Acequia Trail Trailhead - Mission San Juan

Access the Acequia Trail from Mission San Juan, just off of Mission Road. The Acequia trail takes hikers and bicyclists along the historic irrigation ditches of Mission San Juan. Portions of this trail are gravel.

• Located across Mission Road from the Mission San Juan parking lot, this trail is paved. Mission San Juan is visible from this trailhead. Trees and native shrubbery line the trail heading north.

Coahuiltecan Seasons Mural

The Coahuiltecan Seasons Mural is located in between Mission San Juan and Mission Espada.

• Four separate murals line the Loop 410 underpass at Villamain Road. Each represent a season. The murals bring together brightly colored elements of local flora and fauna used by Native people to sustain countless generations.

E. Pyron Drive Trailhead - San Antonio River Hike & Bike

Access the San Antonio River Hike & Bike Trail from Mission San Jose via the East Pyron Drive Trailhead. The San Antonio River Hike & Bike Trail connects all 5 missions in San Antonio along a beautiful stretch of waterways, native plants, and wildlife. Hike or bike along this trail and stop at each mission site, or travel straight down to the southernmost mission site, Mission Espada, approx 5 miles from this trailhead.

• Located at the corner of E Pyron Drive and Padre Drive, this paved path extends toward the San Antonio River. Short pillars keep vehicles from entering this path. Continue straight down this path, with live oak trees and pecan trees on each side, until reaching the paved river path. Turn right to head south and left to head north.

Espada Aqueduct

The Espada Aqueduct is the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States. The aqueduct carries water over Six-mile creek (historically piedras creek) connecting the ditches.

• A limestone aqueduct, approximately 195 feet long ands 15.5 height at the point where it crosses the creek with a stone channel carrying water on the top. The aqueduct crosses Six-mile creek (historically piedras creek). There are two stone arches, one 12 feet and the other 16.5 feet in diameter, that support the structure. Six-mile creek flows through the support arches.

Espada Dam

Acequia systems began with a dam that would raise the water level. The dam diverted water from the San Antonio river and forced it into hand dug earthen ditches that carried the water to farms around the missions. Eventually emptying back into the San Antonio River. The Espada Dam still diverts water from the river into the Espada acequia system, the oldest continually used acequia system in San Antonio.

• Water builds up at the site of the dam, flowing over into the acequia to the west. Excess water flows over the dam and continues down the stream to the south. The dam has an overall length of 160 feet with a height of 6.6 to 8.2 feet. The crest of the dam is around 2 feet in width with a bottom width varying 20 to 40 feet.

Farm Loop Trailhead

• This is the beginning of the Farm Loop, just south of the restrooms building. This loop extends past wooden corrals in front of you, bends to the right over a historic acequia (irrigation ditch), and turns past historic demonstration farms. The demonstration farms grow seasonal vegetables.

Graf Road Trailhead - San Antonio River Hike & Bike

Access the San Antonio River Hike & Bike Trail from Mission San Juan via the Graf Road Trailhead. The San Antonio River Hike & Bike Trail connects all 5 missions in San Antonio along a beautiful stretch of waterways, native plants, and wildlife. Hike or bike along this trail and stop at each mission site, either to the north or south.

• This trailhead is a wide, paved section of path with a San Antonio Bike Share station for renting bikes on the north side of the path. Take this trail south to pass by Mission San Juan, the Yanaguana Trailhead, the historic demonstration farm, and reach the San Antonio River. You will hear many native bird species on this section of the trail.

Mission Concepción

Originally founded in 1716 in eastern Texas, Mission Concepcion was relocated to the present site in 1731. The thick weathered church and convento (priest’s residence) walls and roofs of Mission Concepcion still stand tall 250 years later making the church one of the oldest unrestored stone churches in the United States.

• The northern most of the 4 missions in the park, Mission Concepcion can be found nestled between the San Antonio River corridor and a small suburban neighborhood. The grounds of the site of Mission Concepcion are 5 acres in size and are dominated by a church that is approximately 40 ft tall and is built of white/gray limestone. The front of the church faces west and is marked by a large wooden door that is approximately 10 feet tall and two large bell towers that sit on either side of the structure. Attached to the side of the church is the convento, that is made up of 3 rooms and served as the living quarters for the friars and priest who lived and worked at the mission. In front of the church and convento is a large grassy field dotted with trees that leads down to the filled in remains of a stone quarry. Remnants of the quarried limestone can still be seen protruding through the soil. Lastly off to the side of the grassy field, one can find a grotto made of limestone that is used by the churches modern parishioners as a place to pray and light candles.

