Exploring Trails with Arizona State Parks!

Each month Arizona State Parks will be featuring a different Arizona trail on our website. The website will have a map, directions and a description of the trail. Check our website on a monthly basis for the new trail. After hiking the trail return to the website and tell us what you think.

FEATURE TRAIL: ARIZONA TRAIL-ORACLE PASSAGE

Oracle State Park, Center for Environmental Education, Oracle, Arizona

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:

A seven mile section of the Arizona Trail, which will eventually run from Mexico to Utah, passes through Oracle State Park. This section of trail is open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Motorized vehicle use is prohibited. From American Flag Trailhead, the trail leads north across National Forest and State Trust lands, crossing Webb Road and continuing to Oracle State Park. From the park boundary to Kannally Wash (about 2.6 miles). At the windmill at Kannally Wash, the trail divides. Hikers have two choices: follow the multi-use power line road west to the Northern Trailhead (about 1.9 miles), or take the northeast hiking trail across the series of ridges to the Northern Trailhead (about 4.4 miles). Mountain bikers and equestrians must use the power line road. Water is available at the Kannally Wash windmill, but should be treated. This Arizona Trail “passage” traverses oak- and mesquite-covered grasslands, granite formations, sloping ridges and riparian washes.

Click on the map below for a printable version of the Arizona State Trails Guide map of the Arizona Trail -Oracle Passage. For more information or to purchase a complete set of guide maps by region click here.

DIRECTIONS TO ORACLE STATE PARK

Take Highway 77 (Oracle Road) north from Tucson. Turn right off Highway 77 into the town of Oracle. Follow American Avenue through Oracle 2.3 miles to Mt. Lemmon Road. Turn right (south) on Mt. Lemmon Road and follow it past the park entrance. At the fork, continue to the right on Mt. Lemmon Road, which becomes a gravel road. Look for American Flag Trailhead on east (left) side of road.

WHAT'S HAPPENING AT ARIZONA STATE PARKS

Oracle State Park

• Sat, Sun, and Holidays at 10am & 2pm. Tour the Historic Kannally Ranch House, a Mediterranean Revival Style home built in 1929.

• Sat at 8am. Guided nature walks on various topics.

• Thur at 8am. Guided bird walks; reservation recommended.

• Aug-Nov - Seventeen original Lee Kannally paintings will be on display in the living room of the historic Kannally Ranch House at the Park, on loan from the Oracle Historical Society. Call ahead to confirm house open hours.

Catalina State Park

This scenic desert park offers camping, hiking, picnicking, bicycling, horseback riding, plant and wildlife viewing, and an archaeological site, all just a few minutes from Tucson.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE TRAIL?

After hiking the trail return to the website and tell us what you think.