San Antonio Missions National Historical Park ⓘ

These are some of the many emotions shared by those who have deep connections to San Antonio Missions.

“We’re Still Here: Mission Descendant Stories” puts faces to the oral histories and memories of mission descendants in San Antonio. The exhibit recognizes families that have deep connections to these missions. These families make the missions a living community. Descendant families come from a diverse group of Texans with combinations of Indigenous, Latino, and European heritage. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park preserves and protects architectural, archaeological, and landscape features that demonstrate a complex interweaving of cultures that prevails in this community today. It is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Mission descendants have ancestors who lived on the mission lands before, during, and after the mission period in the 1700s. The community gathers at these missions for some of their most important life events: baptism, confirmation, marriage, indigenous celebrations, and prayer. In this exhibit you'll see some of the fond memories these families share such as hearing grandma singing her native song, seeing the San José church bell tower from the bedroom window, or celebrating the holidays at Mission Espada with piñatas, chocolate, and galletas. Through these families, their stories, and their connection to these places, we see that this community spirit lives on.

"My connections are my greatest grandparents Luis Nombrano Casas he married Concepción Zamora Diaz and she’s Lipan Apache, she was born here in Mission Espada. [...] My parents always talked about us being Indians all the time but they... for some reason... they wouldn’t talk about being native/indigenous. They always used to say we’re Indians, but we never knew what type. So I started doing this research."

"It makes me feel emotional when I walk into the missions, because my ancestors were born here and it’s just overwhelming."

"It's such an emotional feeling knowing that I am walking lands that my grandparents, their parents... and going back to recorded history in some cases 12 generations. Each step that I take I feel the energy that goes through my body. I can’t explain it." "Even thought we have lost so much of our culture. What little we have, is a lot."

Debbie shares, “I remember a lot from my childhood growing up behind the mission. One thing that was enlightening once I got older, basically when we had to move, was not really embracing and understanding the value of growing up where I did. When I was young I took it for granted, it was a home. I didn’t think about it being historic. At school they would take us to the missions, and to me it was like, 'What’s the big deal. It’s a mission, San Jose Mission'. I lived behind it. [...] Growing up in the house that you see where my grandmother is holding me, I remember the porch, I remember the doors, I remember just growing up in that home." Her sister Brenda explains that, "because that was our backyard as children, we understood a very small portion of how significant that was, but the one thing we did know from our families and watching Western movies was that it was probably where many Indians lived and died." Click here for more.

"It’s a church, but it’s more than a church because I also know that some of our ancestors lived here, some of our ancestors are buried on the grounds, so it’s hallowed property when you walk in." "Our daughter got married there. We’ve been able to go back seven generations of family members that have gotten married in the church. My grandparents were not married there [...], but it’s because the dome had collapsed, so there was a period in time where there were no sacraments at San José and they were all moved to San Fernando [Cathedral], or they could go to Mission Concepcion." Click here for more.

"We were born and raised around here, all the people around here, this was like a little town you know, and if you left here to go to another missions it was like going to [...] another little town around, cause they weren't far they were just little places we went to visit."

"This is not our language, that I'm speaking right now. Ni mexicano, nada de eso! No es. La lengua de nosotros es una idioma de los indios. Porque somos indios. [Not even Mexican, none of that! It is not. Our language is a language of the Indians. Because we're Indians.] You know... "

"I love coming here, it’s home." "This was here for all those landmark things, for baptism, confirmation, first communion. But for us, this was like a magic place when we got out of church or we had a big thing, then the kids we would take off and we would run the grounds". "Grandma always told me that when it was time for my dad to be born, she came back to her mother's house here at the mission. The day he was born it was super cold and they delivered him right there next to the fireplace in the granary." Click here for more.

"Really if it weren’t for our indigenous ancestors' willingness to adapt, it wouldn’t be such beautiful of a place. We wouldn’t have such diversity and, certainly I wouldn’t be here."

"They looked to me as their matriarch and their educator, seeing the pride and emotion on their faces, and knowing that I was instrumental in giving them that connection was just beautiful. My oldest niece, looked at me and she says “Now I know who I am.” … There is this big feeling of being an imposter because we didn’t know our roots, and I know it wasn’t intentional from our grandparents... I know it wasn’t intentional for them to hide this from us."