Mission Espada

Mission Espada was the first mission in Texas, founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas. In 1731, the mission was relocated to the San Antonio River area and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. Explore the mission grounds, church, and museum.

• The grounds of Mission Espada are nearly square in shape occupying almost 4 acres. A small church is the most visually dominating structure found on the grounds. It resides on the western side of the site and measures approximately 60 feet long by 20 feet wide. The church’s bell tower is approximately 30 feet tall. Making up portions of the exterior walls are numerous ruined structures that were used for homes as recently as the 1960’s. In the southeastern corner of the ground resides a contact station and museum where visitors can find access to restrooms as well as information provided by a ranger.

Mission Espada Trailhead - San Antonio River Hike & Bike Trail

• Bike racks and an orientation panel sit to your right, with historic ruins of a bastion past the orientation panel. A grove of tall trees welcomes you at the trailhead. Follow this paved path to the San Antonio River.

Mission San José

Mission San José is in the center of the mission trail and the largest mission site of all five missions along the San Antonio River. The park Visitor Center and restrooms are located just outside of the mission walls near the parking lot.

• Mission San Jose is located west of the San Antonio River. The grounds of Mission San Jose are nearly square in shape occupying 6 acres. The mission is fully enclosed by 12 feet tall sandstone walls. Gates provide access to the area outside the mission walls. The mission grounds include a large stone church, sacristy, convento, convento garden, living quarters, wells, ovens, granary, and open grass plaza. The rectangular limestone church is 33 feet wide by 11 feet in length and is located in the northeast corner of the mission. The front of the church is decorated with stone carvings and statues. The church has one bell tower and a 60 foot dome. The limestone sacristy is attached to the south wall of the church. The rose window is carved into the south wall of the sacristy. The convento ruins adjoin to the church to the east. The two story convento contains limestone arches and open rooms. The granary is located in the northwest corner. The granary is a one story rectangular building with flying buttresses. The center of the mission is an open grass lawn with trees scattered throughout and remnants of a few stone building foundations. Just outside the north wall of the mission are the gristmill, acequia, and lime kilns. The gristmill contains a small stone building, the mill machinery, forebay, and wooden water wheel. The visitor center is located in front of the Mission San Jose entrance. The building includes an information desk, museum, theater, gift shop, and restrooms.

Mission San José Gristmill

The gristmill at Mission San Jose was the first gristmill in Texas.

• Located outside the mission walls is a reconstructed gristmill. In front of the mill is a cement lined acequia, or irrigation ditch. The acequia diverts to a ditch that leads to the gristmill. At the front of the mill building is the forebay, a cement water holding tank. The one-story mill building is made from sandstone. Inside the building is one room with three windows that houses the milling equipment, including the two mill stones and hopper. Below the mill building is a vaulted tuffaceous limestone room where the wooden water wheel and other milling mechanisms are located. Stone stairs lead down to the water wheel and mill race.

Mission San Juan

Originally founded in 1716 in eastern Texas, Mission San Juan was relocated in 1731 to its present location along the banks of the San Antonio River. You can walk the mission grounds, visit the museum, hike the Yanaguana trail, and visit the historical farm and acequia system.

• Situated 7 miles south of downtown San Antonio, one of the first things that a visitor might notice about the mission is the quiet tranquility. The grounds measure 2.5 acres in size being fully surrounded by low eroded remnants of the historic walls that once protected the mission's inhabitants. The mission church stands apart from the rest of the structures as its walls are plastered white due to modern upkeep of this active Catholic church. However, despite its brilliant appearance the mission church is smaller than its counterparts to the north measuring 100 feet long, 25 feet wide and 35 ft high at it's bell tower. In the southwest corner, just outside of the compound's walls, visitors can find the start of the Yanaguana trail, a .3 mile long trail, that weaves it's way through the lush overgrowth near a small creek that empties into the San Antonio river. The trail provides visitors the opportunity to experience some of the natural Texas ecosystems that were common before the Spanish arrival.

Mission San Juan Farm

Mission sites were chosen on their ability to farm and build acequias, or irrigation ditches. Each mission site had a farm, but Mission San Juan farm is the only one that remains. Visit the small demonstration farm. This section shows visitors what the farm fields that surround the mission would’ve looked like.

