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Sunset Ridge Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 2.7 mi · Point to point

A rolling 2.7-mile point to point. Mostly sun-exposed; best in the morning or evening during summer.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Trail Rules | Phoenix Parks and RecreationAvoid midday in summer.
Best entry:Info Point #1

Sunset Ridge Trail is a 2.7-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 919 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.

Sunset Ridge Trail is a 2.7-mile trail on mostly unpaved tread, a steady climb. A notable stop is Peak 2541 (0.5 mi in). Water is scarce here — bring plenty for your dog. It runs mostly in the open, so time it for cooler hours and pack water. 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
45%
Caution
Manageable length
Natural & paw-friendly
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
43%
Caution
Steep — hard on aging joints
Comfortable distance
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
59%
Fair fit
Good training length
Too steep for fitness building
Can shorten route if needed
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

Exposed, hilly trail — some factors to plan around

Best for

Reactive dogs

Use caution if

Senior dogs

Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system

Most comfortable when

Morning or late afternoon

— Limited shade — more comfortable outside peak midday hours

Avoid after heavy rain

— Surfaces can get muddy after wet weather

Why this trail works

  • Natural, soft surface
  • 919 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout
  • Low foot traffic — calmer atmosphere for dogs

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDLowTypically uncrowded
NEAREST VET5.5 km awayComet Veterinary 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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterNone

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 2.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:919 ftGain/mi:342 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 919 ft gain + 342 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,543 ft1,739 ft0 mi2.7 mi12
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: Unpaved

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlySmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Unpaved
97%
Dirt
2.8%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Unpaved. 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

LOW

Low shade coverage

0.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi2.7 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

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

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 0%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby0%

Water types nearby

Stream

Stream

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 Lots0
Capacity—
FeeFree

This section covers 1 trailhead listed, 0 parking lots, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Info Point #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 ~170 m from trail

Amenities along the route

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

Amenities along the trail
ℹ️ Info boards (1)0 mi2.7 mi12

Near the start

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Near the middle

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Near the end

A few amenities nearby

✳️Other
1
closest: 164 m • short walk
Point details
  • Other area
    164 m • short walk
    ↗
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

1 highlight on or near the trail

⛰️ Peak0 mi2.7 mi12

Highlights

1 total
Closest: Peak 2541 · 115 m

Peak 2541

Peak · Peak

Nearby
115 mfrom trail
Open OSM
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: 0 m
🚪 Exits0 mi2.7 mi1.3 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. 5 nearby emergency veterinary options mapped where available.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

Nearest vet: 3.4 mi

Comet Veterinary Hospital

3.4 mi from trail · Veterinary · 2824 North Power Road, Mesa, 85215

Lovet Pet Health Care - Las Sendas

3.5 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6747 East McDowell Road, Mesa, 85215

Banfield Pet Hospital

4.3 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6632 East McKellips Road, Mesa, 85205

Red Mountain Animal Hospital

4.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 6025 East McKellips Road, Mesa, 85215

Curem Veterinary Care

5.1 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 Sunset Ridge Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Sunset Ridge Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Sunset Ridge Trail?

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Sunset Ridge Trail?

No, there are no drinking water amenities available on Sunset Ridge Trail.

Is Sunset Ridge Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Sunset Ridge Trail has low shade coverage, meaning it is mostly sun-exposed.

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

The trail surface is primarily unpaved, with 100% natural surface, including some dirt sections.

How muddy does Sunset Ridge Trail get after rain?

Sunset Ridge Trail has a medium mud risk, primarily due to its mostly gravel/compacted surfaces.

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

Sunset Ridge Trail experiences low crowds, likely due to limited nearby access infrastructure. The best time to visit is not specified.

What is the parking situation at Sunset Ridge Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

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

There are no restrooms, waste bins, or benches available on Sunset Ridge Trail. An information point is present.

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

The trail has a low heat risk and low terrain hazards. There are no water crossings on the trail.