Hawes Loop Trail is a 3.0-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 932 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
ℹ
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
45%
Caution
✓Manageable length
✓Natural & paw-friendly
–Mostly exposed
🐕
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
43%
Caution
×Steep — hard on aging joints
✓Comfortable distance
✓Smooth surface — easy going
⚠️
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
100%
Great fit
✓Usually quiet — fewer encounters
✓All dogs leashed — controlled
✓Can cut short if needed
🌸
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
77%
Good fit
✓Soft natural surface
–Mostly exposed
✓Quiet — less stressful
💪
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
67%
Good fit
✓Good training length
–Moderate hills — start easy
✓Can shorten route if needed
💧
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
12%
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
⚠
Exposed, hilly trail — some factors to plan around
Best for
Reactive dogs
Use caution if
Senior dogs
Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system
Most comfortable when
Morning or late afternoon
— Limited shade — more comfortable outside peak midday hours
Avoid after heavy rain
— Trail gets significantly muddy — surfaces become slippery and paws stay wet
Why this trail works
Smooth surface — easy on paws
932 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout
Low foot traffic — calmer atmosphere for dogs
Safety & Conditions
Hazards, heat exposure, crowd level, and nearby emergency vet context
HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET4.6 km awayComet Veterinary 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
EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterNone
Elevation & Width
Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 3.
Trail Effort
Moderate
Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.
EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:932 ftGain/mi:309 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 932 ft gain + 309 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
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: Ground
Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.
Paw-friendlySmooth / Paw-friendly
Top surfaces
Ground
69%
Not mapped
30%
Unpaved
0.7%
Quick read
Roughness: Low
This trail is mostly Ground. A notable share is not mapped (30%). Surface data is incomplete for some sections—expect variety. 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
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 (0%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.
Water
Hydration & splash potential
Near water: 0%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby0%
Water types nearby
CanalLake/Pond
Canal • Lake/Pond
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 3 trailheads listed, 0 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.
Primary trailhead
📍
Gate #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~90 m)
Other access points
📍
Gate #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~100 m from trail
📍
Gate #3
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~130 m from trail
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
Highlights
0 total
Closest: — · —
No highlights are available for this trail yet.
Bailout & exit options
Exit options (Bailouts)
Bailout: mediumScore: 0.4
Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.
Actionable: 4Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 4 m
Method + full metrics
Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.
Total spots: 4Actionable exits: 4Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 4 mClosest near Midpoint: 301 mClosest near End: —
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: 2.9 mi
Comet Veterinary Hospital
2.9 mi from trail · Veterinary · 2824 North Power Road, Mesa, 85215
Lovet Pet Health Care - Las Sendas
2.9 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6747 East McDowell Road, Mesa, 85215
Banfield Pet Hospital
3.6 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6632 East McKellips Road, Mesa, 85205
Red Mountain Animal Hospital
4.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6025 East McKellips Road, Mesa, 85215
Alta Mesa Animal Hospital
4.4 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6704 East Brown Road, Mesa, 85205
Hazards
Updated: —
Low
Bike: 2
Primary concerns: Bike conflict (2)
Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 0
Water crossings
0
Cliff / steep edge
0
Bike conflict
2
Off-leash conflict proxy
0
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about dogs on this trail
Are dogs allowed on Hawes Loop Trail?
Yes, dogs are allowed on the Hawes Loop Trail.
Do dogs need to be on a leash on Hawes Loop Trail?
Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on the Hawes Loop Trail, as per the blanket Phoenix city park leash policy.
Is there drinking water available for dogs along Hawes Loop Trail?
Unknown based on available data.
Is Hawes Loop Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?
The Hawes Loop Trail has low shade coverage, meaning it is mostly sun-exposed.
What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Hawes Loop Trail?
The Hawes Loop Trail is primarily composed of natural surfaces, with approximately 56.7% being natural surface.
How muddy does Hawes Loop Trail get after rain?
The Hawes Loop Trail has a high risk of getting muddy, especially after rain, due to its mostly natural surfaces.
How crowded does Hawes Loop Trail get, and when is the best time to visit?
The Hawes Loop Trail is typically not crowded, with low crowd levels attributed to low access infrastructure nearby. Unknown based on available data.
What is the parking situation at Hawes Loop Trail?
Unknown based on available data.
What amenities are available at Hawes Loop Trail (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?
There are no amenities such as benches, shelters, toilets, picnic tables, or waste baskets available on the Hawes Loop Trail.
Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Hawes Loop Trail (heat, terrain, water crossings)?
The Hawes Loop Trail has a low heat risk. There are no water crossings, and the terrain is generally low risk for roughness. There are 2 potential bike conflicts.
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