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Talon Trail

Phoenix, AZ · Maricopa County · 4.1 mi · Network

A rolling 4.1-mile network. 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:Parking #2

Talon Trail is a 4.1-mile dog-friendly trail in Phoenix, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 745 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.

Talon Trail is a 4.1-mile trail, moderately hilly. 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
51%
Caution
May need extra breaks
Natural & paw-friendly
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
68%
Good fit
Gentle slope
Moderate — plan rest stops
Smooth surface — easy going
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
76%
Good fit
Moderately busy — stay alert
All dogs leashed — controlled
Can cut short if needed
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
69%
Good fit
Soft natural surface
Mostly exposed
Moderate traffic
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
77%
Good fit
Moderate — build up to this
Gentle grade — good challenge
Can shorten route if needed
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
12%
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 trail — good fit with minor considerations

Best for

Senior dogsFirst-time trail dogs

Use caution if

Reactive dogs

Trail conditions may be challenging for reactive dogs

Most comfortable when

Morning or late afternoon

— Limited shade — more comfortable outside peak midday hours

Weekday visits

— Moderate traffic — calmer on weekdays

Avoid after heavy rain

— Surfaces can get muddy after wet weather

Why this trail works

  • Natural, soft surface
  • 745 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDSLow
SHADE / HEATExposedHeat risk present
CROWDMediumModerate use, mix of busy and quiet times
NEAREST VET6.9 km awayLovet Pet Health Care - Las Sendas

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 4.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:745 ftGain/mi:181 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 745 ft gain + 181 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
2,290 ft1,923 ft0 mi4.1 mi1234
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.

Paw-friendlySmooth / Paw-friendly

Top surfaces

Not mapped
51%
Unpaved
49%
Dirt
0.7%

Quick read

Roughness: Low

This trail is mostly Not mapped. A notable share is unpaved (49%). 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 mi4.1 mi1234SunPartialShadeDense

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

Lake/Pond

Lake/Pond

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 Lots3
Capacity108spaces est.
FeeFree

This section covers 3 trailheads listed, 3 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📍 Near trail (~30 m)

Other access points

Parking #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~90 m)
Parking #3
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Near trail (~90 m)

Amenities along the route

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

Near the start

No mapped amenities near this part of the trail.

Near the middle

Mostly parking nearby

🅿️Parking
2
closest: 405 m • nearby
Point details
  • Parking area
    405 m • nearby
    ↗
  • Parking area
    414 m • nearby
    ↗

Near the end

Mostly parking nearby

🅿️Parking
1
closest: 32 m • at the spot
Point details
  • Parking area
    32 m • at the spot
    ↗
Parking details

🅿 Parking

Large parking area
~108 spacesEstimated capacity
3 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

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: 606 mClosest near End: 0 m
🚪 Exits0 mi4.1 mi2.1 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

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: 4.3 mi

Lovet Pet Health Care - Las Sendas

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

Comet Veterinary Hospital

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

Banfield Pet Hospital

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

Apache Trail Veterinary Services

4.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 9333 East Main Street, Mesa, 85207

VCA Apache Junction Animal Hospital

4.8 mi from trail · Veterinary · 17 North Mountain Road, Apache Junction, 85120

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 Talon Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Talon Trail.

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

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

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Talon Trail?

Unknown based on available data.

Is Talon Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Talon Trail has low shade coverage, with 0% shade proxy.

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

The Talon Trail is primarily a natural surface, with approximately 96.8% being natural surface. The surface is mostly gravel/compacted.

How muddy does Talon Trail get after rain?

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

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

Talon Trail is considered medium crowd class, with reasons including large parking nearby. Specific best times to visit are unknown.

What is the parking situation at Talon Trail?

There are 3 parking areas at Talon Trail with an estimated capacity of 108 vehicles. Whether there is a parking fee is unknown.

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

Unknown based on available data.

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

Talon Trail has a low heat risk and low general hazards. There are no water crossings or cliff/steep edge hazards identified.