Picture your morning starting on a quiet desert trail, followed by coffee at the clubhouse and a twilight nine as the sun drops behind Black Mountain. If you are considering a move to North Scottsdale or a seasonal escape, Terravita offers a secure, amenity-rich lifestyle with a true sense of community. In this guide, you will learn how golf, trails, social programming and practical HOA details come together in one place. Let’s dive in.
Terravita at a glance
Terravita is a private, guard-gated master-planned community in North Scottsdale, Maricopa County. The neighborhood spans about 823 acres and is organized into roughly 23 neighborhoods with around 1,380 residences. It is not age restricted, yet many residents are active, older adults along with a healthy mix of seasonal owners. The Association manages gate access, an eGo transponder system for residents, guest procedures and an on-site Vacation Watch program for peace of mind when you travel.
Terravita’s governance is unique. There are three entities: the Terravita Community Association, the Terravita Country Club and the Terravita Golf Club. Homeownership includes membership in the Community Association and the Country Club. Golf membership is separate and optional. You can review the official structure and many day-to-day rules in the Association’s Homeowners’ Guide.
Golf life in Terravita
The centerpiece is an 18-hole championship course originally co-designed by PGA Hall of Famer Billy Casper and architect Greg Nash. Golfers will appreciate the course’s significant renovation led by architect Phil Smith that reopened in 2022. The project included rebuilt greens, reshaped bunkers and irrigation updates, with industry coverage noting an approximately $8.5 million effort. You can explore the course and practice areas on the club’s course overview and read more about the renovation details in this Golf Course Architecture feature.
Golf membership is optional and administered separately from the required homeowner social membership. The club offers resident and non-resident options, and availability or waitlists can change. Full golf members enjoy reciprocal play benefits through Troon Privé. For current initiation levels, dues and waitlist timing, contact Member Services using the club’s golf membership page.
Everyday convenience for golfers
Terravita permits approved personal golf carts within the community, which many residents use for quick trips to the practice range, clubhouse or neighbor gatherings. It is a simple convenience that helps the neighborhood feel connected and easy to navigate.
Clubhouse, dining and social scene
Life here is intentionally social. The Country Club hosts year-round events that range from themed dinners and wine tastings to holiday gatherings and block parties. Many resident-led groups meet regularly, including book clubs, arts and games. The separate Desert Pavilion community center is used for larger events and is listed at about 11,500 square feet by the club. Get a feel for the programming on the club’s Meet & Socialize page.
Dining options at the club are designed for everyday ease and special occasions alike. Whether you want a casual lunch after pickleball or a date-night dinner, the on-site venues keep you close to home while staying connected to friends and neighbors. Explore sample offerings and seasonal highlights on the dining page.
Fitness, pickleball, tennis and pool
The Terravita health and fitness center is described as state-of-the-art, with strength and cardio equipment, movement studios, classes and personal training. It is a convenient home base for staying active without leaving the community. See what is offered on the Health & Wellness page.
Racquets are a big part of the social fabric. The community features tennis and dedicated pickleball courts, along with instruction and organized play that make it easy to join in at any level. Court counts and program notes are posted on the Racquets page. You will also find resort-style pools with lap lanes and poolside programming for a relaxed, resort feel close to home.
Trails, nature and nearby hikes
If you love the Sonoran Desert, Terravita makes it part of daily life. The Association maintains over seven miles of community trails and a two-mile nature loop with interpretive signage. The Homeowners’ Guide notes the nature loop trailhead is at the Clubhouse parking area. Review trail details in the official Homeowners’ Guide.
Beyond the gates, you are minutes from regional favorites. The McDowell Sonoran Preserve offers extensive public trail networks with varied distances and elevations, perfect for longer hikes or weekend exploring. Plan a visit using the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy’s Pathfinders resource. You are also close to Black Mountain and Pinnacle Peak Park, two iconic North Scottsdale landmarks for quick climbs and sweeping views.
Homes and neighborhoods
Terravita’s housing is largely single-family and mostly single story, with original model series that often ranged from about 1,384 square feet to more than 3,800 square feet. Many homes feature casitas or flexible den spaces. Lots frequently back to golf fairways or protected Natural Area Open Space, with examples in recent listings showing many parcels around 0.15 to 0.25 acres. Always confirm details per property when you evaluate a home.
