MacDonald Highlands, Henderson: Hillside Golf Community

What MacDonald Highlands is

MacDonald Highlands is a series of residential neighborhoods in Henderson, set in the foothills of Black Mountain on the edge of the McCullough Mountains. The community overlooks much of Henderson and the Las Vegas Valley, and Wikipedia places it about 15 miles from the Strip and about 20 miles from downtown Las Vegas. It is part of the larger Green Valley area, and it is bordered by Green Valley Ranch, the Del Webb community of Sun City MacDonald Ranch, and the neighborhoods of Ascaya and Roma Hills.

The community's official website describes a master-planned community of about 1,320 acres behind two landscaped, 24-hour guard-gated entries. Its marketing describes contemporary homes with large glass walls, terraces, and decks that are designed around the terrain, and homes vary widely in size and style from one neighborhood to the next.

History and setting

MacDonald Highlands grew out of the same area that produced the earlier MacDonald Ranch community and the Sun City MacDonald Ranch community, which Del Webb opened in May 1995 on a roughly 564-acre site south of Lake Mead Drive. The hillside community above them developed later, with DragonRidge Country Club opening in 2000 as its centerpiece.

Because the community is built on slopes, homes sit at different elevations, and the experience of two homes with the same address on the same street can differ greatly. A home on the uphill side may look out over the valley, while one on the downhill side may look at the rooftops across the street. We look at the actual view from the actual lot.

DragonRidge Country Club

DragonRidge Country Club, which opened in 2000, is described as the centerpiece of the community. Its par-72 course was designed by Jay Morrish and David Druzisky and winds through hillside homesites, with elevation changes, desert arroyos, water features, and volcanic rock shaping the holes. The course is described as private.

The contemporary clubhouse is about 40,000 square feet and has three restaurants and the Grand Highlands Ballroom, a 5,000-square-foot event space with views of the Strip and the golf course. Whether a membership is required or optional for a particular home, and what it costs, depends on the home and the current club terms, so ask for the membership documents before you make an offer.

Neighborhoods, Ascaya, and Roma Hills

MacDonald Highlands includes a number of separate neighborhoods, some with their own gates, and each has its own lot sizes, architecture, and association structure. Some are semi-custom neighborhoods with defined floor plans, while others are custom lots where each home is different.

Ascaya, which is next door, is a separate guard-gated community in the McCullough Mountain Range, described by its developer as being about 20 minutes from the Strip, with desert modern architecture, a private clubhouse, a pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and trails. It has its own association, rules, and fees, and it is a separate purchase decision from MacDonald Highlands. Roma Hills is another adjacent neighborhood. When you see a listing described as "MacDonald Highlands," confirm which community the home is actually in.

Getting around and what is nearby

MacDonald Highlands is on the west side of Henderson, close to Green Valley Ranch, The District at Green Valley Ranch, and shopping and dining along Horizon Ridge Parkway and Green Valley Parkway. The 215 Beltway is the main route for reaching Summerlin, the airport, and the rest of the valley.

Outdoors, Henderson has more than 230 miles of trails, and the McCullough Hills and Black Mountain rise above the community. Our Henderson guide describes parks, trails, and recreation around the city, including the River Mountains Loop Trail and Lake Mead.

Gates, associations, and costs to check

The community is guard-gated, and individual neighborhoods can add their own gates. The costs of security, common-area upkeep, and amenities are shared by owners through association dues, which differ by neighborhood. Some neighborhoods also have a special improvement district or other assessments.

Homes on slopes bring additional items to review: retaining walls, drainage, soils and grading, pool placement, and any easements that protect views. Nevada requires the HOA resale package to be delivered to buyers, with a five-day cancellation window after receipt. See Check the HOA Before You Commit.

Buying and selling in MacDonald Highlands with The Perna Group

Large hillside and custom homes are often one of a kind, so comparable sales can be limited. We start with sales in the same neighborhood, widen to similar lots and views in Henderson and Summerlin, and explain how we adjust for lot, view, build quality, and association costs.

• We confirm which community a home is in, its gate arrangement, and the association structure.
• We read the club membership terms, HOA documents, and design guidelines with you.
• We plan inspections for larger homes: roof, multi-zone air conditioning, pool and spa equipment, retaining walls, drainage, and solar.
• For sellers, we plan photography and marketing around view, architecture, and outdoor living, and we gather the association documents early.