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Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate)

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 5.6 mi

A flat 5.6-mile trail. Good shade throughout; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeHigh shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) Endpoint #1

Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) is a 5.6-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 486 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
61%
Fair fit
May need extra breaks
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
50%
Caution
Gentle slope
Long for senior dogs
Smooth surface — easy going
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
100%
Great fit
Usually quiet — fewer encounters
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
97%
Great fit
Soft natural surface
Well-shaded — stays cooler
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
65%
Good fit
Moderate — build up to this
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
4%
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

Well-shaded, quiet trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsHeat-sensitive dogsReactive dogsHigh-energy dogs

Most comfortable when

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
  • Natural, soft surface
  • Low foot traffic — calmer atmosphere for dogs

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATHigh shadeHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET9.4 km awayArizona Animal Hospital

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterNone

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 5.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:486 ftGain/mi:86 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 486 ft gain + 86 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
3,012 ft2,802 ft0 mi5.6 mi12345
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
97%
Not mapped
1.6%
Ground
1.3%

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 mi5.6 mi12345SunPartialShadeDense

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 (0%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 0%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby0%

Water types nearby

Unknown

Unknown

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 Lots0
Capacity—
FeeFree

This section covers 1 trailhead listed, 0 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) Endpoint #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Parking details

🅿 Parking

Parking availability unknown
—Estimated capacity
0 parking locations
No known parking fee

Map & Route

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

Map

Explore More

Highlights, viewpoints, and bailout options

Highlights

2 highlights on or near the trail

👁️ ViewpointViewpoint · 0.2 miThe Amphitheater · 2.4 mi0 mi5.6 mi12345

Highlights

2 total
Closest: Viewpoint · 40 m

Viewpoint

Viewpoint · Viewpoint

Close
40 mfrom trail
Open OSM

The Amphitheater

Viewpoint · Viewpoint

Nearby
100 mfrom trail
Open OSM
Bailout & exit options

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Current hazard level is marked as low. 2 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 5.9 mi

Arizona Animal Hospital

5.9 mi from trail · Veterinary

Animal Hospital At Terravita

6.2 mi from trail · Veterinary

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 Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate)?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate).

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate)?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on the Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate). This is due to the blanket Phoenix city park leash policy.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate)?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) is considered to have high shade coverage.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate)?

The Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) is primarily a dirt surface, with 97.01% being dirt.

How muddy does Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) get after rain?

The Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) has a high risk of getting muddy after rain due to its mostly natural surfaces.

How crowded does Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) get, and when is the best time to visit?

The Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) is considered to have low crowds, likely due to low access infrastructure nearby. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate)?

Unknown based on available data.

What amenities are available at Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?

Unknown based on available data.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

The Cholla Mtn Loop Trail (Moderate) has a low heat risk. There are no reported water crossings or steep edges. The terrain is primarily dirt, with a high mud risk after rain.