Home / Arizona / Phoenix Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 159.9 mi · Point to point
A flat 159.9-mile point to point. Partial shade (58% coverage); water access along most of the route; best in the morning or evening during summer.
Dogs allowed Allowed
Leash rule Required
Trail effort Flat
Shade Some shade
Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) is a 159.9-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · medium shade. Elevation gain is about 18064 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
× Long for small breeds
✓ Natural & paw-friendly
✓ Well-shaded route
🐕 Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
✓ Flat & joint-friendly
× Long for senior dogs
✓ Smooth surface — easy going
⚠️ Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
– Moderately busy — stay alert
✓ All dogs leashed — controlled
✓ Can cut short if needed
🌸 Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
✓ Soft natural surface
✓ Well-shaded — stays cooler
– Moderate traffic
💪 Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
× Too long for early fitness training
✓ 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 With swim access, flat trail — comfortable for most dogs
Best for
Senior dogs Heat-sensitive dogs Water-loving dogs High-energy dogs
Use caution if
Reactive dogs
Trail conditions may be challenging for reactive dogs
Most comfortable when
Weekday visits
— Moderate traffic — calmer on weekdays Avoid after heavy rain
— Surfaces can get muddy after wet weather Why this trail works
HAZARDS Low
SHADE / HEAT Some shade Heat risk present
CROWD Medium Moderate use, mix of busy and quiet times
NEAREST VET 3.1 km away Banfield Pet Hospital
Effort Flat
Surface Mixed
Shade Moderate
Water Moderate
Elevation & Width Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 159.
Easy Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.
Easy Moderate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain: 18,064 ftGain/mi: 113 ft/miSteep sections: Low
Rated from 18,064 ft gain + 113 ft/mi. 2,467 ft 932 ft 0 mi 159.9 mi 27 54 81 108 135 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: Not mapped
Surface data is limited, so expect changing conditions.
Smooth / Paw-friendly
Quick read
Roughness: Low This trail is mostly Not mapped. A notable share is unpaved (13%). You will also encounter dirt (12%). Generally comfortable for most dogs.
Best for dogs runners casual 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
Shade along the trail
0 mi 159.9 mi 27 54 81 108 135 Sun Partial Shade Dense
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 (76%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.
Water nearby 76%
Water along the trail
Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Canal River Lake / Pond Stream River Stream Lake / Pond Canal River Canal Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond 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 Stream Lake / Pond 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 Stream Lake / Pond 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 Stream Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond 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 Stream Lake / Pond 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 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 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 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 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 Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 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no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Lake / Pond 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 Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond Stream Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Canal River Lake / Pond Stream River Stream Lake / Pond Canal River Canal Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond River Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m River Stream Lake / Pond Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond 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 Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Lake / Pond Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Lake / Pond 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 Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Stream Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Stream Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Lake / Pond Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m Canal Lake / Pond Canal Dry — no water within 200 m 0 mi 159.9 mi 32 64 96 128 River Lake / Pond Stream Canal
Water types nearby
Spring Canal Lake/Pond River +2 more
Spring • Canal • Lake/Pond
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 23
Capacity 931 spaces est.
Fee Free
This section covers 2 trailheads listed, 23 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.
Primary trailhead 📍
Parking #1
Primary 🔓 Yes access 💵 Fee not posted 📍 ~100 m from trail 🅿 Medium lot
Copy coordinates
Other access points 📍
Parking #2
🔓 Yes access 💵 Fee not posted 📍 ~110 m from trail 🅿 Medium lot
Copy coordinates
Amenities along the route Nearby facilities around the start, middle, and end of this trail.
Amenities along the trail
🚻 Restrooms (2) 2 2 restrooms near 144.2-144.3 mi 💧 Water (1) Water at 144.3 mi 🛖 Shelters (2) Shelters at 144.3 mi Shelters at 158.5 mi 🪑 Benches (1) Benches at 115.5 mi 0 mi 159.9 mi 32 64 96 128
Near the start Water nearby • Restrooms nearby
💧 Water
1 closest: 99 m • very close
🚻 Restrooms
4 closest: 52 m • at the spot
🛖 Shelter
4 closest: 119 m • very close
Show 1 more 🅿️ Parking
11 closest: 101 m • very close
Point details Restrooms area 52 m • at the spot
↗ Restrooms area 52 m • at the spot
↗ Water area 99 m • very close
↗ Show 17 more Parking area 101 m • very close
↗ Parking area 106 m • very close
↗ Parking area 110 m • very close
↗ Parking area 113 m • very close
↗ Parking area 116 m • very close
↗ Parking area 116 m • very close
↗ Shelter area 119 m • very close
↗ Shelter area 119 m • very close
↗ Restrooms area 146 m • very close
↗ Restrooms area 146 m • very close
↗ Parking area 176 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 176 m • short walk
↗ Shelter area 213 m • short walk
↗ Shelter area 213 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 307 m • nearby
↗ Parking area 307 m • nearby
↗ Parking area 494 m • nearby
↗ Near the middle A few amenities nearby
🪑 Seating
1 closest: 218 m • short walk
🅿️ Parking
12 closest: 154 m • short walk
Point details Parking area 154 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 158 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 192 m • short walk
↗ Show 10 more Parking area 194 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 212 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 212 m • short walk
↗ Seating area 218 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 253 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 253 m • short walk
↗ Parking area 451 m • nearby
↗ Parking area 454 m • nearby
↗ Parking area 486 m • nearby
↗ Parking area 486 m • nearby
↗ Near the end No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.
