Oracle State Park: Center for Environmental Education (Closed; except for school programs & special events)

As of October 1, 2009: Oracle State Park is CLOSED to the public for day-use due to budget reductions; open only by reservation for school programs, and for special events. Read Press Release about this Park's change in operations.

Photos from Fiesta de las Calabazas

Check out the photo wrap-up gallery from the 10th Annual Fiesta de las Calabazas which was held October 3, 2009 at the park. Thanks to all the volunteers, vendors, bands, and the Friends of Oracle State Park for making this such fun event. See Photo Gallery

Both a wildlife refuge and environmental learning center, Oracle State Park offers groups a chance to learn more about human's impact on nature.

Oracle State Park is a 4,000 acre wildlife refuge in the northern foothills of the Catalina Mountains. Once part of the Kannally family cattle ranch, the unique Mediterranean style ranch house in the park is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Ranging from 3,700 to 4,600 feet in elevation, the surrounding landscape transitions from oak woodland to desert grassland, with sweeping views of the Catalinas and granite boulder outcrops to the south; and San Pedro River Valley and Galiuro Mountains to the north-east. The diverse vegetation, slope and elevation within the park provide habitat for a variety of animals. Oracle State Park offers day-use picnic sites and over 15 miles of trail for use by hikers, bicyclists and equestrians. A four mile section of the Arizona Trail passes through the park, connecting Mexico to Utah.

Take a 360° Virtual Tour

The purpose of Oracle State Park is to protect the designated wildlife refuge and act as an environmental learning center. Educational trail programs emphasize participatory outdoor learning experiences for all ages. Students learn about habitat and interrelationships between plants, animals and people. Guided walks, workshops, presentations and special events are planned throughout the year to expand awareness and deepen appreciation of natural and cultural resources. An important focus of educational programming at the park is to understand people as part of nature and to clarify options for environmentally appropriate lifestyles.

Upcoming Events

Tour the historic Kannally Ranch House at 10 am and 2 pm, on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.

Oracle State Park Weekly and Monthly Guided Walks, Workshops and Educational Programs for the public are on-hold until the park re-open date is announced.

Wednesday, December 16: Volunteer Training. 9 am – Noon. Beginning in January 2010, volunteers are needed at Oracle State Park for weekend shifts to cover the Main Entrance Gatehouse and the Kannally Ranch House Office/Gift-shop. Volunteers are also needed to help lead guided tours of the historic Kannally Ranch House on Saturdays and Sundays. The three-hour training is planned to prepare volunteers and potential new volunteers for new office and gatehouse duties. Oracle State Park will rely more than ever on volunteers for visitor contact, fee collection and gift-shop sales. Please call to sign up for the December 16 training if you are able to help fill a two-hour shift at least once or twice a month. Call the park office at (520) 896-2425 or email Jennifer Rinio, Volunteer Coordinator: jenar2(at)azstateparks.gov

Also on December 16, New Park Manager, Steven Haas, will be on-hand all day at Oracle State Park to get to know volunteers and answer questions from local community members. Bring a sack lunch and stay or come by after the training to meet Steven.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010: New Volunteer Orientation and Naturalist Training, 9am-noon. This annual training begins with a New Volunteer Orientation Open House for potential volunteers wanting to learn more about Oracle State Park and the Volunteer Program. No commitment is necessary to attend the January 13 session. Volunteer Training continues consecutive Wednesdays for six more weeks to include School Program Guide Training and Naturalist Training with guest speakers and specialists (January 20 & 27; February 3, 10, 17 & 24 from 9am-Noon). The intent is to recruit more trail guides to lead school programs, but is helpful to volunteers in contact with visitors, to gain knowledge for interpreting the resources of the park.

Saturday, January 16: Trail Crew Leadership Training. The Arizona Trail Association, in cooperation with Arizona State Parks, will conduct an 8 hour class and workshop at Oracle State Park. This course is designed specifically to assist anyone who is, wants to be, or will serve as a leader of a crew or crews in trail construction and maintenance. Using basic trail construction and maintenance concepts as a venue or framework, some of the subjects the course will address include: understanding motivational types, how to say thank you, keys to effective listening, conflict and dispute management, assessing the crew, safety and tools, knowing agency protocols, and risk assessment. The course will be taught by trained, qualified instructors from Arizona State Parks and the Arizona Trail Association. Unfortunately, the size of the class must be restricted to no more than 15 to 16 students. Hence, applications will be taken on a "first-come-first-served" basis. To apply, please contact Laddie Cox at laddie.cox(at)comcast.net or by calling (520) 579-3485 or (520) 780-4864 by not later than Monday, January 11, 2010. There are no tuition fees for this training. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Sunday, January 17: Arizona Trail Association/Segment Steward Training. This is a free 4 to 5 hour workshop to be held at Oracle State Park following the Crew Leadership Course on Saturday. This training is specifically designed for those who are, who may want to be, and / or will be segment stewards of the Arizona Trail. It will satisfy most of the training required by the Arizona Trail Association of its segment stewards. The new ATA Segment Steward Handbook will be distributed to all attendees. To register, please contact Laddie Cox at laddie.cox(at)comcast.net or by calling (520) 579-3485 or (520) 780-4864 by not later than January 10, 2010.

The following special events are in planning stages:

Music in the Park: Second Sunday of the Month, March through June. Tentatively begins Sunday, March 14, 2 - 4 pm on the upper patio of the Kannally Ranch House. This is an Annual 'Friends of Oracle State Park' fundraiser.

Saturday, April 17: Earth Day Event with guided hikes, tours, speakers, music, food and more.

Area History

Although the land has been a park for just a short while, the area has been visited and used by man since prehistoric times. This interaction between man and the park environment has played an important role in shaping the landscape we see today.

Clovis Man occupied areas along the San Pedro River 10,000 to 11,000 years ago and quite possibly visited the current park site during these early times. It is also believed that the Hohokam resided in the relatively flat, grassy areas of the park and used the adjacent woodlands for hunting and food gathering some 600-800 years ago.

In the middle 1880s the Apache Wars had ceased in central and southern Arizona. This opened up large areas to mining, ranching, farming and the settlement of small towns.

In 1902 Neil Kannally arrived in Oracle from Illinois. After moving to the area, he homesteaded the land that would later become the park. Later, other members of the Kannally family joined him. The ranch grew substantially over the next several years and eventually 1100 Hereford cattle grazed the land.

In 1976, Lucile Kannally, the last surviving family member, donated the land to Defenders of Wildlife who later transferred the property to the State Parks Board

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Oracle State Park: Center for Environmental Education (Closed; except for school programs & special events)

Photos from Fiesta de las Calabazas

Upcoming Events

Area History