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Goldwater Lake Trail #396

Prescott, AZ · Yavapai County · 4.5 mi

A flat 4.5-mile trail. Mostly sun-exposed; some water access.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortFlat
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of PrescottGood year-round.
Best entry:Trailhead #1

Goldwater Lake Trail #396 is a 4.5-mile dog-friendly trail in Prescott, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 328 ft. Looking for more options in Prescott 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.

Dog Fit

Dogs allowed status, leash expectations, and suitability by dog type

Dogs on leash required in all Prescott city parks. Prescott City Code §3-3-2. Prescott National Forest trails also require leash.
Suitability by dog type

By Dog Type

How this trail suits different kinds of dogs

Small Dog
Toy & small breeds
43%
Caution
May need extra breaks
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
60%
Fair fit
Gentle slope
Moderate — plan rest stops
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
85%
Great fit
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
57%
Fair fit
Mostly exposed
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
55%
Fair fit
Moderate — build up to this
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
62%
Fair fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water along most of the route
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Exposed, with swim access trail — some factors to plan around

Best for

Senior dogsWater-loving dogs

Most comfortable when

Before 10 AM or after 6 PM

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

Why this trail works

  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • 4.5 mi total — plan accordingly

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDS—
SHADE / HEATExposed
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortFlat
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterModerate

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 4.

Trail Effort

Easy

Flat or gently rolling. Comfortable for almost all dogs.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:328 ftGain/mi:73 ft/miSteep sections:Medium
Rated from 328 ft gain + 73 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
6,184 ft5,682 ft0 mi4.5 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.

Roughness unknown

Top surfaces

Not mapped
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Not mapped. Surface data is incomplete for some sections—expect variety.

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

11.5%
Shade along the trail
0 mi4.5 mi1234SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
87%
Partial
3%
Shade
10%
Dense
0%

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (53%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 53%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby53%
Water along the trail
Dry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi4.5 mi1234Stream

Water types nearby

SpringStream

Spring • Stream

Quick read

You’ll likely pass some water. Carry water for longer stretches. Swimming spots may be available. Check current/flow after rain.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking LotsUnknown
Capacity—
FeeUnknown

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

Primary trailhead

Trailhead #1
Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Parking details

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

Hazard levels are summarized from available route data. Nearby emergency veterinary coverage appears when mapped in source data.

Dog Emergency

Emergency help nearby

No nearby vets found

No nearby veterinary clinics were found within search radius.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about dogs on this trail

Are dogs allowed on Goldwater Lake Trail #396?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Goldwater Lake Trail #396.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Goldwater Lake Trail #396?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on Goldwater Lake Trail #396. This policy is in place for all Prescott city parks and adjacent National Forest trails.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Goldwater Lake Trail #396?

There is a 53.45% chance of water being available near the trail, with nearby water types including spring and stream. Several ford access points to water are also noted.

Is Goldwater Lake Trail #396 mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Goldwater Lake Trail #396 is mostly sun-exposed, with only about 11.54% shade coverage.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Goldwater Lake Trail #396?

Unknown based on available data.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Goldwater Lake Trail #396 (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

The trail has low shade, which could be a concern for heat. There are multiple ford access points to water, which may involve water crossings.