Exploring San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: A Cycling Adventure for Military Families

On a Saturday in March 2024, nearly 10 miles flew by as we pedaled alongside military families through San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, thanks to a collaboration between the National Park Trust, National Park Service (NPS), and USAA.

This National Historical Park preserves four of the five Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio, established initially for religious outreach. Saturday morning, families were greeted at Mission Concepción, the country’s oldest remaining original stone churches, where they got a private tour of the church and its surroundings. Soon after, the group took off on e-bicycles and pedaled through the sweeping landscapes of the calm San Antonio Missions bike trail, heading for the second mission: Mission San Jose. At each stop, families got to explore the amazing buildings with park rangers, immersing themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the missions. After lunch, families biked next to flowering fields and babbling creeks, stopping at Mission San Juan and finishing the journey at Mission Espada. As the outing ended, families soaked in the beautiful flora surrounding the historic building and enjoyed the time spent at their local national park site.

This was the second national park outdoor recreation event provided by our new partner, USAA! Through these events, families are able to enjoy the great outdoors, learn new skills, and create lasting memories, reinforcing the invaluable role national parks play in promoting recreation, education, and family well-being. We look forward to our next adventure with military families.