Top Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Scottsdale: Explore Nature with Your Furry Friend
Top Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails in Scottsdale: Explore Nature with Your Furry Friend
Looking for the best dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale? Discover top trails to enjoy desert scenery, fresh air, and adventure with your four-legged friend.
From easy loops to challenging climbs, Scottsdale has it all for you and your pup. to get out in the sunshine with your dog? You’ll love dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale, where you and your pup can explore breathtaking desert views, fresh air, and Sonoran scenery together. Whether you’re in the mood for a relaxing walk or a heart-pumping climb, Scottsdale’s trail system offers something for every kind of hiker and dog.
Important Note: All dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet, and it’s best to hike during cooler months or early mornings to avoid heat-related issues.
Don’t forget to bring plenty of water for your pup!
McDowell Sonoran Preserve is open from sunrise to sunset, with all trailheads opening and closing at specific times throughout the year. It is free to enjoy the preserve and its 200+ miles of trails for dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale. Dogs are welcome on leash and amenities include restrooms, water fountains, maps, and the “Paws in the Preserve” program.
There is plenty of parking available at McDowell Sonoran Preserve, along with bathrooms, water fountains, and even trailside experts who can answer any questions you may have. The Paws in the Preserve program provides suggestions for pet-friendly activities at the preserve, and waste bags are available at most of the trailheads as well.
Be sure to check out the maps online or pick up one upon arrival).
“Dog’s Eye-View”
Lost Dog Wash is a favorite for dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale. Featuring a botanical garden, clean restrooms, and multiple scenic trails, it’s peaceful and scenic for pups. The ground can be a bit rocky on these trails, so good hiking shoes are recommended.
There is plenty of parking available at Lost Dog Wash, as well as restrooms, water fountains, and a small botanical garden at the entrance
Popular Trails:
Kovach Family Nature Trail (.5 miles)
Ringtail Trail (2.4 miles)
Taliesin Overlook (4 miles)
Sunrise Trail East (4 miles)
Old Jeep Trail (4.1 miles)
Gateway Trailhead is a must-visit for any nature lover in Scottsdale. It offers many fairly wide trails to choose from for all skill levels, ranging from a 0.5-mile kid-friendly nature trail, a 3.5-mile loop, and an 8-12-mile hike. This trailhead is an outlet for several other trails, leading to all different levels of difficulty.
There’s plenty of free parking at the Gateway trailhead, along with restrooms, water fountains, and waste bags available for you to pick up after your pup, making it ideal for dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale
Brown’s Ranch Trailhead is some of the most relaxed dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale. Trails are flat, scenic, and perfect for all levels. endless miles of well-marked and maintained trails for any skill level, with access to destinations such as Cathedral Rock, Brown’s Mountain, Granite Mountain, and Cholla Mountain. You can enjoy an easy 1/2 mile trail, or hike for miles and miles around the park, enjoying amazing views, plants, and wildlife.
Weekends often get crowded at Brown’s Ranch, but there is a large parking lot at the trailhead with bathrooms, water fountains, maps, and volunteers available that can help you select a trail that’s best for you. This trailhead is located about 1.25 miles North of the intersection of Alma School Parkway and Dynamite Boulevard.
Favorite Loops:
Jane Rau Trail (.4 miles)
Brown’s Ranch Trail Loop (3.1 miles)
Tom’s Thumb Trailhead is great for more advanced dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale. Expect some challenges, but it is one of the best hikes in Scottsdale because of its smooth trails, stunning rock features, and great signage throughout. There are a variety of trails available for different skill levels, but the hardest of the trails is rather difficult.
Most hikers that have visited Tom’s Thumb agree that the first mile of the trail is the most challenging since it’s rather steep, and the paths can be a bit slippery at times as well since the trail is loose gravel (hiking shoes are recommended). Though this hike can be more challenging than others, it is worth it for its gorgeous views of the valley, urban Phoenix, and southern McDowell mountains.
