good value for the North Scottsdale address and golf club access. Popular with retirees, part-time residents, and buyers stretching to the neighborhood.
Custom and semi-custom homes on golf course frontage or Pinnacle Peak view lots. 3,000–5,500 sq ft. The sweet spot for most full-time Troon North buyers. Resort pools, 3-car garages, mountain views from multiple living spaces.
Hillside estates and custom homes on premier boulder-field lots with 360-degree desert and mountain views. 5,500–8,000+ sq ft. Dramatic architecture that integrates boulders into the home design. The rarest and most sought-after properties in all of Troon North.
| Property Type | Avg List Price | Avg Sale Price | Avg Price/SF | Avg Days on Market | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Gated Single-Family (under 3,000 SF) | $925K | $895K | $400/SF | 35 days | Best entry-level value |
| Golf Course Frontage Home | $1.75M | $1.65M | $450/SF | 42 days | Monument or Pinnacle frontage |
| Gated Community Home (non-view) | $1.45M | $1.38M | $430/SF | 45 days | Gated enclave premium |
| View Lot Estate (3,500–6,000 SF) | $2.6M | $2.45M | $490/SF | 55 days | Pinnacle Peak views command premium |
| Hillside Boulder Estate (5,500+ SF) | $4.2M | $3.9M | $540/SF | 75+ days | Ultra-rare; boulders incorporated into design |
| Vacant Land / Custom Lots | $400K–$1.5M | Varies | N/A | 90–180 days | Topography drives significant value differences |
Data reflects estimated 2026 market conditions in the Troon North area (ZIP 85262). Arizona is a non-disclosure state; sale prices sourced from MLS-reported data. All figures are approximate and subject to market conditions. Contact Ryan Moxley for a property-specific Comparative Market Analysis.
The Troon North name encompasses a large geographic area with multiple distinct sub-communities, each with different gating, HOA structures, price points, and character. Understanding these differences is essential for buyers targeting this area:
The architecture of Troon North is unlike any other neighborhood in Scottsdale, and that distinction stems directly from the land itself. The massive granite boulder formations that characterize this section of the Sonoran Desert are not mere backdrops — they are woven into the architecture and landscaping of Troon North homes in ways that create genuinely one-of-a-kind residences.
Many homes in Troon North — particularly on hillside and elevated lots — were designed specifically around boulders that were too large and too beautiful to remove. The result: homes where living rooms open to boulders the size of cars framing the view, where pool decks nestle between 15-foot granite formations, where entry courtyards use natural rock walls as their architectural backbone. This integration of home and landscape is the defining characteristic of the finest Troon North properties and the primary reason buyers from around the world seek them out specifically.
Dominant architectural styles include Contemporary Desert (clean lines, glass walls, flat rooflines, concrete and steel accent walls), Santa Barbara Mission (stucco, clay tile, arched doorways, Spanish-influenced detailing), and the increasingly popular Desert Modern variant that blends honest materials (natural stone, steel, wood) with minimal ornamentation and maximum transparency between interior and exterior. Interior finishes at the $1.5M+ tier consistently include high-end appliance packages, natural stone or large-format porcelain flooring, custom millwork, and primary suites designed as true wellness retreats with spa-grade fixtures and mountain view soaking tubs.
Community Governance
Unlike DC Ranch, which has a single master HOA (DRCC) governing all sub-communities, Troon North's HOA structure varies considerably by specific sub-neighborhood. This variety is both a strength and a potential source of confusion for buyers who are not working with an agent familiar with the area.
General HOA structure by community type:
Arizona law (ARS §33-1806) requires sellers to provide a complete HOA disclosure package including current CC&Rs, current fees, any pending special assessments, and meeting minutes. Always request and thoroughly review this package during the inspection period, with your real estate attorney if desired.
| Community Type | HOA Range | Key Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Gated (Troon Village) | $100–$250/mo | Common area, landscaping, ARC |
| Gated Community | $250–$450/mo | Gate, private streets, security, ARC |
| Gated + Amenities | $350–$500/mo | Gate, street, pool, fitness, ARC |
| Custom Estate Enclave | $100–$200/mo | Basic ARC and common area |
| Golf Club Dues (separate) | Varies | Golf, dining, practice, Club events |
Golf Club membership at Troon North is separate from all HOA assessments and entirely optional. Membership provides unlimited access to both the Monument and Pinnacle courses, Club dining and social facilities, the practice facility, and member priority for tee times during peak season. Non-members can access the courses as resort guests at published green fee rates, typically $200–$350+ depending on season, though peak winter season demand means advance booking is essential for non-member play.
