The City of Phoenix runs 13 dog parks, and every one of them is fully fenced with a double-gated entrance. Most are open unusually long hours — 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. at many sites — which matters in a city where summer afternoons are dangerous for dogs. Outside those fences, the Phoenix leash law applies everywhere, and on days of 100°F or hotter, dogs are banned from the city's hiking trails altogether.
In this guide
This guide lists all 13 dog parks with their hours and amenities from the city's own data, explains the rules, and covers the heat strategy every Phoenix dog owner needs.
All 13 Phoenix dog parks
From the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation's dog park data and individual park pages.
| Dog park | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Aguila Dog Park | 7858 S 35th Ave (35th Ave & Baseline) | 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Deem Hills Dog Park | 26606 N Deem Hills Pkwy (55th Ave & Happy Valley) | 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Deer Valley Dog Park | 19602 N 19th Ave (north of Union Hills) | 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Esteban Dog Park | 3345 E Roeser Rd (32nd St south of Broadway) | 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Pinnacle Dog Park | 20900 N Black Mountain Blvd | 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| RJ Dog Park at Pecos Park | 17010 S 48th St (south of Chandler Blvd) | 5:30 a.m.–11 p.m. |
| Grovers Basin Dog Park | 17447 N 20th St (20th St & Cave Creek) | 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Paradise Valley Dog Park | 17642 N 40th St (north of Bell Rd) | 5:30 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Steele Indian School Dog Park | 300 E Indian School Rd (enter from 7th St) | 6 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Rose Mofford Sports Complex Dog Park | 9833 N 25th Ave (north of Dunlap) | 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; closed Thursdays |
| Washington Dog Park | 6655 N 23rd Ave | 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m. |
| Margaret T. Hance Dog Park | 323 W Culver St (between 3rd & 5th Aves) | 6:30 a.m.–9 p.m. |
| Thelda Williams Paw Pup Park | 200 W Jefferson St (2nd Ave & Jefferson) | 7 a.m.–8 p.m. |
Amenities: shade, water, restrooms
In Phoenix, shade and water aren't extras — they decide whether a dog park is usable from May to September. According to the city's data:
| Amenity | Dog parks |
|---|---|
| Shade structures | Aguila, Deem Hills, Deer Valley, Esteban, Hance, Paradise Valley, Pinnacle, RJ at Pecos, Rose Mofford, Steele Indian School, Washington |
| Drinking fountains | All city dog parks in the data except the downtown Paw Pup Park |
| Restrooms in the park | All except Grovers Basin and the Paw Pup Park |
| ADA accessible | Grovers Basin, Hance, Paradise Valley, Pinnacle, Steele Indian School |
Grovers Basin is the one listed without shade structures — worth knowing before a summer visit.
Phoenix dog park rules
The city's rules for all dog parks:
- Leash until you're inside and the gates are fully closed. Outside gated dog parks, the Phoenix leash law applies at all times and in all places.
- License required. Maricopa County requires all dogs to be licensed. Dogs must also be older than 4 months and currently vaccinated.
- No females in heat — the city says "absolutely no."
- No children under 12 — the city asks parents not to bring them, for their safety.
- No smoking, no alcohol and no food inside the fenced areas.
- No grooming at the park.
- Voice control and sight of your dog at all times; leave immediately if your dog is aggressive.
- Spay/neuter is recommended by the city to discourage aggressive behavior, though not required.
- Clean up using the "mutt mitt" dispensers and bins along the fence lines.
Dog owners assume all risks related to using the dog parks and are responsible for their dog's conduct at all times in any city park.
Summer closures for turf
Phoenix closes dog parks in rotation during the summer for turf recovery, reseeding and maintenance. At Hance Park, for example, the city notes that annual turf renovation happens in May and June. Check the city's dog park closures page before you drive across town in early summer — and have a second-choice park in mind.
