+ Add trail

Old Man Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 2.8 mi · Point to point

A rolling 2.8-mile point to point. 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:Info Point #1

Old Man Trail is a 2.8-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 1125 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
55%
Fair fit
Manageable length
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
43%
Caution
Steep — hard on aging joints
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
59%
Fair fit
Good training length
Too steep for fitness building
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
35%
Tough
Water nearby — no swim confirmed
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, waterside trail — good fit with minor considerations

Best for

Heat-sensitive dogsReactive dogsWater-loving 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
  • River or lake alongside much of the route
  • Natural, soft surface

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATHigh shadeHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET3.5 km awaySouth Mountain Vet Clinic

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 2.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:1,125 ftGain/mi:399 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 1,125 ft gain + 399 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,487 ft1,496 ft0 mi2.8 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: Dirt

Softer footing that can feel easier on paws and joints.

Soft footingSmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Dirt
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Dirt. Softer footing—can get muddy after rain. 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

HIGH

High shade coverage

100.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi2.8 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

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 (73%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 73%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby73%
Water along the trail
StreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi2.8 mi12Stream

Water types nearby

RiverStream

River • Stream

Quick read

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

Info Point #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~290 m from trail

Other access points

Info Point #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~370 m from trail
Info Point #3
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~380 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

1 highlight on or near the trail

⛰️ PeakPeak · 0.0 mi0 mi2.8 mi12

Highlights

1 total
Closest: Peak · 101 m

Peak

Peak · Peak

Nearby
101 mfrom trail
Open OSM
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: 1 m
🚪 ExitsTrail entrance / exit · 0 m from startTrail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit0 mi2.8 mi1.4 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. 5 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 2.2 mi

South Mountain Vet Clinic

2.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · Phoenix, 85044

Banfield Pet Hospital

2.5 mi from trail · Veterinary

Phoenix Veterinary Center

2.9 mi from trail · Veterinary

Family VetCare of Phoenix

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

Ahwatukee Commons Veterinary Hospital

3.0 mi from trail · Veterinary · 4902 East Warner Road, Phoenix, 85044

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 Old Man Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Old Man Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Old Man Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Old Man Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Old Man Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Old Man Trail has high shade coverage, with a shade proxy percent of 100%.

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

The trail surface is primarily dirt, making it 100% natural surface.

How muddy does Old Man Trail get after rain?

Old Man Trail has a high mud risk due to its mostly natural dirt surfaces.

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

Old Man Trail has low crowd levels, attributed to low access infrastructure nearby. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Old Man Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

The heat risk for Old Man Trail is low. The terrain is also considered low risk for roughness. There are no water crossings noted.