For serious golfers purchasing in Troon North, the Club membership is essentially a requirement for the lifestyle they envision. For more casual buyers drawn primarily by the neighborhood's natural setting and school quality, the Club membership may be optional or deferred.
Education
Troon North is served by Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD) — a smaller, high-performing district that serves approximately 7,500 students across Cave Creek, Carefree, and the northern Scottsdale area. CCUSD is known for its strong community identity, above-average academic achievement, and the flagship Cactus Shadows High School which has built a national reputation for both academics and golf. For families who value smaller class sizes, tight-knit school communities, and genuine teacher engagement, CCUSD offers a compelling alternative to larger districts like Scottsdale USD or Deer Valley USD.
| School | Level | District | Grades | GreatSchools Rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lone Mountain Elementary | Elementary | Cave Creek USD | K–6 | 8/10 | ~3 miles |
| Sonoran Trails Middle School | Middle | Cave Creek USD | 7–8 | 8/10 | ~5 miles |
| Cactus Shadows High School | High School | Cave Creek USD | 9–12 | 9/10 | ~8 miles |
| Rancho Solano Preparatory | Private K–12 | Private | K–12 | N/A (private) | ~12 miles |
| Basis Scottsdale | K–12 Charter | Basis Charter | K–12 | 10/10 | ~18 miles |
| Desert Sun Academy | K–8 Charter | Cave Creek area | K–8 | 7/10 | ~6 miles |
Lone Mountain Elementary serves Troon North and surrounding communities within Cave Creek USD and is highly regarded by local families for its engaged teaching staff and strong parent community. The school offers a comprehensive K–6 curriculum with particular strengths in science and outdoor/environmental education — fitting for a school surrounded by the stunning Sonoran Desert environment. Class sizes are moderate and the school benefits from strong parental involvement that supplements district resources with enrichment programs, field experiences, and community-building events.
Lone Mountain's student body reflects the demographics of the Troon North area: motivated families who chose this neighborhood intentionally and who are highly engaged in their children's education. The school's outdoor education programming is particularly strong — with Pinnacle Peak Preserve and the Cave Creek Regional Park accessible within minutes, teachers regularly incorporate the natural environment into science and physical education curriculum in ways that larger urban schools cannot replicate.
Cactus Shadows High School is Cave Creek USD's crown jewel and one of the most distinctive high schools in all of Arizona. Consistently ranked 9/10 by GreatSchools and among Arizona's top high schools by U.S. News & World Report, Cactus Shadows offers an unusually rich and diverse academic and extracurricular program for a school its size.
Academic highlights include a strong AP program across all departments, dual enrollment options with Rio Salado College and Arizona State University, an internationally recognized visual and performing arts program, and an award-winning IB (International Baccalaureate) program that prepares students for the most competitive university admissions processes globally. The school consistently places graduates at top universities nationwide.
But ask any Troon North resident about Cactus Shadows, and they'll probably mention the golf team first. The Cactus Shadows golf program is one of the most celebrated in Arizona — a fitting distinction for a school surrounded by some of the finest golf courses in the country. The team regularly competes for and wins state championships, and numerous Cactus Shadows alumni have gone on to college golf programs and professional careers. Playing your home matches on or near the Troon North courses creates a competitive environment that no other high school in Arizona can match.
Location & Lifestyle
Troon North residents are ideally positioned for some of the finest hiking and trail experiences in the entire Phoenix metro area. Pinnacle Peak Park — one of Scottsdale's most beloved natural treasures — is located just minutes from the neighborhood and offers a beautiful 3.5-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Pinnacle Peak with 1,300 feet of elevation gain and panoramic views extending from Camelback Mountain to the Four Peaks Wilderness and beyond. The trail is challenging enough to satisfy serious hikers while accessible enough for fit beginners, and the sunrise and golden hour views from the upper sections are legendary among Phoenix hikers.
