Paved path travels along the historic irrigation ditch filled with water.

Acequias: The Lifeblood of the Missions

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

  • 1 - 4 hours
  • 4 tour stops

Learn about the life blood of the missions, the acequias, on the acequia tour. The success of the missions depended on the acequias, or irrigation ditches. The acequias were known as the life blood of the missions because without them the Spanish wouldn’t have been able to settle in this area. Acequia systems had three main components: the dam, the ditches, and the aqueduct. You will see each of these components on the acequia tour.

Start this tour in the NPS App

Don't have the NPS App yet?

More Tours at This Park

Explore the Missions

5 tour stops • 4 - 8 hours
Park Ranger stands in front if visitors with Mission San Jose limestone walls in background.

Hike or Bike the Missions

11 tour stops • 3 - 6 hours
Family walks their bikes at Mission San Jose with limestone structures in background

Wild San Antonio

3 tour stops • 1 - 4 hours
Red and yellow Pride of Barbados flower with Mission Espada in the background.

Mission San José Ranger Guided Tour

1 tour stops • 30 - 60 hours
Park Ranger stands in front if visitors with Mission San Jose limestone walls in background.

QR Code

Download QR code