Every pup likes a good walk and Phoenix’s desert landscape has a lot to offer. Choosing the right trail for your dog’s stride and athleticism can be hard. The tallest views adventure seekers share and review aren’t always manageable for our furry friends.
We’ve categorized the best dog-friendly trails around the Phoenix area by elevation gain, so you and your dog can both enjoy the outdoors. Did we miss any?
Just remember to bring PLENTY of water! It’s dry out here!
Easiest Trails:
Papago Park: Easy peasy stroll near the Phoenix Zoo. Head up the path to see the lookout hole.
- 32 to 262 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 625 N Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008
Lost Dog Wash Trail: An in-and-out trail in Scottsdale. When you turn and head back to the parking lot, you get a broad view of the valley and all the cacti you passed.
- 250 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 12601 N 124th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259
‘A’ Mountain: Central to Tempe, this is a pathed hike up a big hill (mountain) where you can see Tempe Town Lake, the airport, and South Phoenix.
- 278 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 201 S Packard Dr, Tempe, AZ 85281
Dreamy Draw Nature Trail: This trailhead was recently renovated and offers both a flat, pathed walking path and mountain trails. Lots of mountain bikers use these trails, so be aware of your surroundings as you hike with your dog.
- 180 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 2421 E Northern Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85028
Apache Wash Trailhead: Beautiful open fields and landscape views at a low/moderate height.
- 456 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 1600 E Sonoran Desert Dr
Moderate Trails:
Quartz Ridge Trail: A very popular, central trail with very minimal parking! This trail starts fairly flat and offers a switchback climb toward the end. At the top, a stone bench and view of North Phoenix awaits you.
- 447 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 6511 E Sierra Vista Dr, Phoenix, AZ 85018
Gateway Loop Trail: As the name suggests, this trail is a long loop around a small mountain peak. It’s a perfect trail to escape city views without driving too far out.
- 680 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 18333 N Thompson Peak Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Wind Cave Trail: Heavily populated with families (small kids and dogs) on nice weekends. While it’s a steeper climb, the trails are well-groomed and fairly wide. You never feel like you’re hiking on a steep cliff.
- 1,000 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 3939 N Usery Pass Rd, Mesa, AZ 85207
Hardest Trails:
North Mountain Trail 44: A beautiful 360-ish view of North Phoenix. At several of the lookouts, your eyes can follow 7th St. and Central Ave. all the way to the downtown skyline. Half of the trail is rocky, but eventually you meet a pathed road that takes you all the way up to the towers on top of the mountain.
- 615 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 10600 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85020
The Wave Cave: An instagram worthy adventure. This trail offers a sandy cave at the top with a wave looking rock people take silhouette pictures on. Not to mention the drive into the trailhead is very scenic.
- 900 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: CJ2F+M4, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
Tom’s Thumb: This is a hard, long trail, so triple up on the amount of water you bring. Wide switchbacks take you up to a mountain-ridge trail where you can see the “thumb.”
- 1,200 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: 23015 N 128th St, Scottsdale, AZ, 85255
Holbert Trail: A very steep hike up to Dobbin’s Lookout on South Mountain. Or you can just drive to the top 😉
- 1,122 ft elevation gain
- Trailhead: S Phoenix S Mtn Park, Phoenix, AZ 85042
Pawsitively Phoenix 