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Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave)

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 61.8 mi · Network

A flat 61.8-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:Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) Endpoint #1

Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) is a 61.8-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 2362 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
48%
Caution
Long for small breeds
Natural & paw-friendly
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
65%
Good fit
Flat & joint-friendly
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
Can cut short if needed
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
69%
Good fit
Soft natural surface
Mostly exposed
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
62%
Fair fit
Too long for early fitness training
Flat — great for conditioning
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
58%
Fair fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Mostly dry route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Exposed, with swim access trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsReactive dogsWater-loving dogsHigh-energy dogs

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

  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • Natural, soft surface
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSMedium
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET4.1 km awayLovet Pet Health Care - Surprise

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 61.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:2,362 ftGain/mi:38 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 2,362 ft gain + 38 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,496 ft1,086 ft0 mi61.8 mi1122334455
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.

Soft footingSmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Not mapped
54%
Dirt
42%
Concrete
3.2%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Not mapped. A notable share is dirt (42%). 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

3.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi61.8 mi1122334455SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
94%
Partial
5%
Shade
1%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (5%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 5%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby5%
Water along the trail
Dry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamLake / PondRiverLake / PondStreamLake / PondRiverLake / PondStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 m0 mi61.8 mi13263952RiverLake / PondStream

Water types nearby

CanalLake/PondRiverStream

Canal • Lake/Pond • River

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 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

Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) Endpoint #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured

Other access points

Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) Endpoint #3
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) Endpoint #2
🔓 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: mediumScore: 0.4

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 4Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 18.5 km
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 4Actionable exits: 4Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 18.5 kmClosest near Midpoint: 4.7 kmClosest near End: 3.8 km
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 18.5 km from start0 mi61.8 mi30.9 mi
4 actionable exits· closest 18.5 km from start
  • Route structure (network) supports alternate exits.
  • 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 · 18.5 km from start

EntranceDead End
18.5 kmGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Current hazard level is marked as medium. 5 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 2.5 mi

Lovet Pet Health Care - Surprise

2.5 mi from trail · Veterinary · 13954 West Waddell Road, Surprise, 85379

Lovet Pet Health Care - White Tanks

2.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 16578 West Greenway Road, Surprise, 85388

Urgent PetCare

4.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 17255 North Litchfield Road, Surprise, 85374

Banfield Pet Hospital

4.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 13764 West Bell Road, Surprise, 85374

VCA Animal Hospital

4.7 mi from trail · Veterinary · 12850 West Elm Street, Surprise, 85378

Hazards

Updated: —

Medium
Road: 79Risky road: 56Bike: 6

Primary concerns: Road crossings (56 risky), Bike conflict (6)

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 79
Risky: 56
Water crossings
0
Cliff / steep edge
0
Bike conflict
6
Off-leash conflict proxy
0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave)?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave).

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave)?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on the Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) as per Phoenix city park policy.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave)?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) has low shade coverage, with only about 3.02% of the trail being shaded.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave)?

The trail surface is primarily dirt (77.42%), with some concrete (5.88%) and asphalt (0.35%).

How muddy does Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) get after rain?

The Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) has a high mud risk due to its mostly natural surfaces.

How crowded does Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) get, and when is the best time to visit?

The Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) is considered low crowd density, likely due to low access infrastructure nearby. No specific best times to visit are provided.

What is the parking situation at Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave)?

Unknown based on available data.

What amenities are available at Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?

Unknown based on available data.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Maricopa Trail (White Tank - Grand Ave) (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

There are medium safety concerns, including 79 mapped road crossings with 56 being risky, and 6 cycleway conflict proxies. The trail also has a high mud risk.