Oracle State Park - Oracle, Arizona

Aristeo N. O.

Excelente lugar y personal muy atento en la información

Sally S.

This park was especially quiet when we went. For MLK day, admission was free to residents at all AZ state parks. I'm glad we picked this one, which is about 80 miles from our place. It's at a higher elevation, so be sure to check the weather and anticipate wind! It was warm in the sun, otherwise about 50°F. There are several pavilion and seating areas for taking breaks or even hosting guided tours along the trails. The Kennelly House has a small gift shop and a quiet bird watching area for meeting your party. We look forward to returning with both pups on our next visit. If you have a reactive rescue (like we do), it's an ideal series of trails. Lots of visibility to see oncoming hikers, and trails wide enough to pull to one side if needed. I'm sure there are probably snakes and lizards out when it's warm, but the only wildlife we saw was birds. Finally, there are visitor restrooms on-site at the parking lot and along the trails. Like everything else, they were clean and well maintained. Thanks, crew!

Dan W.

Fantastic hiking trails, knowledgeable park staff, well maintained, and excellent views and temperatures

Ranger S.

good easy trail for kids under 8 and elders, otherwise it’s boring in this winter season. The Nature trail that's close to the gift shop has just sands and withered plants. The wild life trail can’t see any wild life, seldom any other hikers on the road. There are so many side ways that’s misleading. We miss the Wild life trail and proceed to firebreak road at first until we saw 4 others coming down from a hill. There’s only 1 ranger works at the gift shop. No other rangers guide you on the way. We arrive about noon and the gift shop was closed till 2pm. There are some gold finch birds perching at the bird feeder in front of the Ranch house. The 100 year old house is well maintained with some nice household display. Outside the house is a bit windy. The park close at 5pm so we barely have time to finish 3 trails. The Geology trail has nothing much to see. The granite loop maybe more fun with the boulder views. If you bring small kids, don’t forget to ask the ranger for the activity pamphlet and later return for the cool yellow badge. People seem to call in to book the star party at night while we were at the gift shop. You pay parking at the gift shop not the front door.

Anita V.

This is our first hike at Oracle State Park. Staff were friendly and helpful. We did the Nature Trail which is 1.2 miles and it was a great hike. There is a lot of benches along the way to sit and admire the view. Make sure to take water, hat and sunscreen. We saw birds and a black wooly bugger caterpillar. We will be back to try the other trails.

Emily B.

It pains me to write this review because the environment is stunning. However, after a few visits (two to hike and one to mountain bike) I am disappointed. The maps are misleading, the trails are overgrown (which is nature, but why spend money to visit instead of just walking through the desert elsewhere?) and the volunteers, though friendly, don't have much to say regarding the different trails.

A Z.

There are 2 main parking lots, one right when you first turn in (which connects to the Granite Overlook) and then another at the far end by the ranch house. The second one connects to the Nature Loop and also the Ranch interpretive trail. Plenty of accessible parking spots, however I did not see any paved flat trails.
Note: pay booth at front was closed when I went so had to go to the ranch house to pay, it's $10 per person. They say they close at 4- but if you get in before then- you can leave before 5.

You get a nice view from the Nature Loop and you don't have to go far for the views. 5 minutes in, you're already in the middle of the mountains and you get a nice birds eye view. Behind the ranch house, they had a ~30-40 minute loop that takes you to see some old ranch structures. No interpretive signs.
Granite Overlook trail was yucko. They were doing some pest control spraying there and no surprise- so many bugs and saw wasp too; also only a porta-potty and no water fountain at that trailhead.

I would recommend just sticking with the Nature Loop and its surrounding trails. Cleaner and neater, and they actually have amenities of restroom at that main trailhead area.

Haiqing

Not bad. Walked on two small loops trails and the view is about average in Arizona. The rocks are interesting. Not many cacti here. It's on the northern side of Mt Lemmon and you can see a small peak of Mt Lemmon. But you will have a good view of the San Pedro valley and the mountains on the eastern side of the San Pedro valley.