Spend a Weekend in Oracle, Arizona
Just outside Tucson, this singular enclave feels worlds away with its unique blend of art, science, and scenery.
When people reach for a word to describe Oracle, they often settle on “quirky,” and it’s easy to see why. The town’s mystical-sounding moniker might suggest it’s a New Age haven. Actually, the name was adopted from the nearby Oracle mine; the founding miner christened it after his uncle’s ship, which likely took its title from a Greek shrine in Turkey.
Secreted on the northern foothills of the oft-forgotten Santa Catalina Mountains, this high desert hideaway has always attracted a motley crew of mold breakers. Mining prospectors, Mexican cattle ranchers, eco-anarchist writer Edward Abbey, and the Space Age utopians who built Biosphere 2 have all been drawn to its unique ecosystem and dreamy isolation.
Nowadays, Oracle’s 3,100-odd residents are a mix of outdoor enthusiasts, artists, cowboys and cowgirls, metaphysical folks, and more. United by a love of the land, they’ve cultivated an eclectic yet tight-knit community. Even if you’re blowing through town like tumbleweed, it’s fun to catch the communal spirit and visit the area’s visionary ventures, from an artsy dude ranch to a food-centric ziplining course or a laboratory where researchers dream of inhabiting Mars.
Things to Do
Though Oracle lies just 30 miles north of Tucson, it feels like a cool getaway at 4,500 feet. Here, saguaros give way to oaks and swaying grasslands surrounded by “sky islands”—isolated mountains with distinct ecosystems marooned in a “sea” of desert.
Meet the region’s plant and animal residents at Oracle State Park, a 4,000-acre wildlife refuge where white-tailed deer prance, bobcats prowl, and colorful birds and butterflies migrate. Trace more than a billion years of magmatic and marine action on a guided or self-guided tour of the Geology Trail. Get a hawk’s-eye view of the terrain on the 1.6-mile Granite Overlook Loop, or hike a six-mile slice of the epic 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. Poke around Kannally Ranch House to glimpse what life was like for the family of ranchers and artists who called this expanse home in the early 1900s. At night, this designated International Dark Sky Park hosts occasional stargazing parties with amateur astronomers—or, if you reserve ahead, you can visit on your own and have the galactic vistas to yourself.
At Triangle L Ranch, mixed media artist Sharon Holnback transformed a 19th-century cattle ranch that Buffalo Bill Cody once visited into a showcase for sculptures, metalwork, assemblage pieces, and more. Peruse the work of local artists in the century-old adobe barn, then stroll the sculpture park to see whimsical works such as Goddess Rabbit and an emerald-hued glass castle nestled among giant oak and mesquite trees. During GLOW!, October 18–19, sculptures along the Magic Path nature trail are illuminated with enchanting lights at night.
The folks at Arizona Zipline Adventures turned a cattle ranch into something completely different—the chance to whoosh over surprisingly green desert at stampede speed on five cables up to 1,500 feet long. After your adrenaline-pumping exploit, reward your bravery with a build-your-own burger and sky island views at the facility’s Peppersauce Kitchen. If you’re lucky, your visit will coincide with their occasional grill-your-own-steak evenings, when you can fire up a slab of meat (or portobello mushroom) and dance to live music with the locals.
November 2–3, don’t miss the Oracle Artist Studio Fall Tour, when you can chat with jewelry makers, potters, glassworkers, and other creatives inside their homes.
Rising out of the desert like a futuristic glass Mayan pyramid, Biosphere 2 has evolved significantly since its sensationalized origins. In 1991, eight “Biospherians” sealed themselves in this enormous terrarium for two years to experiment with how humans might produce their own food and atmosphere on a lunar or Martian colony. Now, visitors can explore the miniature rainforest, ocean, and other ecosystems where international scientists conduct research on climate change, sustainability solutions, and off-planet living. You can also peek inside the authentically decorated former living quarters of a Biospherian and the “lungs” that regulate the structure’s air pressure.
Where to Eat
Oracle’s mild desert climate and abundant sunshine foster ideal conditions for the flora at Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm. For an unconventional breakfast or lunch, pre-order a thematic picnic basket—think quiche with lavender potatoes or lavender chicken salad—and dine under an oak canopy. Then meet the farm animals, meander paths adorned with fairy-tale-esque art, and shop for aromatherapeutic products.
In town, the Oracle Patio Cafe and Market is a local favorite, thanks to homemade pies, corned beef hash that’s brined for 10 days, and the “Paw-tio” menu for furry foodies. You can get a taste of Oracle’s small-town camaraderie (along with an iced Mexican mocha) at Way of Bean Coffee Club, a members-only space that supports local roasters, artists, and gardeners. Don’t worry: You can purchase a one-day membership for 50 cents.
Where to Shop
With its handful of offbeat stores, Parradise Ranch has become a microcosm of Oracle’s idiosyncrasies. The mini shopping center launched in 1985 with Sue and Jerry Parra’s Trading Post, chock-full of Western collectibles, metal art, antique farm implements, and vintage housewares. Two years ago, Country Sweet Boutique—a turquoise retro travel trailer—rolled onto the property, peddling hand-designed bling, leather goods, and nostalgic candy. Ravens’ Rooste Metaphysical Store also nested on-site, offers books, crystals, essential oils, wooden flutes, and reiki sessions.
Where to Stay
Since the 1920s, Triangle L Ranch has rented private cottages, each featuring different amenities such as a claw-foot tub, a gallery of local art, and sleeping porch to watch the stars as you drift to sleep. Guests enjoy complimentary entry to the sculpture park.
Unlike the area’s converted cattle ranches, El Rancho Robles was designed from its debut in the early 1900s as a place where people could kick up their boots or Oxford heels and relax. Today, this boutique hotel maintains that admirable mission through its soothing paths under stately oaks, stonework patios overlooking lush desert landscaping, and terra-cotta and cornflower-colored architecture.