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Dog Canyon Trail
4.9 ★★★★★ 9 Google reviews · Running trail in Alamogordo, New Mexico · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- 2.9 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Dog Canyon Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Dog Canyon Trail
“The views were beautiful and the trail was easy to follow.”
“The trail was frequently shaded by the mountain so it didn't get too hot.”
“I loved how quiet the campground was even at dusk, and the trail itself offers just enough climb to feel like work without punishing you.”
Nice trail with some great views. It gets more challenging after the rock line cabin. I would not recommend the "eyebrow" portion for people who do not do well with heights or are unsteady on their feet. The trail gets very narrow at sections with an intimidating fall to one side.
Dog Canyon Trail starts behind the visitor center at Oliver Lee State Park and continues 5.5 miles and over 3,000 feet up the Sacramento Mountains. We stopped at the Rock Line Cabin at the 2.9 mile point and returned back to the visitor center. The shorter trail is moderately difficult.
Moderate to hard hike depending on your experience level and ability to tolerate the elevation. The first section takes you up the side in a relatively steep, but zig-zagged pattern. The first 4 photos attached are different parts of the trail. Once you get around the top of the first hill, it's flat for a good bit.
Down near Alamogordo, Oliver Lee Memorial State Park hides at the base of the Sacramento Mountains where the desert finally gives up and turns into something green.
Trail conditions & character
“The scenery was fantastic, with views back to Oliver Lee and the Tularosa Basin, steep cliffs, and abundant vegetation in the flatter areas of the trail.”
“I loved how quiet the campground was even at dusk, and the trail itself offers just enough climb to feel like work without punishing you.”
“The trail was frequently shaded by the mountain so it didn't get too hot.”
“I loved how quiet the campground was even at dusk, and the trail itself offers just enough climb to feel like work without punishing you.”
“Moderate to hard hike depending on your experience level and ability to tolerate the elevation.”
Plan your run at Dog Canyon Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- Distance2.9 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
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