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Military Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 2.4 mi · Point to point

A flat 2.4-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:Gate #2

Military Trail is a 2.4-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 226 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
100%
Great fit
Usually quiet — fewer encounters
All dogs leashed — controlled
Can cut short if needed
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
97%
Great fit
Soft natural surface
Well-shaded — stays cooler
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
100%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Gentle grade — good challenge
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
69%
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 — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

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

Most comfortable when

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
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET3.6 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 2.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:226 ftGain/mi:94 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 226 ft gain + 94 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,172 ft1,982 ft0 mi2.4 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.

Soft footingSmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Not mapped
50%
Dirt
50%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Not mapped. A notable share is dirt (50%). Surface data is incomplete for some sections—expect variety. 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

99.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi2.4 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
1%
Partial
0%
Shade
99%
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 (47%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 47%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby47%
Water along the trail
Dry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 m0 mi2.4 mi12Stream

Water types nearby

RiverStream

River • Stream

Quick read

You’ll likely pass some water. Carry water for longer stretches. 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

Gate #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~250 m from trail

Other access points

Gate #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~250 m from trail
P. A. Seitts Preserve at Go John Canyon
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~280 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: 0.35

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: —Closest near End: 0 m
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 0 m from start0 mi2.4 mi1.2 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. 3 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 2.2 mi

Lovet Pet Health Care - Dove Valley

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

Animal Hospital At Terravita

3.3 mi from trail · Veterinary

Arizona Animal Hospital

5.0 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 Military Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Military Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Military Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Military Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Military Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Military Trail has medium shade coverage, with a shade proxy percentage of 99%.

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

The Military Trail is 100% natural surface, primarily composed of dirt.

How muddy does Military Trail get after rain?

Military Trail has a high risk of getting muddy, as it is mostly composed of natural surfaces like dirt and earth.

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

Military Trail is considered low crowd density, with reasons including low access infrastructure nearby. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Military Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

The heat risk for Military Trail is low. The terrain is also considered low risk for roughness. There are no known water crossings or road crossings that pose a risk.