Goliad State Park & Historic Site

Goliad State Park & Historic Site

  • Goliad SP & HS
    Explore the restored Mission Espíritu Santo and surrounding grounds.
  • Uploaded to YouTube on Feb 9, 2018
  • Goliad Camping
    Bring the family out to hike, bike, paddle or camp at this historic park.
  • Goliad Chapel at the Holidays
    The holidays are a special time at the mission.
  • Goliad Cardinal
    Birds and other wildlife love to visit here, too, thanks to the mild weather.
  • Women in Costume at Goliad
    Attend a special event or ranger program to learn about the history of this area.
  • Presidio La Bahia Re-enactment
    Experience your Texas heritage through events like Rio! Rio! and the Battle of Goliad re-enactment.
  • https://youtu.be/kE_ikUmWbSI, published on Nov 13, 2017.
  • https://youtu.be/F05obaqvhqE, published on May 9, 2017.

Many Cultures, One Texas

Native Americans, Spanish explorers and missionaries, Texian soldiers and early settlers walked the land of what is now Goliad State Park and Historic Site in southeast Texas. Follow in their footsteps and peek into Texas’ past.

Things to Do

Visit historic sites both in the park and nearby, hike and bike our trails, set up camp, enjoy a picnic, or fish or paddle the San Antonio River. Rent our group hall or amphitheater for your next group outing or plan a wedding at the chapel. Shop at the park store for souvenirs of your visit.

Step back in time

The whitewashed walls of Mission Espíritu Santo tower over the park. Workers with the Civilian Con­ser­vation Corps restored this Spanish colonial-era mission in the 1930s. Tour the colorful chapel and exhibits, ring the church bell, and learn about the mission’s ranching heritage.

Take a drive west to visit the ruins of the Mission Rosario. Stop by El Camino Real de los Tejas Visitors Center, which features exhibits on the historic Spanish “King’s Road.”

Just a short walk south on the Angel of Goliad Trail, you’ll learn the story of Ignacio Seguin Zaragoza, the hero of the Battle of Puebla, at the Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site.

Other historic sites are nearby.

Play on the water

Fish the San Antonio River for sunfish, bass and catfish. Borrow fishing gear at head­quarters to use in the park. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore in a state park! Most folks fish from our dock, as the river’s banks are very steep.

Paddle the river by kayak or canoe (you’ll need to bring your own). Put in at the Ferry Street Landing or the High­way 59 bridge upstream and take out at our dock (no other take-out points exist downstream).

The park is a take-out point for the 6.6-mile Goliad Paddling Trail.

Please be safe on the water: Review our Water Safety Tips before your visit.

Explore on land

See this historic place up close by walking its trails. The 2.5-mile Angel of Goliad Hike and Bike Trail stretches from the Angel of Goliad statue south of the park north to down­town Goliad. Or take a shorter walk along the river or on the Aranama Trail near the mission.

Bring your binoculars and visit the Cardinal’s Haven bird blind. See more birds while exploring nearby loops of the Great Texas Birding Trail.

Set up camp

Campsites range from sites with water only to full hookups. We also have five screened shelters.

Civilian Conservation Corps

In addition to restoring the mission building, CCC workers worked on the current park head­quarters (then a mu­se­um), built furniture and picnic tables, and made road im­prove­ments. Learn more about their work on The Look of Nature: Goliad.

Volunteer

We need you! Volunteers help with special events, park maintenance and more. Ask at headquarters or check the Volunteer page for listings.

Ranger Programs

We offer regular weekend programs. Check the calendar for upcoming events or contact the park for more in­for­ma­tion. Ask a ranger about programs offered on request.

Kids

Become a Junior Ranger!

Area Attractions

Visit all the Goliad area historic sites to learn more about the settlement of Texas.

Goliad’s town square features the Goliad County Courthouse, restored to its original 1894 appearance.

Burn Ban in Effect

108 Park Road 6
Goliad, TX 77963-3206

Latitude: 28.656544

Longitude: -97.387265

(361) 645-3405

Entrance Fees
  • Adult: $4 Daily
  • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Hours

Open daily:
8 a.m. - 10 p.m.


HQ and historic buildings:
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

We often reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit.

Busy Season

December to March

Climate

January average low temperature is 43 degrees. July average high temperature is 96 degrees. Average rainfall is 36.8 inches.

National Weather Service forecast for this area
Elevation

187 feet