Hike Arizona's Oracle Park Granite Overlook

Metropolitan Tucson State Park Loop Trail Offers Sweeping Views

Dec 11, 2008 Bob Bowers

A relatively easy, two mile loop hike 35 miles north of Tucson, Arizona, provides exercise, birding and geology in an uncrowded, spectacular setting.

Oracle State Park, one of Arizona's 27 state parks, is in the foothills of Mt. Lemmon, just past the small town of Oracle at an elevation ranging between 3,700 and 4,700 feet. About eighteen miles north of Catalina State Park, Oracle Park sees fewer visitors, offering hikers and birders more opportunities to explore the trails in solitude.

An Overview of The Granite Overlook Loop Trail

The loop is 1.95 miles in length, with both entrances in the same parking lot. The trail climbs 270 feet to a granite summit, with sweeping views across the San Pedro River Valley to the Galiuro Mountains north of Oracle. The trail consists of compacted rock and dirt, and winds through granite boulder outcroppings, mesquite and Mexican blue and Emory oak trees.

From the Parking Lot to the Summit

Both ends of the Granite Overlook loop trail originate in the first parking area in the park, the Oak Woodland Area, which lies to the right of the main park road, seven tenths of a mile from the park's main entrance. Both trailheads are signed. The first, as one enters the parking lot, begins with a fairly steep climb to the overlook and summit, while the second is a much more gradual approach to the summit. Since it generally is easier to take a steep slope up than down, the first trailhead is not as punishing to a hiker's legs.

From the second trailhead, the hiker leaves the parking lot at 4,360 feet and enters a forested area, with Mexican blue oak, Manzanita, junipers, Fish hook barrel cactus and Desert spoon. At .4 mile, the trail intersects with the Windy Ridge Trail, crossing a bird-rich wash at 4,400 feet. Look for Scrub jays, Rufous-crowned and Black-chinned sparrows and Verdins, among other birds.

At a half-mile, the trail continues a gentle climb to a gazebo, offering shade and a place to sit and take a break. From here, the trail leaves most of the trees and begins a three-quarter mile climb through granite outcroppings to the summit, the highest point in the park at 4,630 feet.

The Summit to the Parking Lot

Three hundred and sixty degree views are available from the summit, with the town of Oracle to the west, and magnificent sweeping views across the San Pedro River Valley to the Galiuro Mountains to the north. The Kannally Ranch house, a four level home built by the family that donated the property, serves as the park headquarters and is visible to the east.

The trail descends steeply from the summit, and the hiker should take care to follow the trail signs. From the top, the trail drops nearly three hundred feet in three quarters of a mile back to the parking lot.

Once back in the lot, hikers and birders should drive another half mile to the Kannaly Ranch house. The house/park headquarters is a fascinating historical building, and an excellent place to view Gila woodpeckers and Anna's hummingbirds, as well as orioles in the spring.

Getting to Oracle State Park

From Tucson, Arizona, drive north on Highway 77 (Oracle Road), just past mile marker 100. Turn right onto American Avenue and drive 2.3 miles through the community of Oracle. Turn to the right at a signed fork, and drive one mile to the park entrance, on the left. The park is open every day but Christmas, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Oracle State Park's Diverse Solitude

Although within easy driving distance from Tucson, Oracle State Park offers unexpected solitude. It also offers first class birding, with one hundred thirty eight species on the park's bird list, an amazing variety of plant life, fascinating geology and spectacular views. There are seven trails covering twenty seven miles of hiking options. Four miles of the Arizona Trail, which stretches from Mexico to Utah, also runs through the park.

The copyright of the article Hike Arizona's Oracle Park Granite Overlook in SW U.S./Hawaii Travel is owned by Bob Bowers. Permission to republish Hike Arizona's Oracle Park Granite Overlook in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Entrance to Oracle State Park, Arizona	Granite Overlook Trailhead, Oracle State Park	Boulders Along Granite Overlook Trail, Arizona
Mexican Blue Oak Tree, Oracle State Park, Arizona	Kannally House From Granite Overlook Summit