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Palisades Trail #99

Tucson, AZ · Pima County · 12.1 mi

A rolling 12.1-mile trail. Mostly sun-exposed; some water access.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of TucsonGood year-round.
Best entry:Palisade Trailhead

Palisades Trail #99 is a 12.1-mile dog-friendly trail in Tucson, AZ. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 4436 ft. Looking for more options in Tucson 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 must be kept on a leash in all Tucson city parks. Tucson Code of Ordinances §11-31.
Suitability by dog type

By Dog Type

How this trail suits different kinds of dogs

Small Dog
Toy & small breeds
2%
Not ideal
Long for small breeds
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
2%
Not ideal
Steep — hard on aging joints
Long for senior dogs
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
2%
Not ideal
Too long for early fitness training
Too steep for fitness building
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
28%
Tough
Water nearby — no swim confirmed
Water near parts of the trail
Leash required — limits water play

Trail Suitability

Who this trail works best for — and what to watch

Exposed, hilly trail — challenging for many dogs

Best for

Water-loving dogsHigh-energy dogs

Use caution if

Senior dogs

Steep sections present — hard on aging joints and cardiovascular system

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

  • 4436 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout
  • 12.1 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

EffortRolling
SurfaceMixed
ShadeLow
WaterSome

Elevation & Width

Distance and climbing are shown together so you can judge overall effort for your dog on a 12.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:4,436 ftGain/mi:366 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 4,436 ft gain + 366 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
7,851 ft4,137 ft0 mi12.1 mi24681012
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

LOW

Low shade coverage

12.7%
Shade along the trail
0 mi12.1 mi24681012SunPartialShadeDense

Exposure mix

Sun
87%
Partial
0%
Shade
2%
Dense
11%

Quick read

Limited natural shade. Expect prolonged sun exposure.

Water Access

Water proximity is tracked along the route (43%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 43%
Swim: Unlikely
Water nearby43%
Water along the trail
StreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mSpringDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mSpringDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStreamDry — no water within 200 mStream0 mi12.1 mi36912StreamSpring

Water types nearby

SpringRiverStream

Spring • River • Stream

Quick read

You’ll likely pass some water. Carry water for longer stretches. Swimming spots are unlikely.

Access & Entry

Trailheads, parking, and entry logistics for hiking with dogs

Parking LotsUnknown
Capacity—
FeeUnknown

This section covers 2 trailheads listed, parking availability, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Palisade Trailhead

E Organization Ridge Rd, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619

Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured★ 5.0 (1)

Other access points

Palisade Trailhead

E Organization Ridge Rd, Mt Lemmon, AZ 85619

🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured★ 5.0 (1)
Parking details

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

💧 SpringMud Spring · 3.4 mi0 mi12.1 mi36912

Highlights

1 total
Closest: Mud Spring · 4 m

Mud Spring

Spring · Spring

On-trail
4 mfrom trail
Open OSM
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 Palisades Trail #99?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Palisades Trail #99.

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Palisades Trail #99?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on Palisades Trail #99. This is in accordance with Tucson City Code §11-31, which requires dogs to be leashed at all times in city parks.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Palisades Trail #99?

There is a 43.11% chance of water being nearby, with types including spring, river, and stream.

Is Palisades Trail #99 mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Palisades Trail #99 has low shade, with only about 12.68% of the trail being shaded.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Palisades Trail #99?

The primary trail surface on Palisades Trail #99 is ground.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Palisades Trail #99 (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

The trail has low shade, which may pose a heat concern. The trail surface is ground. There is a 43.11% chance of water being nearby, with types including spring, river, and stream, but swimming is unlikely.