Is Mission County Park free in San Antonio?

Yes, Mission County Park is a free Bexar County park. No admission is charged.

What can you do at Mission County Park with kids?

Mission County Park has playground equipment, open green spaces for running, picnic pavilions, and access to the San Antonio River trail for cycling and walking.

Is Mission County Park near the San Antonio Missions?

Yes, the park is located near Mission San Juan and Mission San Francisco de la Espada in the south side missions corridor — easy to combine with a missions visit.

Are there mosquitoes at Mission County Park?

The park's river proximity can mean mosquitoes during warmer months, particularly evenings. Bring bug spray, especially in spring and fall.

Mission County Park

Name: Mission County Park
Address: 6030 Padre Dr, San Antonio, TX, 78214, US
Telephone: +1 210-631-0170
Rating: 4.7

1 / 5

Rating

4.7(1,139)

Price

Free

Duration

2-3 hours

Best Ages

All ages

About

Mission County Park occupies a sweet spot on San Antonio's south side — literally and figuratively. Located along the San Antonio River corridor near the UNESCO World Heritage-designated San Antonio Missions, the park gives families a genuinely different outdoor experience than the city's typical urban parks.

The riverside setting shapes what the park is: wide open green spaces, mature trees providing real shade, and an expansive layout that gives kids room to run. The playground equipment serves the standard bases, but what elevates Mission County Park is the environment around it. The San Antonio River runs nearby, and the broader missions corridor creates an outdoor experience that feels meaningful rather than just functional.

With 1,139 reviews and a 4.7-star rating, this is a park that repeat visitors recommend. Families come back for the picnic facilities — the park has pavilions that work for both casual family visits and larger group gatherings. Bexar County manages the park, and the maintenance quality shows.

The park is completely free and open 9AM to 9PM daily. Restrooms are available on site. The San Antonio River trail nearby connects to the broader missions trail system, which opens up cycling and walking options for older kids and active parents.

One seasonal note: the river proximity means mosquitoes can be a factor, particularly during spring and fall evenings. Bug spray should be in the bag. Early morning visits avoid both the heat and the bug situation during summer months.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Yes

Nursing / Changing

Available

Kid Meals

Not Available

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Weekday mornings or evenings — weekends bring picnicking families and can get busy

Wait Times

No wait — county park open to all

Nearby Food

The south side has local taqueria options along Padre Dr and surrounding streets. Closest grocery/restaurant clusters are about 5-10 minutes away.

Why Kids Love It

Mission County Park sits along the San Antonio River near the historic missions, combining natural greenery with solid playground facilities and wide open spaces. Kids love the sprawling layout that lets them run freely, along with the river-adjacent setting that adds a natural exploration element. The picnic areas are family-friendly and the park is large enough that even a packed weekend doesn't feel overly crowded.

What Parents Say

“Children playground, clean picnic area with tables, restrooms, and plenty of rooms for everyone.”

Google Review

Pro Tips from Parents

The park is near Mission San Juan and Mission San Francisco de la Espada — consider pairing with a mission walk for history.
Picnic pavilions are available, some reservable through Bexar County.
Bring bug spray — the river proximity means mosquitoes can be present in warmer months.
The San Antonio River trail connects nearby if you have cyclists or older kids who want to ride.
Open until 9PM, making it a good evening option.