• The churches of San Antonio were the heart of the Spanish colonal mission communities.

    San Antonio Missions

    National Historical Park Texas

Guided Tours

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Ranger-guided tour at Mission San José

All guided tours are free.

Guided Tours of the Missions
Join a Park Ranger or Docent on a guided tour of one of the four missions. Learn more about the 18th-century Spanish Colonial period -- What was a mission? Who built it? Why was it built here? What happened to them? Discover the importance of this critical part of America's history, which is entrusted to the care of the National Park Service.

These tours last 45-60 minutes. Meet at the visitor center or information center of the mission you want to tour.

10:00 am Mission San José
Mission Concepción

11:00 am Mission San José

1:30 pm Mission San Juan (staff permitting)

2:00 pm Mission San José
Mission Concepción
Mission Espada (staff permitting)

3:00 pm Mission San José
Mission San Juan (staff permitting)

3:30 pm Mission Espada (staff permitting)

 
A mission's ranch was located 20-30 miles away to prevent livestock from getting into croplands.

A mission's ranch was located 20-30 miles away to prevent livestock from wandering into croplands.

Tour of Rancho de las Cabras

10:00 am, first Saturday of the month, weather permitting. Call 210.932.1001 for more information.

Much of the American cattle industry of the 1800s was built on the legacy of these mission ranches. Learn about the equipment, vocabulary, and folklore of the mission vaqueros, while exploring remnants of Espada's ranch, Rancho de las Cabras.

Located 30 miles south of San Antonio, meet at Floresville River Park on SH 97 in Floresville, Texas, to caravan to the site. From San Antonio, take I-37 south. Exit onto Hwy 181 south to Floresville. Turn right on Hwy 97 west to River Park.

Because the site is undeveloped, it contains brushy areas and fire ants; it is recommended that boots and appropriate clothing be worn.

Did You Know?

Longhorn cattle evolved from 3 breeds of cattle that the Spanish imported in the 18th century.

that Texas longhorn cattle evolved from 3 breeds the Spanish imported to the Americas in the 17th and 18th centuries? They were the barrenda or piebald, the retinto, and ganado prieto. Modern longhorn have long legs and a narrow body - perfectly suited to travel long distances in dry, harsh country.