News Release

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park to temporarily modify operations to implement local health guidance

News Release Date: July 3, 2020

Contact: Justine Hanrahan, 210-612-5725

San Antonio, TX – San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, in response to federal, state and local guidance and to support the nation’s effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, will temporarily further modify operations.
Effective immediately, the following park areas will be closed to all park visitors until Monday, July 6:

• All parking lots, picnic areas and public restrooms
• Parking lot gates at Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada
• Picnic area parking and use will be prohibited near Mission San José
• Public restrooms will not be available.

The following spaces continue to be available:   

• The grounds at Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada will remain open daily from sunrise to sunset.
• The grounds at Mission San José will continue to be open from 9 am – 5 pm daily.
• Park trails, including the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Walk, remain open.
• Roads passing though San Antonio Missions National Historical Park remain accessible.

The temporary closures align with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County Parks closures for the Independence Day weekend. As noted by the CDC, gatherings have the potential to put many people in close, prolonged contact with one another. This is thought to be the primary way that COVID-19 spreads. The NPS asks visitors to consider their own and others’ health when contemplating a visit to a national park. Park rangers are on duty to uphold normal rules and regulations and assist visitors as needed.
“Park staff will reassess appropriate reopening procedures following the temporary closures on Monday, July 6 in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance,” said acting superintendent Aaron Mahr.

The health and wellbeing of visitors and employees at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park remains our top priority. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public areas and work spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers. Modifications to operations will be flexible, continually evaluated and adjusted as necessary to ensure public health and safety.

We ask the public recreate responsibly by adopting social distancing practices and wearing a face covering when social distance cannot be maintained. Additional trip planning and health guidance is available on the NPS COVID-19 response website.  
Updates on the park’s operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/saan, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.