Oracle State Park: Center for Environmental Education

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.

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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, January 4: Afternoon Guided Bird Walk at 3 pm with ranger naturalist, Jerry Orr. Meet at the ranch house. Free with park entrance fee. No reservation needed. Walk will last 1–2 hours. Bring water, sunhat and binoculars if you have a pair.

Sunday, January 11, 2009: Guided Hike with Llamas at 10 am with ranger Cyn-d Turner and her eco-friendly pack llamas. Reservation required. Call 896-2425 for more details. Free with park entrance fee of $6 per vehicle; annual passes available. Next Llama Hike, Sunday, March 8 at 9 am.

Saturday, January 17: Crew Leadership for Trails Course/Workshop. A 16 hour course continuing Sunday, January 18 from 7 am – 4 pm each day. Sponsored by Arizona State Parks and the Arizona Trail Association. The course is a mixture of classroom and hands-on practical training. Call the park for more information, 896-2425. Register no later than Friday, January 9.

Saturday, January 24: Workshop: Basketweaving with Native Grasses with Kathie Jordan. 1–4 pm at the Kannally Ranch House. Reservation required, call 896-2425. Learn to weave a basket using beargrass and other natural plant fibers. The class is repeated Monday, January 26; Saturday, January 31; Sunday, February 1 and Monday, February 2. Materials fee TBA.

Sunday, January 25: Afternoon Guided Bird Walk at 3 pm with ranger naturalist, Jerry Orr. Meet at the ranch house. Free with park entrance fee. No reservation needed. Walk will last 1–2 hours. Bring water, sunhat and binoculars if you have a pair.

Wednesday, January 28: New Volunteer Orientation at 9 am to Noon at the Kannally Ranch House. Learn more about the Volunteer Program and Cultural Heritage of Oracle State Park, Center for Environmental Education. Call for more information, 896-2425.

Sunday, March 29, 2009: Music in the Park annual concert series begins, from 2-4pm on the upper patio of the Kannally Ranch House. Concerts continue once a month through June. Tickets are $10 per adult and benefit Friends of Oracle State Park. A Series Ticket for $35 includes reserved parking at the ranch house and reserved seats at each of the four concerts. Musicians and more details TBA.

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

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