Mission Rancho de Las Cabras

Written on National Trails Day, 06/02/2018:Rancho de las Cabras is part of the Missions, deemed a World Heritage Site, and is rarely open. Before visiting I kept reading articles about how it was a "forgotten World Heritage gem" and now I understand. As I write this review and reflect on my visit, I'm feeling a bit sad. I mean, I am glad to have had the opportunity to finally make it to an event when it's open (only open twice this year), and I really enjoyed the three tours I went on learning about birds, the architecture, grounds, etc... but it's so sad that there is much work to be done to preserve and restore this historic site, and yet there is no funding, no resources, and no solutions. Ruins buried (literally) and forgotten.

5 Stars for its history! Wish I could remember all that our NPS tour guide explained to us. What I do remember the guide saying it's the only Ranch of its kind left in the world, although the details on that claim have escaped my memory. Also none of what the 1936 historical marker is true but they leave it as it's historical maker in itself... which I find a little more hysterical than historical. The mounds in the area that I have many pictures of, are of the original Mission walls that were covered up to preserve them. In the center where the marker is located, is where the church would have stood. Mission Rancho de las Cabras is only open to public a few times a year. I joined a group from Yelp for an Unofficial Yelp Event to meet up and explore together. Although I arrived late, I arrived just in time for the archeological and history tour which is exactly why I wanted to head out there in the first place. I have been enjoying my history lessons of the local missions that I've been on lately. This really is more of a just an old Texas ranch more than anything else. It's great for some that have never had a chance to be on a ranch before plus the historic value of the ranch itself. I hope the best for the NPS keeping the ranch preserved for future generations.

Located in Floresville, back in the 18th century this ranch was used to raise cattle and other types of livestock to sustain the residents at the Mission Espada in San Antonio. This ranch is only open twice a year - once in early summer (it was June in 2018) and once in September. The early summer opening is open to the public and entirely free. When it's open in September, it's for a volunteer work day, BUT, you can also visit and do a self-guided tour if you like.The rest of my review is for the June 2018 opening - it might change from year to year, so be aware of that.It started with a bird walk hosted by an Audubon Society guide, followed by a little history lesson guided by a National Parks Service (NPS) archeologist (who was very knowledgeable about the history of this cool place). After that was done, we got a little lesson about the regional flora - what used to inhabit this area and some talk about the invasive species that have since spread and changed the landscape so much. All of it was good stuff!I need to tell you right up front, don't expect to see a lot of remnants from the ranch. Most of the stone walls and structures have been buried in sand in an effort to preserve them. Restoration of historic structures is expensive and the NPS has limited funding for this ranch. Regardless, it's still worth a visit to learn more about it and set foot on this very historic spot.It's an undeveloped spot located down a dirt road - no facilities of any sort and limited parking. The NPS provides water to refill your bottles, and they have a porta potty on site, but, that is literally all that is there. The turn to get from Highway 97 to County Road 144 is at the entrance to the Promised Land Dairy. If you pass the dairy, you've gone too far. If you show up a bit early, there are no markers to point the way to the ranch after you get on 144. The road dead ends, so you're not going to get lost. Just turn around and look for a green cattle gate. There will be flags/signage at the gate it you aren't too early.The bird walk took us out on about a 1.5-mile trail loop that had some good photo opportunities and took us to a high point overlooking the SA River. You can't really see the river from this spot, but you can look out over the country side a bit.If you visit Mission Espada in San Antonio, you can see some maps of what the ranch looked like and I *THINK* they even have a model recreation of it - but don't quote me on that y'all!More info on the history can be found here if you are interested - this is a really cool site:https://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/st-plains/images/he4.html