Physical / Mobility

• Accessibility
• Deaf / Hearing Loss
• Blind / Low Vision
• Sensory
• Service Animals

San Antonio Missions welcomes all individuals with a disability! Explore the accessibility pages for relevant information categorized by disability type. Please contact us with any questions or for help planning your visit.
 

Borrowing a Wheelchair

Wheelchairs are available for loan from the information desks and contact stations at each of the missions. Please talk to staff for more information.

Sites

There are four missions and three other sites in the park. You can jump ahead to the location you plan on visiting by using the "Locations" selector below.

 

 

Come visit Mission San José!

NPS Photo

Mission San José

Visit the "Queen of the Missions", the largest mission site of all 5 missions along the San Antonio River and where our park visitor center is located!

The visitor center for Mission San José is located at:
6701 San Jose Dr
San Antonio, TX 78214

Parking

The parking lot at the visitor center has:

• 6 standard accessible spaces
• 1 EV space with a charging station
• 107 other spaces
• 13 RV/bus spaces

Paths

The path between the parking area and the visitor center is:

• at a minimum 9 feet wide
• 160 feet long
• paved, striped, and mostly level.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located in the visitor center, and within Mission San José compound closest to the grist mill.

Visitor Center Restrooms

The restrooms have:

• grab bars are available in all larger stalls intended for wheelchair users,
• running water,
• child-sized changing counters are available in both visitor center’s restrooms.

The men's restroom has:

• 2 standard urinals,
• 1 lowered urinal,
• 1 standard stall, and
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users.

The women's restroom has:

• 6 standard stalls and
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users.

Grist Mill Restrooms

The restrooms have:

• running water,
• child-sized changing counters are available in both visitor center’s restrooms.

The men's restroom has:

• 1 standard stall,
• 1 standard urinal, and
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users

The women's restroom has:

• 1 standard stall and
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users, though the grab bar behind the toilet is missing.

Information Desk

• In the center of the information desk, there is an area with a lowered counter where you can ask questions of the park staff.

Exhibits

• There is room to navigate around the exhibits in a wheelchair, as well as a backless bench to sit and view the artifacts.
• The exhibit rooms closest to the granary on San José compound have doorways that are 26-30 inches wide.
• There are two benches available to sit inside the exhibit rooms.
• There are no alternate formats for the exhibit rooms’ information.

Bookstore

• There is room to navigate around the bookstore, but some display cases may cause narrow aisles or protruding objects. Narrowest width is 22 inches.
• Assistance is available from bookstore staff to reach items on higher shelves.
• There are no lowered counter available for checking out at the bookstore.

Routes in the Mission Compound

• There are narrow entrances (approximately 25-30 inches wide) within the historic structure that has exhibits and artifacts of what it was like in the native quarters.
• The route throughout the mission compound is paved and flat.

Different surface materials to expect:

• exposed aggregate concrete with sand epoxy
• brick paths
• loose gravel
• flagstone pavers

There is a ramp with handrails for the steps that lead down to the convento (the convent).

Theater

There are two marked accessible seats in the park’s theater.

Picnic Area

Parking

The closest parking lot to the picnic area is meant for RVs and buses and has 13 parking spaces.

Restrooms

• There are no restrooms at this picnic area. The closest restrooms are at Mission San José’s visitor center.
• Since the paths between the picnic tables and the restrooms is not accessible, we suggest visitors with mobility concerns drive between the two locations.

Paths

• There is no designated path between the parking area and the picnic tables. Visitors typically travel across road traffic to the RV/bus street parking, and then to the picnic sites. There are no sidewalks.

Picnic Tables

There are 3 picnic tables with extended tops intended for people using wheelchairs and 27 other picnic tables. There are no fire rings and grills in this area. Cooking is not allowed on site.

Drinking Water

Drinking water is not available at this picnic area. The closest drinking water fountain is at the visitor’s center at San José. We suggest visitors with mobility concerns drive between the two locations.

 

Come visit the Mission Concepción!

NPS Photo

Mission Concepción

Visit Mission Concepción, one of the oldest unrestored stone churches in the United States and explore original Spanish colonial architecture and frescos!

The contact station for Mission Concepción is located at:
807 Mission Rd
San Antonio, TX 78210

Parking

The parking lot at Mission Concepción has:

• 1 van-accessible space
• 2 standard accessible spaces
• 30 other parking spaces

Paths

The path between the parking area and the contact station is:

• At a minimum 5 feet wide
• Approximately 135 feet long
• Paved, striped, and mostly level.

The accessible parking spots are across the entrance of Mission Concepción.

