Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Things to Do
The park, located on the San Antonio River, contains a refurnished replica of Mission Nuestra Senora del Espíritu Santo de Zuniga, reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, swimming (a junior Olympic swimming pool, operated by the City of Goliad, is across from the park), nature study, and historical study. The park offers a floating dock and river access for kayaks and canoes, and is a take-out point for the Goliad Paddling Trail.
Equipment Rentals
This park participates in the Angler Education "Tackle Loaner Program"; individuals can borrow rods, reels and tackle boxes with hooks, sinkers and bobbers.
Educational Programs
Historical study is available through guided interpretive tours; tour fees apply. Museum hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week. The mission is closed on Christmas Day. Free tours are offered on weekends at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Check the calendar for upcoming events or contact the park for more information.
The park serves as a hub for visiting the Mission Espíritu Santo State Historic Site (located in the park), the Presidio La Bahía, the Ignacio Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site, Fannin Battleground State Historic Site, the Goliad Historic District, and Mission Rosario State Historic Site.
Get more information on the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which helped develop this park and numerous others over 70 years ago, by visiting our CCC page that includes the interactive on-line exhibits and education resource, “The Look of Nature: Designing Texas State Parks during the Great Depression” and “A New Deal for Texas Parks”.
Area Attractions
Nearby points of historical interest include Fannin Battleground State Historic Site; the restored Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de La Bahía, established in 1721 and settled on the site in 1749; Presidio La Bahía and Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site, located .25 mile south of Goliad State Park on U.S. Highway 183 and 77A, operated by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria. Pause at the ruins of the 1750's Mission Rosario State Historic Site to read the historical marker (The site is still being studied and can be visited only by appointment); also, the Fannin Memorial Monument marks the common burial site of Col. James Fannin and other victims of the Goliad massacre (1836), near Presidio La Bahía. The City of Goliad offers many attractions. Goose Island State Park and Fulton Mansion State Historic Site are within several hours' drive.
