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Moon Rock Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 2.9 mi · Out & back

A flat 2.9-mile out & back. 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:Moon Rock Trail Endpoint #2

Moon Rock Trail is a 2.9-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 118 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
83%
Great fit
Manageable length
Smooth, easy on paws
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
98%
Great fit
Flat & joint-friendly
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
Paw-friendly surface
Mostly exposed
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
97%
Great fit
Good training length
Flat — great for conditioning
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, flat trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsSmall dogsEasy walksReactive dogsFirst-time trail 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 VET5.1 km awayApache Trail Veterinary Services

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 2.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:118 ftGain/mi:41 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 118 ft gain + 41 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,864 ft1,785 ft0 mi2.9 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
96%
Dirt
2.8%
Unpaved
0.7%

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 mi2.9 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 (0%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 0%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby0%

Water types nearby

Lake/Pond

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

Moon Rock Trail Endpoint #2
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured

Other access points

Moon Rock Trail Endpoint #3
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Moon Rock 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: mediumScore: 0.35

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

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

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 2Actionable exits: 2Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: —Closest near Midpoint: 314 mClosest near End: —
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit0 mi2.9 mi1.4 mi
2 actionable exits
  • 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

No mapped exits near Start. Try switching to a different anchor.

Rules & Safety

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: 3.2 mi

Apache Trail Veterinary Services

3.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 9333 East Main Street, Mesa, 85207

VCA Apache Junction Animal Hospital

3.5 mi from trail · Veterinary · 17 North Mountain Road, Apache Junction, 85120

Lovet Pet Health Care - Las Sendas

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

Comet Veterinary Hospital

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

Banfield Pet Hospital

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

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 Moon Rock Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Moon Rock Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Moon Rock Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Moon Rock Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Moon Rock Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Moon Rock Trail has low shade coverage.

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

The trail surface is primarily unknown, with small percentages of dirt and unpaved surfaces.

How muddy does Moon Rock Trail get after rain?

Moon Rock Trail has a low mud risk.

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

Moon Rock Trail is typically not crowded, with low crowd levels attributed to limited nearby access infrastructure. Unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Moon Rock Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

Moon Rock Trail has a low heat risk and low hazards, with no reported road or water crossings, or steep edges.