One good reason to visit Goliad State Park in Texas is to learn about the history of the region and its role in the Texas Revolution. The park contains several historic sites, including the reconstructed Mission Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga, which was a Spanish colonial mission that was founded in 1722 and played an important role in the region’s history.
Visitors to Goliad State Park can explore the mission and learn about the daily lives of the missionaries and indigenous people who lived there. The park also contains the ruins of the Presidio La Bahia, which was a Spanish fort that served as a military outpost during the Texas Revolution.
We highly recommend putting Goliad on your todo list ?
Goliad State Park offers both primitive and RV camping sites. The park has 33 sites for camping, with water and electricity hookups, and a dump station for RVs.
The primitive campsites have fire rings, and picnic tables, but no water or electricity hookups. There are also restroom facilities with showers and toilets available for campers. No washers/dryer!
Activities: The park offers several activities for campers, including hiking, biking, bird watching, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The park has over 2.5 miles of hiking trails, including the scenic River Trail, which follows the San Antonio River. The park also offers fishing in the river, where you can catch catfish, bass, and sunfish. The park is also an excellent place for birdwatchers, with over 300 species of birds being observed in the area. We walked the river trail and detoured to Presidio la Bahia; albeit, bring money $8 pp as not part of the state park.
Attractions: There are several attractions near the park that you can visit, including the Presidio La Bahia, which is a Spanish fort from the 18th century that has been restored and turned into a museum. The park is also near the town of Goliad, which has several historic sites, including the Goliad State Historical Park, which features several restored buildings from the Spanish colonial period.
Be the Change ?
Remember Goliad
The Goliad Massacre was an event that took place during the Texas Revolution on March 27, 1836, in which approximately 342 soldiers of the Texian Army were executed by the Mexican Army under orders from General Antonio López de Santa Anna. The soldiers had surrendered after the Battle of Coleto Creek, and were being held as prisoners of war at the Presidio La Bahía in Goliad, Texas. However, despite promises of fair treatment and eventual release, they were massacred by their captors. The event further inflamed tensions between the Texians and Mexicans and contributed to the eventual Texian victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, which secured Texas’ independence from Mexico.
The “Angel of Goliad” is a nickname given to Francita Alavez, a Mexican woman who is believed to have saved the lives of some Texan prisoners during the Texas Revolution. In 1836, during the Battle of Goliad, a group of approximately 400 Texan soldiers under the command of Colonel James Fannin were captured by the Mexican army.
Francita Alavez was the wife of a Mexican officer and was known to have sympathies for the Texan cause. She was given permission by General Antonio López de Santa Anna to enter the Mexican camp and negotiate for the release of the prisoners. According to legend, she used her influence to convince the Mexican officials to release several groups of prisoners, including those who were wounded and unable to march.
The exact number of prisoners that Alavez saved is unknown, but it is believed to be in the range of 20 to 40 individuals. Her actions earned her the nickname “Angel of Goliad” among the Texan prisoners, who were deeply grateful for her efforts to save their lives.
We recommend a visit to historic Goliad and the hanging tree ?
Money Saving Tip
If you are visiting a Texas State Park and camping more than 5 days within a year buy the annual state pass. Texas charges a per person fee of up to $8 for everyone in the car ever day one ☝️ visits. We took advantage of the pass and saved hundreds of dollars. Other discounts allow your second night camping half off ?
- Unlimited Entry: With a Texas State Park Pass, you have unlimited entry to more than 90 state parks and historic sites in Texas. This means you can visit your favorite parks as often as you want without having to pay the daily entrance fee each time. These fees can add up quickly.
- Savings: A Texas State Park Pass can save you money if you plan on visiting multiple state parks throughout the year. The pass pays for itself after just a few visits, and you can save even more if you take advantage of discounts on camping and other park amenities.
- Convenience: With a Texas State Park Pass, you don’t have to worry about carrying cash or credit cards to pay the daily entrance fee. You can simply present your pass at the entrance station and be on your way to enjoying the park.
