This city preserve has numerous hiking trails through typical Sonoran desert habitat. It is divided into two sections - the northern one between Dove Valley Road and Carefree Highway and accessed via East Sonoran Desert Drive west of Cave Creek Road and other access points in the north valley. The southern section includes Cave Buttes Recreation Area.

Desert Vista trailhead on the southwest side of the preserve is accessed from North Valley Parkway to West Copperhead Trail, north on West Melvern Trail to West Desert Vista Trail.