Oracle Star Park offers guided hikes, tours on weekends

Park ranger Jennifer Rinio said those are the reasons hikers, families and naturalists flock to the park this time of year.

One of the main draws of the 4,000-acre park — which boasts oak grassland landscapes — is the historic Kannally Ranch House, an adobe structure that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“It’s a four-level adobe building with a wonderful art exhibit, and that’s a big draw,” Rinio said. “There are 30 paintings on display, and a guided house tour with presentations and workshops.”

The park has 15 miles of interwoven hiking trails, some of which are open for dog walking, equestrian use and mountain biking. The park’s guided hikes, Rinio says, are particularly appealing to newcomers and experienced hikers alike.

“Some people prefer a group. They feel safer,” she said. “They’re looking for an introduction to our trail system or just not wanting to have to worry about having a map or being too concerned about being lost. There’s the security aspect, as well as the social appeal of having someone to hike with. A lot of people are more comfortable going on a guided hike.”

Hikers flock to the Windy Ridge Trail and Bellota Trail, which are used for environmental education programs during the week. Mountain bikers cruise on the Nature Trail, which is the lone inner loop close to the Kannally house that is open to bicycles. Equestrians ride on the two-track Gas line Trail, Arizona Trail, Windmill Loop Trail, and Power-line Trail.

Avid hikers also like to hit the park’s four-mile section of the Arizona Trail — a national scenic trail that crosses the state from Mexico to Utah.

There’s such a diverse array of wildlife that the park has set up cameras at watering holes to capture the guests of honor to star in slide shows. Rinio said javelina, mountain lions, white-tailed deer, coyotes, gray foxes and coatis are frequent visitors.

“There’s a lot of variety,” Rinio said. “There’s so much to see.”