Last Updated: May 2, 2026
Fort McDowell is an unincorporated community about half an hour northeast of Phoenix on the Yavapai Nation — a place most travelers bypass entirely on their way between Scottsdale and the high country. We came from New River, about an hour’s drive south, and used Fort McDowell as a base for day trips to Fountain Hills, Mesa, and the scenic mountain drive to Payson. It turned out to be one of our more enjoyable Phoenix-area stops — relaxed, well-located, and full of good food. From here we continued on to Cave Creek.
Fort McDowell: A Brief History
Fort McDowell was established by the U.S. Army in 1865 to protect travelers, supply routes, and settlers from raids in the Gila River and Salt River valleys during the turbulent years of the Apache Wars. Named after General Irvin McDowell, it was garrisoned for nearly three decades before being abandoned as a military post in 1890. The surrounding land was later designated as the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation reservation — and today the Yavapai people manage the land, including the Eagle View RV Resort and a casino that draws visitors from across the Phoenix metro area.
Eagle View RV Resort: A Solid Stay
Eagle View RV Resort sits on Yavapai Nation land adjacent to the Fort McDowell Casino — and it’s a genuinely well-run property. We had 50-amp electric, good water pressure, sewer, and fast enough internet to stream most evenings without frustration. The grounds are well maintained, the facilities clean and modern, and the overall atmosphere is calm and comfortable.
The amenities were solid throughout — laundry facility, pool and spa, and a gym that actually had functional equipment. The pool area was well maintained and largely uncrowded on weekday mornings.
The sunsets from Eagle View were genuinely spectacular. Arizona’s dry air and fine desert dust scatter light in ways that intensify the reds, oranges, and purples at the horizon — and at Fort McDowell’s elevation with wide open desert views to the west, the evening light show is something Michael always has a camera ready for. These were among the finest of the entire Arizona trip.
Eagle View RV Resort visitor details: Located at 10438 N Fort McDowell Rd, Fort McDowell, AZ 85264, on the Yavapai Nation approximately 30 miles northeast of Phoenix. Full hookups with 50-amp electric, water, sewer, and reliable Wi-Fi. Pool, spa, gym, and laundry on site. Adjacent to Fort McDowell Casino. More information at eagleviewrvresort.com.
Fountain Hills: The Fourth Tallest Fountain in the World
Fountain Hills is a planned community about 15 minutes from Eagle View, built around an artificial lake and its defining feature: a fountain that shoots reclaimed water 560 feet into the air. Built in 1970, it held the title of the world’s tallest fountain for several years before being surpassed. It’s now the fourth tallest in the world — still an impressive sight, especially when the wind is low and the plume holds its full height. A wind sensor automatically reduces the flow on gusty days to keep it from becoming a public shower.
Michael spent a wonderfully low-key day at Barnes & Noble in nearby Scottsdale — coffee, cookbooks, and the unhurried pleasure of browsing shelves without a schedule. After 16 years of education after High School studying chemical engineering/chemistry, then medicine then anesthesia then interventional pain medicine, he loves to read just about anything. He eventually came home with a cookbook. Sandy worked through the area’s excellent thrift stores, which in the Scottsdale-Fountain Hills corridor tend to yield genuinely interesting finds from the kinds of households that populate an affluent desert retirement community.
For lunch we tried Arrivederci Cucina Italiana — good Italian food with views of the fountain from the outdoor patio. Jake joined us, which always improves the experience. Dogs and Italian food and a 560-foot fountain: a fine afternoon.
Fountain Hills visitor details: Fountain Hills is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Scottsdale on AZ-87. The fountain operates three times daily at scheduled intervals — check current times at fountainhillsaz.gov. Fountain Lake Park surrounds the lake with walking paths, picnic areas, and good views of the fountain from multiple angles.
