Oracle State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Oracle State Park | |
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| Location | Arizona, USA |
| Nearest city | Oracle |
| Coordinates | |
| Area | 3,948 acres |
| Governing body | Arizona State Parks |
Oracle State Park is located on the edge of the Sonoran desert in the northeastern foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains near the town of Oracle, Arizona. Oracle State Park serves as a wildlife refuge as well as an environmental learning center for visitors. The park has more than 15 miles of hiking trails throughout its nearly 4000 acres. Seven miles of the Arizona Trail traverse the park as well.[1]
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[edit] History
For 75 years, a ranching family owned the property that now comprises Oracle State Park. The family gave the property to the Defenders of Wildlife organization, and ten years later, the land was donated to the state of Arizona to create a preserve. [1]
[edit] Flora and fauna
[edit] Plants
The most common plants in Oracle State Park are prickly pear and cholla cactus, scrub oak, mesquite, many wildflowers, and the occasional piñon and juniper. A solitary saguaro cactus is located in the park. The original ranch house, which now serves as the park headquarters, has some cypress trees nearby.
[edit] Wildlife
Birdwatchers can find red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, prairie falcons, black-throated sparrows, Gambel's quail, cactus wrens, pyrrhuloxia, northern mockingbirds, northern flickers, common poorwills, northern cardinals, and great horned owls. Many mammals can also be seen in the park, such as ringtails, javalina, mountain lions, rock squirrels, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Reptiles and amphibians found in the area include the western box turtles, Arizona alligator lizards, Colorado river toads, bull snakes, and western diamondback rattlesnakes.[1]
[edit] Park hours
The park is open 7 days a week, from 7a.m. to 5p.m.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Laine, Don & Barbara (1998). New Mexico & Arizona State Parks: A Complete Recreation Guide. The Mountaineers, 236-237. ISBN 0-89886-559-X.
