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Bursera Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 6.6 mi · Point to point

A rolling 6.6-mile point to point. Good shade throughout; water access along most of the route; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeHigh shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Bursera Trailhead

Bursera Trail is a 6.6-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 1594 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.

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
38%
Tough
May need extra breaks
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
27%
Tough
Some challenging climbs
Long for senior dogs
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
42%
Caution
Too long for early fitness training
Moderate hills — start easy
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
82%
Great 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 — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Heat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogsHigh-energy 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

  • ~100% 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 / HEATHigh shadeHeat risk present
CROWDMediumModerate use, mix of busy and quiet times
NEAREST VET8.3 km awayDobbins Village Veterinary Hospital

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterGood

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 6.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:1,594 ftGain/mi:240 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 1,594 ft gain + 240 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,860 ft1,230 ft0 mi6.6 mi123456
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
99%
Unpaved
0.6%
Ground
0.5%

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

HIGH

High shade coverage

100.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi6.6 mi123456SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
0%
Partial
0%
Shade
100%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Most of the trail benefits from consistent tree cover.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (98%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 98%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby98%
Water along the trail
StreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi6.6 mi246Stream

Water types nearby

RiverStream

River • 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 Lots2
Capacity70spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 3 trailheads listed, 2 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Bursera Trailhead
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~75 m)

Other access points

Bursera Trailhead
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~80 m)
Gate #3
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~230 m from trail

Amenities along the route

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

Near the start

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Near the middle

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Near the end

Mostly parking nearby

🅿️Parking
2
closest: 245 m • short walk
Point details
  • Bursera Trailhead
    245 m • short walk
    ↗
  • Bursera Trailhead
    251 m • short walk
    ↗
Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~70 spacesEstimated capacity
2 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

1 highlight on or near the trail

⛰️ PeakPeak · 1.7 mi0 mi6.6 mi246

Highlights

1 total
Closest: Peak · 21 m

Peak

Peak · Peak

Very close
21 mfrom trail
Open OSM
Bailout & exit options

Exit options (Bailouts)

Bailout: mediumScore: 0.35

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 2Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 561 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 2Actionable exits: 2Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 561 mClosest near Midpoint: —Closest near End: 217 m
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 561 m from start0 mi6.6 mi3.3 mi
2 actionable exits· closest 561 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 · 561 m from start

EntranceDead End
561 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Current hazard level is marked as low. 3 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 5.2 mi

Dobbins Village Veterinary Hospital

5.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 3536 West Baseline Road, Phoenix, 85339

Laveen Veterinary Center

5.4 mi from trail · Veterinary · 7700 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, 85339

South Mountain Vet Clinic

6.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · Phoenix, 85044

Hazards

Updated: —

Low
Water: 5

Primary concerns: Water crossings (5)

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 0
Water crossings
5
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 Bursera Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Bursera Trail.

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

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on Bursera Trail, as per the blanket Phoenix city park leash policy.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Bursera Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Bursera Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Bursera Trail has high shade coverage, with a shade proxy percent of 1.

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

The Bursera Trail surface is primarily dirt, with 100% natural surface.

How muddy does Bursera Trail get after rain?

Bursera Trail has a high mud risk due to its mostly natural surfaces.

How crowded does Bursera Trail get, and when is the best time to visit?

Bursera Trail is considered medium crowd class, with reasons including large parking nearby. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Bursera Trail?

There are 2 parking areas at Bursera Trail with an estimated capacity of 70 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

What amenities are available at Bursera Trail (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Bursera Trail has a low heat risk and low roughness risk. There are 5 water crossing points on the trail.