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Oracle State Park
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.
Saturday, January 21, 9 AM – Noon: Arizona Trail Thru-Hike Join a Ranger-led Guided Hike for 6-7 miles crossing the park on the National Scenic Arizona Trail. A reservation is required; free with park admission.
Saturday, January 28: Trail Running Event, The Oracle Rumble coordinated by Arizona Trail Association at Oracle State Park. The Oracle Rumble is part of a Trail Running Series presented by ATA and Summit Hut, and includes a 50-mile, 50K, Half-Marathon and 10K. For all the details, click here.
Arizona Trail near Oracle.
All the runs finish at the Group Area at Oracle State Park. The 50-mile and 50K start remotely and enter the park on the Arizona Trail. The Half-Marathon and 10K start at or near the Group Area as well and loop within the park’s trail system. The shorter routes begin at 8:00/8:30am and runners will be coming in all day into the evening. Come out to the park, bring your own picnic, and show your support for the hardcore trail runners! The Kannally Ranch House will be accessible all day.
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.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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