Public Tours
Legends and Legacy
Capacity: 30 people
Timing: 1 hour, Saturdays, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Cost: Families $8, adults $5, seniors, teachers, veterans $3, children $2, ages 5 and under, free; Adult groups of 10+: $3 per person
On a guided tour of Presidio La Bahia, guests will be immersed in the site’s history, starting with the Spanish Colonial period, and ending with the fort’s restoration in the 1960s. As you tour the museum, you’ll learn how each time period impacted the Presidio and its function. In the chapel, guests will learn the story of Col. James Fannin and his troops, who were led to their massacre in 1836 and how it relates to Texas independence. In addition, visitors will discover how the troops at the Presidio lived and worked by visiting the barracks, the blacksmith’s shop, and the parade grounds.
Remembering La Bahía: Exploring the Presidio
Timing: 1.5 hours, Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Families $8, adults $5, seniors, teachers, veterans $3, children $2, ages 5 and under, free; Adult groups of 10+: $3 per person
Presidio la Bahia was established in 1749 at its current location and was critical to the development of Texas Independence. Most notably, it is one of the most fought over forts in Texas and witnessed one of the bloodiest chapters in Texas' quest for independence from Mexico, the Goliad Massacre. During a self-guided visit, guests to the Presidio today can “Remember La Bahia” as they begin their experience with an introductory video, tour the exhibit of artifacts uncovered on site, visit one of the oldest running Catholic churches in the United States, explore the bastions and barracks, and walk the parade grounds.
School Tour
Nine Flags over Presidio la Bahia
Grades: K-12
Capacity: 5-120 students
Timing: 1 hour, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: $1 per student***, teachers and bus drivers receive free admission with School Tour; additional adults are $5 each.
Student visits to the Presidio, built in 1749, begin in the historic Our Lady of Loreto chapel. There, they’ll learn the stories of what happened at this crucial site as explained by the nine flags that have flown over this fort. Students will explore the grounds, view artifacts found on site, see cannons, climb bastions, visit the soldiers’ barracks, and learn why “Remember La Bahia” was the rallying cry for the Battle of San Jacinto.
***During the months of March, April, and May, Presidio La Bahia offers free admission for up to 10,000 students on a 4th and 7th grade social studies field trip with advanced reservations. A transportation grant is available to help pay a portion of the expense for the buses to transport their students, as well as free admission for teachers and bus drivers. Chaperones pay regular adult admission fees.
Adult Group Tour
Military Staff Rides
Capacity: 30-100 people
Timing: 1.5 hours
Cost: Free for active-duty military
On this guided tour for active-duty personnel, the grounds of Presidio La Bahia present a unique opportunity to learn the lessons of history and apply them to today’s military. This tour can be tailored to cover the Goliad Campaign, leadership, the military history of Presidio La Bahia, weapons, military tactics, and the Battle of Coleto Creek.
Tour Reservations
School and group tour reservations should be made four weeks in advance by going to the calendar at the bottom of this page to identify availability, then call 361-645-3752 or complete this tour request form.
If your group is looking for a specialized tour experience, contact the site directly to inquire about customizing your tour.
Education Transportation Grant
The Education Transportation Grant is offered to 4th or 7th Grade Social Studies Teachers and has been extremely popular with Texas history classes. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call us Monday through Friday between the hours of 9AM and 4PM. We hope to see you and your class here at the Presidio La Bahía this spring!
Education Transportation Grant Plan:
- Social Studies teacher should call Presidio La Bahía at 361-645-3752 to make a reservation. At that point a date and time will be set. Because of the number of students that we will be accommodating, it is imperative that the school group arrive on time. Family members traveling with school group will pay regular admission.
- A confirmation and a copy of the teacher’s guide will be sent to the teacher. The teacher will also be given a transportation grant request form to be completed and returned to Presidio La Bahía at the time of the school’s visit.
- When the school arrives they will be taken into the chapel and given an approximately twenty minute presentation that will cover the lesson plan. The students will then have time to visit the demonstration area and the gift shop. A list of gift shop items and their prices will be sent to the teacher making the reservation.
- Approximately one week after the school has visited Presidio La Bahía, the transportation grant funds will be sent to the school. The amount of the grant will be $0.02 per student-mile-traveled to a maximum of $5.00 per student. MapQuest will be used to determine the number of round trip miles from the school to Presidio La Bahía.
- Example: School has 100 students and travels 150 miles round trip. Transportation grant: 100 x 150 x $0.02 = $300.00
Park Hosts
- Presidio La Bahía has openings for Park Hosts year-round.
- Park hosts are volunteers who support the staff of Presidio La Bahía with daily operations. Hosts assist park visitors and support the operational needs of the Presidio.
- We ask that our hosts serve at least a minimum of one month with a maximum cap of six months. Depending on circumstances, this may be extended with the approval of the director of Presidio La Bahía.
- Park Hosts provide excellent customer service to visitors and give information on site facilities, resources, and attractions. There are a range of opportunities for hosts serving at Presidio La Bahía and include but are not limited to interpretive, customer service, maintenance and special project hosts. To fully understand the various host duties, expectations, amenities and policies of the Presidio, potential hosts are encouraged to contact the director of Presidio La Bahía and visit about the site prior to applying for or accepting an assignment.
- In exchange for volunteer service hours (usually 25 hours per week), the Presidio provides hosts an RV site during their stay. Our host site offers water, electrical and sewer hookups as well as a washer and dryer and Wi-Fi. Park Hosts are required to maintain their RV site in an orderly manner during their stay. As an added benefit, hosts receive training from site staff and get to be part of a passionate team working to promote the wonderful history of Presidio La Bahía, the community of La Bahía and the city of Goliad.