San Antonio Missions NHP - Mission San Juan

Monday August 24, 2026

San Antonio Missions National Historic Park is a set of four 18th century Spanish missions. These five missions make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the only one in Texas.

All four are near the San Antonio River, south of the Alamo. The Mission Section of the River Walk trail lets you walk or bike along the San Antonio River to the four missions. Its north end is at the downtown section of the San Antonio River Walk which you can take to get about a block from the Alamo. There is also a driving route on the official map that I used.

I started my visit to these Spanish missions at the second furthest south one - Mission San Juan. Founded further east in Texas in 1716, it was moved here in 1731. By 1756 it had 256 Native Americans living here in addition to the missionaries.

San Antonio Missions NHP, Mission San Juan, Entrance Sign Entrance Sign with the Church

All four of the mission have churches that are still active. Mission San Juan and two of the others are not large inside. This was the second church built here.

Inside the a Church Built in the 1790s Inside the Church

Shrine with Candles, Flowers Back of the Church

Ceiling Inside the Mission San Juan Church with a Chandelier The Ceiling Inside the Church

The style of the missions was to have the granaries, living quarters and church buildings also be the mission outer wall. While most of the other sides of the mission are in ruins, the west side is mostly intact with the church and a small museum. This is the entrance through the wall to the courtyard.

Stone Building with a Passageway Through to the Mission Courtyard Convento and Portal

Going out that portal, you will find a paved quarter mile loop trail that takes you past irrigation ditches and an old stretch of the San Antonio River.

Yanaguana Trail - A Path Through Trees Yanaguana Trail Behind the Mission