For those who love the outdoors, Fountain Hills becomes a unique place of joy. There are so many things to enjoy, from water sports to golf to hiking to horseback riding. To help you and your family decide which activities will best suit your personal preferences, budget, and time frame, here is an overview of some of the things you can see and do outside in Fountain Hills.

Golf

Fountain Hills is close to several golf courses, combining its own attractions with the Scottsdale greens. The Desert Canyon Golf Club, Eagle Mountain Golf Club, and Ancala Country Club all beckon those who’d like to take their game to the next level. The stunning year-round sunshine makes tee times relatively assured. The biggest problem is the wait list for popular weekends and in the peak winter season. Booking a month or more in advance will almost guarantee that you will be able to have the time you would like for your group.

Trail Riding

Fountain Hills is surrounded by several different sets of mountains. The Four Peaks, the Superstition Hills Mountains, and the McDowell Mountains provide plenty of rugged terrain for exploring. The state parks, Indian reservations, and dude ranches of the area all offer horseback riding and trail riding opportunities. Whether you are an experienced rider or a total novice, there is a package for you. Those who are new to horseback riding, however, may want to think twice about signing up for all-day rides, as saddle soreness can make the trip back into town a literal pain.

Water Sports

Although Fountain Hills is in the middle of the Sonora, the famous Fountain that gives the town its name is not the only body of water around. Those who love watersports will be pleased to arrive at Saguaro Lake, the Salt River, or the Verde River. A full range of watersports activities are available between the three of them.

For those who just want to lay back and enjoy the scenery, inner tube tours of the Salt River will be in order. While only the brave take their cameras out in the river, the views are spectacular. It’s a good way to see more of what the desert has to show.

Saguaro Lake, on the other hand, offers a selection of more active water sports. Boating, fishing, swimming and limited skiing are available here. Watching the sun rise over the water as you fish will allow you to appreciate all the charms of the painted desert sky.

Wild West Adventures

Although many people think of Fountain Hills as strictly a modern community, it actually has a rich western history. You can explore the elements of the Wild West in its past with a trip to Fort McDowell. It is part of the Yavapai Indian Reservation and the Tonto National Forest. Tours as well as activities for the whole family are available here. It is also a convenient drive from the downtown area to the starting point for most of the activities.

Fountain Hills offers year round activities thanks to its generously warm climate. However, despite priding itself on being a four-season city, there are definite swings in the rental market here. Many people escape the Northern chills by renting seasonally in Fountain Hills between October and March.

The key to a successful seasonal rental is doing careful research. While Fountain Hills is overall a very nicely planned community zone, there are views, transport access, and entertainment access points to be considered. You want to find the right balance of being close enough to the central area to enjoy the Community Theater, restaurants, and fountain while still being able to appreciate the mountains.

To begin, it is often helpful to make a list of your must have items. Do you need to be close to a hospital for your health? Is being able to walk out onto a golf course for an easy tee time important to you? What kinds of building structures are you simply not going to accept?

From there, you can break things down further. Are there pets that you would like to bring with? Do you need the rental to be furnished or will you be bringing your own furniture with you? Are you looking for natural light to hit the home in the morning or in the afternoon? Can you handle being in the shadow of a mountain for most of the day?

Once you have your list together, you can then reach out to agents and homeowners in the area. If you have never been to Fountain Hills before and are not sure about the neighborhoods, it is helpful to retain a local agent on the ground. He or she will be able to provide you personalized advice to help you make your decision.

Narrow things down to 3 - 5 properties that you think would work for you, and then get more in depth with your questioning. If possible, you may want to come for a weekend visit to see if there are any properties that really speak to you as a seasonal home or any that really turn you off before you move in to them. This trip can be optional depending on how much you trust your agent and the overall length of your stay in the area. Obviously, you will be much more concerned about a 6 month seasonal rental than a monthly property, but it is always to have the chance to see things first!