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:

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.

From Loop 101 and Cave Creek Road (exit 28)
Directions from I-17 to the Adobe Dam Event Site

FromTheNorth
Directions from the north via Cave Creek Road

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

OnJomax
West on Jomax Road