If you are thinking about buying in Forest Highlands, you are probably looking for more than just a house. You may want cooler summers, a private club setting, and a mountain lifestyle that feels very different from the Valley. This guide will help you understand how Forest Highlands works, what ownership includes, and what to watch before you buy in the Flagstaff area. Let’s dive in.
Why Forest Highlands Stands Out
Forest Highlands is a private, member-owned golf community in northern Arizona with 24/7 gated access. According to the club, the community spans 1,110 acres and includes 820 home sites, with many owners using their properties as second homes to escape hotter summer weather in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The club also notes that guests must be registered at the gatehouse because there is no public access.
That private setting is a big part of the appeal. For many buyers, Forest Highlands offers a true retreat feel, with private roads, private utilities, and services like House Watch and Alarm Monitoring that can be especially helpful if you do not live there year-round, as outlined in the 2025 Forest Highlands fact sheet.
What Life in Forest Highlands Feels Like
Forest Highlands is built around a mountain-club lifestyle, not just golf. The community began in 1987, with the Canyon course opening in 1988, and later expanded with the Meadow course and clubhouse in 1999 after the HOA partnered with DMB Development, according to the club’s community history.
Homes in the community are generally described by the club as rustic and mountain-resort in character. In practical terms, that means many buyers are drawn to an alpine lodge or cabin-style feel, often paired with forest, mountain, or golf course views. If you are coming from Scottsdale or Paradise Valley, the design language and setting will feel distinctly cooler, greener, and more seasonal.
Golf and Amenities to Expect
For many buyers, the golf offering is the headline feature. The Canyon Course is a par-71, 7,001-yard design by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, while the Meadow Course is a par-72, 7,340-yard Tom Weiskopf design known for a more walkable, park-like feel with lakes, wetlands, and meadow scenery.
Beyond the courses, amenities are extensive. The club’s amenities overview highlights two clubhouses, formal and casual dining, pools, tennis, pickleball, bocce, fitness, massage, steam rooms, practice facilities, hiking and biking trails, fishing ponds, parks, basketball, volleyball, and children’s play areas.
For buyers comparing lifestyle communities, that breadth matters. Forest Highlands is not just a place to play a round and leave. It is designed to support longer stays, family visits, and seasonal living.
Clubhouses and Recreation
The Canyon Clubhouse includes formal dining, banquet space, a pool, tennis, bocce, locker rooms, a pro shop, and administrative offices. The Meadow Clubhouse adds more casual indoor and outdoor dining, lounge space, an event lawn, fitness, massage, steam rooms, and a double-sided practice facility.
There is also a Recreation Center with kids programming, a pool, splash pad, hot tub, and game room. That can be especially appealing if you plan to host grandchildren, extended family, or guests during summer and holiday periods.
Summer and Winter Use
Forest Highlands is not only a summer community. The club says its main summer season runs from May through October, but winter still includes weekend dining, kids camps, craft nights, sledding, cross-country skiing, and shuttle service to Arizona Snowbowl, according to its community FAQ.
That year-round activity is worth noting if you are deciding how often you would realistically use a second home. While many owners come for cooler weather, winter can also be part of the draw.
Understanding the Climate Difference
One of the biggest reasons buyers look north is weather. At Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, which sits at 7,003 feet, NOAA normals show a July mean high of 82.0°F, a December mean high of 43.0°F, and annual snowfall of 90.1 inches, based on NOAA climate normals.
For Valley buyers, that climate shift is often the point. You trade extreme summer heat for cooler temperatures, four distinct seasons, and a real winter environment. At the same time, the National Weather Service notes that the region can experience heavy snowfall, bitter cold, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, excessive heat, and strong winds due to elevation differences, so seasonal planning matters.
Travel and Access From Phoenix
For most Arizona buyers, access will be straightforward but weather-sensitive. The National Weather Service says Interstate 17 is the fastest and most direct route between Phoenix and Flagstaff, and Forest Highlands directs Phoenix drivers north on I-17 to Exit 337 and then south on Highway 89A.
That said, winter travel can change quickly. Because of the elevation changes along the corridor, road conditions and travel times can be affected during storms. If you expect to use the home often in winter, it is smart to factor in flexible arrival timing and seasonal driving conditions.
