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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 allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeHigh shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Gate #2

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.

Old Trail 20 is a 5.5-mile trail on mostly sand tread, nearly flat. The route passes a creek near the start — swim access looks likely for a hot-day cooldown. Tree cover is consistent for most of the route, so it holds up well on hot afternoons. Dogs must stay leashed on this trail.

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
60%
Fair fit
May need extra breaks
Some rough patches
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
54%
Caution
Flat & joint-friendly
Long for senior dogs
Good shade available
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
75%
Good fit
Some rough patches
Well-shaded — stays cooler
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
82%
Great fit
Moderate — build up to this
Flat — great for conditioning
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
72%
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

Senior dogsHeat-sensitive dogsReactive dogsWater-loving dogs

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
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATHigh shadeHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET4.5 km awayArizona Animal Hospital

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterModerate

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 5.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:246 ftGain/mi:45 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 246 ft gain + 45 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,589 ft2,349 ft0 mi5.5 mi12345
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: Sand

Softer footing that can feel easier on paws and joints.

Soft footingSome rough stretches

Top surfaces

Sand
87%
Dirt
5.5%
Not mapped
3.9%

Quick read

Roughness: Medium

This trail is mostly Sand. Softer footing—can get muddy after rain. Some uneven stretches may require attention.

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 mi5.5 mi12345SunPartialShadeDense

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 (58%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 58%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby58%
Water along the trail
0 mi5.5 mi12345Stream

Water types nearby

CanalLake/PondStream

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.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking Lots0
Capacity—
FeeFree

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

Other access points

Gate #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~180 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: 1 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 2Actionable exits: 2Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 1 mClosest near Midpoint: —Closest near End: 1 m
🚪 Exits0 mi5.5 mi2.7 mi
2 actionable exits· 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.

Top exits near Start

Trail entrance / exit

Near Start · 1 m from start

EntranceDead End
1 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: 2.8 mi

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

Hazards

Updated: —

Low
Water: 1

Primary concerns: Water crossings (1)

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 0
Water crossings
1
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 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.