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Sunset Trail

Flagstaff, AZ · Coconino County · 2.2 mi

A strenuous 2.2-mile trail. Partial shade (34% coverage).

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortStrenuous
ShadeSome shade
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of FlagstaffGood year-round.
Best entry:Trailhead #1

Sunset Trail is a 2.2-mile dog-friendly trail in Flagstaff, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 2707 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
42%
Caution
Manageable length
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
52%
Caution
Some challenging climbs
Comfortable distance
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
85%
Great fit
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
65%
Good fit
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
80%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
12%
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

Trail — some factors to plan around

Use caution if

Senior dogs

Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system

Why this trail works

  • 2707 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout
  • 2.2 mi total — plan accordingly

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDS—
SHADE / HEATSome shade
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortSteep
SurfaceMixed
ShadeModerate
WaterNone

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 2.

Trail Effort

Strenuous

Steep sections throughout. Best for athletic dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:2,707 ftGain/mi:1255 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 2,707 ft gain + 1255 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
9,252 ft6,923 ft0 mi2.2 mi12
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: Ground

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlyRoughness unknown
Surface along the trail
UnknownGround0 mi2.2 mi12UnknownGravel/Compacted

Top surfaces

Ground
72%
Not mapped
28%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Ground. A notable share is not mapped (28%). Surface data is incomplete for some sections—expect variety.

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

MEDIUM

Moderate shade coverage

33.7%
Shade along the trail
0 mi2.2 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
66%
Partial
0%
Shade
0%
Dense
34%

Quick read

Roughly half the trail has meaningful tree or canopy coverage. Expect mixed sun and shade.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (0%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 0%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby0%

Water types nearby

SpringRiverLake/PondStream

Spring • River • 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 3 trailheads listed, parking availability, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Trailhead #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured

Other access points

Trailhead #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Trailhead #3
🔓 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 Sunset Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Sunset Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Sunset Trail?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash, with a maximum length of 6 feet, on Sunset Trail. This is in accordance with Flagstaff City Code.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Sunset Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Sunset Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Sunset Trail has medium shade coverage.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Sunset Trail?

The primary trail surface on Sunset Trail is ground, making up approximately 71.88% of the trail.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Sunset Trail (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

There is medium shade on the trail, which may help with heat. The trail surface is primarily ground. There is no water available for swimming.