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.
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.
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.
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.
Sites:El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
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 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.
Visitor Center at Mission San José / Centro de visitantes en misión San José 9am - 5pm
Watch our 23 minute park film in our Visitor Center theater. The film shows every hour on the hour from 10am-5pm. Vea nuestra película de 23 minutos en nuestro centro de visitantes. La película se muestra cada hora de 10 a.m. a 5 p.m.
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.
Physical Address
6701 San Jose Dr San Antonio, TX78214
Mailing Address
2202 Roosevelt Ave San Antonio, TX78210
From downtown and the Alamo area: Travel south on South St. Mary’s St. Approximately one mile south of downtown, after passing beneath railroad tracks, South St. Mary’s becomes Roosevelt Ave. Continue on Roosevelt 4 miles to a large stone structure on your left: Mission San José. At the first stop light past the mission turn left onto New Napier Ave to parking lot.
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Open seven days a week from 9 am - 5 pm, except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
