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#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 2.3 mi · Point to point

A rolling 2.3-mile point to point. Partial shade (64% coverage); water access along most of the route; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeSome shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Parking #2

#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail is a 2.3-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 535 ft. Looking for more options in Phoenix 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.

#8A - Quartz Ridge Trail is a 2.3-mile trail on mostly dirt tread, moderately hilly. The route passes a creek near the start, with likely swim access to cool off. Tree cover is strongest through the middle and thins out across the final third — plan a paw-and-water break for the exposed stretch. Keep dogs leashed here, and you'll find benches along the way.

Dog Fit

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

Dogs must be on a leash in all Phoenix city parks. Phoenix City Code §23-18.
Suitability by dog type

By Dog Type

How this trail suits different kinds of dogs

Small Dog
Toy & small breeds
55%
Fair fit
Manageable length
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
60%
Fair fit
Some challenging climbs
Comfortable distance
Smooth surface — easy going
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
76%
Good fit
Moderately busy — stay alert
All dogs leashed — controlled
Can cut short if needed
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
89%
Great fit
Soft natural surface
Well-shaded — stays cooler
Moderate traffic
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
87%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Moderate hills — start easy
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
74%
Good fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water along most of the route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Well-shaded, with swim access trail — good fit with minor considerations

Best for

Heat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogs

Use caution if

Reactive dogs

Trail conditions may be challenging for reactive dogs

Senior dogs

Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system

Most comfortable when

Weekday visits

— Moderate traffic — calmer on weekdays

Avoid after heavy rain

— Trail gets significantly muddy — surfaces become slippery and paws stay wet

Why this trail works

  • ~64% shade coverage along the route
  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • Natural, soft surface

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATSome shadeHeat risk present
CROWDMediumModerate use, mix of busy and quiet times
NEAREST VET3.0 km awayBanfield Pet Hospital

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeModerate
WaterGood

Elevation & Width

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

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:535 ftGain/mi:232 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 535 ft gain + 232 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,827 ft1,394 ft0 mi2.3 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: Dirt

Softer footing that can feel easier on paws and joints.

Soft footingSmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Dirt
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Dirt. Softer footing—can get muddy after rain. Generally comfortable for most dogs.

Best forrelaxed walksexpect mud after rain

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

64.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi2.3 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
35%
Partial
0%
Shade
65%
Dense
0%

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 (100%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 100%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby100%

Water types nearby

CanalStream

Canal • Stream

Quick read

Water is frequently near the route—great for cooling breaks. Bring a bowl anyway. Swimming spots may be available. Check current/flow after rain.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking Lots4
Capacity57spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 3 trailheads listed, 4 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Gate #3
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 On trail

Other access points

Parking #1
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~35 m)
Parking #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~40 m)

Amenities along the route

Nearby facilities around the start, middle, and end of this trail.

Amenities along the trail
🪑 Benches (3)2ℹ️ Info boards (6)220 mi2.3 mi12

Near the start

A few amenities nearby

🪑Seating
2
closest: 5 m • at the spot
🅿️Parking
4
closest: 37 m • at the spot
✳️Other
4
closest: 9 m • at the spot
Point details
  • Seating area
    5 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    6 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Other area
    9 m • at the spot
    ↗
Show 7 more
  • Other area
    10 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Parking area
    37 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Parking area
    42 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Other area
    72 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Other area
    142 m • very close
    ↗
  • Parking area
    382 m • nearby
    ↗
  • Parking area
    383 m • nearby
    ↗

Near the middle

A few amenities nearby

✳️Other
1
closest: 78 m • very close
Point details
  • Other area
    78 m • very close
    ↗

Near the end

A few amenities nearby

🪑Seating
2
closest: 45 m • at the spot
✳️Other
5
closest: 3 m • at the spot
Point details
  • Other area
    3 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Other area
    9 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Other area
    15 m • at the spot
    ↗
Show 4 more
  • Other area
    37 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    45 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Other area
    151 m • short walk
    ↗
  • Seating area
    156 m • short walk
    ↗
Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~57 spacesEstimated capacity
4 parking locations
No known parking fee

Parking generally sufficient for peak times.

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

Exit options (Bailouts)

Bailout: mediumScore: 0.35

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 2Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 1 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 2Actionable exits: 2Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 1 mClosest near Midpoint: —Closest near End: 0 m
🚪 Exits0 mi2.3 mi1.2 mi
2 actionable exits· closest 1 m from start
  • Low dead-end count (2) improves bailout options.
  • Entrance count is estimated from graph topology (proxy).
  • Graph-based route structure estimate using stored segment geometry.

Top exits near Start

Trail entrance / exit

Near Start · 1 m from start

EntranceDead End
1 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Current hazard level is marked as low. 5 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 1.8 mi

Banfield Pet Hospital

1.8 mi from trail · Veterinary

Palo Verde Animal Hospital

2.9 mi from trail · Veterinary · 1215 East Northern Avenue, Phoenix, 85020-4216

BluePearl

2.9 mi from trail · Veterinary · East Indian School Road, Phoenix, 85016

Lovet Pet Health Care - Madison

3.3 mi from trail · Veterinary · 531 East Glendale Avenue, Phoenix, 85020

Animal Care Hospital of Phoenix

4.0 mi from trail · Veterinary · 3131 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, 85016

Hazards

Updated: —

Low

No major hazard concentrations reported.

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 0
Water crossings
0
Cliff / steep edge
0
Bike conflict
0
Off-leash conflict proxy
0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on the #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail, as per Phoenix city park policy.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail has medium shade coverage, with approximately 64% of the trail having shade.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail?

The #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail is primarily a natural surface, consisting entirely of dirt.

How muddy does #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail get after rain?

The #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail has a high risk of getting muddy after rain due to its natural dirt surface.

How crowded does #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail get, and when is the best time to visit?

The #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail can get moderately crowded, partly due to large parking availability. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail?

There are 4 parking areas at #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail with an estimated capacity of 57 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

What amenities are available at #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?

The #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail has 4 benches and 10 information points. There are no restrooms, waste baskets, or picnic tables available.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

The #8A - Quartz Ridge Trail has a low heat risk. There are no reported water crossings or steep edges. The terrain is primarily dirt, which can become muddy.