DC Ranch, Scottsdale.
A cattle brand from 1885
at the foot of the McDowells.
DC Ranch is a master-planned community in north Scottsdale, in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, named for a cattle brand Dr. William Dorr Crosby registered in 1885. DMB broke ground in 1997 and lists 3,000 entitled homes, with more than half of the land protected.
DC Ranch on the map
Approximate outline drawn around the recorded subdivision plats named for DC Ranch on the Maricopa County Assessor map. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
A master-planned community in the McDowell foothills
DC Ranch is a master-planned community in north Scottsdale, in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. Its developer, DMB, lists 3,000 entitled homes, meaning homes the city has approved through zoning, and states that more than half of the community's land is protected (DMB).
The community's own map shows Pima Road, Thompson Peak Parkway, Bell Road and the Loop 101 freeway around and through it (DC Ranch community map). The City of Scottsdale names DC Ranch among the city's large planned communities (Scottsdale History).
From the DC brand to Desert Camp
The DC Ranch community publishes this history (DC Ranch history). Dr. William Dorr Crosby registered the DC cattle brand in 1885, and E.O. Brown bought it in the early 1900s. Brown's homestead sat near what the history calls the only perpetual spring in the McDowell Mountains. That spring still produces about three gallons a minute inside today's community.
Brown and his partner shipped their first load of cattle to California in 1910. His son, E.E. "Brownie" Brown, took over the operation and in the 1940s partnered with Kemper Marley. Over two generations the DC Ranch grew to 43,000 acres, and the brand was used on the range until the mid-1990s.
The landowners formed a partnership with DMB in the 1980s. DMB Associates broke ground on the master-planned community in 1997, and the first homeowners moved into the Desert Camp area in 1998. The same year, DMB sold more than 4,600 acres in the upper Windgate Pass area to the City of Scottsdale for the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
Community centers, Market Street, golf
The DC Ranch community map labels these places.
- Desert Camp Community Center, 9260 E. Desert Camp Dr.Heated recreational and tot pools, a playground, a fitness center and studio, a basketball court, two lighted tennis courts, four lighted pickleball courts and event space (dcranch.com).
- The Homestead Community Center.A splash pad, playground, basketball court and event facilities (DC Ranch community centers).
- Market Street.A mixed-use center with offices, shops, restaurants and entertainment.
- The Country Club at DC Ranch.A golf club whose course DMB credits to Tom Lehman and John Fought, with a 35,000-square-foot Hacienda Clubhouse, six tennis courts and a fitness center.
- Silverleaf Club.A private club with a championship golf course designed by Tom Weiskopf, per the community map.
- Copper Ridge School.A public school for grades K to 8, labeled on the community map.
The Gateway to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
The Gateway Trailhead sits on Thompson Peak Parkway adjacent to DC Ranch (dcranch.com). The City of Scottsdale completed the Gateway in May 2009. It gives access to more than 45 miles of trails (City of Scottsdale).
According to the city, Scottsdale citizens began the preservation effort in 1990 through the nonprofit McDowell Sonoran Land Trust, now the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. The city's goal is to preserve approximately 36,400 acres, about one third of Scottsdale's land area.
Read the recorded rules
DC Ranch homes sit inside a master-planned community with shared community centers and common areas. DMB describes the community as made up of neighborhoods. Each lot carries recorded covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs), the rules an association enforces on exterior changes, use and upkeep.
The community map labels two golf clubs, The Country Club at DC Ranch and Silverleaf Club, the latter described as private. Ask each club directly about membership terms.
Entitled homes
Homes the city has approved through zoning. DMB lists 3,000 for DC Ranch. It is an approval figure, not a count of homes built.
Community centers
Desert Camp and The Homestead. Access uses a resident system run by the community.
Not historic
DC Ranch is a planned community, not a listed historic district.
DC Ranch, answered
Where is DC Ranch?
DC Ranch is in north Scottsdale in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. Its community map shows Pima Road, Thompson Peak Parkway, Bell Road and Loop 101.
What does DC stand for in DC Ranch?
DC was a cattle brand registered in 1885 by Dr. William Dorr Crosby. The community's history suggests it may refer to Doc Crosby or a Desert Camp, but does not say for certain.
When was DC Ranch built?
DMB Associates broke ground in 1997, and the first homeowners moved into Desert Camp in 1998.
How many homes are in DC Ranch?
DMB lists 3,000 entitled homes, meaning homes approved through zoning.
What community centers does DC Ranch have?
Desert Camp, at 9260 E. Desert Camp Dr., and The Homestead.
What golf clubs are in DC Ranch?
The Country Club at DC Ranch, with a course by Tom Lehman and John Fought, and Silverleaf Club, a private club with a Tom Weiskopf course.
How do you get to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve from DC Ranch?
The Gateway Trailhead is on Thompson Peak Parkway adjacent to DC Ranch. It opened in May 2009 and gives access to more than 45 miles of trails.
Is DC Ranch a historic district?
No. DC Ranch is a master-planned community, not a listed historic district.
Looking at DC Ranch?
Which neighborhood association a lot belongs to, its recorded CC&Rs, lot size and construction year are in the county and association records. Send me the addresses and I will pull them. Text me at 480-485-4261.
Own a home in DC Ranch? See what the county has on file and get a real value. Looking? Search homes for sale.
Sources: DC Ranch, DC Ranch: A Storied History, Community Map, October 2024, Community Centers, Desert Camp and McDowell Sonoran Preserve; DMB, DC Ranch portfolio page; City of Scottsdale, Scottsdale History and Gateway to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. All checked 28 October 2026.