Oracle State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oracle State Park |
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 Oracle State Park
Location in Arizona
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| Location | Pinal, Arizona, United States |
| Area | 3,948 acres (15.98 km2) |
| Established | 1976 |
| Visitors | 7,883 (in 2022) |
| Governing body | Arizona State Parks |
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Kannally Ranch
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The Kannally Ranch house
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| Location | Mt. Lemmon Hwy, E of Oracle |
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| Nearest city | Oracle, Arizona |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1929 |
| Architectural style | Spanish Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 96000307 |
| Added to NRHP | March 28, 1996 |
Oracle State Park is a special state park in Arizona, USA. It protects about 3,948 acres (1,598 hectares) of land. This park is located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It gets its name from the nearby town of Oracle.
The park is a safe place for wildlife. It has over 15 miles (24 km) of hiking trails. This includes 7 miles (11 km) of the famous Arizona Trail. Oracle State Park is a great spot for nature lovers and hikers.
Contents
Park History
From Ranch to Park
The land that is now Oracle State Park was once a large cattle ranch. Neal Kannally and his family owned and ran this ranch starting in 1902. Neal first came to Oracle for his health. His brother Lee later joined him and bought a ranch nearby.
Over time, the Kannally Ranch grew very large. It covered about 50,000 acres at its biggest. Much of this land was later sold to mining companies.
Becoming a Wildlife Refuge
Neal's last living sibling, Lucile, left the remaining property to the Defenders of Wildlife organization in 1976. Ten years later, in 1986, the land was given to the state of Arizona. This gift helped create Oracle State Park as a wildlife refuge.
A Dark Sky Park
In 2014, something very cool happened. The International Dark-Sky Association named Oracle State Park a Dark Sky Park. This means the park has very dark night skies. It is a perfect place for stargazing and learning about space.
Plants and Animals
Oracle State Park is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. It is a great place to see desert life up close.
Desert Plants
You will see many interesting plants in the park. The most common ones are prickly pear and cholla cactus. These cacti have sharp spines. You can also find scrub oak and mesquite trees.
During certain times of the year, many colorful wildflowers bloom. Sometimes, you might even spot a piñon or juniper tree. A single, tall saguaro cactus also stands in the park. Near the old ranch house, there are some cypress trees.
Amazing Wildlife
The park is full of amazing animals. Many different bird species live here. Look for red-tailed hawks flying high above. You might also see golden eagles and prairie falcons. Smaller birds like black-throated sparrows and Gambel's quail are common. The cactus wren is Arizona's state bird. Other birds include pyrrhuloxia, northern mockingbirds, and northern flickers. At night, you might hear great horned owls.
Many mammals also call the park home. Keep an eye out for ringtails and javalinas. Larger animals like cougars, mule deer, and white-tailed deer live here too. Smaller mammals include rock squirrels, desert cottontails, and black-tailed jackrabbits.
You can also find reptiles and amphibians. These include western box turtles and Arizona alligator lizards. Watch out for bull snakes and western diamondback rattlesnakes. The Colorado River toad is another interesting resident.
Kannally Ranch House
The Kannally Ranch House is a special part of the park. It is a historic house museum. Inside, you can see original art and old photos from the ranch's past.
This unique house has four levels. It was built between 1929 and 1933. The design mixes Mediterranean and Moorish styles. It is so important that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You can take self-guided tours of the ranch house during park hours.
Environmental Learning Center
Oracle State Park is more than just a place to visit. It is also an "environmental learning center." The park aims to protect its wildlife refuge and teach people about nature.
In the past, the park offered many programs. These included natural history and environmental education for schools and adults. People could join trail walks, workshops, and special events to learn about the environment.
