 | | Oracle State Park is located in the northeastern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains near the town of Oracle. Ranging from 3,500 to 4,500 feet in elevation, the nearly 4,000-acre park consists of oak grassland, riparian woodland, and mesquite scrub habitats which contain a diversity of wildlife and plant species.Mission The purpose of the park is to act as a wildlife refuge and environmental learning center. Educational programs are being developed to focus on basic ecologic principles, and to enhance public awareness of the importance of safeguarding natural resouces. 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.History 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 1880's the Apache Wars had ceased in central and southern Arizona. This opened up large areas to ranching, farming, and the settlement of small towns.In 1902 Neil Kannally arrived in Oracle from Illinois. Moving to the area for relief from tuberculosis, 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 cattle grazed the land.In 1976, Lucille Kannally, the last surviving family member, donated the land to the Defenders of Wildlife who later transferred the property to the State Parks Board. |
| |  | | | Facilities: Oracle State Park provides restrooms, a gas station, and picnic areas nearby. Use garbage dumpsters provided. Reservations: Reservations are not accepted for Oracle State Park. Best Time To Visit: Oracle State Park is open 7 days a week from 7am until 5pm. House tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 10am and 2pm. Closed on Christmas Day. Fees: A day use fee is charged. Accessibility: This park is handicap accessible. Rules: Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Fires are permitted only in the fire rings and grills provided. Collection of firewood within the park is prohibited. State law protects all plants, animals, rocks, minerals and historic artifacts within the park boundaries. It is illegal to destroy or disturb these features. Pets must be kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Do not burn or bury garbage. Quiet hours in the park are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am. Visitors are responsible for knowing all park rules and regulations, which are posted in the park.Directions: To reach Oracle State Park from Tucson, travel north on Scott Avenue for 0.11 miles. Turn right onto Pennington Street for 0.1 miles. Turn left onto 6th Avenue for 1.1 miles. Turn left onto Drachman Street for 0.5 miles. Continue onto Oracle Road for 22.9 miles. Continue onto AZ-77 North for 12.2 miles. Turn right onto Old AZ-77 for 1.4 miles. Bear right onto American Avenue for 0.1 miles. Oracle State Park is located approximately 45 minutes from Tucson, in the northern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains near the community of Oracle in southern Pinal County. | | |
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| | | | Address | | Oracle State Park | | 3820 Wildlife Drive | | Oracle, Arizona 85623 |
| | | Phone | | General: (520) 896-2425 | |
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