The Boulders

What Kind of Place Is This?

The Boulders is a 1,300-acre gated golf community that straddles the border of North Scottsdale and the Town of Carefree, roughly 30 miles north of downtown Phoenix. The community takes its name from the 12-million-year-old granite boulder formations that define its landscape -- massive, balanced rock outcroppings scattered throughout the property that give it a character unlike any other community in the Phoenix metro area.

Development began in 1972, with the original vision centered on integrating luxury living with the natural desert landscape and the iconic boulder formations. Over half the acreage is preserved as natural desert open space, and the built environment wraps around these geological features rather than replacing them. The architecture is predominantly Southwestern and desert contemporary, with earth-tone stucco, stone accents, and low-profile rooflines designed to blend into the terrain. There are no two-story condo blocks or tract-home rows here. This is custom and semi-custom construction throughout.

The Physical Environment

The community comprises 12 distinct subdivisions, each with its own character. These range from The Boulders Estates, where custom homes sit on large lots with panoramic desert views, to The Fifth Green, where properties front the golf course, to the Pueblos and Casitas, which offer smaller-footprint options for those who want the location without the acreage. Homes range from approximately 1,400 to 7,500 square feet, with lot sizes that extend up to 9 acres in some sections. Most construction dates from the late 1970s through the early 2000s, with notable builders including Cachet Homes, Ed Lewis Custom Homes, and Monterey Homes. The elevation sits above 2,500 feet, which provides marginally cooler temperatures than the Phoenix valley floor and distinctly different vegetation -- expect saguaros, palo verde trees, and natural desert landscaping rather than irrigated grass lawns.

Who Thrives Here?

• Residents who want golf as a daily lifestyle, not an occasional outing. With 36 holes of championship golf steps from the front door and multiple membership tiers, this community is built around course access. The North Course is reserved for members; the South is semi-private.
• Someone who prefers a natural desert setting over manicured suburbia. The preserved boulder formations and open space make this feel more like living inside a geological preserve than a typical gated community. If you want green lawns and street trees, look elsewhere.
• Residents who want resort-level amenities without leaving the neighborhood. The on-site Boulders Resort, 33,000 sq ft spa, four pools, and multiple dining venues mean daily errands can be replaced by on-property experiences.
• Someone who values privacy and separation from metro density. The North Scottsdale / Carefree location is deliberately removed from the congestion of central Scottsdale. That distance is the point for some buyers and a dealbreaker for others.
• Residents who want a second home or seasonal residence in a secure, managed environment. The gated access and HOA maintenance structure support part-time occupancy without the anxiety of leaving a home unattended for months.

Social Temperature

The Boulders has a social infrastructure that revolves heavily around the club rather than the HOA. The Boulders Members Association (BMA) coordinates several organized groups: the Boulders Men's Golf Association (BMGA), Boulders Women's Golf Association (BWGA), Mulligans, Divine 9s, a Tennis group, Pickleball group, Book Clubs, and a Photography Club. In total, there are roughly 8-10 organized clubs and associations, which is moderate for a community of this size.

The club hosts holiday parties, golf tournaments, and social gatherings throughout the peak season. Tennis and pickleball clinics run weekly, providing structured opportunities for interaction beyond casual play.

Newcomer Integration

There is no formal new-resident orientation program publicly documented. Integration tends to happen organically through club membership and participation in organized activities. Joining one of the golf associations is the fastest path to building a social network here. Without club membership, the social connections are more limited -- something prospective buyers should factor into their budget calculations.

Seasonal Dynamics

Like most luxury North Scottsdale communities, The Boulders experiences a noticeable seasonal population shift. Approximately 30-40% of homes are estimated to be used as seasonal or second residences. Peak occupancy runs from late October through April. During summer months, club programming scales back, some dining venues adjust hours, and the overall pace of community life slows considerably. This is not necessarily negative -- some full-time residents prefer the quieter summer months -- but it does mean the social calendar has a definite on-season and off-season rhythm.

Governance Reality

Why this matters: HOA governance is the #1 source of complaints in communities -- and the topic almost nobody covers honestly.

The Boulders is governed by the Owners Association of Boulders Scottsdale (OABS), which is the master association overseeing the entire community. Individual subdivisions -- including Fifth Green, Pueblos, and Casitas -- have their own sub-associations with separate assessments. This layered structure means most homeowners pay two HOA fees: one to the master association and one to their subdivision HOA.

The master association is managed by Arizona Community Management Services, LLC (AZCMS), with a community manager on-site at 7500 East Boulders Parkway. The on-site office is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. The on-site community manager, Terri Troy, can be reached at 480-575-8655.

Specific HOA fee amounts are not publicly disclosed and vary by subdivision. Prospective buyers should request current assessment schedules directly from AZCMS or their real estate agent. The dual-HOA structure is a common source of confusion for buyers unfamiliar with the community -- make sure you understand both assessments before making an offer.

Reserve fund status was not publicly available during research. Board composition and meeting attendance data are similarly not published online, which is not unusual for luxury communities but does limit transparency for prospective buyers conducting due diligence from out of state.

