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.

On-Going Events

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

Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: Guided tours of the historic Kannally Ranch House, start times at 10 am and 2 pm, 45 minute duration. The tour is free with park entrance fee; no reservation needed. The four level Mediterranean revival style adobe ranch house was built from 1929–33 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are also scheduled by reservation, call 896-2425.

Upcoming Events

Sunday, September 27: Naturalist Program: Gemstones and Copper Minerals of Arizona, with Mineralogist, Wolfgang Mueller. 11 am in the living room of the Kannally Ranch House. Free with park entrance fee of $6 per vehicle. Please call for a reservation, (520) 896-2425.

Thursday, October 1: Oracle State Park will CLOSED to the public for day-use due to budget reductions; open only by reservation for school programs, and for special events.

Saturday, October 3: Tenth Annual Fiesta de las Calabazas, 11 - 3 pm. See above for event description.

By Reservation Only

The following events require a reservation to attend. Note: Starting October 1, 2009: Oracle State Park will CLOSED to the public for day-use due to budget reductions; open only by reservation for school programs, and for special events.

Saturday, October 24: Guided Walk: Mineralogy Walk with Wolfgang Mueller, 1:00-3:00pm along park trails, by reservation. $6 per vehicle. Call (520) 896-2425.

Saturday, November 14: Birding Class “Families and Habitats”, with Audubon specialist, Kathe Anderson, 2pm-5pm. By reservation. Meet at the Kannally Ranch House. $10 per person. (520) 896-2425.

Sunday, November 15: Birding and Breakfast, with Audubon specialist, Kathe Anderson, 8-10 am. Go birding before breakfast! Meet at 8am on the upper patio of the Kannally Ranch House for bird identification with Kathe around the ranch house, corrals and trails of the park. Binoculars help. Reservation required; please call (520) 896-2425. $10 per person includes a light breakfast following the bird walk.

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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