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National Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 30.3 mi · Network

A rolling 30.3-mile network. Good shade throughout; water access along most of the route; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeHigh shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Parking #1

National Trail is a 30.3-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 8291 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
20%
Not ideal
Long for small breeds
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
27%
Tough
Some challenging climbs
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
89%
Great fit
Soft natural surface
Well-shaded — stays cooler
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
57%
Fair fit
Too long for early fitness training
Gentle grade — good challenge
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
74%
Good fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water along most of the route
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

Heat-sensitive dogsReactive dogsWater-loving dogsHigh-energy dogs

Use caution if

Senior dogs

Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system

Most comfortable when

Avoid after heavy rain

— Trail gets significantly muddy — surfaces become slippery and paws stay wet

Why this trail works

  • ~100% 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

HAZARDSMedium
SHADE / HEATHigh shadeHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET5.8 km awayBanfield Pet Hospital

Terrain & Comfort

Elevation, surface, shade, heat, and water signals for dog hiking comfort

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterModerate

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 30.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:8,291 ftGain/mi:273 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 8,291 ft gain + 273 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,585 ft1,135 ft0 mi30.3 mi51015202530
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: Unpaved

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlySmooth / Paw-friendly
Surface along the trail
UnpavedGroundUnpavedUnknownUnpavedUnknownUnpavedUnknownUnpavedDirtUnpavedDirtFine gravelDirtFine gravel0 mi30.3 mi51015202530Gravel/CompactedUnknownNatural/Soft

Top surfaces

Unpaved
38%
Ground
28%
Dirt
24%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Unpaved. A notable share is ground (28%). You will also encounter dirt (24%). 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

HIGH

High shade coverage

100.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi30.3 mi51015202530SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
0%
Partial
0%
Shade
99%
Dense
1%

Quick read

Most of the trail benefits from consistent tree cover.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (68%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 68%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby68%
Water along the trail
StreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi30.3 mi612182430Stream

Water types nearby

SpringCanalLake/PondRiver+1 more

Spring • Canal • Lake/Pond

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 #3
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~80 m)

Other access points

Parking #1
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~230 m from trail🅿 Medium lot
Parking #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~230 m from trail🅿 Medium lot
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

13 highlights on or near the trail

👁️ ViewpointOverlook · 19.4 miViewpoint · 32.0 mi⛰️ PeakGoat Hill · 5.0 miPeak · 22.5 mi🏛️ HistoricHistoric · 6.3 miSan Juan Lookout · 13.9 miHistoric · 36.5 miold stone houses · 36.5 miHistoric · 36.5 mi0 mi30.3 mi612182430

Highlights

13 total
Closest: Viewpoint · 4 m

Viewpoint

Viewpoint · Viewpoint

On-trail
4 mfrom trail
Open OSM

Ruins

Historic · Ruins

Very close
13 mfrom trail
Open OSM

San Juan Lookout

Historic · Ruins

Very close
13 mfrom trail
Open OSM
Bailout & exit options

Exit options (Bailouts)

Bailout: mediumScore: 0.4

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 6Dead ends: 0Closest Start: —
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 6Actionable exits: 6Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: —Closest near Midpoint: 1.2 kmClosest near End: 3.0 km
🚪 ExitsTrail 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 mi30.3 mi15.2 mi
6 actionable exits
  • 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

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 medium. 5 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 3.6 mi

Banfield Pet Hospital

3.6 mi from trail · Veterinary

South Mountain Vet Clinic

3.9 mi from trail · Veterinary · Phoenix, 85044

Family VetCare of Phoenix

4.4 mi from trail · Veterinary · 3908 East Chandler Boulevard, Phoenix, 85048

Phoenix Veterinary Center

4.4 mi from trail · Veterinary

Dobbins Village Veterinary Hospital

4.9 mi from trail · Veterinary · 3536 West Baseline Road, Phoenix, 85339

Hazards

Updated: —

Medium
Road: 1Bike: 4Water: 2+1 more

Primary concerns: Bike conflict (4), Water crossings (2)

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 1
Water crossings
2
Cliff / steep edge
7
Bike conflict
4
Off-leash conflict proxy
0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on National Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on National Trail.

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

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along National Trail?

There is one drinking water amenity point located near the trail.

Is National Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

National Trail is mostly shaded, with a shade proxy percentage of 1.

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

The trail surface is primarily unpaved, with a natural surface percentage of 97.6%. It includes dirt, ground, and fine gravel.

How muddy does National Trail get after rain?

National Trail has a high mud risk due to its mostly natural surfaces.

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

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

What is the parking situation at National Trail?

There are 0 parking spots available at National Trail, and whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

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

There are no amenities such as benches, shelters, toilets, information points, picnic tables, or waste baskets available at National Trail.

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

Safety concerns include a low heat risk, medium hazards with 7 cliff/steep-edge proxies, 2 water crossings, and 4 cycleway conflict proxies. The terrain is mostly natural surfaces, and there is a high mud risk.