Texas State Parks

Mission Tejas State Park

Weches, Texas

Commemorative representation of Mission San 
			Francisco de los Tejas
Commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas
King's High Marker (photo enhanced for clarity)
King's High Marker
(photo enhanced for clarity)
Texas Bob's Line Shack on Wheels at a typical 
			Mission Tejas campsite
Texas Bob's Line Shack on Wheels at a typical Mission Tejas campsite

We spent a couple of days at the Tejas Mission State Park and enjoyed the piney woods of East Texas.

The park was built in 1934 by Co. 888 of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, the first Spanish mission in the province of Texas, which was established in 1690. Also in the park is the restored Rice Family Log Home, built in 1828 and restored in 1974. The home, which Joseph Redmund Rice, Sr. constructed between 1828 and 1838, is one of the oldest structures in the area. The home served as a stopover for immigrants, adventurers, and local residents traveling the Old San Antonio Road (El Camino Real )across pioneer Texas.

The park a lot of hiking trails and an active calendar of events. The weekend we were there a group of Dutch Oven cookers were there. They told me that Dutch Ovens were "the Official Cookware of Texas."

All along State Highway 21 you will find granite markers marking it as the "Kings Highway". These were placed in 1917 by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the state of Texas.

Weches, Texas is at the entrance of the park. There is really not anything at Weches except a few houses a few churches, and a volunteer fire department.

Alto, Texas is about 12 miles north on Highway 21. It has a good restaurant, a fair size grocery store and a great High School Football team. (1A State Champions 2006).

Campsite Information

  • 15 sites with water and electric
  • No Satellite reception (Lots of Trees)
  • Two or three local channels available with regular antenna
  • Gate is not locked at night.
  • Well maintained for a state park

This is a small park with not very many camp sites. Even on Labor Day weekend it was not completely full. But even if it was full it would not be crowded.

Update: September 24, 2019

I had an opportunity to stop by Mission Tejas State Park and I'm glad I did. The park has had some storm damage and more importantly It no longer has any full hook up sites.

That is one of many advantages to having Texas Park Pass. When traveling on a non-RV trip you can check out state parks that you pass as you travel at no cost.

Updated: 08 May 2020