Clay Mine Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 3.0 mi · Point to point

A flat 3.0-mile point to point. Partial shade (99% coverage); some water access; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeSome shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Parking #3

Clay Mine Trail is a 3.0-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 400 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
78%
Good fit
Manageable length
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
83%
Great fit
Gentle slope
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
97%
Great fit
Good training length
Gentle grade — good challenge
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
65%
Good fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water near parts of the trail
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

Senior dogsSmall dogsHeat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogsFirst-time trail dogs

Use caution if

Reactive dogs

Trail conditions may be challenging for reactive dogs

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

  • ~99% 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 VET4.9 km awayLovet Pet Health Care - Dove Valley

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeModerate
WaterSome

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:400 ftGain/mi:134 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 400 ft gain + 134 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,228 ft1,939 ft0 mi3.0 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%
Not mapped
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

MEDIUM

Moderate shade coverage

99.2%
Shade along the trail
0 mi3.0 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
0%
Partial
2%
Shade
98%
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 (33%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 33%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby33%
Water along the trail
StreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi3.0 mi12Stream

Water types nearby

RiverStream

River • Stream

Quick read

Water is limited near the trail—bring enough for you and your dog. Swimming spots may be available. Check current/flow after rain.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking Lots12
Capacity551spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 1 trailhead listed, 12 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Parking #3
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~130 m from trail

Amenities along the route

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

Amenities along the trail
🚻 Restrooms (1)Restrooms at 0.0 mi🪑 Benches (1)Benches at 0.8 miℹ️ Info boards (1)Info boards at 0.1 mi0 mi3.0 mi12

Near the start

Restrooms nearby

🚻Restrooms
2
closest: 149 m • very close
🅿️Parking
8
closest: 126 m • very close
✳️Other
1
closest: 146 m • very close
Point details
  • Parking area
    126 m • very close
  • Parking area
    128 m • very close
  • Other area
    146 m • very close
Show 8 more
  • Restrooms area
    149 m • very close
  • Restrooms area
    149 m • very close
  • Parking area
    261 m • short walk
  • Parking area
    263 m • short walk
  • Parking area
    319 m • nearby
  • Parking area
    319 m • nearby
  • Parking area
    414 m • nearby
  • Parking area
    417 m • nearby

Near the middle

A few amenities nearby

🪑Seating
1
closest: 187 m • short walk
🅿️Parking
4
closest: 329 m • nearby
Point details
  • Seating area
    187 m • short walk
  • Parking area
    329 m • nearby
  • Parking area
    329 m • nearby
Show 2 more
  • Parking area
    432 m • nearby
  • Parking area
    432 m • nearby

Near the end

A few amenities nearby

🪑Seating
1
closest: 9 m • at the spot
Point details
  • Seating area
    9 m • at the spot
Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~551 spacesEstimated capacity
12 parking locations
No known parking fee

Parking generally sufficient for peak times. Multiple access points reduce congestion near trailheads.

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: 0 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 2Actionable exits: 2Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 0 mClosest near Midpoint: 973 mClosest near End:
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · 0 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit0 mi3.0 mi1.5 mi
2 actionable exits· closest 0 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 · 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 low. 2 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 3.0 mi

Lovet Pet Health Care - Dove Valley

3.0 mi from trail · Veterinary · 4815 East Carefree Highway, Cave Creek, 85331

Animal Hospital At Terravita

5.1 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 Clay Mine Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Clay Mine Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Clay Mine Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Clay Mine Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Clay Mine Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Clay Mine Trail has medium shade, with a shade proxy percentage of 99.18%.

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

The Clay Mine Trail is primarily a dirt surface, making up 99.5% of the trail.

How muddy does Clay Mine Trail get after rain?

The Clay Mine Trail has a high risk of getting muddy due to its mostly natural dirt surfaces.

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

The Clay Mine Trail is considered medium crowd class, with large parking nearby contributing to this. Visiting times are unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Clay Mine Trail?

There are 12 parking spots available at the Clay Mine Trail, with an estimated capacity of 551. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

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

The Clay Mine Trail has 2 benches and 2 toilets available. There are no waste bins or picnic tables.

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

The Clay Mine Trail has a low heat risk. There are no reported water crossings or steep edges. The terrain is mostly dirt, with a high mud risk.