Mesa: Family Visit
One of the genuine pleasures of long-term RV travel is that it takes you through places where people you love happen to live — and you actually have time to spend with them rather than a rushed visit between flights. We drove to Mesa to have dinner with Sandy’s cousin Pieter, his wife Monica, and their kids Liam and Sophia. Sandy and Pieter grew up together in Vermont but hadn’t seen each other in years. They talked for hours. The kids were wonderful, the house and neighborhood were beautiful, and it was one of those evenings that reminds you why you travel slowly.
Payson, Arizona: Mountain Drive & Duza’s Kitchen
The drive from Fort McDowell to Payson on AZ-87 — the Beeline Highway — is one of the most underrated scenic drives in Arizona. The road climbs through mountains densely covered in saguaro cactus, transitioning gradually from desert floor to high country pines as you gain elevation. Payson sits at approximately 5,000 feet at the geographic center of Arizona, which gives it a completely different climate from Phoenix or Tucson — cooler summers, genuine winters, and a mountain character that’s distinct from the desert sprawl below.
Payson has a proud rodeo tradition and a literary connection worth noting: Zane Grey — one of the most popular authors of American Western fiction, whose novels shaped how generations of readers imagined the frontier West — lived and wrote here. His cabin still stands as a historic site. The town has a genuine high-country character: unpretentious, outdoorsy, and refreshingly free of the resort gloss that coats so much of the greater Phoenix area.
Along the drive we encountered butterflies working the roadside wildflowers — one of those small, unexpected pleasures that make a scenic drive memorable even before you arrive anywhere.
Lunch at Duza’s Kitchen was one of the best meals of the entire Fort McDowell stay. Set in a converted house with eclectic artwork covering every wall, Duza’s has the kind of deeply personal atmosphere that only comes from a restaurant someone genuinely cares about. The food was delicious and creative. The mood created by the art — collected, layered, and entirely idiosyncratic — made the whole experience feel more like eating in someone’s creative home than at a restaurant. Absolutely worth the drive up from Fort McDowell.
Practical Tips for Fort McDowell & the Area
Fort McDowell as a base camp: Its location northeast of Phoenix puts you within easy reach of Fountain Hills, Scottsdale, Mesa, and the Payson mountain drive — all without fighting central Phoenix traffic. Eagle View RV Resort is one of the better-run RV parks in the greater Phoenix area — well maintained, reliable hookups, and a calm atmosphere. Payson day trip: The Beeline Highway (AZ-87) is the scenic route — allow at least an hour each way and stop to photograph the saguaro-covered mountain slopes. Fountain Hills fountain schedule: The fountain runs on a set schedule — check times before you go to make sure you catch it at full height. Zane Grey cabin: Payson’s Zane Grey cabin is worth a quick stop for Western history and literature enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort McDowell
What is Fort McDowell known for? Fort McDowell is best known as the home of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Eagle View RV Resort, and the Fort McDowell Casino. It’s also the gateway to Fountain Hills and sits at the base of the Beeline Highway scenic drive to Payson.
Is Eagle View RV Resort good for RV travel? Yes — it’s one of the better Phoenix-area RV resorts. Full hookups with 50-amp service, reliable internet, pool, spa, gym, and laundry in a well-maintained setting on Yavapai Nation land. Book ahead during the busy winter season (November through March).
Is the Fountain Hills fountain worth seeing? Yes — it’s a genuine landmark and a pleasant town to spend a few hours in. The fountain runs on a schedule so plan around it. The lakeside park is dog-friendly and the surrounding area has good restaurants and shopping.
How far is Payson from Fort McDowell? Payson is approximately 50 miles northeast of Fort McDowell — about an hour’s drive via AZ-87. The Beeline Highway is one of Arizona’s most scenic mountain drives and easily justifies a day trip from the Phoenix area.
Who was Zane Grey? Zane Grey (1872–1939) was one of the most widely read American authors of the early 20th century, best known for his Western novels including Riders of the Purple Sage. He lived and wrote in Payson, Arizona and his cabin there is preserved as a historic site. His work helped define the popular image of the American frontier West for generations of readers.
Part of our Arizona road trip — from New River through Fort McDowell and on to Cave Creek.
