Lion's Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 4.8 mi · Network

A flat 4.8-mile network. 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:Lion's Trail Endpoint #3

Lion's Trail is a 4.8-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 236 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
66%
Good fit
May need extra breaks
Smooth, easy on paws
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
83%
Great fit
Flat & joint-friendly
Moderate — plan rest stops
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
Paw-friendly surface
Mostly exposed
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
82%
Great fit
Moderate — build up to this
Flat — great for conditioning
Can shorten route if needed
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

Exposed, flat trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsReactive dogs

Most comfortable when

Morning or late afternoon

Limited shade — more comfortable outside peak midday hours

Why this trail works

  • Smooth surface — easy on paws
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%
  • 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 VET6.4 km awayWickenburg Veterinary Clinic

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
WaterNone

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 4.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:236 ftGain/mi:49 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 236 ft gain + 49 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,991 ft1,942 ft0 mi4.8 mi1234
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
100%

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 mi4.8 mi1234SunPartialShadeDense

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

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 3 trailheads listed, 0 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Lion's Trail Endpoint #3
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured

Other access points

Lion's Trail Endpoint #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Lion's Trail Endpoint #1
🔓 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

Highlights

0 total
Closest: ·

No highlights are available for this trail yet.

Bailout & exit options

Exit options (Bailouts)

Bailout: highScore: 0.85

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 13Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 0 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 13Actionable exits: 13Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 0 mClosest near Midpoint: 17 mClosest 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 · 34 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit0 mi4.8 mi2.4 mi
13 actionable exits· closest 0 m from start
  • High access density (2.72/mi).
  • Route structure (network) supports alternate exits.
  • 6 intersections create more turn-off choices.
  • 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

Trail entrance / exit

Near Start · 34 m from start

EntranceIntersection
34 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Current hazard level is marked as low. 1 nearby emergency veterinary option mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 4.0 mi

Wickenburg Veterinary Clinic

4.0 mi from trail · Veterinary · 1127 West Wickenburg Way, Wickenburg, 85390

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 Lion's Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Lion's Trail.

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

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

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

Lion's Trail has low shade coverage.

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

The trail surface is primarily unknown.

How muddy does Lion's Trail get after rain?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Lion's Trail is typically not crowded, with low crowd levels attributed to limited nearby access infrastructure. The best time to visit is not specified.

What is the parking situation at Lion's Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

Lion's Trail has a low heat risk and low terrain roughness risk. There are no water crossings or road crossings noted.