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Old Trail 21

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 1.3 mi · Point to point

A flat 1.3-mile point to point. Partial shade (98% coverage); some water access; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeSome shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Old Trail 21 Endpoint #3

Old Trail 21 is a 1.3-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 49 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
100%
Great fit
Short & easy to complete
Natural & paw-friendly
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
100%
Great fit
Flat & joint-friendly
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
100%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Flat — great for conditioning
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
67%
Good fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water near parts of the trail
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 dogsSmall dogsEasy walksHeat-sensitive dogsReactive dogsWater-loving dogsFirst-time trail dogs

Most comfortable when

Avoid after heavy rain

— Trail gets significantly muddy — surfaces become slippery and paws stay wet

Why this trail works

  • ~98% shade coverage along the route
  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • Natural, soft surface

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATSome shadeHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET6.1 km awayArizona Animal Hospital

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeModerate
WaterSome

Elevation & Width

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

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:49 ftGain/mi:37 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 49 ft gain + 37 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,605 ft2,579 ft0 mi1.3 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: Ground

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlySmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Ground
84%
Sand
9.0%
Not mapped
5.1%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Ground. 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

MEDIUM

Moderate shade coverage

97.8%
Shade along the trail
0 mi1.3 mi1SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
2%
Partial
0%
Shade
98%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Roughly half the trail has meaningful tree or canopy coverage. Expect mixed sun and shade.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (41%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 41%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby41%
Water along the trail
Dry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 m0 mi1.3 mi1Stream

Water types nearby

Lake/PondStream

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 3 trailheads listed, 0 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Old Trail 21 Endpoint #3
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured

Other access points

Old Trail 21 Endpoint #1
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Old Trail 21 Endpoint #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
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: 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 mi1.3 mi0.7 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. 2 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 3.8 mi

Arizona Animal Hospital

3.8 mi from trail · Veterinary

Animal Hospital At Terravita

4.1 mi from trail · Veterinary

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 Trail 21?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Old Trail 21.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Old Trail 21?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on Old Trail 21, as per Phoenix city park policy.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Old Trail 21?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Old Trail 21 mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Old Trail 21 has medium shade coverage, with approximately 97.83% of the trail having shade.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Old Trail 21?

The trail surface is primarily natural, with about 94% being natural surface. It consists of ground, dirt, and sand.

How muddy does Old Trail 21 get after rain?

Old Trail 21 has a high risk of getting muddy, especially after rain, due to its mostly natural surfaces.

How crowded does Old Trail 21 get, and when is the best time to visit?

Old Trail 21 is considered low crowd density, likely due to low access infrastructure nearby. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Old Trail 21?

Unknown based on available data.

What amenities are available at Old Trail 21 (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?

Unknown based on available data.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Old Trail 21 (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

The heat risk for Old Trail 21 is low. The terrain is also considered low risk for roughness. There are no reported water crossings or road crossings.