4 Reasons Gold Canyon AZ is a Great Place to Live In

Nestled at the foothills of the Superstition Mountain Wilderness, Gold Canyon is an upscale community less than an hour east of Phoenix. But, despite having a reputation as “upscale”, this well-kept, safe community is considered by many to be affordable. This is a relatively new community in Pinal County, and most of the homes are less than 20-years old.

Gold Canyon AZ real estate has become popular with year-round residents and snowbirds alike, for good reason. If you're curious about what living in Gold Canyon is like, keep reading. You might find this clean, quiet, and safe community is perfect for you.

You're Never Far From Nature

If you love the beauty of Arizona's Sonoran Desert, you'll love living in Gold Canyon. You're always within minutes of the legendary Superstition Mountains and its dozens of trails. You'll also be a short drive from beautiful Canyon Lake.

The craggy cliffs and rock faces of the Superstitions hide many secrets, including the Lost Dutchman's Mine. But, gold is not the only treasure hidden deep within the mountains; you'll also discover ancient hieroglyphs, quiet streams, and an abundance of wildlife.

One of the easiest hikes into the mountains from Gold Canyon is the Hieroglyphic Trail; the trail takes you up a gentle, 1.5-mile slope past ancient petroglyphs left by the Hohokam. You'll also see a variety of cactus as well as seasonal pools.

If you're willing to hike off-trail, you can enjoy the watery oasis of Fish Creek. The creek crosses Highway 88 and the Apache Trail. You'll need to scramble down to the canyon floor to get to the creek. It's not an easy hike, but you'll be rewarded with a lush, hidden, desert oasis.

Lost Dutchman State Park is also close by, with plenty of well-marked trails to hike. If you're new to Arizona, the Native Plant Trail within the park can familiarize you with the different desert plants. Be sure to ask a ranger for the Native Plant Trail guide.

Just around 10-miles past Lost Dutchman State Park is beautiful Canyon Lake. This lovely, small lake is popular for both boating and fishing. It's stocked with trout, bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, walleye, and carp. You can even catch a nature cruise on the Dolly Steamboat to explore the hidden inner waterways of the lake.

Gold Canyon AZ is for Golfers

If you love golf, you'll love the Gold Canyon Golf Resort, which features two championship 18 hole public golf courses. Both the Sidewinder and Dinosaur Mountain Courses have earned four-star ratings from Golf Digest.

The Dinosaur Mountain Course has consistently been rated as the #1 public course in the state for years. The entire course offers a stunning, panoramic view of the desert, as well as a challenging game. The course takes you up, over, and around Dinosaur Mountain for dramatic elevation changes and loping, long fairways.

The Sidewinder Course goes around the base of Dinosaur Mountain, snaking through dry washes and arroyos filled with cactus, palo verde, and mesquite trees lining the course. It's a one-of-a-kind golf experience you won't forget.

Gold Canyon Golf Resort also is home to Kokopeli's and The Bar & Grill, two fine dining establishments. Both restaurants share a dining patio that offers spectacular views of the golf courses and the desert.

There are two more public golf courses in Gold Canyon, the Mountain Brook Country Club, and Gold Canyon RV & Golf Resort. Mountain Brook offers golfers 18 holes, while visitors to the RV Golf Resort can enjoy a short game of 9 holes.

Finally, the Superstition Mountain Country Club is a private course for members of the exclusive, Superstition Golf Community. The Country Club has two 18 holes Jack Nicklaus designed courses.

Big City Amenities are Close By

Gold Canyon does have a grocery store and a few restaurants, but you'll need to go to nearby Mesa AZ, which is only 7-miles away for most of your shopping. Chandler and Gilbert are also less than 10-miles away.

The Mesa Riverview shopping center features more than 30 major retail shops, and the Superstition Springs Center has 150 shops and dining establishments. For an upscale shopping experience, be sure to visit the Village Square at Dana Park.

Gold Canyon does have an urgent care medical center, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and a veterinarian. Kiddie Korner on King's Ranch Road also provides daycare for small children. But, you can also find the medical services you need in Mesa, as well as additional services for your children and pets.

For families with children, Gold Canyon is within the Apache Junction Unified School District. That means the kids will need to go to public school in Apache Junction, which is around 10-miles away.

The community also has several churches, including Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, and non-denominational.

While life in Gold Canyon seems far away from the congestion of the Valley, it's also close to big city services. But keep in mind, public transportation to and from Gold Canyon is limited, so you'll need to drive.

Gold Canyon AZ Real Estate Offers a Safe, Quiet Environment

Crime rates in Gold Canyon are extremely low, and many residents here feel very safe walking alone at night. Most people here also feel that Gold Canyon offers a sense of community.

Overall, the Spanish-style homes have well-kept yards landscaped with natural, desert plants; the neighborhoods blend beautifully with the surrounding natural environment. Best of all, natural desert landscaping requires very little care. Once you move to Gold Canyon, mowing and watering the lawn will be a thing of the past. The neighborhoods are also very quiet, providing a tranquil retreat that's close to nature.

From moderately priced retirement homes to multi-million dollar mansions, you can find Gold Canyon AZ real estate to suit your budget. Building lots are also available so that you can build your custom dream home.

If you love golf, you can't do better than buying a home in Gold Canyon; you'll have access to the best courses in the state. It's also a wonderfully tranquil place that's close to nature.