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Casa Rica Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 3.5 mi · Network

A flat 3.5-mile network. Mostly sun-exposed; water access along most of the route; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationBest in spring and fall; avoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Gate #3

Casa Rica Trail is a 3.5-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 102 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
83%
Great fit
Manageable length
Natural & paw-friendly
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
98%
Great fit
Flat & joint-friendly
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
61%
Fair fit
Soft natural surface
Mostly exposed
Moderate traffic
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
100%
Great fit
Good training length
Flat — great for conditioning
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

Exposed, with swim access trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsSmall dogsEasy walksWater-loving dogsFirst-time trail dogs

Use caution if

Reactive dogs

Trail conditions may be challenging for reactive dogs

Most comfortable when

Morning or late afternoon

— Limited shade — more comfortable outside peak midday hours

Weekday visits

— Moderate traffic — calmer on weekdays

Avoid after heavy rain

— Surfaces can get muddy after wet weather

Why this trail works

  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • Natural, soft surface
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSMedium
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDMediumModerate use, mix of busy and quiet times
NEAREST VET2.4 km awayScottsdale Ranch Animal Hospital

Heat exposure

Low shade coverage — bring extra water and avoid midday in summer.

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterGood

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:102 ftGain/mi:29 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 102 ft gain + 29 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,457 ft1,388 ft0 mi3.5 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: Concrete

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlyHard surface riskSmooth / Paw-friendly
Surface along the trail
ConcreteDirtConcrete0 mi3.5 mi123HardNatural/Soft

Top surfaces

Unpaved
50%
Concrete
43%
Dirt
7.4%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Unpaved. A notable share is concrete (43%). Expect harder footing—paws may heat up in summer. Generally comfortable for most dogs.

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

0.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi3.5 mi123SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

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

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

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
StreamLake / PondStreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi3.5 mi123Lake / PondStream

Water types nearby

CanalLake/PondStream

Canal • Lake/Pond • 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
Capacity86spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 1 trailhead listed, 2 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📍 ~120 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: 353 m • nearby
Point details
  • Parking area
    353 m • nearby
    ↗
  • Parking area
    354 m • nearby
    ↗
Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~86 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

Highlights

0 total
Closest: — · —

No highlights are available for this trail yet.

Bailout & exit options

Exit options (Bailouts)

Bailout: highScore: 0.75

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 6Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 0 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 6Actionable exits: 6Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 0 mClosest near Midpoint: 1.6 kmClosest near End: 0 m
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 0 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit0 mi3.5 mi1.7 mi
6 actionable exits· closest 0 m from start
  • High access density (1.72/mi).
  • Route structure (network) supports alternate exits.
  • Entrance count is estimated from graph topology (proxy).

Top exits near Start

Trail entrance / exit

Near Start · 0 m from start

EntranceDead End
0 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

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

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 1.5 mi

Scottsdale Ranch Animal Hospital

1.5 mi from trail · Veterinary · 9993 North 95th Way, Scottsdale, 85258

Salt River Veterinary Specialists

1.5 mi from trail · Veterinary · 9953 North 95th Street, Scottsdale, 85258

Horizon Animal Hospital

1.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 14150 North 100th Street, Scottsdale, 85260

Banfield Pet Hospital

2.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 10030 North 90th Street, Scottsdale, 85258

North Scottsdale Animal Hospital

3.4 mi from trail · Veterinary

Hazards

Updated: —

Medium
Road: 6Bike: 15Water: 5

Primary concerns: Bike conflict (15), Water crossings (5)

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 6
Water crossings
5
Cliff / steep edge
0
Bike conflict
15
Off-leash conflict proxy
0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on Casa Rica Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Casa Rica Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Casa Rica Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Casa Rica Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Casa Rica Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Casa Rica Trail has low shade, with 0% shade proxy.

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

The Casa Rica Trail is primarily a concrete surface, with approximately 85.1% concrete and 14.9% dirt.

How muddy does Casa Rica Trail get after rain?

The Casa Rica Trail has a medium mud risk, primarily due to its mostly gravel/compacted surfaces.

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

The Casa Rica Trail is considered medium crowd class, with reasons including large parking nearby and proximity to residential/commercial areas. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Casa Rica Trail?

There are 2 parking areas at the Casa Rica Trail with an estimated capacity of 86 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

The Casa Rica Trail has a low heat risk. Safety concerns include 6 mapped road crossings, 5 water crossing points, and 15 cycleway conflict proxies.