Set in one of the most dramatic desert environments on the planet, The Boulders provides a serene refuge where the pressures of daily life fade away.
The Boulders Resort sits in the far northeast corner of the Greater Phoenix Valley, in a sleepy little town called Carefree, Arizona…and it’s an entirely appropriate place to build one of the world’s most relaxing resorts. Words that best describe the experience here are words like calm, serene, tranquil, natural, rugged, scenic, pampered, and rejuvenating.
Set on 1,300 acres amongst the giant natural rock formations that date back more than 12 million years, The Boulders provides some of the most dramatic desert scenery on the planet. The serene desert setting, warm sunshine and blue skies are all part of the rejuvenating environment that is truly The Boulders claim to fame.
With 24 treatment rooms offering relaxing massages, therapeutic baths and other indulgences, the world-renowned Golden Door Spa delivers a true spa getaway experience, blending a Zen-like ambiance with the healing serenity of the Desert, and even offers a path to contentment known as The Labyrinth, inspired by ancient Hopi medicine wheels.
But there’s lots more than just massages to do and enjoy here, including:
- Two award-winning, championship golf courses offering breathtaking panoramic views and challenging play.
- Four sparkling pools, including one with a rock waterfall, provide peaceful serenity.
- Additional resort recreation includes tennis, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and shopping at el Pedregal – an outdoor marketplace comprised of boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and an amphitheater.
For those with a taste for adventure and the great outdoors, this rustic destination boasts a variety of unique and exciting activities that can only be found in the midst of the Sonoran desert:
- Desert Photo Tour held at sunrise and sunset, explores the most pristine and scenic areas of The Boulders.
- Desert Jeep Adventure, an informative and exhilarating guided tour of the Sonoran Desert in an open-air, four-wheel drive vehicle
- City Slickers Cattle Drive, featuring a true “Wild West” round-up, reminiscent of the popular movie
- Hot Air Balloon Flight, an exclusive excursion offering breathtaking views of the Sonoran desert from 1,000 feet in the air
- Soaring Among the Clouds, tour the desert skies from a soaring glider plane to experience weightlessness
- Stargazing, observe the magnificent stars of the Arizona sky from The Boulders fairway with a professional Astronomer
- Trails on Horseback, experience the beautiful desert trails of the Tonto National Forest on horseback, through some of the most vibrant scenery in the United States.
Accommodations
The Boulders offers 160 enhanced Casitas and 61 Villas and Haciendas that are naturally shaped into the desert terrain and grouped in village-like clusters.
The enhanced Casitas include a fresh interior design, wood burning fireplaces, technology enhancements as well as overstuffed leather chairs that add to the warm, Southwestern ambiance.
Spacious one, two or three bedroom Pueblo Villas are perfect for the most discerning travelers, each featuring a large dining area and living room, fully equipped kitchen, private patio, laundry facilities and garage.
The Boulders Golf Club
The Boulders is world renowned as one of the finest golf, tennis and spa resorts in the United States. Built into the high Sonoran Desert north of Scottsdale, The Boulders Club is nestled in the tranquil beauty of the high Sonoran desert and 12-million year old granite boulder formations that dot the landscape. Its two 18-hole championship golf courses have made this desert hideaway a repeated winner of Golf Magazine’s Gold Medal Award. It is one of only 5 Resorts awarded the Gold Medal every year since its inception in 1988.
From the ancient Indians to the modern day vacationers who come to bask in the peace of a spectacular natural setting, all have been drawn to the vast serenity of the terrain and the precariously balanced granite boulder formations silhouetted against the bright blue Sonoran sky. The Boulders courses are considered the most demanding in the Southwest, and are known for their rugged beauty.
Boulders North Course
The North course is the older of the two and features bent grass with spectacular views of Black Mountain as the course meanders through the Boulders community. Both courses are built right into the desert foothills and offer breathtaking panoramas – including stunning boulder formations, striking Sonoran Desert sunsets and natural desert terrain. Keep your eyes open because desert wildlife is often visible during play. Every day, golfers are surprised to see a bobcat, rabbits, coyotes or a javelina while hunting for a wayward shot. In short your experience should be a scenic and natural wonder.
Boulders South Course
The South course provides its players with much of the same experience they would find on the North course. The scenic views and desert beauty continue – with even more locations for the perfect photographic moment. While the North course is the original offering from the resort, many people believe that the South course is the most scenic. In fact it has holes that go right up into the boulder formations. During your round you will encounter the signature “Boulder Pile” and also “Rosie’s Rock”, two of the resort’s most recognizable rock formations.
North Course
| Tee | Par | Yards | Slope | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 72 | 6,811 | 137 | 72.6 |
| White | 72 | 6,293 | 131 | 70.1 |
| Copper | 72 | 5,879 | 124 | 68.3 |
| Gold | 72 | 5,197 | 123 | 71.2 |
| Red | 72 | 4,900 | 114 | 68.4 |
South Course
| Tee | Par | Yards | Slope | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | 71 | 6,726 | 140 | 71.9 |
| White | 71 | 6,246 | 134 | 70.0 |
| Copper | 71 | 5,642 | 119 | 67.8 |
| Gold | 71 | 5,141 | 123 | 70.5 |
| Red | 71 | 4,716 | 118 | 68.4 |