Restrooms

Restrooms are located in the contact station. There are no automatic doors available.
The men's restroom has:

• 2 standard urinals,
• 1 standard stall,
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users
• child-sized changing table

The women's restroom has:

• 3 standard stalls and
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users
• child-sized changing counter

The unisex restroom has one toilet, a sink, mirror, a child-sized changing table, and garbage can.

Information Desk

• The information desk is a lowered desk where you can ask questions of the park staff or get brochures.
• There is a wheelchair available for loan upon request.

Exhibits

There are information boards and waysides available inside the Convento section of Mission Concepción, however, some doorways are narrow. Narrowest width is 25 inches wide.

Route

The route throughout the mission compound is paved and flat. Different surface materials to expect:

• pavement
• compacted dirt and gravel social trails
• grassy areas

Picnic Area

Picnic Tables

There is 1 picnic table with an extended top and 1 standard picnic table in the picnic area. There are no fire rings and grills in this area. Cooking is not allowed on site.

Paths

Visitors can find three ramps to enter the picnic area. Two closest to the entrance of the parking lot, and one next to the picnic area towards the back of the parking lot to be able to access the picnic tables. There is an incline of < 8.8% at each ramp.

Drinking Water

Drinking water is not available at this picnic area. The closest drinking water fountain is at Mission Concepción’s contact station. The fountains are at both seated and standing height.

 

Come see the farm fields that are still in use today!

NPS Photo

Mission San Juan

Visit Mission San Juan and enjoy a short nature trail, explore a historic acequia, and see the farm fields that are still in use today!

The contact station for Mission San Juan is located at:
9101 Graf Rd
San Antonio, TX 78214

In the site there is:

• parking lot,
• contact station,
• picnic area
• restrooms, and
• access to hiking trails

Parking

The parking lot at the visitor center has:

• 6 standard accessible spaces
• 32 other spaces

Paths

The path between the parking area and the contact station is:

• At a minimum 57 inches wide
• Approximately 600 feet long
• Paved and level

Restrooms

The restrooms are:

• split into Men and Women,
• each restroom has 1 large stall,
• running water,
• the pipes under the sinks are wrapped,
• changing tables are not available,
• doors are propped open during park hours

Information Desk

• As you enter the compound, there is contact station past the white Mission San Juan church, on the right side.
• The information desk is inside, to your left.
• There are no automatic doors available.

Exhibits

• The exhibits will undergo renovation to improve accessibility in 2025.
• Some areas of the exhibit may be narrow navigate around in a wheelchair.
• The exhibits are positioned at a tilt, so some text may be difficult to read from a lower position.
• There are benches provided in the contact station and at various locations within the compound.
• There are no alternate formats of the museum and wayside content.

Route

The route throughout the mission compound is paved and flat. Different surface materials to expect:

• pavement
• compacted decomposed granite

Picnic Area

Paths
There is a path between the parking area and the picnic tables to your left, facing the entrance information board.

Picnic Tables
There is 1 picnic table with an extended top in the picnic area and two standard picnic tables. There are no fire rings and grills in this area, cooking is not allowed.

Drinking Water
Drinking water is not available at this picnic area, but the nearest drinking water is available at the restrooms within the compound.

Trails

The following trails are a selection of trails within the park that have the least elevation change and are the most approachable. None of these trails are fully accessible.

Farm Loop Trail

• Length: 0.2 miles
• Width: 9.5 feet on average, 8 feet at the narrowest point
• Running Slope
  • Average: 2.6%
  • Maximum: 7.7%
• Cross Slope
  • Average: 0.6%
  • Maximum: 1%
• Surface material: firm compacted dirt and gravel
• This is a loop trail.
• There are no benches along this trail.

Description
Hike or bike past corrals, an original acequia, and historic farm fields on the Farm Loop Trail! The irrigation system used many years ago by the Natives who lived in the missions are still used today. Water flows through the ditches to the farm fields used by the San Antonio Food Bank to feed the local community. This trail allows you to get a glimpse of the beautiful scenery and what it was like 300 years ago!

Restrooms
There are restrooms at the trailhead. The restrooms are:

• split into Men and Women,
• each restroom has 1 large stall,
• running water,
• the pipes under the sinks are wrapped,
• changing tables are not available,
• doors are propped open for use during park hours.

Yanaguana Trail

• Length: 0.25 miles
• Width: 68 inches on average, 58 inches minimum
• Running Slope
  • Average: 5.7%
  • Maximum: 9.8%
• Cross-slope
  • Average: 0.7%
  • Maximum: 1.2%
• Surface material: pavement and boardwalk
• This is a loop trail.
• This trail has multiple benches along the trail.
• This trail also connects to the Mission Reach Hike and Bike Trail, which allows you to travel to each mission along the Riverwalk, including the Alamo.