"Our African [ancestry] here in Texas goes back to the beginning, [from when people came into Texas through Galveston almost 500 years ago starting with Estevanico from Morocco.] In both my mother’s and father’s family, our African heritage comes from both west & northern [...] Canary Islands and as far as the Congo. It has been traced via documents going back as far as the gateway missions in particular, San Juan Bautista . And although, we may be a little bit of this, or a little bit of that, we were born here and hold closest to our hearts our Native American heritage albeit mixed in with the rest of our ancestry." [...] "My sister and I have said to our mother, 'Why don’t we go visit Africa, or let’s go to Europe?' She replies, 'Why would I want to go there? What would happen if I died there? I want to go back to the earth whence I came from and to which I shall return (referring to her native side) !' She continutes, 'Besides, there are so many beautiful things here that I am yet to see; why do I need to go elsewhere?'"

"This is on the paternal side. me, sister Marina’s & my now deceased half-brother “Bobby”. The subject of my focus now, is on the Nunez family dating back to the 1700s in San Antonio, especially the Native American Pajalat Governor of this Mission [Concepción], his name was Miguel Nunez.There is also a Concepcion Nunez, along with my direct ancestor Manuel Nunez (born around 1760), whose records show that Manuel Nunez along with Concepcion Nunez are buried on the grounds of San Fernando Cathedral. Manuel's wife Brijida Trevino (born around 1756), is buried in the camposanto ,under Santa Rosa Hospital I believe. Brigida Trevino, I believe, is the oldest Brijida in this tree. [Here is a picture of a later Brijida Vasquez, born in 1830, direct Nunez descendant.] It is a challenge deciphering the exact relationships for many names that are repeated and/or are used interchangeably. In addition, there were many battles being fought at the time and many records are missing, especially as it refers to Mission Concepción."

"Grandma was a curandera, she was a curandera. We did not want to get sick because after she did all her curanderismo and all of that, she would have us drink this green drink. Well today’s green tea is so expensive, had she known, had we known, we would have bottled it ourselves." "She had a tin cup and she would mix like lard or oil and she would rub our tummies. And she knew how to, I don’t know if she knew about the intestines but she would rub us in the right way where we would go ahead and get better and then had us drink our tea." "Grandma Santo being a curandera was taught by the famous, famous Don Pedrito Jaramillo from Falfurias […] He never took any money for his healings, because he said his healing powers we given to him by God and you don’t pay for that. They would give him a goat, food, to thank him in a different way. People would travel miles to see him. Her real name was Maria De Refugia, which is Mary the Mother of Refuge. Remember that all the people were named after saints."

Left image Conservation Corps crew members removing plants from the acequia or irrigation ditch. Credit: NPS Photo

Right image Cleared out acequia after the hard work of Texas Conservation Corps. Credit: NPS Photo

We partner with the San Antonio River Authority and Texas Conservation Corps to remove native Arrowhead plants. These plants were choking the San Juan Acequia that provides water to our historic farm fields. With the help of the San Antonio River Authority, these native plants will be transplanted into the San Antonio River for habit restoration efforts.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park resides within two natural regions. Just south of downtown San Antonio, where the four missions themselves reside, the Blackland Prairie natural region predominates, but the South Texas Brush Country encroaches on this area as well.

Blackland Prairie can be described as oak savannah, where patches of oak woodland are interspersed with grassland. Much of the original prairie has been plowed to produce forage crops. This practice started in earnest during Spanish Colonial times (early 1700s). Typical vegetation is pecan, post oak, Texas persimmon, sugarberry (hackberry), and buttonbrush.

South Texas Brush Country vegetation is characterized by plains of thorny shrubs and trees. Near the missions, deeper soils can support tall brush like mesquite, huisache and spiny hackberry. Thirty miles south along the San Antonio River, near the town of Floresville is Rancho de las Cabras, an area completely within the South Texas Brush Country natural region. The upland part of this area (away from the rich alluvial soils of the riparian area) is characterized by shallow caliche soils that support dense brush (e.g. blackbrush acacia, mesquite, Texas colubrina, brasil, guaycan).

Although a great deal of the vegetation is as it was over 250 years ago during Spanish Colonial times, the vegetative landscape has been altered by the increase of settlement bringing increased exotic vegetation, the increase in biomass along the historic acequias, and the rechannelization of the San Antonio River.

