Rio Verde
Golf & Equestrian Community at the Tonto National Forest Edge
Why People Move Here
Rio Verde is an unincorporated CDP built around three master-planned golf communities — Rio Verde Country Club (opened 1973, age-restricted 55+ under HOPA), Tonto Verde, and Trilogy at Verde River. Tucked between McDowell Mountain Regional Park and the Tonto National Forest, it offers two 18-hole courses at the namesake club, direct trail access for hikers and horseback riders, and dark-sky Sonoran Desert views — all within a ~45-minute drive of Old Town Scottsdale.
Key Statistics
Data sourced from census records, school district reports, and local transit authorities.
Commute Times
School Districts
Cave Creek Unified School District No. 93
B+Top 20% of AZ public districts
- Cactus Shadows High School (4-star, A- Niche grade)
- Elementary schools graded A, middle A-, high A-
- Schools physically located in Cave Creek — verify enrollment eligibility by address
FAQ — Rio Verde
What are the home prices in Rio Verde, AZ?
Platform medians range from $725,000 (Redfin, February 2026, down 17.1% YoY) to $883,000 (Homes.com), with Zillow's typical home value at $816,380. Days on market have risen to about 95 days, up from 48 the prior year. Trilogy at Verde River new construction runs $454,000 to $1.8 million across four Shea Homes collections.
Is Rio Verde an age-restricted 55+ community?
The three master-planned communities that comprise most of Rio Verde's housing stock — Rio Verde Country Club (980 homes), Tonto Verde (717 homes), and Trilogy at Verde River (1,285 homes at build-out) — hold documented Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) 55+ exemptions. Trilogy also offers an all-ages section. The broader CDP is not entirely age-restricted, but most organized subdivisions are.
What happened with the Rio Verde Foothills water crisis?
Rio Verde Foothills (a separate unincorporated area immediately south of the Rio Verde CDP) lost hauled water service from Scottsdale on January 1, 2023. After litigation and Arizona Corporation Commission hearings, EPCOR invested more than $10 million in a pipeline and standpipe that opened January 1, 2026, at an initial rate of $16.28 per 1,000 gallons. The Rio Verde CDP proper is served by Rio Verde Utilities (now EPCOR) and was not directly affected.
What schools serve Rio Verde?
Cave Creek Unified School District No. 93 (CCUSD93) serves the Rio Verde area, with a Niche grade of B+ and ranking in the top 20% of Arizona public districts. Cactus Shadows High School is a 4-star, A- rated campus. All district schools are physically located in Cave Creek, roughly 20 miles west. Verify enrollment eligibility by address directly with CCUSD.
What is the commute from Rio Verde to Scottsdale and Phoenix?
Rio Verde to Old Town Scottsdale is about 30 miles / 44 minutes via Dynamite Blvd and Pima Rd; to North Scottsdale (Kierland/Scottsdale Quarter) about 35 minutes; to downtown Phoenix about 37 miles / 56 minutes via SR-87 and Shea Blvd; to Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) about 36 miles / 53 minutes. There is no Valley Metro transit service.
What are the crime statistics in Rio Verde?
Rio Verde is policed by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) as an unincorporated area. Niche and Homefacts both report low total crime, and ZIP 85263 has zero registered sex offenders. Maricopa County overall averages 28.43 total crimes and 3.73 violent crimes per 1,000 residents annually. The CDP's small population makes per-capita statistics noisy — source: MCSO and BJS/UCR county-level data.
What outdoor recreation is available in Rio Verde?
McDowell Mountain Regional Park sits immediately west with 17+ hiking and biking trails. Tonto National Forest wraps the community to the north and east, with access to Bartlett Lake (swimming, fishing, waterskiing), Horseshoe Reservoir, and the Verde River for paddling. The Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve adds 225+ miles of marked trails. Rio Rancho Verde provides direct horseback access to 32,000+ acres of Tonto NF.
What healthcare and accessibility options are near Rio Verde?
HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center (427 beds, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, Level III NICU) is the nearest full hospital at roughly 25-30 minutes. Mayo Clinic Hospital in North Phoenix is 30-35 minutes. Urgent care is in Fountain Hills (~17 mi) and North Scottsdale. Most master-planned community homes include single-level floor plans, and some include elevators.
What are typical HOA dues in Rio Verde?
Rio Verde Association annual dues were $5,239 in 2025, paid in two installments, plus a $146 semi-annual assessment for the dog park and pickleball courts. HOA dues include social membership to the club, heated pool, fitness center, trash/recycling, street and gate maintenance, and an 18-hole natural grass putting course. Country club golf and full club membership are separate fees. Tonto Verde and Trilogy at Verde River have their own HOA and membership structures.
Compare Communities
Other communities in Scottsdale/NE.