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Saint John's Trail (174)

Santa Fe, NM · Santa Fe County · 1.4 mi

A rolling 1.4-mile trail. Mostly sun-exposed; some water access.

Dogs allowedAllowed
Leash ruleRequired
Trail effortRolling
ShadeExposed
Certified dog policySource: Parks and Recreation | City of Santa FeGood year-round.
Best entry:Trailhead #2

Saint John's Trail (174) is a 1.4-mile dog-friendly trail in Santa Fe, NM. Includes leash-required policy details · low shade. Elevation gain is about 518 ft. Looking for more options in Santa Fe dog-friendly trails or across dog-friendly trails across New Mexico? 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 on leash in Santa Fe city parks and trail corridors. Santa Fe City Code §22-1.
Suitability by dog type

By Dog Type

How this trail suits different kinds of dogs

Small Dog
Toy & small breeds
57%
Fair fit
Short & easy to complete
Mostly exposed
Senior Dog
Older dogs, 7+ years
62%
Fair fit
Some challenging climbs
Short, relaxed walk
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
80%
Great fit
Ideal starter length (1–2.5 mi)
Gentle grade — good challenge
Water Lover
Dogs who love to swim & splash
67%
Good fit
Swim spots confirmed on this trail
Water near parts of the trail
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

Water-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
  • 518 ft of elevation gain — good cardio workout

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 1.

Trail Effort

Moderate

Gentle hills. Most healthy adult dogs will enjoy this.

EasyModerate
Challenging
Strenuous
Gain:518 ftGain/mi:368 ft/miSteep sections:High
Rated from 518 ft gain + 368 ft/mi.
Elevation Profile
7,831 ft7,343 ft0 mi1.4 mi1
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

0.0%
Shade along the trail
0 mi1.4 mi1SunPartialShadeDense

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 (42%) to help you plan hydration and cooldown stops.

Water

Hydration & splash potential

Near water: 42%
Swim: Likely
Water nearby42%
Water along the trail
Lake / PondStreamDry — no water within 200 m0 mi1.4 mi1Lake / PondStream

Water types nearby

StreamLake/Pond

Stream • Lake/Pond

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 3 trailheads listed, parking availability, and amenity placement so you can plan start points and access logistics before arriving.

Primary trailhead

Atalaya Trail Head at St Johns College, Santa Fe, NM.

1164-1184 Camino De Cruz Blanca, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Primary🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured★ 4.7 (11)

Other access points

Trailhead #2
🔓 Access not confirmed💵 Fee not posted📍 Distance not measured
Trailhead #3
🔓 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 Saint John's Trail (174)?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Saint John's Trail (174).

Do dogs need to be on a leash on Saint John's Trail (174)?

Yes, dogs are required to be on a leash on Saint John's Trail (174). This is in accordance with Santa Fe City Code §22-1, which requires dogs to be on leash at all times in city parks and trails.

Is there drinking water available for dogs along Saint John's Trail (174)?

There is water nearby along Saint John's Trail (174), with streams and lakes or ponds present. Approximately 41.75% of the trail has water nearby.

Is Saint John's Trail (174) mostly shaded or sun-exposed?

Saint John's Trail (174) has low shade coverage, with 0% shade proxy coverage.

What is the trail surface like for dog paws on Saint John's Trail (174)?

The primary trail surface on Saint John's Trail (174) is ground.

Are there any safety concerns for dogs on Saint John's Trail (174) (heat, terrain, water crossings)?

There are water crossings on Saint John's Trail (174), with two ford access points noted. The trail has low shade, which may be a concern for heat.