Gated communities in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The north Scottsdale community of Dynamite Foothills sits in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a protected area of wild desert landscape. Natural beauty is the area’s biggest draw, but popular golf clubs are also nearby, including the Troon North Golf Club and Scottsdale National Golf Club. “You can get a better buy here than you can in Troon or Troon North,” says Connie Edelman, an associate broker with Compass who’s sold homes in the area for 30 years. “It’s all gated custom and semi-custom homes, and the builders do a really nice job. Some have nice views and a pool, and you’re right behind Troon.” The privacy here has resulted in an overall CAP Crime Index Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Locals are within 3 miles away from upscale restaurants, and nearby houses of worship include Living Water Lutheran Church and Life Church. Loop 101 is 11 miles away, connecting to the rest of the Phoenix metro area.
Many homes in Dynamite Foothills are new builds.
Many homes offer backyard amenities in Dynamite Foothills.
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Southwestern and modern new construction homes
All homes here have been built between 2000 and the 2020s. Single-family custom or semi-custom homes and single-level townhouses offer a blend of Southwestern and 21st-century new traditional elements, including stucco exteriors with stone details, floor-to-ceiling windows and flat or clay-tiled roofs.
Most of the single-family homes sit far apart along cul-de-sacs in gated communities, with lot sizes ranging from around a quarter acre to 20 acres and layouts that range from 2,000 to 6,700 square feet. Their prices range from $1 million to $7.2 million and are often determined by square footage, but larger lots can also account for higher prices. Monthly homeowners association fees of $60 to $600 cover ground and street maintenance.
Single-level townhouses are set close together and range from $1.5 million to $1.7 million, depending on amenities like private pools. Monthly HOA fees for townhouses range from $750 to $950 and cover yard and roof maintenance.
Desert landscaping is the yard of choice for homes in Dynamite Foothills.
Many homes in Dynamite Foothills have stucco finishes.
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Hiking Tom’s Thumb Trail
The roughly 30,000-acre McDowell Sonoran Preserve is both in and around the neighborhood, keeping residents close to the open spaces of the Sonoran Desert. The popular 4-mile Tom’s Thumb Trail is in the south, and the Brown’s Ranch and Fraesfield Trails are to the north, where locals can hike, mountain bike and ride horses. The neighborhood is also close to some of north Scottsdale’s most popular golf courses, including the public Troon North Golf Club, the invitation-only Scottsdale National Golf Club and the private Troon Country Club, which also has tennis and pickleball courts. Residents in the Sereno Canyon subdivision here have access to the Mountain House Lodge, a clubhouse with guest cottages, two pools, a spa and a fitness center.
Be sure to bring plenty of water for your hike in the desert when in Dynamite Foothills.
Browns Ranch is a local favorite for hiking and mountain biking near Dynamite Foothills.
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Social gatherings at Mountain House Lodge
Sereno Canyon residents can head to Mountain House Lodge for regular events. “They have a lot of social gatherings,” says Yvonne Short, a Realtor with Success Property Brokers who lives in the neighborhood. “There’s a theme-based social once a month, with themes like Octoberfest or Halloween.” There are also regular game nights and stargazing events with the Astronomy Association of Arizona. Locals can also buy social memberships to private golf clubs in the area, including Troon Country Club, which has a full social calendar of wine tastings, live music and cooking classes.
Altera at the Mountain House Lodge serves up delicious food in Dynamite Foothills.
Practice putting at Troon North Golf Club in Pinnacle Peak.
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Upscale dining at Alterra
Right in Dynamite Foothills, locals can head to Alterra at Mountain House Lodge for upscale American cuisine. Just west in Troon North, the locally owned Pinnacle Grille serves more casual fare with views of Pinnacle Peak. The Four Seasons Resort mostly caters to tourists, but residents often dine at its four restaurants. The Center at Troon North shopping center is home to local stores like Dynamite Bike Lab and national retailers like Walgreens, and grocery stores further west include AJ’s Fine Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market and Safeway.
Head to Proof for an upscale lunch or dinner with friends, near Dynamite Foothills.
Dynamite Foothills residents can find shopping nearby in DC Ranch.
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Math Club at Cactus Shadows High
Dynamite Foothills is served by the Cave Creek Unified School District, which earns an A-minus from Niche; schools here are all located between 11 and 15 miles from the neighborhood. Kids can start at Desert Sun Academy and then continue to Sonoran Trails Middle; both earn an A-minus. At the B-rated Cactus Shadows High, students can enroll in Career and Technical Education courses in software design and culinary arts; they can also join 30 clubs, including the Drama Club, Math Club and Cultural Student Union.
Sonoran Trails Middle School get a 6/10 from GreatSchools.com.
Cactus Shadows High School is a vibrant center of education.
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About 11 miles from Loop 101
Loop 101 is roughly 11 miles southwest of the neighborhood, leading about 24 miles to Scottsdale; Loop 101 also connects to state Route 51, which locals can take to downtown Phoenix, around 36 miles away. With no public transportation, bike lanes or sidewalks, locals depend on their cars to get around. HonorHealth Scottsdale Thompson Peak Medical Center is about 11 miles southwest, and Mayo Clinic Hospital is roughly 14 miles away. Scottsdale Airport, a general aviation airport with no commercial flights, is 14 miles southwest, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a 33-mile trip.
High wildfire risk near the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
Dynamite Foothills is at high risk for wildfire because it neighbors the McDowell Sonoran Preserve; fires occurred nearby in summer 2024. The Scottsdale Fire Department has two stations within 5 miles of the neighborhood and responds quickly to brush fires. Residents can download the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management’s app to stay informed about nearby fires.
The neighborhood’s proximity to the preserve also means wildlife sightings are common. “We have every kind of desert wildlife here: deer, scorpions, rattlesnakes, owls. Lots of javelina and coyotes,” Edelman says. While some residents might find the wildlife bothersome, others consider it a perk of living close to nature.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Dynamite Foothills
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
2
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Dynamite Foothills Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Dynamite Foothills, Scottsdale sell after 76 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Dynamite Foothills, Scottsdale over the last 12 months is $2,043,505, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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NEW CONSTRUCTION - COMPLETED SPEC HOME - MOVE-IN READY! The Stellan's impressive portico and private front courtyard flow into the welcoming covered entry and foyer, revealing the soaring great room, casual dining space and 16'x10' multi-slide stacked door leading to the large covered patio. The well-equipped gourmet kitchen is highlighted by a large center island with breakfast bar, expansive
*NEW CONSTRUCTION: MOVE-IN READY'' This stunning Modern Ranch home professionally designed with Cool Contemporary finishes features a Guest Casita with a private entrance, an expanded 2-Car Garage with pre-wiring for a 60amp 240v charger, and additional garage storage. The open-concept Kitchen, Dining, and Great Room are perfect for entertaining, featuring a 15' Sliding Glass Pocket Door and a
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