The community follows design guidelines that preserve a cohesive Sonoran Desert aesthetic. Expect stucco exteriors in earth tones, tile roofs and native, drought-tolerant landscaping. The Association enforces NAOS protections, exterior modification standards and dark-sky-style lighting rules that help maintain views and a calm night environment. You can find governance and design references in the Homeowners’ Guide.
How living here works
Understanding the membership structure will help you budget and plan. As a homeowner, you are a member of the Terravita Community Association and the Terravita Country Club. Social and club amenities come with that homeowner membership. Golf is optional through the Terravita Golf Club. Current assessments, social dues and any initiation or transfer fees can change over time, so it is best to verify the latest figures directly with the Association and the Club.
Terravita is guard gated with multiple vehicle entrances. Residents use eGo transponder tags for gate access. Guest lists and vendor hours are managed by the Association, and procedures vary depending on the type of visitor or event. For seasonal owners, the Association’s Vacation Watch program provides extra peace of mind when you are away. All gate and access details are covered in the Homeowners’ Guide.
Short-term rentals are allowed with rules. The minimum lease length is 30 consecutive days, and tenants must be registered with the Association. The guide also explains how temporary eGo tags and gate access work for lessees. If you plan to rent your home seasonally, review the rental section in the Homeowners’ Guide so you understand timing, access and compliance.
Community life and seasonality
Terravita is known for its friendly, active rhythm. The social calendar includes club-hosted events and resident-led interest groups such as book clubs, arts, bridge, fitness and more. Because the community is not age restricted yet skews older, you will find a strong mix of year-round owners and seasonal snowbirds who appreciate the lock-and-leave convenience.
If you enjoy meeting neighbors, joining groups and staying active, you will likely feel at home quickly. If you prefer privacy, the expansive trail system and natural open spaces give you quiet options every day.
Market snapshot and buying tips
Recent neighborhood data show a 12-month median sale price around $1.1 million and an average price per square foot near $487. Inventory often runs tight, which means desirable golf and NAOS lots can move quickly. Figures change with market cycles, so confirm the latest data when you are ready to shop.
Use this quick checklist to focus your search:
- Membership and dues: Ask whether the listing’s HOA assessment includes required Country Club social dues or if they are billed separately.
- Golf specifics: Call the Club about current golf membership availability, initiation levels, waitlist timing and Troon Privé benefits for full members.
- Rental rules: If you plan seasonal leasing, confirm the 30-day minimum and tenant registration steps with the Association.
- Gate and guests: Review eGo transponder setup, guest entry procedures and vendor work hours if you will have remodels or deliveries.
- Lot and lifestyle: Note backyard orientation, NAOS adjacency and proximity to trails or the clubhouse to match daily routines you value.
- Seasonal use: If you are a snowbird, ask about the Association’s Vacation Watch and how utilities or landscape services can be set for easy lock and leave.
Is Terravita a fit for you
Choose Terravita if you want secure, low-maintenance living with a strong social backbone and everyday access to golf, fitness and desert trails. The membership structure is clear once you understand the three-entity setup, and the rules support a calm, well-kept environment. With thoughtful planning, you can find a home that fits your lifestyle, whether you imagine morning laps, afternoon pickleball, sunset hikes or a refreshed short game.
Ready to explore homes and compare neighborhoods across North Scottsdale? Connect with Torie Ellens for a concierge consultation tailored to your goals and timing.
FAQs
Is Terravita age restricted or 55 plus
- Terravita is not age restricted, though the resident profile tends to skew older and many owners are seasonal snowbirds.
How does membership work for Terravita homeowners
- Homeownership includes membership in the Terravita Community Association and the Terravita Country Club, while Terravita Golf Club membership is optional and separately administered.
What trail options are inside Terravita and where do they start
- The community maintains over seven miles of trails plus a two-mile nature loop with interpretive signs, with the loop’s trailhead at the Clubhouse parking area per the Homeowners’ Guide.
Can I rent my Terravita home for short stays
- Yes, with rules that include a 30-day minimum lease and tenant registration requirements set by the Association.
What should golfers know about Terravita membership
- The 18-hole course was recently renovated, golf membership is optional with resident and non-resident options and Troon Privé reciprocity, and availability or waitlists can vary by season.
How does gate access and security work for residents and guests
- Terravita is guard gated and uses eGo transponder tags for residents, with guest lists and vendor hours managed by the Association and a Vacation Watch program available for when you are away.