Do keep in mind that there is no water available at the trailhead, so be sure to bring plenty for you and your four-legged friend. You can access this hike from the new Tom’s Thumb trailhead off of North 128th Street, where there is plenty of parking available, as well as restrooms and informational kiosks.
Highlighted Trails:
Lookout Viewpoint (5.1 miles)
Tom’s Thumb Loop (11.1 miles)
Marcus Landslide (3.7 miles)
The Sunrise Trailhead is a 4-mile long trail that’s great for more experienced hikers. It is less crowded than a lot of the nearby trails due to its difficulty level, featuring steep, narrow, and rocky trails with the majority of this hike being done uphill. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, this hike is perfect for its scenic views of Fountain Hills, Camelback, Superstition Wilderness, the 4 Peaks Wilderness, and the entire McDowell mountain range.
There is free parking at this trailhead, but the parking lot is small and rather limited. Fortunately, there is an overflow parking lot available a couple of blocks down the street. There are also water fountains for you and your pup, but no restrooms at this location.
Wake up extra early for a beautiful sunrise. Nobody said that dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale had to be early.
The Marcus Landslide Trailhead is located in the southern portion of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, leaving from Tom’s Thumb. This trail makes for a reasonably easy hike, except for the final loop, which is more moderate and narrow. The trail is around 4.1 miles long, including the optional .7-mile loop, and has a smooth surface with no loose or jagged rocks.
The Marcus Landslide trailhead is located in the upper left corner of the same parking lot that serves the Tom’s Thumb trailhead (again, keep in mind that there is no water available and you will have to bring enough for you and your dog). This trail is best for hiking between March and October, but be sure to visit in the Spring when all of the beautiful wildflowers are in bloom. Great for seasonal dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale.
There are also small detour trails along the way throughout this remote area to stop and check out many interesting rock formations, including mushroom rocks, boulders, and a granite landslide.
The Arizona Canal Trail is a very long, multi-use trail with well-maintained paths that seem to go on forever. The trail is paved at times and not at others, but is flat and smooth throughout, making it ideal for leisurely dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale. A perfect spot for an easy walk or even some long-distance running with your dog. There are also long sections of the trail without any traffic lights or roads to cross, which is a plus.
Some parts of the canal tend to get crowded with lots of people walking, running, or riding their bikes, but overall, it’s a great trail. Some of the businesses along the Arizona Canal trail welcome dogs if you’d like to stop have a bite to eat. There are also bathrooms at one of the parks near the Arizona Falls, with water fountains along the way. Parking is available at the Silverado Golf Club at 7605 E. Indian Bend Road Scottsdale, AZ 85250.
Pemberton Trail is a challenging, long-distance dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale.The 15.3-mile-long Pemberton Trail lets you enjoy gorgeous views of the McDowells and the Four Peaks. This well-maintained trail is the longest in McDowell Mountain Park, which has varied terrain with some dips and inclines and a long loop that gets a bit rocky towards the end.
This trail is open from March to October, and you can access it from the McDowell Mountain Regional Park or through the Marcus Landslide Trail starting at Tom Thumb’s trailhead. There is a $7 entrance fee per vehicle to get into the park, which has bathrooms available. Do keep in mind that there are no spots along the trail to refill your water, so be sure to bring an adequate supply for you and your pup to stay well-hydrated.
Address:📍16300 McDowell Mountain Park Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Final Tips for Dog-Friendly Hiking in Scottsdale
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Always leash your dog (max 6 ft)
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Bring water for both of you
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Avoid peak heat hours—hike early
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Clean up after your pup
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Choose trails that fit your dog’s endurance level
Need a Home Near Scottsdale’s Best Trails?
Pam Torgrimson with She Sells Scottsdale can help you find a pet-friendly home near the best dog-friendly hiking in Scottsdale. Let’s find the perfect neighborhood for you and your pup! Contact Pam