The 36th Annual Goliad Massacre & Living History Program
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.
Join Presidio La Bahia, Goliad State Park and Crossroads of Texas Living History Association for the 36th Annual Goliad Massacre and Living History Program and Candlelight Tour. Take a stroll through the camps of both the Mexican and Texian armies and visit with reenactors as they go about their daily activities all inside the old stone walls of the Presidio. Grab a front row seat for one of the battle reenactments that take place in front of Presidio La Bahia on Texas Parks and Wildlife property.
Stay over and immerse yourself in the turbulent times surrounding Fannin and his men with the candlelight tours Saturday evening. And finally, be sure to come back out Sunday to witness a recreation of the final days of Fannin’s men followed by a memorial at the Fannin Monument.
Facebook Event Page https://fb.me/e/10bsryz3I
Presidio la Bahia Website https://presidiolabahia.org/
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 floating 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 floating 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.