• The 50 acre San Juan farm sits to the south of the mission grounds. The fields are planted in rows with different crops. There is a Spanish colonial demonstration garden that is 5 acres in size. The fields are planted in berms and furrows.

Rancho de las Cabras

Rancho de las Cabras is a protected prairie in Floresville, Texas, where archeological ruins remain from one of the first ranches in Texas. This Spanish colonial ranch was the ranch associated with Mission San Francisco de la Espada, the most southern San Antonio Mission.

• Situated on a high point above the San Antonio River, the ruin was a distinctive landmark in the colonial era. Today it looks like a prairie with rolling hills and some foundations.

Theo Parkway Trailhead - San Antonio River Hike & Bike

29.390047, -98.497928

• On the west side of Theo Parkway, a paved trail extends from the road toward the San Antonio River. You will encounter a Y in the path just a few steps off the road, where you can choose to go left to take the stairs down to the river or go right to access a paved area with benches and trash cans. At the bottom of the stairs, turn right to travel north and left to travel south.

Yanaguana Trailhead

• This path bends through a riparian landscape of live oak trees, pecan trees, mulberry trees, and mustang grape vines. On the far side of this loop, the trail comes to an original section of the San Antonio River.

“Where I End and You Begin” Mural

This beautiful mural, located at the corner of SE Military Drive and Mission Parkway in San Antonio, intertwines elements of local bird species and humans' connection with this historic site.

• Colorful designs cover the highway underpass, with cave art-like symbols. Three-dimensional pottery elements protrude from the wall to represent nests.

Visitor Center at Mission San José

• Visitor Center at Mission San José
• Park Store in the Visitor Center is open 9 am to 5pm, 7 days/week. Visitor Center is often closed for the lunch hour. Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1. Park Store operated by Western National Parks Association. Just outside of the Visitor Center, you will find a plaque recognizing the park's World Heritage designation. La tienda en el Centro de Visitantes está abierta de 9 am a 5 pm todos los días. El Centro de Visitantes está cerrado durante la hora del almuerzo.

• Explore the Missions of San Antonio
• Explore the four Spanish Colonial mission sites at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. You can choose to join a Ranger-led program, listen to the audio tour, or explore on your own!

• Junior Ranger Program
• Learn about the missions by completing activities in the Junior Ranger booklet.

• Watch the Park Film at the Visitor Center
• Watch the park film, Gente de Razón, to learn more about the missions. The film is a 23-minute film about the people who built and lived in the missions. The first showing of the film begins at 9 am and the last showing is at 4:30 pm.

• Hike & Bike Along the River
• The Hike & Bike Trail along the San Antonio River connects all five missions in San Antonio: The Alamo, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. Each mission is about 2.5 miles from the next. This is a safe and fun way to visit the missions.

Acequias: The Lifeblood of the Missions

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.

Explore the Missions

Explore the San Antonio Missions! San Antonio is home to five Spanish colonial missions. The first mission established in San Antonio was Mission San Antonio de Valero, or as we know it today the Alamo, in 1718. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park includes four of the five missions, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. All five of the Missions in San Antonio are a World Heritage Site, visit https://www.sanantonio.gov/WorldHeritage

Hike or Bike the Missions

Tour the missions by bicycle or on foot.  The Mission Reach Hike & Bike Trail along the San Antonio River connects all five missions: The Alamo, Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. Each mission is about 2.5 miles from the next. This is a safe and fun way to visit the missions. Take a look at the river map (https://www.sariverauthority.org/resources/san-antonio-river-walk-map) before you start your adventure. The hike and bike path is a great way to see the missions,

Mission San José Ranger Guided Tour

Ranger-led programs offered every day!* Guided walks, led by a National Park Ranger, are offered every day at 10:00 am and 11:00 am at Mission San Jose. Guided walks begin at the Visitor Center at Mission San Jose (6701 San Jose Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78214.) All park programs are free of charge and wheelchair-accessible. *no ranger-led programs on the 1st Wednesday of every month

Wild San Antonio

Take a walk on the wild side with the Wild San Antonio Tour. This tour will take you to three places that are great for viewing the cities wildlife. First stop, the San Antonio River near the Espada Dam. This is a great stop to see birds and turtles. Next stop is the pollinator garden at Mission San Juan. This is a great place to see native plants, butterflies, bees, and other insects. Last stop is the Yanaguana trail, a 1/3 mile loop trail, that is a great place to see birds and turtles,