Hikes and walks are featured at Oracle State Park in January 2017. Oracle State Park is a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge with over 15 miles of trails. Oracle State Park is an International Dark Sky Park, designated in 2014 by the International Dark Sky Association.
The park is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Except as noted, programs are free with park admission of $7 per vehicle at the main gate on Mt. Lemmon Rd. in Oracle. Call the park office at (520) 896-2425 to make reservations, if needed.
Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017: Guided Bird Walk begins at 9 a.m. Celebrate the New Year with a morning walk at Oracle State Park. Join a ranger-led guided bird walk to identify year-round and seasonal bird residents of the high desert oak grasslands. Bring binoculars if you have them, or just follow along for the fun of learning something new outdoors. Duration is 1.5 hours. Please call for a reservation. Free with park admission.
Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017: Trail Running Event hosted by Arizona Trail Association at Oracle State Park. More details will be announced at a later time.
Guided tours of the historic Kannally Ranch House are scheduled for 11 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday for 45-minutes. The multi-level Mediterranean-Revival style house, built in 1929-33 by one of the earliest cattle ranching families in Oracle, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An exhibit of impressionistic-style cowboy paintings by self-taught artist Lee Kannally is on display in the living room and dining room.
The American Avenue trailhead parking lot is open every day to access the National Scenic Arizona Trail, and to accommodate use by night-time stargazers. The park is an International Dark Sky Park, designated in 2014 by the International Dark Sky Association.