Basic Information

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park's Spanish colonial architectural structures are more than 250 years old. Even the structures that were reconstructed in the 1930's are now almost 100 years old! These mission structures were not built for the 1 million visitors that the park sees every year. Be mindful that some structures are not built to today’s safety standards. Surfaces are uneven, walls may crumble and entrance heights may vary. Use caution when moving about in the historic rooms. For your safety and the preservation of the mission sites, please do not sit, stand, or climb on any of the structures.

 

Physical Address

Directions

Operating Hours & Seasons

Weather

Fees & Passes

Visitor Centers

Internet & Cellular Access

Internet & Cellular Access Details

 

Directions

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park may be arranged differently than other parks you have visited. This park has four distinct visitor areas, each between 2-3 miles from the previous one. Starting 3 miles south of downtown San Antonio is Mission Concepción. Another 2½ miles is Mission San José, the location of the park's Visitor Center. Three miles beyond Mission San José is Mission San Juan and Spanish colonial demonstration farm. The last and farthest south is Mission Espada.

Direcciones

Este parque tiene cuatro áreas de visitantes distintas, cada una de ellas a unos 5 kilómetros de distancia. De norte a sur tiene Misión Concepción, Misión San José, Misión San Juan, y más al sur es Misión Espada.

For more informations on getting to each of the mission sites, visit our Directions & Transportation page.

 

What is a mission?

A mission is a community, a school, a workplace, a church, and now sacred burial grounds. 

The missions in San Antonio were establish by Catholic Franciscan priests and friars in the 1700s to serve several purposes.

• To convert the South Texas Indigenous Peoples to Christianity.

• To claim the land for colonial purposes. Texas became the territory of Spain, called the country of New Spain from 1519 until 1821.

• To convert the Indigenous peoples to the Spanish culture; including a new economy, European trades, agriculture, new diet, and more.

Who lived in these missions? 

• Franciscan Catholic Priests and Friars (only a few)
• Indigenous South Texas Families from various bands
• Spanish Solider's (a small number)

You can learn more here. 

 

Reduce, Reuse, Refill!

Single-serve plastic water bottles are NOT available for sale at the park.
We encourage everyone to bring your own reusable water bottle.

Water filling stations are available at all mission sites throughout the park and in the Visitor Center at Mission San José.

Reduce, Reuse, Refill!

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park staff and partners have made a commitment to reducing waste, saving energy, and reducing carbon emissions.

 

 

Entrance to the Espada Museum and Ranger Station. Flag is Spanish Cross of Burgandy.

NPS Photo/ Andrew Shirey

 

Have a Park Passport Stamp Mailed to You

Our official park passport cancellation stamps are available at each of the four mission sites, but if you missed your chance to get yours, just send us an email with your mailing address, and we'll get your park passport stamp mailed to you.

Reciba un sello de parque por correo

Nuestros sellos oficiales del parque están disponibles en cada uno de los cuatro sitios de la misión.
¿Perdiste la oportunidad de obtener tu sello oficial del parque? Simplemente envíenos un correo electrónico con su dirección postal y le enviaremos su sello del parque por correo.

 

stamps