Theodore Roosevelt Presidential LibraryPublic Lands Directory

Alerts and conditions

All clear. The managing agency, the National Weather Service and wildfire reporting show no current alerts.

Overview

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. They changed life in this region, introducing new technologies while enforcing new cultural guidelines. As you visit, reflect on change, culture, power, and how people have used the land.

From the National Park Service

History

The designation history for this site (every law, proclamation and order, and the administration behind each) is being researched and checked by the Library’s historians.

What to see and do

Activities

  • Arts and Culture
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Guided Tours
  • Self-Guided Tours - Walking
  • Self-Guided Tours - Auto
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Museum Exhibits
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store
  • Gift Shop and Souvenirs

Browse hiking, biking and paddling routes on AllTrails

Plan your visit

Hours

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset. Mission San José is open 9am-5pm. Our park store located in the Visitor Center is open daily 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm. Park grounds are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Mission San José: Mission San José is open 9 am to 5 pm. The Visitor Center at Mission San José includes the Park Store and an information desk. Visit the Visitor Center for park information or to pick up your Junior Ranger booklet! Park Store is located inside of the Visitor Center and is open 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm, 7 days/week.

Mission Espada and Mission San Juan: Contact Stations and museums at the two southern mission sites, Mission Espada and Mission San Juan.

Getting there

Park Headquarter's is located 4 miles south of downtown San Antonio. The four mission sites lay as a chain south of downtown. Mission Concepción is 3 miles, Mission San José and the park visitor center is 6 miles south, Mission San Juan is 3 miles south of San José, and Mission Espada lays another mile beyond. Written directions and GPS addresses can be found at the link below.

Visitor centers

Weather

Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from 40°F to 95°F and is rarely below 29°F or above 100°F. The warm season lasts from May through September with an average daily high temperature above 90°F and a low of 75°F. The cold season lasts from November through February with an average daily high below 68°F and an average low of 40°F. The relative humidity ranges from 40-80% over the course of the year, which can be very uncomfortable to many people.

Phone: 2109321001

Whose lands these are

These lands are the ancestral and present-day homelands of Native nations. A section on whose lands these are is being prepared with tribal review. In the meantime, Native Land Digital offers a starting point.

Photos

Mission Espada, World Heritage Site
Mission Espada, World Heritage Site · NPS Photo / Andrew Shirey
Park Ranger begins a tour through Mission San José under a large mesquite tree
Tours of Mission San José · NPS Photo/ Chantelle Ruidant-Hansen
Rose window at mission San Jose, with linestone carvings surrounding a small glass window.
Rose Window at Mission San Jose · NPS Photo.
Mission San Jose church and convento during the golden hour with tree
Mission San Jose sunset · NPS Photo.
Mission Concepcion convento with church in background.
Mission Concepcion Convento & Church · NPS Photo.
Large room with an arches ceiling
Granary at Mission San José · NPS Photo / Andrew Shirey

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