The park has mapped native plant communities based on the existing dominant plants. Excluding the developed areas, there are 15 classes such as Pecan-sugarberry forest and Silver beardgrass-Johnsongrass herbaceous. To view the plant community map click here .

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park boasts a great diversity of animal species. Studies have documented 318 species at this urban park. This includes 23 species of non-native animals, just 7% of the documented species. Non-native animals often adversely affect native flora and fauna by displacing or consuming animals and their habitat. For example, Feral Pigs are known to cause major ground disturbance from rooting and wallowing which leads to soil erosion and introduction of weeds. Feral Pigs also eat snakes, lizards, eggs, and disturb ground-nesting birds. The park is attempting to control the populations of some non-native species, focusing on those that cause the most damage to native plants and wildlife such as Feral Pigs.

Birds are most numerous, with 222 species and counting. This includes some South Texas specialties such as the Green Kingfisher, Crested Caracara, and Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. Riparian areas of the park are good places to see birds, and spring is a good time as many colorful migratory songbirds are present. Although there are several rare species, only one is considered threatened or endangered: the Peregrine Falcon, which occasionally migrates through. There are also five non-native birds: House Sparrow, European Starling, Monk Parakeet, Eurasian Collared Dove, and the Rock Pigeon. Click here to see a park species list.

Thirty-eight species of herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) have been documented as well. This includes seven species of frogs and toads; six species of turtles; six lizards; and 19 snakes. Commonly encountered are Red-eared Sliders, Ground Skinks, and the Diamondback Water Snake. The latter is often confused with the Western Cottonmouth. The Cottonmouth is poisonous, while the Diamondback Water Snake is not. Other poisonous snakes in the park are the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Eastern Coral Snake. There are two species in the park listed by the State of Texas as threatened: the Texas Tortoise and the Horned Lizard. These species and the poisonous snakes are all rarely seen. There are three non-native species: the Bullfrog, Mediterranean Gecko, and Green Anole. Click here for a park species list.

The 31 mammals include six species of mice, five species of bats, foxes, coyotes, deer, and raccoons. Armadillos and Collared Peccaries are sometimes observed. Five species are non-native: Roof Rat, House Mouse, Nutria, Feral Cat, and Feral Pig. Click here to view park species list.

Twenty-seven species of fish inhabit park waters. The acequias contain the same species as the river and creeks. There are largemouth bass, catfish, carp, mosquitofish, five species of shiner, and four species of sunfish. Ten species are non-native, such as the carp, Rio Grande cichlid, and two types of tilapia. Click here to view park species list .

Black-bellied Whistling Duck ( Dendrocygna autumnalis ) Canada Goose ( Branta canadensis ) * Greater White-fronted Goose ( Anser albifrons) Snow Goose ( Chen caerulescens ) Tundra Swan ( Cygnus columbianus ) * Hooded Merganser ( Lophodytes cucullatus ) Wood Duck ( Aix sponsa ) Gadwall ( Anas strepera) Mallard ( Anas platyrhynchos ) Blue-winged Teal ( Anas discors ) Green-winged Teal ( Anas crecca ) Northern Pintail ( Anas acuta ) Northern Shoveler ( Anas clypeata ) American Widgeon ( Anas americana ) Lesser Scaup ( Aythya affinis ) Ring-necked Duck ( Aythya collaris ) Ruddy Duck ( Oxyura jamaicensis ) *

Wild Turkey ( Meleagris gallopavo ) Northern Bobwhite ( Colinus virginianus )

Least Grebe ( Tachybaptus dominicus) Pied-billed Grebe ( Podilymbus podiceps ) Eared Grebe ( Podiceps nigricollis ) *

American White Pelican ( Pelecanus erythrorhynchos ) Anhinga ( Anhinga anhinga ) ** Double-crested Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax auritus ) Neotropical Cormorant ( Phalacrocorax brasilianus )

Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias ) Great Egret ( Ardea alba ) Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula ) Little Blue Heron ( Egretta caerulea ) Tri-colored Heron ( Egretta tricolor ) Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) Green Heron ( Butorides virescens ) Black-crowned Night-Heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax ) Yellow-crowned Night-Heron ( Nyctanassa violacea ) Roseate Spoonbill ( Ajaia ajaja ) **

