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New River Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 36.2 mi · Network

A flat 36.2-mile network. Mostly sun-exposed; water access along most of the route; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationBest in spring and fall; avoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Parking #3

New River Trail is a 36.2-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 1782 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
35%
Tough
Long for small breeds
Smooth, easy on paws
Hot in summer — go early
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
45%
Caution
Flat & joint-friendly
Long for senior dogs
Smooth surface — easy going
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
41%
Tough
Often busy — high encounter risk
All dogs leashed — controlled
Can cut short if needed
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
14%
Not ideal
Paw-friendly surface
Hot pavement can burn paws
Busy — may cause anxiety
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
50%
Caution
Too long for early fitness training
Flat — great for conditioning
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
80%
Great 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

Exposed, with swim access trail — challenging for many dogs

Best for

Senior dogsWater-loving dogsHigh-energy dogs

Use caution if

Heat-sensitive dogs

High heat exposure with minimal shade — dangerous during warm months

Reactive dogs

Heavy foot traffic — frequent dog and person encounters

Dogs off trail

Elevated hazard rating — road crossings, terrain, or other risk factors present

Most comfortable when

Before 10 AM or after 6 PM

— Heat exposure is significant — trail is considerably cooler in morning and evening

Weekday mornings

— Busy trail — foot traffic drops significantly on weekday mornings

Why this trail works

  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • Smooth surface — easy on paws
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSHigh
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDHighBusy trail — expect company on weekends
NEAREST VET< 1 km awayLovet Pet Health Care - Fletcher Heights

High hazards

25 risky road crossings; 95 bike conflict zones

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
WaterGood

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 36.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:1,782 ftGain/mi:49 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 1,782 ft gain + 49 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,509 ft1,112 ft0 mi36.2 mi61218243036
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: Concrete

Firm, consistent footing with less natural cushioning.

Hard surface riskSmooth / Paw-friendly
Surface along the trail
ConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteUnknownConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteAsphaltConcreteUnknownDirtConcreteDirtUnknownUnpavedUnknownUnpaved0 mi36.2 mi61218243036HardUnknownNatural/SoftGravel/Compacted

Top surfaces

Concrete
55%
Not mapped
23%
Asphalt
11%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Concrete. A notable share is not mapped (23%). You will also encounter asphalt (11%). Generally comfortable for most dogs.

Best forstrollersroad bikesquick walks

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

41.9%
Shade along the trail
0 mi36.2 mi61218243036SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
53%
Partial
7%
Shade
39%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (90%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 90%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby90%
Water along the trail
RiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamLake / PondRiverLake / PondRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverStreamRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverStreamRiverLake / PondRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverLake / PondRiverStreamRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverStreamRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverLake / PondRiverLake / PondStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamLake / PondRiverLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mStreamRiverStreamRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverStreamRiverLake / PondRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverLake / PondRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mStreamRiverDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mRiverDry — no water within 200 mLake / PondDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamLake / PondRiverLake / PondRiverLake / Pond0 mi36.2 mi8162432RiverLake / PondStream

Water types nearby

CanalLake/PondRiverStream

Canal • Lake/Pond • River

Quick read

Water is frequently near the route—great for cooling breaks. Bring a bowl anyway. Swimming spots may be available. Check current/flow after rain.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking Lots2
Capacity1344spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 3 trailheads listed, 2 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Parking #1
Primary🔓 Private land💵 Fee not posted📍 ~190 m from trail🅿 Small lot

Other access points

Parking #2
🔓 Private land💵 Fee not posted📍 ~190 m from trail🅿 Small lot
Parking #3
🔓 Private land💵 Fee not posted📍 ~190 m from trail🅿 Small lot

Amenities along the route

Nearby facilities around the start, middle, and end of this trail.

