Stage 2 fire restrictions in effect; wood and charcoal fires are prohibited. Gas/propane stoves are permitted for cooking only. Smoking is prohibited in the park except within an enclosed vehicle.
Night Sky Photography Workshop at Oracle State Park
Oracle State Park
Saturday, September 13 - Registration Required 6:45-9:45 p.m.
Join us on Saturday, September 13 for a unique night sky photography workshop at Oracle State Park — an International Dark Sky Park! This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to take long exposure photos with your camera while enjoying the incredible star-filled skies the park is known for.
We’ll begin with a 30-minute presentation at the Kannally Ranch House, where we’ll cover the fundamentals of night photography — including how to adjust
shutter speed, aperture, ISO, white balance, and focus. During the talk, you’ll have time to ask questions about your specific camera and see real examples of night sky images with the settings used to capture them.
Afterward, we’ll head out to the ranch house patio to practice what we’ve covered. You’ll experience just how much your camera can capture in low light and will get to try your hand at a variety of shots — including the Milky Way, compositions featuring the historic ranch house, and the surrounding landscape.
This will be an enjoyable, hands-on way to connect with the dark skies out here at the park!
What to bring:
● A camera that allows manual control of settings (shutter speed, aperture, etc.) & your smartphone
● A tripod or other way to stabilize your camera for long exposures
● (Optional) A red flashlight to preserve night vision
● (Optional) A wide-angle lens to capture more of the night sky
This workshop is free with regular day-use admission or a valid Arizona State Parks annual pass.
Register online at https://azstateparks.com/reserve/Activities/Search.aspx or call the park at 520-896-2425.
Have any questions? Feel free to email Ranger Michael at mbain@azstateparks.gov.
MORE EVENTS
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Saturday, August 16th (Canceled)
Birds on the Patio Meet Up (Canceled)
Birds on the Patio Meet Up at Oracle State Park
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Saturday, September 6, 2025
Scorpion Hike at Oracle State Park
Join us for an exciting evening searching for and learning about scorpions! We'll discuss interesting information about these arachnids, including their food sources and ecosystems, plus methods to naturally keep these little critters away from your home and other structures. As we hike the trail, we'll stop to watch the scorpions glow under our black lights!
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Saturday, September 20, 2025
Star Party at Oracle State Park
Join us for an unforgettable evening at Oracle State Park filled with stargazing!