North Leg Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 1.6 mi · Point to point

A rolling 1.6-mile point to point. Good shade throughout; 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:Gate #1

North Leg Trail is a 1.6-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 427 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
65%
Good fit
Short & easy to complete
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
53%
Caution
Steep — hard on aging joints
Short, relaxed walk
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
69%
Good fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Too steep for fitness building
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
7%
Not ideal
No water access found
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Well-shaded, hilly trail — good fit with minor considerations

Best for

Heat-sensitive dogsReactive dogs

Use caution if

Senior dogs

Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system

Most comfortable when

Avoid after heavy rain

Surfaces can get muddy after wet weather

Why this trail works

  • ~100% shade coverage along the route
  • Natural, soft surface
  • Low foot traffic — calmer atmosphere for dogs

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATHigh shadeHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET6.6 km awayFtiendship Pet Hospital

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterNone

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 1.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:427 ftGain/mi:262 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 427 ft gain + 262 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,513 ft2,139 ft0 mi1.6 mi1
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

Top surfaces

Unpaved
98%
Dirt
1.8%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Unpaved. Generally paw-friendly with decent grip. 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 mi1.6 mi1SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
0%
Partial
0%
Shade
100%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Most of the trail benefits from consistent tree cover.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (12%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 12%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby12%
Water along the trail
Dry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 m0 mi1.6 mi1Stream

Water types nearby

CanalStream

Canal • Stream

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 1 trailhead 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📍 ~210 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: 499 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 2Actionable exits: 2Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 499 mClosest near Midpoint: Closest near End: 452 m
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exitTrail entrance / exit · 499 m from start0 mi1.6 mi0.8 mi
2 actionable exits· closest 499 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 · 499 m from start

EntranceDead End
499 mGoogle Maps OSM unavailable

Rules & Safety

Dog policy context, emergency resources, and trail hazard overview

Current hazard level is marked as low. 2 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 4.1 mi

Ftiendship Pet Hospital

4.1 mi from trail · Veterinary · 11679 North Saguaro Boulevard, Fountain Hills, 85268

Horizon Animal Hospital

5.6 mi from trail · Veterinary · 14150 North 100th Street, Scottsdale, 85260

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 North Leg Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on North Leg Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on North Leg Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along North Leg Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is North Leg Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

North Leg Trail is considered to have high shade coverage.

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

The trail surface is primarily unpaved, with 100% natural surface including some dirt.

How muddy does North Leg Trail get after rain?

North Leg Trail has a medium mud risk, primarily due to its mostly gravel/compacted surfaces.

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

North Leg Trail is considered low crowd class, likely due to low access infrastructure nearby. The best time to visit is not specified.

What is the parking situation at North Leg Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

The heat risk for North Leg Trail is low, and there are no reported water crossings or significant terrain hazards. Mud risk is medium.