Parking details Large parking area ~931 spaces Estimated capacity
Parking generally sufficient for peak times. Multiple access points reduce congestion near trailheads.
Highlights 32 highlights on or near the trail
👁️ Viewpoint Viewpoint · 0.0 mi Viewpoint · 0.1 mi Viewpoint · 0.1 mi Viewpoint · 0.1 mi Viewpoint · 0.2 mi Viewpoint · 0.3 mi Viewpoint · 0.4 mi Viewpoint · 0.6 mi Viewpoint · 0.8 mi Viewpoint · 0.8 mi Viewpoint · 0.8 mi Viewpoint · 1.0 mi Viewpoint · 1.1 mi Viewpoint · 1.1 mi Viewpoint · 1.4 mi Viewpoint · 1.5 mi Viewpoint · 2.3 mi Viewpoint · 2.4 mi Viewpoint · 2.4 mi Overlook · 43.0 mi ⛰️ Peak Goat Hill · 41.3 mi Peak · 63.4 mi 🏛️ Historic Historic · 42.6 mi old stone houses · 66.7 mi Historic · 66.7 mi Historic · 68.0 mi 0 mi 159.9 mi 32 64 96 128
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Viewpoint
Viewpoint · Viewpoint
On-trail 2 m from trail
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On-trail 2 m from trail
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On-trail 2 m from trail
Show 29 more highlights 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: 4.0 km
Method + full metrics Based on trail graph connectivity and nearby exits.
Total spots: 2 Actionable exits: 2 Dead ends: 0 Closest near Start: 4.0 km Closest near Midpoint: — Closest near End: 0 m
🚪 Exits Trail entrance / exit · Trail entrance / exit Trail entrance / exit · 4.0 km from start 0 mi 159.9 mi 79.9 mi · closest 4.0 km 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 · 4.0 km from start
Entrance Dead End
Current hazard level is marked as low. 5 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.
Banfield Pet Hospital
1.9 mi from trail · Veterinary
Phoenix Veterinary Center
2.6 mi from trail · Veterinary
South Mountain Vet Clinic
3.1 mi from trail · Veterinary · Phoenix, 85044
Ahwatukee Commons Veterinary Hospital
3.7 mi from trail · Veterinary · 4902 East Warner Road, Phoenix, 85044
Family VetCare of Phoenix
3.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 3908 East Chandler Boulevard, Phoenix, 85048
Low
Primary concerns: Off-leash proxy (1)
Show hazard breakdown Are dogs allowed on Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella)? Yes, dogs are allowed on the Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella).
Do dogs need to be on a leash on Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella)? Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash at all times on this trail, as per the blanket Phoenix city park policy.
Is there drinking water available for dogs along Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella)? Yes, there is drinking water available at trailheads and nearby points along the Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella).
Is Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) mostly shaded or sun-exposed? The Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) has medium shade coverage, with approximately 58.33% of the trail having shade.
What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella)? The trail surface is varied, with approximately 62.4% being natural surface, and includes gravel, dirt, and some paved sections.
How muddy does Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) get after rain? The trail has a medium mud risk, described as mostly paved with low mud risk.
How crowded does Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) get, and when is the best time to visit? The trail is considered medium crowded, with large parking and many trailhead amenities contributing to this. The best time to visit is not specified.
What is the parking situation at Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella)? There are 23 parking locations with an estimated capacity of 931 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.
What amenities are available at Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) (restrooms, waste bins, benches)? Amenities include 4 shelters, 4 toilets, and 1 drinking water source. There is 1 bench available, but no picnic tables or waste baskets.
Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Sun Circle Trail (Freestone - Estrella) (heat, terrain, water crossings)? The heat risk is low. There is a low risk for terrain hazards, but there is a potential for off-leash encounters. Water crossings are present.