Black Vulture ( Coragyps atratus ) Turkey Vulture ( Cathartes aura ) Mississippi Kite ( Ictinia mississippiensis ) Osprey ( Pandion haliaetus ) Northern Harrier ( Circus cyaneus ) Sharp-shinned Hawk ( Accipiter striatus ) Cooper's Hawk ( Accipiter cooperii ) Red-shouldered Hawk ( Buteo lineatus ) Broad-winged Hawk ( Buteo platypterus ) Swainson's Hawk ( Buteo swainsoni ) Red-tailed Hawk ( Buteo jamaicensis ) Crested Caracara ( Caracara cheriway ) Merlin ( Falco columbarius ) American Kestrel ( Falco sparverius ) Peregrine Falcon ( Falco peregrinus ) */**

American Golden-Plover ( Pluvialis dominica ) Killdeer ( Charadrius vociferous ) American Avocet ( Recurvirostra americana ) Greater Yellowlegs ( Tringa melanoleuca ) Lesser Yellowlegs ( Tringa flavipes) Black-necked Stilt ( Himantopus mexicanus) * Spotted Sandpiper ( Actitus macularia ) Upland Sandpiper ( Bartramia longicauda ) Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) Western Sandpiper ( Calidris mauri ) * Pectoral Sandpiper ( Calidris melanotos ) * Long-billed Dowitcher ( Limnodromus scolopaceus ) Wilson’s Snipe ( Gallinago delicate) American Woodcock ( Scolopax minor ) Wilson's Phalarope ( Phalaropus tricolor) * Bonaparte’s Gull ( Larus Philadelphia) Franklin's Gull ( Larus pipixcan ) Ring-billed Gull ( Larus delawarensis ) Herring Gull ( Larus argentatus ) * Forster’s Tern ( Sterna forsteri )

White-winged Dove ( Zenaida asiatica ) Mourning Dove ( Zenaida macroura ) Inca Dove ( Columbina inca ) Common Ground-Dove ( Columbina passerine ) Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia) (I) Eurasian Collared-Dove ( Streptopelia decaocto ) (I) White-tipped Dove (Leptotila verreauxi)**

Yellow-billed Cuckoo ( Coccyzus americanus ) Greater Roadrunner ( Geococcyx californianus )

Common Nighthawk ( Chordeiles minor ) Lesser Nighthawk ( Chordeiles acutipennis ) Common Poorwill ( Phalaenoptilus nuttallii)

Chimney Swift ( Chaetura pelagica ) Ruby-throated Hummingbird ( Archilochus colubris ) * Black-chinned Hummingbird ( Archilochus alexandri ) Rufous Hummingbird ( Selasphorus rufus ) *

Belted Kingfisher ( Ceryle alcyon ) Ringed Kingfisher ( Ceryle torquata ) Green Kingfisher ( Chloroceryle Americana ) Golden-fronted Woodpecker ( Melanerpes aurifrons ) Red-bellied Woodpecker ( Melanerpes carolinus ) * Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ( Sphyrapicus varius ) Ladder-backed Woodpecker ( Picoides scalaris ) Downy Woodpecker ( Picoides pubescens ) Northern Flicker ( Colaptes auratus )

Olive-sided Flycatcher ( Contopus cooperi) Eastern Wood-Pewee ( Contopus virens ) Eastern Phoebe ( Sayornis phoebe ) Say’s Phoebe ( Sayornis saya) Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ( Empidonax flaviventris ) Acadian Flycatcher ( Empidonax virescens ) Willow Flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii) Least Flycatcher ( Empidonax minimus ) Ash-throated Flycatcher ( Myiarchus cinerascens ) Brown-crested Flycatcher ( Myiarchus tyrannulus ) Great Crested Flycatcher ( Myiarchus crinitus ) Vermilion Flycatcher ( Pyrocephalus rubinus) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher ( Tyrannus forficatus ) Couch’s Kingbird ( Tyrannus couchii ) Western Kingbird ( Tyrannus verticalis ) Eastern Kingbird ( Tyrannus tyrannus ) Great Kiskadee ( Pitangus sulphuratus )

