El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail

National Historic Trail · TX, LA

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail

Explore a diverse array of histories contained within El Camino Real de los Tejas’ 150-year life, including the Spanish struggle to missionize American Indian nations, the growth of cattle ranching in the Mexican period, and the movement for Texan independence and statehood.

nps.gov ↗

Photos

Mexican mission stands in the dirt — Construction of the mission church began in 1760 but was never completed. The outstanding ruins are virtually the only visible remains of the complex of missions established in the area. The purpose was to convert Coahuiltecan Indians to Catholicism.

lots of greenery along a river; sunflowers in the foreground — Around 1746, explorer Jacinto de León discovered a ford that allowed safe passage across the Río Grande in this vicinity; it had probably been used for centuries by American Indians.

stone house ruins; briliant green grasses and trees on the right — This national historic district consists of 13 stone houses (several in ruins) constructed from hewn sandstone blocks, chinked and plastered, ranging from rectangular flat roofed Colonial style buildings to hip roofed two room structures. Post-1750s.

rock indentations in a dry creek with five people walking under clouds — Recent research reveals that in 1716 the expedition of Domingo Ramón followed the left bank of Onion Creek along the western edge of McKinney Falls State Park to its junction with Williamson Creek. You can walk in rock indentations in the creek bed.

trail segment indentation with leaves in it, trees along the side — This 1.5-mile-long trail segment crosses an area that has remarkable visual integrity. The trail segment courses parallel to State Road 21 and at times crosses the highway.

Activities

Auto and ATV
Scenic Driving
Junior Ranger Program
Museum Exhibits