Heat: the rules and the reality
The 100-degree trail ban
Phoenix prohibits dogs on its hiking trails when the temperature is 100°F or higher. The Parks and Recreation Board adopted the rule in 2016 and the city made it an ordinance the following year. Local news coverage at the time reported that violations can be charged as a misdemeanor. The ban covers the city's mountain preserve trails — not the fenced dog parks — but it's a clear signal of how seriously Phoenix treats heat risk for dogs.
Timing your dog park visit
- Use the early hours. Most dog parks open at 5:30 a.m. In summer, the first hour or two after opening is the only time many dogs should be running.
- Late evening helps less than you'd think. After sunset, air temperatures stay high, and surfaces keep radiating heat for hours. The 11 p.m. closing time at many parks is useful, but the ground can still be hot at 9 p.m.
- Test the ground with the back of your hand for seven seconds. Artificial turf, decomposed granite and paths can burn paws.
- Short, shaded visits. Pick parks with shade structures and drinking fountains, and stop before your dog seems tired.
- Know the warning signs: heavy panting, drooling, stumbling, a very red tongue or vomiting. Get your dog into shade, wet its body with cool (not ice-cold) water and call a vet.
Picking a park
Central Phoenix
Margaret T. Hance Park, in the northwest section of the park near downtown, is ADA accessible with shade and restrooms. Steele Indian School Park has its dog park on the east side, accessed from 7th Street, and the park also has a fishing lake. Downtown, the small Thelda Williams Paw Pup Park is managed in cooperation with Downtown Phoenix Inc., with shorter hours (7 a.m. to 8 p.m.).
North Phoenix
The north side has the most options: Deem Hills, Deer Valley, Pinnacle, Paradise Valley and Grovers Basin. Pinnacle and Paradise Valley both have shade structures, restrooms and ADA access.
South and West Phoenix
Aguila near Baseline Road, Esteban near Broadway, Rose Mofford on 25th Avenue and Washington Park serve the south and west. In Ahwatukee, RJ Dog Park at Pecos Park is named in memory of RJ, a police K-9 service dog.
How Phoenix's rules compare
We compiled the posted dog park rules of 20 large US cities. Here's how Phoenix stacks up against some of them — useful if you've just moved, or if you travel with your dog.
| City | Children | Max dogs per person | Food and treats | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | Under 12 asked not to come | No limit posted | No food | Free |
| Los Angeles | Small children closely supervised | No limit posted | No food or treats | Free; spay/neuter required |
| Denver | 10 and under not allowed | 2 | Treats OK, no human food | Free; spay/neuter or intact permit |
| Houston | 12 and under not allowed | 2 | No food or treats | Free |
| Dallas | Under 12 strongly discouraged | 3 | No food or treats | Free |
From each city's official dog park rules as published in 2026. "No limit posted" means we didn't find one in the city's rules — the sign at each park can still add limits.
Phoenix's rules are lighter than most big cities': no cap on dogs per person, and spay/neuter is recommended rather than required (Los Angeles requires it). Where Phoenix is strict is heat — no other city in our comparison bans dogs from its trails on hot days.
Frequently asked questions
How many dog parks are there in Phoenix?
The City of Phoenix lists 13 dog parks, all fenced with double-gated entrances.
What time do Phoenix dog parks open?
Most open at 5:30 a.m. and close at 10 or 11 p.m. A few have shorter hours: Hance Park is 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the downtown Paw Pup Park is 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Rose Mofford is closed on Thursdays.
Can I hike with my dog in Phoenix in summer?
Not on hot days. Phoenix bans dogs from city hiking trails when it's 100°F or hotter.
Can I bring my kids to a Phoenix dog park?
The city asks that children under 12 not be brought into dog parks.
Do I need to license my dog?
Yes. Maricopa County requires all dogs to be licensed, and dogs must be vaccinated and older than 4 months to use city dog parks.
Sources: City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation — Dog Parks page, dog park rules, individual dog park pages and parks open data; news coverage of the Phoenix trail heat ban. Hours and closures change — check the city's closures page before you go.
