+ Add trail

Pedersen Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 17.2 mi · Network

A flat 17.2-mile network. Mostly sun-exposed; some water access; best in the morning or evening during summer.

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

Pedersen Trail is a 17.2-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 1201 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.

Pedersen Trail is a 17.2-mile trail on mostly dirt tread, gently rolling. The route passes a creek near the start — a good spot for a warm-day dip. Most of the trail is exposed with little tree cover, so bring water and go early on warm days. Leashes are required 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
48%
Caution
Long for small breeds
Natural & paw-friendly
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
65%
Good fit
Flat & joint-friendly
Long for senior dogs
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
77%
Good fit
Soft natural surface
Mostly exposed
Quiet — less stressful
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
62%
Fair fit
Too long for early fitness training
Flat — great for conditioning
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
58%
Fair 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

Exposed, with swim access trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsReactive dogsWater-loving dogsHigh-energy dogs

Most comfortable when

Morning or late afternoon

— Limited shade — more comfortable outside peak midday hours

Why this trail works

  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • Natural, soft surface
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET6.8 km awayNorth Star Animal Hospital

Heat exposure

Low shade coverage — bring extra water and avoid midday in summer.

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterSome

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 17.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:1,201 ftGain/mi:70 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 1,201 ft gain + 70 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,506 ft1,135 ft0 mi17.1 mi3691215
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

Surface data is limited, so expect changing conditions.

Smooth / Paw-friendly
Surface along the trail
0 mi17.2 mi3691215UnknownNatural/Soft

Top surfaces

Not mapped
73%
Dirt
27%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Not mapped. A notable share is dirt (27%). Surface data is incomplete for some sections—expect variety. 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

LOW

Low shade coverage

0.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi17.2 mi3691215SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

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

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (37%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 37%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby37%
Water along the trail
0 mi17.2 mi481216Stream

Water types nearby

Stream

Stream

Quick read

Water is limited near the trail—bring enough for you and your dog. 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

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

Other access points

Pedersen Trail Endpoint #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Pedersen Trail Endpoint #1
🔓 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: 0.4

Fast exits if you need to shorten the route.

Actionable: 4Dead ends: 0Closest Start: 0 m
Method + full metrics

Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.

Total spots: 4Actionable exits: 4Dead ends: 0Closest near Start: 0 mClosest near Midpoint: 1.7 kmClosest near End: —
🚪 Exits0 mi17.2 mi8.6 mi
4 actionable exits· closest 0 m from start
  • Route structure (network) supports alternate exits.
  • 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

Trail entrance / exit

Near Start · 1.1 km from start

EntranceDead End
1.1 kmGoogle 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: 4.2 mi

North Star Animal Hospital

4.2 mi from trail · Veterinary · 9890 South Estrella Parkway, Goodyear, 85338

Unnamed clinic

5.3 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 Pedersen Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Pedersen Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Pedersen Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Pedersen Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Pedersen Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Pedersen Trail has low shade exposure, with 0% shade proxy.

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

The Pedersen Trail is primarily a dirt surface, with 36.26% of the trail being dirt and 63.74% being of unknown surface type.

How muddy does Pedersen Trail get after rain?

The Pedersen Trail has a low mud risk, with the reason being mostly paved / low mud risk.

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

The Pedersen Trail is considered low crowd class due to low access infrastructure nearby. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Pedersen Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

The Pedersen Trail has a low heat risk. There are no reported road crossings, water crossings, or cliff/steep edge hazards. Swim is likely.