If the surroundings look strangely familiar in Gold Canyon, Arizona, it's probably because you've watched some of the many Western movies and TV shows filmed in the area. The Apacheland movie studio opened in the late 1950s, making films featuring well-known stars including John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Jack Nicholson, and Ronald Reagan to name just a few. What remains of the original buildings for the movie sets are still on display at Goldfield Ghost Town.
You'd never know by the modern construction and luxurious amenities that Gold Canyon's history hearkens back to the mid-1800s. Once a tiny stagecoach stop along the Apache Trail and a large cattle ranch, the modern city is home to gated communities and a golfing resort. The Superstition Mountains form the northern and western boundaries of the city, with dramatic craggy peaks rising from a forest of saguaro cacti. The community lies 40 miles east of downtown Phoenix, just north of US-60.
Moving to Gold Canyon
Gold Canyon has a limited amount of rental housing, so begin your search early to find a home that suits your needs. Small apartment complexes, townhouses and condos are not easily found, so begin your search six to 12 months in advance if you've got your heart set on one. Single-family homes make up the bulk of rentals in the area. Rental homes are hardest to find during winter months when seasonal visitors flock to the area to escape winter snow back east. The greatest selection of rental housing is available during summer months when temperatures soar above 110 degrees (yes, you read that right!) and fair-weather visitors have long since departed. If you are looking for a six-month lease or shorter, you may find luxury homes at a bargain price between May and December. You'll need to present valid ID, proof of income and good rental references.
The city lies in the Sonoran Desert, with native wildlife living side-by-side with the human population. Don't leave small dogs or cats outside alone or they may fall prey to coyotes, hawks, or owls. When weather heats up above 70 degrees, keep a sharp eye out for snakes that are slow to get out of the way after emerging from their winter hibernation dens. Schedule regular pest control and you'll never worry about scorpions or other insects that sometimes find their way into human abodes. Friction between humans and desert wildlife is rare in Gold Canyon, but it's not uncommon to see a coyote or rabbit sipping at the edge of a golf course waterway in the early morning hours.
Gold Canyon Neighborhoods
Despite town history dating to the 1800s, more than 90 percent of Gold Canyon's neighborhoods were built since the late 1990s. Five championship golf courses grace the city, which sprawls across the county line of Maricopa and Pinal counties. Although Gold Canyon ranks 53rd in size of Arizona cities, it has some of the most expensive homes in the state, as well as in the country.
Town Center: Homes in the Town Center neighborhood tuck behind Gold Canyon's main business area. Walk to banks, grocery stores, restaurants and other commercial establishments. Condos, townhouses and small privately-owned two-bedroom apartments are found in this area, as well as single-family housing. Gated communities often surround private lakes, where you can fish or paddle, and natural desert areas with hiking trails. The Town Center neighborhood is home to the city's priciest homes. Gold Canyon Golf Resort lies in this neighborhood, with two golf courses winding up and around the base of Dinosaur Mountain.
Gold Camp: Gold Camp is Gold Canyon's largest neighborhood, consisting mainly of single-family homes in gated communities. You won't find any one-bedroom apartments in this neighborhood, but many homes favor outdoor living with private pools, covered decks and low-maintenance landscaping. Pocket parks, private lakes and hiking trails are common features in many Gold Camp subdivisions.
Superstition Mountain: Walk to the LPGA International Golf Tournament or just kick back and enjoy a view over the fairway in Superstition Mountain Golf Club. Superstition Mountain's two golf courses were designed by Jack Nicklaus, with the Prospector Course rated as one of Golfweek magazine's "Top 100 Residential Courses." Housing in the Superstition Mountain neighborhood includes small, private complexes of luxury apartments, townhouses and condominiums with two- or three-bedrooms as well as sprawling luxury homes with five or more bedrooms.
Living in Gold Canyon
During the mild winter days, the temperatures are in the 60s, making it ideal for hiking in the city's natural areas or heading out to the Superstition Wilderness north of the city. Access more than 350 miles of trail in the Tonto National Forest via the Peralta, Hieroglyphic and First Water trail heads. Look for the fabled Lost Dutchman's Mine along the Lost Goldmine Trail. Spring brings gold to the hills in the form of California poppies that blanket the desert hillsides as early as February. Gold Canyon provides some of the best wildflower viewing in the country when winter rains are plentiful. Bring more water than you'd expect to need as the arid desert climate dehydrates you quickly even when temperatures are cool.
Art enthusiasts can enjoy more than a dozen galleries in the town center featuring bronze sculptures, paintings, and Native American crafts. You'll find coffee shops and a few restaurants in the area where you can relax in climate-controlled comfort and grab a bite to eat. For a special night out, enjoy fine dining at Kokopelli's Restaurant at Gold Canyon Ranch Resort.
