Cities

Fountain Hills

A fountain may be what this city is most famous for, but it's the surrounding community that gives Fountain Hills life. Sitting just along the border of Scottsdale, visitors to Fountain Hills can enjoy the outdoors, golf, cultural events and more.

Under the fountain’s mist, outdoor adventures, golf and culture beckon.

When developers C.V. Wood and Robert McCulloch purchased a cattle ranch between the McDowell Mountains and the Verde River in the late 1960s, they planned to develop a community in the scenic, hilly setting. There was just one (albeit big) problem: They needed a hook to get homebuyers out to the area, then at the edge of Greater Phoenix.

Wood, who helped develop Disneyland, and McCulloch, an entrepreneur, proposed an attraction—the world's tallest fountain. In 1970, their creation shot up some 560 feet in the air, and Fountain Hills was born. Today, this Fountain Hills attraction and its surrounding park form the centerpiece of a thriving town filled with restaurants, shops and lodging options, where visitors come to enjoy the outdoors, golf and cultural events.

Get out

Hikers, bikers and wanderers will appreciate Fountain Hills' easy access to the outdoors. Get your daily 10,000 steps at the recently opened Adero Canyon Trailhead, where trails offer a bird's-eye view of town and fountain and connect to adjacent McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers can spread out on looping trails at the 21,000-acre McDowell Mountain Regional Park, a Fountain Hills outdoor attraction that also has campsites.

At Saguaro Lake, take a guided boat cruise on the Desert Belle, while kayaks, paddle boards and inner tubes are the preferred modes of transportation on nearby Salt River. Closer to town, Fountain Hills Desert Botanical Garden is a hidden gem of botanical and geological delights, while the path around the fountain offers a scenic loop for power walkers and joggers.

Fore!

With a sun-drenched climate and sweeping views all the way to Four Peaks and the Superstition Mountains, who wouldn't want to take a swing at one of Fountain Hills' fabled public golf courses? Known for its narrow fairways and canyons, Desert Canyon Golf Club is the oldest club in town, while Eagle Mountain is a Scott Miller-designed course with dramatic elevation changes and an award-winning layout. Sunridge Canyon makes the most of its rugged ridges and canyons, thanks to Keith Foster's natural design. As part of the adjacent Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, We-Ko-Pa Golf Club's fairways are lined with saguaros and mesquites, rather than homes and buildings.

A cultured approach

Fun in the sun isn’t Fountain Hills' only attribute. Wander around the fountain and through downtown to see an impressive collection of public art—150 pieces—or head to Avenue of the Fountains for the weekly Art on the Avenue, a favorite local event. In spring, and again in fall, make plans to attend the Fountain Festival of Arts and Crafts when 500 artists gather to sell their creations.

Attached to the Fountain Hills Library, the River of Time Museum offers a history of life in the Verde River valley, from ancient peoples to modern times. Need a rest from all that walking around? Fountain Hills Theater produces more than a dozen annual shows, ranging from popular musicals to thought-provoking plays.

Visit City Website

More to Explore Near Fountain Hills

Cities

Mesa

Go big in Mesa, Arizona's third-largest city, where fan-favorite sports, art attractions, and outdoor adventure attract visitors on a large...

Cities

Scottsdale

Looking to upgrade your travel experience? Welcome to Scottsdale, Arizona's vacation destination for fine dining, upscale shopping and luxury...

Cities

Tempe

Home to Arizona State University, Tempe, just east of Phoenix, contains the vibe you would expect in a college town, and attractions that make...

Search Filters

Search Results

Spas & Luxury

The Scott Resort & Spa

Located in the heart of downtown Scottsdale, The Scott is unlike anything else in the Southwestern desert; a modern incarnation of an...

Sports

Scottsdale Physical Therapy & Performance

Physical therapy is traditionally thought of as a place one must go after being asked by their doctor. Traditional physical therapy can be...

Spas & Luxury

The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas

Our hand-picked collection of Scottsdale resort deals and vacation packages make it easy to customize your stay. We offer a tranquil,...

Sports

Scottsdale Stadium

Scottsdale Stadium is the spring training home to the San Francisco Giants. The baseball field located near Old Town Scottsdale was...

Family Activities

SEA LIFE Arizona

Dive in to SEA LIFE Arizona! Be wowed by the many strange, beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep as you journey through an...

Tours

Segway of Scottsdale

First established in 2005, Segway of Scottsdale remains the only authorized Segway tour company and dealership in Arizona. Now celebrating...

Galleries & Museums

Shemer Art Center

In 1919 the very first home was built in the newly named Phoenix neighborhood of Arcadia, to house the foreman of the Arcadia Water...

Shopping

Shine - MOBILE DETAIL SERVICE

Correction, Paint Protection, Machine Waxing, and Polishing. We are also well versed in the interior detailing process too. I look forward...

Wineries

Sip and Savor Tours and Events

Sip and Savor Tours provides entertaining and unique activities for bachelor and bachelorette parties, class and family reunions,birthdays...

Spas & Luxury

Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch

Think of us as a warm, intimate alternative to the larger resort options, where amenities like a welcoming lobby, a stunning new,...

Discover

Cities & Regions

From the abundance of Saguaro cactuses and unique wildlife in the Sonoran Desert to the high country and forests of the White Mountains to the breathtaking Grand Canyon, Arizona’s regions are full of experiences that don’t disappoint.