- Supporting State Parks: By purchasing a Texas State Park Pass, you are supporting the preservation and maintenance of Texas State Parks. The funds from the pass go directly to park improvements, trail maintenance, and conservation efforts.
- Discounts: In addition to unlimited entry to state parks, a Texas State Park Pass also provides discounts on camping, equipment rentals, and other park amenities. Pass holders can also receive discounts at some local businesses.
- Access to Special Events: Texas State Park Pass holders can enjoy special events and programs offered exclusively to pass holders, such as guided hikes and birdwatching tours.
Camping is about finding yourself in the middle of nowhere and realizing you had everything you needed all along.
You don’t know pain until your shin meets one of these…
I’m sorry, did I roll my eyes ? out loud! ?
Why we recommend the Berkey?
I came, I saw ?, I forgot why I am here, I left.
Road warriors need to pass the time when on the road. I highly recommend the Audible books ?
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Money saving tip: Buy the annual national parks pass. The National Park Pass will also allow access to all the national monuments. If you plan on being in any of the National Parks more than three times within a year then you will save money. The pass will sometimes allow discounts to camping in the National Forest ?. There’s also discounts for seniors which can be applied against camping through out America. Other discounts apply so please read the eligibility which can save you more money. We estimate we saved over $600 in park fees. “I googled my symptoms… turned out I just need to go camping”
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Traveling across the country is challenging enough to not have to worry about ones drinking water. We carry with us the Berkey water filtration system which we consider one of the best on the market.
Our thoughts ? Goliad State Park
Based on the information available, visiting Goliad State Park would be a great idea for anyone who loves nature and outdoor activities. The park offers a wide range of recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, bird watching, and camping. It is also a historically significant site, being the location of the Goliad Massacre during the Texas Revolution.
Furthermore, Goliad State Park features unique natural formations such as the San Antonio River, the restored 18th-century Spanish Mission Espíritu Santo, and the Presidio La Bahía. Visitors can also explore the park’s diverse ecosystems, including wetlands, coastal plains, and oak-juniper woodlands.
Overall, Goliad State Park offers an excellent opportunity to experience Texas history and enjoy the great outdoors. Therefore, it would be a fantastic destination for anyone looking for a unique and memorable vacation experience.
“Life is better by the camp fire”
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Drone flying is fast becoming a hobby of mine. After much research I purchased the Mini from DJI. I am very satisfied but still an amateur having a blast. Check out our drone videos within the blog which we hope you will enjoy.
Products we love ❤️
After 12,000 miles on the road and hundreds of miles hiking ? throughout America, our Merrells have withstood all types of terrain and although they may be dirty, the quality is outstanding and are ready for the next 12,000.
Being on the water is very therapeutic and lots of fun. Space is always our issue so the inflatable kayak was our answer. Easy to inflate but we did buy a battery ? pump to make life easy. We have kayaked the lakes of Montana, Idaho, Arkansas, Minnesota, South Carolina, Arizona and the Intex has not let us down.
Robin’s favorite outdoor cooking utensil
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Our Retro Jr offers only so much space so to expand the cooking area, Robin loves this easy to put up table from Lifetime. No issues after multiple setups and break downs.
We enjoy a good cup of coffee ☕️ and one of our favorite cafes offers a pour over. ( How to make the best pour over coffee) If you are still making coffee in a pot break the yoke of social conformity and consider alternatives to a drink of the gods (coffee) every morning. This Insta Pot has been a godsend to our travels.
Campers are for the most part very honest and friendly people. However, pulling GG through a city and leaving her to go explore can make one feel uneasy ? so this easy locking ? system was our solution.
Our teardrop does not come with a refrigerator so coolers are our life blood. We needed to keep our food cold for days on end and these coolers did the trick.
Grand daughter had her first birthday so the best gift was to start her love of camping. Love you Bridget.
Traveling over 12,000 miles in a Teardrop trailer one realizes space is an issue. We highly a roof rack to aid in carrying more items ie inflatable kayak, life jackets, oars, and etc.
12,000 miles on the road, one of my best purchases was my Costa sunglasses ?. The glare from driving is gone and the polarized lenses intensified the colors of my surroundings.