There are four missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. From north to south: Mission Concepcion, Mission San José, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and Mission Espada. The San Antonio Missions were added to the list of National Parks in 1978. President Jimmy Carter signed the bill creating San Antonio Missions National Historical Park on November 12, 1978.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park preserves the largest concentration of Spanish Colonial churches in North America.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Contents
Mission Concepción
Mission Concepción is the oldest unrestored stone church in America was built in 1755. Mission Concepcion never lost its roof or walls even when the churches were not maintained. You can still see glimpses of the original frescoes on the inside walls.
Mission San José
Mission San José is the home of the park visitor center and a great place to start your park adventure. Mission San Jose is the largest of the missions and was established in 1720. The mission has been fully restored including its gristmill and defensive wall.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Mission San Juan Capistrano was built in 1731.
Top Things to do at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Visit the visitor center at Mission San José
The visitor center is the perfect place to start your park visit. You can pick up all of the brochures, watch the 23-minute park movie Gente de Razón Shown on the hour and half-hour beginning at 9:30 am, with the last show at 4:30 pm. Get your passport stamped and find out if there are any services or events happening while you are at the park.
Take a guided tour
Take a 45-60 minute guided tour with a Park Ranger or volunteer to learn more about the missions. Tours are changed/ canceled depending on the weather. Check with the visitor center for the most up to date tour times.
Mission San José - Ranger-led tours are at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm daily.
Mission San Juan - Stop at contact station, if the staff is present, to check on tour times.
Mission Espada - Stop at contact station, if the staff is present, to check on tour times.
Mission Concepción - Stop at contact station, if the staff is present, to check on tour times.
Enjoy the Cell Phone Tour of the Park
You can print this brochure ahead of time if you want to check out the cell phone tour as you explore the parks. Also, keep an eye out for signs within the park. There is 32 call in spots to enjoy the cell phone tour. The cell phone tour is available in English and Spanish.
Please do not use cell phones inside the mission churches
Mission Hike and Bike Trail
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. The missions are approximately 2.5 miles from each other.
Become a Junior Ranger
The Junior Ranger program is an amazing way to dive into more of the park history and learn bits and pieces about the park. We try to complete the Junior Ranger program at every park we visit. One cool thing about San Antonio Mission National Historical Park is you can pick up the main Junior Ranger program at the visitor center and also pick up supplemental programs at each mission. The supplemental programs help you learn more about each individual mission.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Info/Details
Park address -
Visitor Center at Mission San José
6701 San Jose Drive
San Antonio, TX 78214
Park Phone Number - (210) 932-1001
Park Hours - Missions San Juan and Espada are open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm daily.
All sites closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
Mission Espada and Mission San Juan, are open from 10 am to 5 pm daily
Entrance Fees - There is no entrance fee to visit
Visitor Center - The visitor center is located at Mission San Jose.
The park movie: Gente de Razón Shown on the hour and half-hour beginning at 9:30 am, with the last show at 4:30 pm.
Park Passport Stamps - Two cancellation stamps are available when visiting San Antonio Missions. One is for the park, and the other is for El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail on which all the missions are located.
Church services at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Please contact the parish church to confirm times
Mission Concepción
807 Mission Road
Contact: Church contact at 210/533-8955.
Church services:
Monday - Friday at 8:00 am (English) in the St. Juan Diego Chapel
Saturday at 5:00 pm (English)
Sunday at 7:30 am (Spanish), 9:00 am (English), 10:30 am (English), 12:00 pm (Bilingual - Mariachi Mass)
Sunday at 10:00 am (Bilingual) and 12:00 noon (English).
Mission San José
6701 San Jose Drive
Contact: Office at 210/922-0543
Church services:
Saturday at 5:00 pm (English).
Sunday at 7:30 am (Español), 9:00 am (English), 10:30 am (English), 12:00 pm (Mariachi - Bilingual), and 7:00 pm (Español).
Mission San Juan
9101 Graf Road
Contact: Office at 210/534-3161.
Church Services:
Saturday at 5:00 pm (English)
Sunday at 9:15 am (English)
Sunday at 11:00 am (English)
Sunday at 12:30 pm (Spanish)
Holy Day: 7:00 pm (English)
Mission Espada
10040 Espada Road
Contact: Office at 210/627-2064
Church Services:
Sunday at 10:00 am (Spanish)
Saturday at 6:00 pm (English)
National Parks near San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
First, let's be honest and say that Texas is gigantic so parks "near" San Antonio Missions National Historical Park are not right next door and will take some planning to visit.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park
Amistad National Recreation Area
Fort Davis National Historic Site
Padre Island National Seashore
Check out all of the great Texas National Parks.
Leave a Reply