Oracle State Park Loop

Oracle State Park Loop is a 10.3-mile route that circumnavigates Oracle State Park, located northeast of Tucson, Arizona just outside of Oracle. The park encompasses around 4,000-acres within the northern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. It serves as a wildlife refuge and is a designated International Dark Sky Park. The loop provides an opportunity to explore a beautiful desert landscape as well as get a nice overview of the park.The route consists of multi-use trails that are open to trail running and hiking with some sections open to mountain bikes.Granite Loop Trail - Open to hikers and runners.Manzanita Trail - Open to hikers, runners, and mountain bikers. Arizona National Scenic Trail - Open to hikers, runners, and mountain bikers.Cherry Wash Trail - Open to hikers, runners, and mountain bikes. Mariposa Trail - Open to hikers, runners, and mountain bikes. For more information, please visit: https://azstateparks.com/oracle/things-to-do/trails). DIRECTIONSStarting from the Oak Woodland Parking Area off of Wildlife Drive, the route heads counterclockwise beginning at the Granite Loop Trail. It follows the Manzanita Trail east, connects with the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) and heads north. As the AZT exits the park near Highway 77, our route continues west on the Cherry Wash Trail and then south on the Mariposa Trail, which leads us back to the Oak Woodland Parking Area. COMMON VEGETATIONPrickly pear and cholla cactus, scrub oak, mesquite, wildflowers, pinon and juniper trees. COMMON WILDLIFEMammals: Ringtails, javelinas, cougars, rock squirrels, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Reptiles and Amphibians: Western box turtles, Arizona alligator lizards, Colorado River toads, bull snakes, and western diamondback rattlesnakes. Bird Species: Red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, prairie falcons, black-throated sparrows, Gambel's quail, cactus wrens, northern mockingbirds, northern flickers, common poorwills, northern cardinals, and great horned owls. ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONYou can find more information about Oracle State Park, including its hours of operation, programs, events, and more, at https://azstateparks.com/oracle.