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Lance's Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 2.5 mi · Point to point

A flat 2.5-mile point to point. Mostly sun-exposed; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Parking #2

Lance's Trail is a 2.5-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 354 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
68%
Good fit
Manageable length
Smooth, easy on paws
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
60%
Fair fit
Some challenging climbs
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
69%
Good fit
Paw-friendly surface
Mostly exposed
Moderate traffic
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
92%
Great fit
Good training length
Gentle grade — good challenge
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
24%
Not ideal
Water nearby — no swim confirmed
Water near parts of the trail
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Exposed trail — good fit with minor considerations

Best for

Senior dogsSmall 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

Why this trail works

  • Smooth surface — easy on paws
  • 2.5 mi total — plan accordingly

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDMediumModerate use, mix of busy and quiet times
NEAREST VET7.7 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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterSome

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 2.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:354 ftGain/mi:139 ft/mi
Rated from 354 ft gain + 139 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,100 ft1,870 ft0 mi2.5 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: Not mapped

Surface data is limited, so expect changing conditions.

Smooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Not mapped
92%
Unpaved
7.0%
Dirt
0.8%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Not mapped. 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
0 mi2.5 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

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 (26%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 26%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby26%
Water along the trail
Dry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 m0 mi2.5 mi12Stream

Water types nearby

RiverStream

River • Stream

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 Lots1
Capacity76spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 3 trailheads listed, 1 parking lot, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Parking #2
Primary🔓 Yes access💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~55 m)

Other access points

Parking #3
🔓 Yes access💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~60 m)
Bulldog Canyon OHV Staging Area
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~75 m)

Amenities along the route

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

Near the start

Mostly parking nearby

🅿️Parking
1
closest: 424 m • nearby
Point details
  • Parking area
    424 m • nearby
    ↗

Near the middle

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Near the end

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~76 spacesEstimated capacity
1 parking location
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: mediumScore: 0.35

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 2Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 174 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 2Actionable exits: 2Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 174 mClosest near Midpoint: 850 mClosest near End: —
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · 174 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit0 mi2.5 mi1.3 mi
2 actionable exits· closest 174 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 · 174 m from start

EntranceDead End
174 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Current hazard level is marked as low. 4 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 4.8 mi

Comet Veterinary Hospital

4.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 2824 North Power Road, Mesa, 85215

Lovet Pet Health Care - Las Sendas

4.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6747 East McDowell Road, Mesa, 85215

Banfield Pet Hospital

5.5 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6632 East McKellips Road, Mesa, 85205

Red Mountain Animal Hospital

6.1 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6025 East McKellips Road, Mesa, 85215

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 Lance's Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Lance's Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Lance's Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Lance's Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Lance's Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Lance's Trail has low shade, with 0% shade coverage.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Lance's Trail?

The trail surface is primarily unknown, with small percentages of dirt, ground, and unpaved surfaces. There is 0% asphalt.

How muddy does Lance's Trail get after rain?

Lance's Trail has a low mud risk, described as mostly paved with low mud risk.

How crowded does Lance's Trail get, and when is the best time to visit?

Lance's 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 Lance's Trail?

There is one parking area at Lance's Trail with an estimated capacity of 76 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

What amenities are available at Lance's Trail (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Lance's Trail has a low heat risk and low hazards. There are no water crossings or steep edges noted.