The adjacent Pinnacle Peak area also connects to additional trail networks in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Cave Creek Recreation Area, providing options ranging from 1-hour nature walks to full-day wilderness adventures. Mountain biking trails in the Cave Creek / Troon North area are world-class and attract riders from across the region, particularly in the cooler months when desert temperatures make long-ride exploration a joy rather than a survival exercise.
Horseback riding opportunities abound in the area — several equestrian facilities operate within 10 minutes of Troon North, and the community sits within the broader Cave Creek / Carefree area that has maintained strong equestrian traditions despite (or because of) its proximity to the greater Scottsdale metro. Some Troon North estate properties on larger lots can accommodate horses on-site, particularly in sections with agricultural or rural zoning overlays.
One of Troon North's most beloved lifestyle features is its proximity to the funky, independent town centers of Cave Creek and Carefree — each just 5–10 minutes north. These are communities that defy easy categorization: part authentic Old West, part art colony, part upscale resort destination. They have a personality and a creative spirit that is entirely their own, and they give Troon North residents a local "downtown" experience that feels nothing like the polished luxury retail strips of central Scottsdale.
Cave Creek is anchored by its legendary Main Street — a stretch of independent restaurants, saloons, Western-wear shops, turquoise jewelry galleries, and local artwork dealers that has been drawing visitors from across the Southwest for decades. Iconic Cave Creek establishments include Harold's Cave Creek Corral (live music, dancing, and Southwestern BBQ in a legendary old-school setting), The Buffalo Chip Saloon (world-famous mechanical bull, live country music, annual rodeo events), Cartwright's Sonoran Ranch House (award-winning upscale Southwestern cuisine in a distinctive stone building), and Taco Haus (a Troon North-area local favorite for casual Mexican in the El Pedregal area). The Cave Creek food and bar scene has a genuine authenticity that chain-heavy Scottsdale proper often lacks.
Carefree sits just north of Cave Creek and offers a slightly more refined complement to Cave Creek's rough-and-tumble charm. The El Pedregal Festival Marketplace — an architecturally striking open-air shopping and dining complex — is one of the area's most beloved destinations and hosts a weekly farmers market, rotating art galleries, jewelry boutiques, home decor shops, and several outstanding restaurants. The Carefree town center itself is a planned walkable village with a solar sundial that's one of the largest in the Western Hemisphere, beautiful desert gardens, and a charming collection of local shops and eateries.
The tradeoff for Troon North's extraordinary setting and privacy is a degree of remoteness that requires driving for most services. For residents who value that privacy and self-sufficiency — and who typically moved here specifically to escape urban density — it's not a tradeoff at all. It's the point.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cave Creek / Carefree Town Center | ~5–10 miles | 8–14 min | Primary local dining and shopping |
| Pinnacle Peak Park Trailhead | ~4 miles | 8–10 min | World-class hiking access |
| Loop 101 (Scottsdale Rd interchange) | ~10 miles | 14–18 min | Primary freeway connection |
| Scottsdale Quarter / Kierland | ~22 miles | 25–35 min | Via Pima Rd south |
| Old Town Scottsdale | ~28 miles | 30–40 min | Via Scottsdale Rd south |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport | ~38 miles | 40–55 min | Via Pima/101 to I-10 |
| Scottsdale Airport (SDL) | ~25 miles | 25–32 min | Private aviation option |
| DC Ranch / Silverleaf | ~15 miles | 18–22 min | Via Pima Road south |
| Downtown Phoenix (CBD) | ~38 miles | 42–58 min | Via Loop 101 to SR-51 |
| TSMC Fab 21 — North Phoenix | ~25 miles | 28–38 min | Via I-17 north corridor |
| Mayo Clinic Scottsdale | ~20 miles | 22–28 min | Via Pima/Princess route |
Who Lives Here
Buyers who have traveled to Troon North specifically to play the Monument and Pinnacle courses and left knowing they needed to live here. These are serious golfers for whom having two Top 100 courses in their neighborhood is not a luxury — it is a life requirement. Often relocating from climates with limited year-round golf access. They want 330 days of golf in one zip code, and Troon North delivers.