White-eyed Vireo ( Vireo griseus ) Bell's Vireo ( Vireo bellii ) Yellow-throated Vireo ( Vireo flavifrons ) * Blue-headed Vireo ( Vireo solitarius ) Philadelphia Vireo ( Vireo philadelphicus) Red-eyed Vireo ( Vireo olivaceus )

American Crow ( Corvus brachyrhynchos ) Blue Jay ( Cyanocitta cristata) Green Jay ( Cyanocorax yncas )

Purple Martin ( Progne subis ) Northern Rough-winged Swallow ( Stelgidopteryx serripennis ) Barn Swallow ( Hirundo rustica ) Cliff Swallow ( Petrochelidon pyrrhonata) Cave Swallow ( Petrochelidon fulva )

Carolina Chickadee ( Poecile carolinensis ) Black-crested Titmouse ( Baeolophus atricristatus )

Cactus Wren ( Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus ) * Canyon Wren ( Catherpes mexicanus ) * Carolina Wren ( Thryothorus ludovicianus ) Bewick's Wren ( Thryomanes bewickii ) House Wren ( Troglodytes aedon ) Winter Wren ( Troglodytes troglodytes)

Ruby-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus calendula ) Golden-crowned Kinglet ( Regulus satrapa )

Eastern Bluebird ( Sialia sialis ) Gray-cheeked Thrush ( Catharus minimus ) Swainson's Thrush ( Catharus ustulatus ) Hermit Thrush ( Catharus guttatus ) American Robin ( Turdus migratorius )

Gray Catbird ( Dumetella carolinensis ) Northern Mockingbird ( Mimus polyglottos ) Brown Thrasher ( Toxostoma rufum ) * Curve-billed Thrasher ( Toxostoma curvirostre ) Long-billed Thrasher ( Toxostoma longirostre )

Tennessee Warbler ( Vermivora peregrine ) Orange-crowned Warbler ( Vermivora celata ) Nashville Warbler ( Vermivora ruficapilla ) Yellow Warbler ( Dendroica petechia ) Chestnut-sided Warbler ( Dendroica pensylvanica) Magnolia Warbler ( Dendroica magnolia) Black-throated Blue Warbler ( Dendroica caerulescens ) * Black-throated Green Warbler ( Dendroica virens) Blackburnian Warbler ( Dendroica fusca) Cerulean Warbler ( Dendroica cerulean) Yellow-rumped Warbler ( Dendroica coronata ) Pine Warbler ( Dendroica pinus ) ** Black-and-white Warbler ( Mniotilta varia ) American Redstart ( Setophaga ruticilla) Ovenbird ( Seiurus aurocapillus ) Northern Waterthrush ( Seiurus noveboracensis) Louisiana Waterthrush ( Seiurus motacilla ) * Mourning Warbler ( Oporornis Philadelphia ) Canada Warbler ( Wilsonia canadensis) Wilson’s Warbler ( Wilsonia pusilla) Hooded Warbler ( Wilsonia citrine) Common Yellowthroat ( Geothlypis trichas ) Yellow-breasted Chat ( Icteria virens)

Summer Tanager ( Piranga rubra ) Scarlet Tanager ( Piranga olivacea) Western Tanager ( Piranga ludoviciana )

Spotted Towhee ( Pipilo maculates ) Olive Sparrow ( Arremonops rufivirgatus ) Chipping Sparrow ( Spizella passerine ) Clay-colored Sparrow ( Spizella pallida) Field Sparrow ( Spizella pusilla ) Grasshopper Sparrow ( Ammodramus savannarum ) Savannah Sparrow ( Passerculus sandwichensis ) Vesper Sparrow ( Pooecetes gramineus ) Lark Sparrow ( Chondestes grammacus ) Song Sparrow ( Melospiza melodia ) Lincoln's Sparrow ( Melospiza lincolnii ) White-throated Sparrow ( Zonotrichia albicollis ) White-crowned Sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys ) Dark-eyed Junco ( Junco hyemalis )

Northern Cardinal ( Cardinalis cardinalis ) Pyrrhuloxia ( Cardinalis sinuatus ) Rose-breasted Grosbeak ( Pheucticus ludovicianus) Blue Grosbeak ( Passerina caerulea) Indigo Bunting ( Passerina cyanea ) Painted Bunting ( Passerina ciris ) Dicksissel ( Spiza americana )

Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) Brewer’s Blackbird ( Euphagus cyanocephalus ) Eastern Meadowlark ( Sturnella magna ) Western Meadowlark ( Sturnella neglecta) Common Grackle ( Quiscalus quiscula ) Great-tailed Grackle ( Quiscalus mexicanus ) Brown-headed Cowbird ( Molothrus ater ) Bronzed Cowbird ( Molothrus aeneus ) Orchard Oriole ( Icterus spurious ) Baltimore Oriole ( Icterus galbula ) Bullock’s Oriole ( Icterus bullockii ) Audubon’s Oriole ( Icterus graduacauda )**

House Finch ( Carpodacus mexicanus ) Lesser Goldfinch ( Carduelis psaltria ) American Goldfinch ( Carduelis tristis )

(I) = introduced; non-native (five total) * record from Coonan, 1987. (NOTE: Observations of Baeolophus bicolor are considered B.atricristatus ) ** valid observation from park visitor or staff, or from bird monitoring, 2010 – present. All others from Scully, 2006. An Inventory of Bird Species Occurring Within San Antonio Missions NHP. Total = 222 species (as of 10/01/10)

The Mission Reach Hike & Bike Trail along the San Antonio River brings visitors to each of the four missions at the park. San Antonio River Authority Photo Take it all in. 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. Before you go! Take a look at the Mission Reach Riverwalk Map before you begin your adventure! Find water, restrooms, trail access, viewpoints and more. Please remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen! Temperatures can rise quickly at any time of year in San Antonio, and temperatures often exceed 103 degrees in the summer.

Prickly Pear Cacti on Trail Photo by Artists-in-Residence Jenny & James Tarpley of JT FineArt. NPS Photo. What will you see? Winding alongside the San Antonio River through old neighborhoods and farmlands, the Hike & Bike Trail provides respite from the daily grind of city life. Dedicated paved pathways that connect the missions along the river are reserved for pedestrians only. The Hike & Bike Trail is an easy walk or ride and is suitable for even children.

Some common species found along the trail: Prickly Pear Cacti Red-Eared Slider Turtles Rat Snake Garter Snake Agarita Berries Pecan Trees Cormorants Egrets Mockingbirds and much more! For more information on the flora and fauna along the trail, visit our Nature page!

Pilgrims with El Camino de San Antonio The El Camino de San Antonio Missions is a program offered by the Archdiocese of San Antonio that encourages and supports pilgrimage to these sacred sites. Today, the four missions churches still exist as active parishes.If you are interested in thiis program please visit the Padre Margil Pilgrimage Center located directly behind Mission Concepción, or their website.

San Antonio is the only place outside Europe where one can officially begin walking the El Camino de Santiago. Pilgrims who walk the entire route in San Antonio receive 30 km credit toward the Camino Ingles (English route) along the El Camino de Santiago, making El Camino de San Antonio part of an official route of the Camino in Spain.

Take a look at the Mission Reach Riverwalk Map before you begin your adventure! Find water, restrooms, trail access, viewpoints and more. Please remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen! Temperatures can rise quickly at any time of year in San Antonio, and temperatures often exceed 103 degrees in the summer. The Mission Reach looks much different than the downtown San Antonio Riverwalk. It is a shining example of urban ecosystem restoration. You may run into River Authority team members keeping the area free of trash and nurturing the native Texas grasses and wildflowers that provide seed, pollen, fruit and nectar for wildlife. The result is a serene, natural landscape where visitors can enjoy the inherent beauty of the river. The restoration has also improved the San Antonio River’s water quality, ecosystem function and health. The ecosystem improvements allow fishermen, birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts more opportunities to enjoy wildlife in an urban area.

Winding alongside the San Antonio River through old neighborhoods and farmlands, the Hike & Bike Trail provides respite from the daily grind of city life. Dedicated paved pathways that connect the missions along the river are reserved for pedestrians only. The Hike & Bike Trail is an easy walk or ride and is suitable for even children. The Hike & Bike Trail is not a loop. It is an out-and-back. Plan for the return trip. Take on the whole trail or just do one segment, from one mission to the next. Some common species found along the trail:

For more information on the flora and fauna along the trail, visit our Nature page! For safety, please wear a helmet while biking.