It is important to note that club membership fees are entirely separate from HOA assessments. The HOA covers community infrastructure, gates, common area maintenance, and roads. The club covers golf, tennis, spa, dining, and fitness. These are two distinct financial obligations.

Fee Trajectory

Quick Stats

Amenities

Location & Medical Access

The Boulders sits at the far northern edge of Scottsdale, closer to the Town of Carefree than to anything most people associate with Scottsdale. This location delivers dramatic desert scenery and genuine quiet, but it comes with real trade-offs in convenience.

Medical Access Assessment

The nearest full-service hospital is HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center, approximately 10 miles south. Mayo Clinic's Scottsdale campus is roughly 16 miles away, a 20-25 minute drive depending on traffic. HonorHealth Medical Group operates a primary care office at El Pedregal, about 2 miles from the community entrance, which handles non-emergency medical needs. For a community that attracts seasonal residents, the 10-mile distance to emergency services is worth noting -- not prohibitive, but not next door.

Walk Score & Accessibility

The Boulders has a Walk Score of 16 out of 100 for 7500 East Boulders Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85266, which places it firmly in the "car-dependent" category. This is expected for a 1,300-acre desert community, but it means every errand -- groceries, pharmacy, dining -- requires a vehicle. The nearest grocery store (Bashas' in Carefree) is about 3 miles away. A car is not optional here; it is a daily necessity.

Summer Reality Check

The honest answer to the question you are afraid to ask: What does July actually feel like in The Boulders?

Summer high temperatures in the North Scottsdale / Carefree area regularly exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit from June through September, with July averages around 107-110 degrees. The Boulders sits at a slightly higher elevation than the Phoenix valley floor, which can translate to temperatures 2-4 degrees cooler, but the difference is marginal in practical terms. You will not be outside between 10 AM and 5 PM for most of the summer unless you are in a pool.

An estimated 30-40% of residents leave during the summer months. This is a significant departure rate that affects every aspect of community life. Golf shifts to early-morning tee times, often starting at dawn. Summer green fees drop to approximately $89 per player -- roughly half of peak-season rates -- which is one genuine upside. Restaurant hours may be reduced, and some dining venues operate on limited schedules. Club programming scales back, though pools remain open and the spa operates year-round.

Electricity costs for a home in this area during summer months typically range from $300 to $500 per month for a moderately sized home, and can exceed $600-700 for larger estates running multiple cooling zones. These are real numbers that should be factored into annual cost-of-living calculations.

The First Summer vs. The Second Summer

The first summer is the hardest. The heat is relentless, the community feels noticeably emptier, and the novelty of desert living wears thin when it is 110 degrees at 6 PM. The second summer is easier because you know it ends, you have learned to structure your day around the heat (early mornings, indoor afternoons, evening outings), and you have discovered the genuine pleasures of off-season life: no crowds at the spa, easy tee times, and the dramatic summer monsoon storms that transform the desert landscape. By the third summer, most full-time residents have either made peace with the heat or made plans to be elsewhere from June through September.

Best For

Best for residents who want resort-caliber golf and spa amenities integrated into a desert-landscape neighborhood.

The Boulders occupies a specific niche among Scottsdale-area golf communities: it combines two championship Jay Morrish courses with on-site resort amenities -- including a 33,000 sq ft spa, four pools, and multiple dining venues -- in a natural desert setting that has not been over-landscaped or over-developed. The trade-off is location; this is 30+ miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and far from central Scottsdale shopping and dining. Compared to Desert Mountain, which offers more golf (seven Nicklaus courses) at a higher price point, or Troon, which sits closer to Pinnacle Peak amenities, The Boulders differentiates on the integration of resort services into daily residential life. Residents who want to walk from their home to a spa treatment, a round of golf, and dinner without leaving the property will find that proposition here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Compare The Boulders

See how The Boulders stacks up against comparable communities in the Phoenix metro:

• Full comparison table: All communities rated and compared
• Desert Mountain — Larger (8,000 acres), seven Nicklaus courses, higher price point. More golf variety but significantly higher membership costs.
• Troon — Similar North Scottsdale location near Pinnacle Peak. 1,400 acres with 12 subdivisions. Closer to Scottsdale amenities but without on-site resort.
• Estancia — More exclusive, fully private Tom Fazio course. Smaller community (640 acres) with higher median prices. No resort component.
• Terravita — Nearby gated golf community with lower price entry point ($500K-$2M). Single 18-hole course. More accessible for buyers priced below The Boulders range.
• Legend Trail — North Scottsdale golf community with lower price point and more modest amenities. Good comparison for buyers seeking the area without the resort premium.
• Sincuidados — Adjacent custom-home community in Carefree. No golf but similar desert setting and price range. For buyers who want the location without mandatory club proximity.

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Last updated: March 5, 2026 · Data sources: Maricopa County Assessor, ARMLS, community records, resident forums, Google Reviews (14 sources total)