Buyers who fell in love not with the golf or the community amenities, but with the landscape itself. The ancient granite boulders, the cathedral saguaros, the wildlife corridors, Pinnacle Peak on the northern horizon — these are buyers who want to live inside a landscape that feels genuinely wild and ancient. Often artists, architects, writers, or nature-oriented professionals for whom the setting is the primary draw.
High-profile individuals — executives, entertainers, athletes — who value Troon North's relative remoteness and the privacy it provides. The distance from central Scottsdale is not a drawback; it is the entire point. Gated enclaves, large lots with natural desert buffers, and a neighborhood culture that values discretion make Troon North a preferred address for those who need privacy in their daily lives.
Affluent winter residents from Canada, the Midwest, and the Northeast who play golf all winter in Troon North then return to their primary homes in spring. The combination of two Top 100 courses, warm winter weather, and a thriving snowbird social community makes Troon North one of Arizona's most popular second-home destinations for serious golf enthusiasts who want more than just resort play.
Active families who want their kids to grow up hiking Pinnacle Peak, mountain biking Cave Creek trails, and attending Cactus Shadows High School — one of Arizona's finest — without dealing with the density and traffic of central Scottsdale. These families trade convenience for natural beauty and find the trade profoundly worthwhile. The Cave Creek lifestyle creates a childhood that Troon North kids describe as genuinely unique.
Parents of seriously competitive junior golfers who want their children in the Cactus Shadows golf program — one of Arizona's most celebrated — and practicing on or near Monument and Pinnacle courses. For elite junior golfers being developed for college golf or professional careers, growing up in Troon North with access to two Top 100 courses is an unmatched competitive advantage compared to any other neighborhood in Arizona.
Investment Perspective
Troon North has historically been one of the most stable value-retention neighborhoods in all of North Scottsdale. Several structural factors support long-term appreciation here:
The Troon North market in 2026 is characterized by steady but not explosive demand, with buyer interest concentrated in specific segments — particularly golf course frontage homes, hillside boulder estates, and properties with direct Pinnacle Peak views. Non-golf-frontage homes in non-gated sections have seen more modest appreciation, as buyers who prioritize golf or views bid specifically on those properties rather than across the community broadly.
Key market dynamics in 2026:
Your North Scottsdale Expert
Troon North is a market with more complexity beneath the surface than its beautiful exterior suggests. The difference between a golf course frontage lot with a view of the 17th hole on the Monument Course (highly desirable) and one that backs to the maintenance facility or a heavily trafficked cart path (avoid) requires knowledge that no online listing platform will tell you. Ryan Moxley has that knowledge — and uses it to protect buyers and enhance value for sellers.
As a Top 1% REALTOR® nationally with My Home Group (ADRE SA643872000), Ryan brings deep North Scottsdale luxury market expertise to every Troon North transaction. He understands the sub-community hierarchy: which enclaves command premiums and why, which hillside lots are truly exceptional versus merely promoted as exceptional, and how to negotiate effectively in a market where the buyer pool is sophisticated and the inventory is thin.
For Troon North sellers, Ryan provides:
For Troon North buyers, Ryan provides:
"We had looked at Troon North online for months before calling Ryan. The moment we walked properties with him, we understood why having a true expert mattered. He showed us the difference between a lot that seemed similar on paper but was dramatically better in person — and helped us avoid a purchase we would have regretted. We couldn't be happier with our home or the process."
— Buyer, Troon North (2025)
Common Questions
Start the Conversation
Whether you're buying your first home in Troon North or selling a property you've cherished for years, Ryan Moxley brings the expertise, network, and local knowledge to deliver the right result. Call or complete the form to get started with no obligation.
Ryan Moxley, REALTOR®
My Home Group · ADRE SA643872000
(480) 227-9143
moxleysellsaz@gmail.com