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Santa Maria Park

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 1.4 mi

A flat 1.4-mile trail. Good shade throughout; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeHigh shade
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationBest in spring and fall; avoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Parking #1

Santa Maria Park is a 1.4-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 33 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.

Santa Maria Park is a 1.4-mile trail, nearly flat. There is little water along the route, so pack enough for your dog. Shade is patchy but fairly even along the way. Leashes are required on this trail, and you'll find restrooms and benches along the way.

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
80%
Great fit
Short & easy to complete
Smooth, easy on paws
Hot in summer — go early
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
88%
Great fit
Flat & joint-friendly
Short, relaxed walk
Smooth surface — easy going
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
68%
Good fit
Moderately busy — stay alert
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
47%
Caution
Paw-friendly surface
Hot pavement can burn paws
Moderate traffic
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
83%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Flat — great for conditioning
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
4%
Not ideal
No water access found
Mostly dry route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Well-shaded, flat trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Senior dogsSmall dogsEasy walks

Use caution if

Heat-sensitive dogs

High heat index — go early or on cooler days

Reactive dogs

Trail conditions may be challenging for reactive dogs

Most comfortable when

Before 10 AM or after 6 PM

— Heat exposure is significant — trail is considerably cooler in morning and evening

Weekday visits

— Moderate traffic — calmer on weekdays

Why this trail works

  • ~100% shade coverage along the route
  • Paved surface — easy on paws
  • Essentially flat — average slope under 3%

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATHigh shadeHeat risk present
CROWDMediumModerate use, mix of busy and quiet times
NEAREST VET7.2 km awayLaveen Veterinary Center

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterNone

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:33 ftGain/mi:23 ft/miSteep sections:Low
Rated from 33 ft gain + 23 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
1,007 ft997 ft0 mi1.4 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: Not mapped

Surface data is limited, so expect changing conditions.

Hard surface riskSmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Not mapped
53%
Concrete
44%
Asphalt
3.1%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Not mapped. A notable share is concrete (44%). 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

HIGH

High shade coverage

100.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi1.4 mi1SunPartialShadeDense

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 (0%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 0%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby0%

Water types nearby

Unknown

Unknown

Quick read

Water is limited near the trail—bring enough for you and your dog. Swimming spots are unlikely.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking Lots2
Capacity108spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 3 trailheads listed, 2 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Gate #3
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~25 m)

Other access points

Parking #1
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~70 m)🅿 Large lot
Parking #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~70 m)🅿 Large lot

Amenities along the route

Nearby facilities around the start, middle, and end of this trail.

Amenities along the trail
🚻 Restrooms (1)🛖 Shelters (4)3🪑 Benches (4)3🍽️ Picnic tables (5)20 mi1.4 mi1

Near the start

A few amenities nearby

🛖Shelter
6
closest: 73 m • at the spot
🪑Seating
12
closest: 23 m • at the spot
🅿️Parking
2
closest: 68 m • at the spot
Point details
  • Seating area
    23 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    48 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    48 m • at the spot
    ↗
Show 17 more
  • Parking area
    68 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    69 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    71 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Parking area
    72 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    73 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    73 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    74 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    74 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    74 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    77 m • very close
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    79 m • very close
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    79 m • very close
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    80 m • very close
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    80 m • very close
    ↗
  • Seating area
    87 m • very close
    ↗
  • Seating area
    94 m • very close
    ↗
  • Seating area
    99 m • very close
    ↗

Near the middle

Restrooms nearby

🚻Restrooms
2
closest: 31 m • at the spot
🛖Shelter
4
closest: 64 m • at the spot
🪑Seating
5
closest: 58 m • at the spot
Point details
  • Restrooms area
    31 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Restrooms area
    31 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    58 m • at the spot
    ↗
Show 8 more
  • Shelter area
    64 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    64 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    66 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    68 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Seating area
    73 m • at the spot
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    112 m • very close
    ↗
  • Seating area
    113 m • very close
    ↗
  • Shelter area
    113 m • very close
    ↗

Near the end

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~108 spacesEstimated capacity
2 parking locations
No known parking fee

Parking generally sufficient for peak times.

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

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: 4.4 mi

Laveen Veterinary Center

4.4 mi from trail · Veterinary · 7700 South 43rd Avenue, Phoenix, 85339

Dobbins Village Veterinary Hospital

5.1 mi from trail · Veterinary · 3536 West Baseline Road, Phoenix, 85339

Hazards

Updated: —

Low
Road: 16

No major hazard concentrations reported.

Show hazard breakdown
Road crossings
Total: 16
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 Santa Maria Park?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Santa Maria Park.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Santa Maria Park?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on Santa Maria Park, as per Phoenix city park policy.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Santa Maria Park?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Santa Maria Park mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Santa Maria Park has high shade coverage, with shade proxy at 100%.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Santa Maria Park?

The trail surface is primarily concrete (83.41%), with some asphalt (5.9%) and unknown surfaces (10.69%).

How muddy does Santa Maria Park get after rain?

Santa Maria Park has a low mud risk, as it is mostly paved.

How crowded does Santa Maria Park get, and when is the best time to visit?

Santa Maria Park has medium crowd levels, likely due to large parking nearby. The best time to visit is unknown based on available data.

What is the parking situation at Santa Maria Park?

There are 2 parking areas with an estimated capacity of 108 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

What amenities are available at Santa Maria Park (restrooms, waste bins, benches)?

Santa Maria Park offers 8 benches, 10 shelters, 2 toilets, and 9 picnic tables. Waste bins are not listed as available.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Santa Maria Park (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

Santa Maria Park has a high heat risk. There are 16 mapped road crossings, but no water crossings or steep edges.