Facility Information
Facilities available at Oracle State Park
Nestled in the stunning foothills of the Catalina Mountains, Oracle State Park offers a tranquil escape into Southern Arizona’s high desert beauty. The park’s modern, well-maintained facilities provide a perfect starting point for hiking, wildlife watching, or simply relaxing in this peaceful environment. Visitors can explore miles of scenic trails, enjoy educational programs, or soak in the park’s rich history at the historic Kannally Ranch House. Just a short drive from Tucson, Oracle State Park is the ideal spot for an unforgettable outdoor getaway.
Visitor Center/Park Store
The Park Store is located in the historic Kannally Ranch House. There are a variety of awesome Arizona related souvenirs for sale to help remember your Oracle State Park experience, or to share it with others. The park store is also the information center where maps and other park related information is handed out by rangers. While you're there, ask the rangers about park features, trails, wildlife, and the history surrounding the ranch house. They will be happy to share interesting facts about this beautiful area that might help accentuate your visit.
Historic Kannally Ranch House
Take a self-guided tour through the multi-level Kannally family home. The Mediterranean-Revival Style ranch house built 1929-1933 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds special artistic surprises from talented Kannally artists throughout the home.
The historic Kannally Ranch House is essentially a museum with historic photos, original artwork and unique design features including Mediterranean and Moorish architecture. The hillside home is four levels and, trust us, you've never seen an Arizona home quite like this!
An exhibit of impressionist-style paintings by self-taught cowboy artist Lee Kannally is on display at the Kannally Ranch House. Nearly 30 oil paintings are included in the exhibit thanks to the Oracle Historical Society and Friends of Oracle State Park.
Picnic Areas
Take a hike and then relax with a view on the patio before touring the historic Kannally Homestead. The ranch house and patios may also be reserved for group gatherings. Environmental Education Field Trip Programs for school groups are scheduled weekdays by reservation. For reservations, please call the park office at (520) 896-2425.
The Oak Woodland Area has seven picnic tables under shade trees and one accessible portable toilet. The park's roadside area has five picnic tables and a historic ore cart. This area is so serene and it might be a great place to catch up on your favorite book, or get lost in conversation with someone close.
Group Day Use Areas
Two ramada and 10 picnic tables are available for birthday parties, work get togethers, or other group related functions. Four restrooms and one charcoal grill are located here for your convenience. The ranch house and patios may also be reserved for group gatherings. For reservations, please call the park office at (520) 896-2425.
Restrooms
The park has modern, handicap accessible restrooms at the Group Use Area and Ranch House. There are four composting toilets, each with sink and running water. There is also one accessible portable toilet available at the Oak-Woodland parking area, with no sink facility.
Activities and Experiences
Hiking/Biking Trails
Over 24 miles of trails can be found within southern Arizona's Oracle State Park. These trails traverse a variety of topography and vegetation features through high desert type habitat. Numerous bird and animal species can be seen from the trails within the park and photo opportunities are frequent. Hikers and bikers rejoice the scenic views and gorgeous display of high desert vegetation. In addition to the other fantastic trails, a historic section of the Arizona Trail bisects the park.
Wildlife and Bird Watching
See what wild critters show up at the waterhole! Cameras in the park catch images of our four-legged and feathered visitors, which are compiled into a short video presentation on display in the visitor center. Several trail camera photos and videos from Oracle can also be found on the Arizona Wildlife page. While using the trails, stay alert! You just might have an Arizona wildlife encounter you'll never forget! Javelina, coues whitetail deer, and other interesting animals are seen frequently in this nearly 5,000 acre wildlife sanctuary.
A variety of bird species call Oracle State Park home year-round, but the Winter season brings in migrant species that spend the next few months right in the park. The number of colorful and interesting birds here is absolutely astounding and their unique songs add a welcome auditory experience to your visit. Several species of hummingbirds can be found here depending on season, and birds of prey frequent the park as well, surely because the wildlife population is abundant which provides for them a literal smorgasbord of food options.
Take a look at Oracle’s eBird sightings list to find out which species have been using the park, then see how many you can locate during your next trip!
Looking for more great birding info? Sign up for our newsletter and get it sent right to your inbox!
Night Sky
Oracle State Park is internationally recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as having a great view of celestial activity. Because the sky is perfect for viewing here, astronomy groups in partnership with Oracle State Park, and Friends of Oracle State Park, offer Star Parties here on a regular basis. Star parties are a great way to spend an evening learning about celestial features while having opportunities to watch them through powerful telescopes. Check the park events page or more information about Star Parties, and plan a trip. Prepare to be amazed!
Oracle Rules
- Stay on designated trails.
- Pets must remain on leash. Pets are not allowed on certain posted trails.
- It is illegal to remove anything, including plants, wildlife or artifacts.
- Vehicles must stay on paved road.
- No wood, charcoal, or ground fires.
- Oracle State Park is a day-use park, vehicles must exit by 5 p.m. when the main entrance gate will close.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Oracle
Q: Do you have camping?
A: No, Oracle SP is a day use only park. The closest primitive camping is Peppersauce Canyon, six miles up Mt. Lemmon Rd. Call Coronado National Forest for more information (520) 749-8700. Catalina State Park in Tucson is 23 miles south of Oracle and offers tent camping and RV camping. Call 1-877-MY PARKS (697-2757) for reservations or make reservations online.
Q: Does our Golden Age Pass, National Parks Pass or Coronado National Forest Pass work at your park?
A: Sorry, no. Those passes are for Federal areas, not state of Arizona land, but Arizona State Parks does offer its own Annual Pass.
Q: Can we bring our dog?
A: Yes, leashed dogs are allowed on trails, with the exception of the Windy Ridge and Bellota Trail loops. These two trails are used for environmental education programs.
Q: Do you have areas for rent?
A: Yes, a group use area is available with two shade ramadas, 10 picnic tables, restroom facilities and grills (upon request). The historic Kannally Ranch House, with its beautiful patios, is also available for weddings, reunions, or party rentals.
Q: Besides hiking, what can I see?
A: You can take a self-guided tour of the Kannally Ranch House. See our events page for information about weekend programs, activities, and guided tours of the house.
Q: Are there any other things to do in Oracle and the surrounding areas?
A: There are several restaurants, the Acadia Museum (home of the Oracle Historical Society), historic ranches, and art galleries. Plus Biosphere 2 is six miles south of Oracle.
Q: Is there hunting in the park?
A: No. Oracle is a wildlife refuge.
Q: Are there any streams in the park?
A: Only temporarily after heavy rains.
