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Forest Service Road 518

Flagstaff, AZ · Coconino County · 3.4 mi

A flat 3.4-mile trail. Mostly sun-exposed.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of FlagstaffGood year-round.
Best entry:Forest Service Road 518

Forest Service Road 518 is a 3.4-mile dog-friendly trail in Flagstaff, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 308 ft. Looking for more options in Flagstaff dog-friendly trails or across dog-friendly trails across Arizona? Use the sections below for dog policy, access points, shade/heat, water, terrain, and safety.

Dog Fit

Dogs allowed status, leash expectations, and suitability by dog type

Dogs must be on leash (max 6 feet) in all Flagstaff city parks and trails. Flagstaff City Code §5-08-001-0005.
Suitability by dog type

By Dog Type

How this trail suits different kinds of dogs

Small Dog
Toy & small breeds
60%
Fair fit
Manageable length
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
90%
Great fit
Flat & joint-friendly
Comfortable distance
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
85%
Great fit
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
57%
Fair fit
Mostly exposed
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
80%
Great fit
Good training length
Flat — great for conditioning
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
13%
Not ideal
No water access found
Mostly dry route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Exposed, flat trail — some factors to plan around

Best for

Senior dogsSmall dogsEasy walks

Most comfortable when

Before 10 AM or after 6 PM

— Heat exposure is significant — trail is considerably cooler in morning and evening

Why this trail works

  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%
  • 3.4 mi total — plan accordingly

Safety & Conditions

Hazards, heat exposure, crowd level, and nearby emergency vet context

HAZARDS—
SHADE / HEATExposed
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

Elevation, surface, shade, heat, and water signals for dog hiking comfort

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterNone

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 3.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:308 ftGain/mi:91 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 308 ft gain + 91 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
7,490 ft7,290 ft0 mi3.4 mi123
Trail Width
Narrow
Narrow
< 6 ft
In-between
6-10 ft
Wide
10+ ft
NARROWTypical: ~0 ftWIDE

Mostly single-file with tighter passing space.

Surface & Paws

Surface coverage helps you plan for paw comfort and choose routes that match your dog's tolerance for rough or hot terrain.

Surface

What your dog will walk on

Mostly: Fine gravel

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlyRoughness unknown

Top surfaces

Fine gravel
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Fine gravel. Generally paw-friendly with decent grip.

Best fordogsrunnerscasual hikes

Shade & Heat

Shade coverage and heat exposure are summarized to show when this trail is safer for warm-weather dog hikes.

🌳 Shade

LOW

Low shade coverage

1.9%
Shade along the trail
0 mi3.4 mi123SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
98%
Partial
0%
Shade
0%
Dense
2%

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (3%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 3%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby3%
Water along the trail
Lake / PondDry — no water within 200 m0 mi3.4 mi123Lake / Pond

Water types nearby

Lake/Pond

Lake/Pond

Quick read

Water is limited near the trail—bring enough for you and your dog. Swimming spots are unlikely.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking LotsUnknown
Capacity—
FeeUnknown

This section covers 1 trailhead listed, parking availability, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Forest Service Road 518

Forest Service Rd 518, Arizona 86001

Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Parking details

Map & Route

Trail layout, trailheads, parking, and dog-relevant points of interest

Map

Explore More

Highlights, viewpoints, and bailout options

Highlights

Highlights

0 total
Closest: — · —

No highlights are available for this trail yet.

Bailout & exit options

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Hazard levels are summarized from available route data. Nearby emergency veterinary coverage appears when mapped in source data.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

No nearby vets found

No nearby veterinary clinics were found within search radius.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on Forest Service Road 518?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Forest Service Road 518.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Forest Service Road 518?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash, with a maximum length of 6 feet, on Forest Service Road 518.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Forest Service Road 518?

There is a low percentage (3.33%) of nearby water, which may include lakes or ponds, but it is not guaranteed to be suitable drinking water for dogs. Swim access points are not available.

Is Forest Service Road 518 mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Forest Service Road 518 has low shade coverage, with only a small percentage of shade proxy.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Forest Service Road 518?

The primary trail surface on Forest Service Road 518 is fine gravel.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Forest Service Road 518 (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

The trail has low shade, suggesting potential heat exposure. The surface is fine gravel, and there are no indications of water crossings or specific terrain concerns.