+ Add trail

Jim Thompson Trail

Sedona, AZ · Yavapai County · 2.7 mi

A rolling 2.7-mile trail. Good shade throughout; water access along most of the route.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeHigh shade
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of SedonaGood year-round.
Best entry:Jim Thompson Trail

Jim Thompson Trail is a 2.7-mile dog-friendly trail in Sedona, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · high shade. Elevation gain is about 535 ft. Looking for more options in Sedona 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 on all Sedona city trails and parks. Leash required on National Forest trails (Coconino NF / Prescott NF).
Suitability by dog type

By Dog Type

How this trail suits different kinds of dogs

Small Dog
Toy & small breeds
57%
Fair fit
Manageable length
Well-shaded route
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
57%
Fair fit
Some challenging climbs
Comfortable distance
Good shade available
Reactive Dog
Reactive to dogs & strangers
85%
Great fit
All dogs leashed — controlled
Sensitive Dog
Anxious or paw-sensitive dogs
77%
Good fit
Well-shaded — stays cooler
Getting-Fit Dog
Building up stamina
75%
Good fit
Good training length
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
79%
Good 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

Well-shaded, with swim access trail — comfortable for most dogs

Best for

Heat-sensitive dogsWater-loving dogs

Use caution if

Senior dogs

Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system

Why this trail works

  • ~66% shade coverage along the route
  • Swim access confirmed — water features along the route
  • 535 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout

Safety & Conditions

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

HAZARDS—
SHADE / HEATHigh shade
CROWD—

Terrain & Comfort

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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeHigh
WaterGood

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:535 ftGain/mi:201 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 535 ft gain + 201 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
4,744 ft4,485 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: Ground

Good grip and generally paw-friendly on most stretches.

Paw-friendlyRoughness unknown

Top surfaces

Ground
100%

Quick read

Roughness: Unknown

This trail is mostly Ground. Generally paw-friendly with decent grip.

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

65.6%
Shade along the trail
0 mi2.7 mi12SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
35%
Partial
0%
Shade
0%
Dense
65%

Quick read

Most of the trail benefits from consistent tree cover.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (88%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 88%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby88%
Water along the trail
StreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi2.7 mi12Stream

Water types nearby

RiverStream

River • Stream

Quick read

Water is frequently near the route—great for cooling breaks. Bring a bowl anyway. 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

Jim Thompson Trail

Jim Thompson Trail, Sedona, AZ 86336

Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured★ 4.7 (45)
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 Jim Thompson Trail?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Jim Thompson Trail.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Jim Thompson Trail?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on the Jim Thompson Trail. This policy applies to both Sedona city trails and adjacent National Forest trails.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Jim Thompson Trail?

There is a high likelihood of water being available for dogs along the Jim Thompson Trail, with an 87.76% chance of nearby water sources including rivers and streams. There are also multiple ford access points to water.

Is Jim Thompson Trail mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

The Jim Thompson Trail has high shade coverage, with approximately 65.57% of the trail estimated to be shaded.

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

The Jim Thompson Trail is primarily a ground surface.

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

The Jim Thompson Trail has a high likelihood of water availability, with multiple ford access points. The trail is also mostly shaded, which can help mitigate heat concerns. The surface is primarily ground.