Amenities along the trail
🚻 Restrooms (1)Restrooms at 2.4 mi🛖 Shelters (2)22 shelters near 24.3-24.4 mi🍽️ Picnic tables (2)22 picnic tables near 2.2-2.4 mi0 mi36.2 mi8162432

Near the start

Restrooms nearby

🚻Restrooms
1
closest: 166 m • short walk
🪑Seating
2
closest: 165 m • short walk
🅿️Parking
2
closest: 240 m • short walk
Point details
  • Seating area
    165 m • short walk
    ↗
  • Restrooms area
    166 m • short walk
    ↗
  • Parking area
    240 m • short walk
    ↗
Show 2 more
  • Parking area
    240 m • short walk
    ↗
  • Seating area
    241 m • short walk
    ↗

Near the middle

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Near the end

A few amenities nearby

🛖Shelter
2
closest: 172 m • short walk
Point details
  • Shelter area
    172 m • short walk
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    173 m • short walk
    ↗
Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~1344 spacesEstimated capacity
2 parking locations
No known parking fee

Parking generally sufficient for peak times.

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: 24Dead ends: 39Closest Start: 0 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 63Actionable exits: 24Dead ends: 39Closest near Start: 0 mClosest near Midpoint: 365 mClosest near End: 180 m
🚪 ExitsIntersection / connector · 0 m from startIntersection / connector · Intersection / connectorIntersection / connector · Intersection / connectorIntersection / connector · Intersection / connectorIntersection / connector · Intersection / connectorIntersection / connector · 628 m from startIntersection / connector · Intersection / connectorTrail entrance / exit · 127 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 844 m from startTrail entrance / exit · 861 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 971 m from startTrail entrance / exit · 980 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 1.1 km from startTrail entrance / exit · 1.1 km from startTrail entrance / exit · 1.1 km from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 1.3 km from startTrail entrance / exit · 1.3 km from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 1.3 km from start🔚 Dead endsDead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · Dead end (limited options)Dead end (limited options) · 1.2 km from startDead end (limited options) · 1.3 km from startDead end (limited options) · 1.3 km from start0 mi36.2 mi18.1 mi
24 actionable exits· closest 0 m from start39 dead ends
  • High access density (2.65/mi).
  • Route structure (network) supports alternate exits.
  • 12 intersections create more turn-off choices.
  • Entrance count is estimated from graph topology (proxy).

Top exits near Start

Intersection / connector

Near Start · 0 m from start

Intersection
0 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Trail entrance / exit

Near Start · 127 m from start

EntranceDead End
127 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

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

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 0.3 mi

Lovet Pet Health Care - Fletcher Heights

0.3 mi from trail · Veterinary · 8385 West Deer Valley Road, Peoria, 85382

Lovet Pet Health Care - Arrowhead Ranch

2.1 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6750 West Deer Valley Road, Glendale, 85308

Lovet Pet Health Care - Westbrook

2.4 mi from trail · Veterinary · 9163 West Union Hills Drive, Peoria, 85382

BluePearl

2.6 mi from trail · Veterinary · 20165 North 67th Avenue, Glendale, 85308

Lovet Pet Health Care - Happy Valley

2.9 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6615 West West Wind Drive, Glendale, 85310

Hazards

Updated: —

High
Road: 38Risky road: 25Bike: 95+1 more

Primary concerns: Road crossings (25 risky), Bike conflict (95)

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 38
Risky: 25
Water crossings
56
Cliff / steep edge
0
Bike conflict
95
Off-leash conflict proxy
0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on New River Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the New River Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on New River Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along New River Trail?

There is one drinking water amenity listed near the trail, located 2.4 meters away.

Is New River Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The New River Trail has low shade, with only about 41.95% of the trail having shade coverage.

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

The New River Trail is primarily concrete, making up about 58.5% of the surface. Other surfaces include asphalt, dirt, and unknown materials.

How muddy does New River Trail get after rain?

The New River Trail has a low mud risk, as it is mostly paved.

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

The New River Trail is considered highly crowded due to large parking availability and proximity to residential/commercial areas. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at New River Trail?

There are 2 parking areas with an estimated capacity of 1344 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

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

Amenities available include 2 shelters, 1 restroom, and 2 picnic tables. There are no waste baskets or benches listed.

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

The trail has a high heat risk. Safety concerns also include 38 mapped road crossings with 25 being risky, 56 water crossings, and 95 potential bike conflicts.