Home / Arizona / Phoenix Old Trail 20 Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 5.5 mi · Point to point
A flat 5.5-mile point to point. Good shade throughout; some water access; best in the morning or evening during summer.
Dogs allowed Allowed
Leash rule Required
Trail effort Flat
Shade High shade
Old Trail 20 is a 5.5-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 246 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.
ℹ 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
– May need extra breaks
– Some rough patches
✓ Well-shaded route
🐕 Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
✓ Flat & joint-friendly
× Long for senior dogs
✓ Good shade available
⚠️ Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
✓ Usually quiet — fewer encounters
✓ All dogs leashed — controlled
✓ Can cut short if needed
🌸 Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
– Some rough patches
✓ Well-shaded — stays cooler
✓ Quiet — less stressful
💪 Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
– Moderate — build up to this
✓ Flat — great for conditioning
✓ Can shorten route if needed
💧 Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
✓ Swim spots confirmed on this trail
✓ Water along most of the route
– Leash required — limits water play
ℹ Well-shaded, with swim access trail — comfortable for most dogs
Best for
Senior dogs Heat-sensitive dogs Reactive dogs Water-loving dogs
Most comfortable when
Avoid after heavy rain
— Trail gets significantly muddy — surfaces become slippery and paws stay wet Why this trail works
HAZARDS Low
SHADE / HEAT High shade Heat risk present
CROWD Low Typically uncrowded
NEAREST VET 4.5 km away Arizona Animal Hospital
Effort Flat
Surface Mixed
Shade High
Water Moderate
Elevation & Width Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 5.
Easy Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.
Easy Moderate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain: 246 ftGain/mi: 45 ft/miSteep sections: Low
Rated from 246 ft gain + 45 ft/mi. 2,589 ft 2,349 ft 0 mi 5.5 mi 1 2 3 4 5 Narrow NARROW Typical: ~0 ft WIDE
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.
Mostly: Sand
Softer footing that can feel easier on paws and joints.
Soft footing Some rough stretches
Quick read
Roughness: Medium This trail is mostly Sand. Softer footing—can get muddy after rain. Some uneven stretches may require attention.
Best for relaxed walks expect 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 Shade along the trail
0 mi 5.5 mi 1 2 3 4 5 Sun Partial Shade Dense
Quick read
Most of the trail benefits from consistent tree cover.
Water Access Water proximity is tracked along the route (58%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.
Water nearby 58%
Water along the trail
Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m 0 mi 5.5 mi 1 2 3 4 5 Stream
Water types nearby
Canal Lake/Pond Stream
Canal • Lake/Pond • Stream
Quick read
You’ll likely pass some water. Carry water for longer stretches. Swimming spots may be available. Check current/flow after rain.
Parking Lots 0
Capacity —
Fee Free
This section covers 2 trailheads 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 📍 ~180 m from trail
Copy coordinates
Other access points 📍
Gate #2
🔓 Access not confirmed 💵 Fee not posted 📍 ~180 m from trail
Copy coordinates
Parking details Parking availability unknown — Estimated capacity
Highlights No highlights are available for this trail yet.
Bailout & exit options Exit options (Bailouts) Bailout: medium Score: 0.35
Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.
Actionable: 2 Dead ends: 0 Closest Start: 1 m
Method + full metrics Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.
Total spots: 2 Actionable exits: 2 Dead ends: 0 Closest near Start: 1 m Closest near Midpoint: — Closest near End: 1 m
🚪 Exits Trail entrance / exit · 1 m from start Trail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit 0 mi 5.5 mi 2.7 mi · closest 1 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. Start Midpoint End
Top exits near Start Trail entrance / exit
Near Start · 1 m from start
Entrance Dead End
Current hazard level is marked as low. 5 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.
Arizona Animal Hospital
2.8 mi from trail · Veterinary
Animal Hospital At Terravita
3.7 mi from trail · Veterinary
Animal Specialty Group of Scottsdale
5.6 mi from trail · Veterinary · 7410 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, 85255
Pinnacle Peak Animal Hospital
5.6 mi from trail · Veterinary · 23425 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, 85255
Lovet Pet Health Care - Dove Valley
6.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 4815 East Carefree Highway, Cave Creek, 85331
Low
Primary concerns: Water crossings (1)
Show hazard breakdown Are dogs allowed on Old Trail 20? Yes, dogs are allowed on Old Trail 20.
Do dogs need to be on a leash on Old Trail 20? Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on Old Trail 20. This is due to a blanket Phoenix city park leash policy requiring leashes at all times.
Is there drinking water available for dogs along Old Trail 20? Unknown based on available data.
Is Old Trail 20 mostly shaded or sun-exposed? Old Trail 20 has high shade coverage, with a shade proxy percent of 1.
What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Old Trail 20? The trail surface is primarily sand, making up about 84.66% of the trail. It also includes some dirt and natural surfaces.
How muddy does Old Trail 20 get after rain? Old Trail 20 has a high mud risk due to its mostly natural surfaces.
How crowded does Old Trail 20 get, and when is the best time to visit? Old Trail 20 experiences low crowds, likely due to low access infrastructure nearby. Specific best times to visit are unknown.
What is the parking situation at Old Trail 20? Unknown based on available data.
What amenities are available at Old Trail 20 (restrooms, waste bins, benches)? Unknown based on available data.
Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Old Trail 20 (heat, terrain, water crossings)? The heat risk is low. The terrain is considered medium roughness, and there is one water crossing. Mud risk is high.