Description
The Yanaguana offers a rare look at what the San Antonio River and riverbank area would’ve looked like before the Spanish arrived. This would have been the gathering grounds for the indigenous people of South Texas. Surrounded by pecan and mulberry trees, grape vines, dwarf palmettos, and a variety of wildlife, hike the trail or take a seat along the boardwalk to enjoy the beautiful scenery!

 

Come check out the Mission Espada.

NPS Photo

Mission Espada

Visit the peaceful Mission Espada and imagine the evolving community that once called this site home!

The contact station for Mission Espada is located at:
10040 Espada Rd
San Antonio, TX 78214

In the contact station area there is:

• a parking lot,
• museum,
• restrooms (within the contact station)
• No automatic doors available

Parking

The parking lot at the visitor center has:

• 1 van-accessible space
• 1 standard accessible space
• 31 other spaces

Paths

The path between the parking area and the contact station is:

• At a minimum 64 inches wide
• Approximately 250 feet long
• Paved and level

Restrooms

Restrooms are located in the contact station. There is a small lip between the contact station restroom door and the pavement outside. Visitors who use mobility devices are recommended to enter the restrooms inside the contact station.

Mens Restroom

• 1 urinal
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users
• running water

Womens Restroom

• 1 stall
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users
• running water

Information Desk

The information desk is in front of the contact station’s entrance.

Exhibits

• There is room to navigate around the exhibits in a wheelchair.
• There are benches available to sit within the museum area.

Route

The route throughout the mission compound is paved and flat. Different surface materials to expect:

• pavement
• compacted decomposed granite
• brick pathways
• flagstone pavers

Espada Picnic Area

This picnic area is located at:
10046 Espada Rd
San Antonio, TX 78214

This picnic area has:

• parking,
• restrooms,
• picnic tables

Parking

• 1 van-accessible parking space
• 10 standard parking spaces

Restrooms

Mens Restroom

• 1 urinal at standing height,
• 1 urinal at a lowered height, and
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users

Womens Restroom

• 1 standard stall and
• 1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users,

Picnic Tables

There are no wheelchair-accessible picnic tables in the picnic area. There are no fire rings and grills in this area. Cooking is not permitted.

Drinking Water

Drinking water is not available at this picnic area. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own water.

 

Rancho de las Cabras is only accessible through a guided program.

NPS Photo

Rancho de las Cabras

This site is only accessible through guided programs provided by San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. Program length is approximately 2 hours. Reservations required with limited availability and first come first serve. To reserve your spot please [e-mail] and include your name, email, phone number, and number in your party.

The site of Rancho de las Cabras is located at:
375 County Rd 144
Floresville, TX 78114

Parking

The parking lot is a dirt and loose gravel road. There are no designated parking spaces. Parking is typically around the perimeter of the road.

Paths

The path between the parking area and the stone marker is:

• Dirt and loose gravel
• Grass and sand
• Hilly area

Exhibits

• There is a wayside close to the entrance of Rancho de las Cabras.
• There are no benches at this site.

Restrooms / Drinking Fountain

There are no restrooms available at Rancho de las Cabras. There are no drinking fountains either. Visitors are advised to use the restroom and bring their waters prior to visiting Rancho de las Cabras.

Picnic Tables

There are two picnic tables, but there are no wheelchair-accessible picnic tables in the picnic area. There are no fire rings and grills in this area. Cooking is not permitted.

 

Learn about how water was delivered to the area.

NPS Photo

Espada Aqueduct

The site of the Espada Aqueduct is located at:
9045 Espada Rd
San Antonio, TX 78214

This site is meant to be self-guided. There are no restrooms, drinking fountains, or picnic areas in this site.

Parking

The parking lot at the aqueduct has:

• 1 van-accessible space
• 11 other parking spaces

Viewing Area

• There are a few benches available closest to the aqueduct and near the parking area.
• The surface of the path is an exposed aggregate with an epoxy binder.
• The path to the aqueduct takes you on a loop starting on one entrance at the parking lot to the other entrance/exit. As the path ascends up towards the parking lot, the running slope is less than 5%.

 

Espada Dam

The site of the Espada Dam is located at:
399 Mission Pkwy #373
San Antonio, TX 78214

This site is meant to be self-guided. Closest restrooms and picnic area are at the Acequia Park across the road, with standard portapotties.

Parking

The parking lot at the dam has:

• 8 parking spaces

Viewing Area

• There are no benches leading to the dam.
• The surface texture of the path is exposed aggregate with chipping epoxy coated sand surface, then changes to a drop off with grass, dirt, and gravel.
• Traveling downwards to the dam, the running slope is greater than 14% and the uphill incline has a slope of less than 5%.
• If mobility is a concern, visitors are encouraged to stay in their vehicles and drive along the road to see the Espada Dam.