The club also states that Forest Highlands is about 2.5 miles from Pulliam Airport, where planes can be seen and heard, and that the airport does not offer red-eye or overnight flights. For some buyers, that proximity is convenient. For others, it is simply something to know before choosing a lot or home location.
What Buying a Home Here Really Means
A Forest Highlands purchase is not just about the house itself. Because regular membership is attached to the property, ownership also carries club-related obligations and benefits, based on the club’s public membership and dues information.
For 2025, the club lists regular monthly dues of $1,500, which include HOA and full membership. It also lists a new owner capital contribution of $110,250, a membership transfer fee of $2,500, and a utility transfer fee of $5,000.
This is one of the most important things to understand before you make an offer. In practical terms, you are evaluating both a real estate purchase and a club-membership structure at the same time.
Forest Highlands Cost Snapshot
| Cost Item | 2025 Amount |
|---|---|
| Regular monthly dues | $1,500 |
| New owner capital contribution | $110,250 |
| Membership transfer fee | $2,500 |
| Utility transfer fee | $5,000 |
The club also says dues increases are board-approved and have averaged about 5% annually over 35 years. That makes long-term carrying costs an important part of your planning, especially if you are comparing Forest Highlands with other second-home options.
Guest Access and Hosting Rules
If hosting friends and family is part of your plan, it helps to know the logistics in advance. Since the community is private and gated, guests must be registered. The club’s guest access page explains that unaccompanied guest access requires a Guest Card, and the sponsoring member must request it at least 48 hours ahead.
This may not be a hurdle, but it is part of how the community preserves privacy and access control. If you expect frequent visits from adult children, relatives, or long-term house guests, it is worth understanding the process early.
Rental Rules Buyers Should Know
Forest Highlands is not set up like a typical short-stay resort investment market. The City of Flagstaff requires a short-term rental license and a Transaction Privilege Tax license for short-term rentals, while also noting that owners should check HOA rules because the city does not enforce HOA rental restrictions.
At the community level, current Forest Highlands rules state that leases must be at least 30 consecutive days unless the renter is an existing Forest Highlands member. The rules also state that lessees may not use common-area facilities unless accompanied by a member, and lease paperwork must be submitted at least five business days before the lease begins, according to the club’s current rules document.
For most buyers, the takeaway is simple. Forest Highlands is likely a stronger fit for personal use, second-home enjoyment, and longer stays than for high-turnover vacation rental plans.
Is Forest Highlands Right for You?
Forest Highlands can make a lot of sense if you want a private golf community with a strong amenity package, cooler weather, and a true mountain setting within driving distance of the Phoenix area. It can be especially appealing if you value seasonal living, club structure, and a property that supports both personal retreat and family gatherings.
It may be less ideal if your main goal is short-term rental income or a low-carry-cost second home. The dues structure, transfer costs, private membership framework, and leasing rules all point toward a lifestyle-first purchase.
The right way to buy here is with a clear understanding of total ownership cost, access logistics, and how often you realistically plan to use the property. If you want guidance as you compare Forest Highlands with other luxury second-home options, connect with Billie Drury for thoughtful, high-touch support tailored to your goals.
FAQs
What makes Forest Highlands different from other Flagstaff golf communities?
- Forest Highlands is a private, member-owned, 24/7 gated community with two golf courses, extensive club amenities, and membership that is tied to property ownership.
What are the monthly dues and transfer costs in Forest Highlands?
- For 2025, the club lists regular monthly dues at $1,500, plus a $110,250 new owner capital contribution, a $2,500 membership transfer fee, and a $5,000 utility transfer fee.
What is the weather like in Forest Highlands near Flagstaff?
- NOAA normals for Flagstaff Pulliam Airport show a July mean high of 82.0°F, a December mean high of 43.0°F, and average annual snowfall of 90.1 inches.
Can you use a Forest Highlands home as a short-term rental?
- Forest Highlands rules state that leases must generally be at least 30 consecutive days unless the renter is an existing member, so the community is typically better suited for owner use and longer stays.
How do guests access Forest Highlands if you are not with them?
- Unaccompanied guests need a Guest Card, and the sponsoring member must request it at least 48 hours in advance through the club.
How far is Forest Highlands from Phoenix and Flagstaff airport?
- The main route from Phoenix is typically I-17, and the club states that Forest Highlands is about 2.5 miles from Flagstaff Pulliam Airport.
