Oracle State Park, just 45 minutes from Tucson, is a 4,0000-acre environmental education park with miles of diverse hiking trails. A stretch of the Arizona Trail winds its way through the park and is open to the public for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Educational programs are offered through the Center for Environmental Education, focusing on ecologic principles and public awareness for safeguarding the area’s natural resources.

Not all gated neighborhoods include resort-style recreational facilities. Most have a community pool and clubhouse but others may not. Some smaller developments offer no more than a playground for the kids or a natural open area where residents can walk their dog.