Last Updated on January 30, 2024
This piece is co-contributed by the San Antonio River Foundation (River Foundation), the San Antonio River Authority’s nonprofit partner. Established in 2003, the River Foundation supports scientific and educational activities that promote and encourage the conservation, stewardship, restoration, preservation and enjoyment of the land and water resources of the San Antonio River Basin.
Located just north of the intersection of San Pedro Creek and the San Antonio River, Confluence Park is your gateway to an unforgettable summer adventure! March will mark the fifth anniversary of the opening of Confluence Park. Since 2018, this nationally recognized park has brought art and culture, education, native ecology, and recreation to the south side of San Antonio along the banks of the San Antonio River.
Join us as we explore ways to experience this park through the River Foundation’s four pillars. We invite you to dive into the beauty of arts & culture, grow your knowledge through co-educational opportunities, experience the wonders of ecology, and immerse yourself in recreational activities.
Enjoy Arts & Culture
Start at Confluence Park and journey south to discover all the art along the Mission Reach. The San Antonio River meanders past four historic missions built in the founding years of San Antonio over three centuries ago. Today, that eight-mile stretch of the river is called the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River Walk and extends south of downtown from Lone Star Boulevard to Mission Espada.
Throughout the Mission Reach trails, you’ll find public art, pedestrian bridges, and art benches to enrich your outdoor adventure. Which ones on this checklist have you visited?
- Confluence Park (310 W Mitchell)
- Butterflies (south of Lone Star Blvd, opposite Roosevelt Park)
- Serapes (north of Confluence Park near Mitchell St)
- The Once and Future River (near Concepción Park)
- River Return (south side of Concepción Park)
- CoCobijos (intersection of the San Antonio River and VFW Boulevard)
- Yanaguana (near Espada Dam)
- Arbol de la Vida (near Mission Espada)
- Whispers (west riverbank, north of Mission Rd)
Árbol de la Vida: Memorias y Voces de la Tierra
Eco-Educational Excursions
This ecological haven, designed with environmental education in mind, offers a plethora of engaging activities for visitors of all ages. Come see the power of pollinators in the North American Friendship Garden. This collaboration with the Mexican and Canadian consulates is home to beautiful flowering plants that attract a diverse array of pollinators. Check out the bug hotel to see some crawly critters you might not see every day and grab a free pack of seeds at our seed library to plant a little piece of Confluence Park at home!
Left Bug hotel; Right Seed Packet Library
Witness the Power of Ecology
Confluence Park boasts four simulated ecotype areas, each representing distinct native plant species and ecological characteristics. Start your exploration at the Native Oak Conservancy to acquaint yourself with the native oaks that thrive throughout Texas. Next, venture toward Native Grass Savannah. Engage your senses as you touch and learn about these beneficial grasses, each labeled for easy identification and a key that describes a benefit they provide to wildlife, like nesting material. Then, head to the Arid Zone. Discover the Trans-Pecos and Chihuahuan Desert flora and explore the unique adaptations these plants have developed to thrive in harsh conditions. Before reaching the river path, visit the San Antonio River Improvements Projects Zone. This section showcases the restoration efforts to transform the San Antonio River into a flourishing habitat. As you stand here and look out across the river, imagine what the river will become in 10 or 20 years!
Revel in Recreation
Whether you arrive equipped with an activity in mind or a genuine sense of spontaneity, you’ll find something fun at Confluence Park. Try taking a nature walk or birding along the park’s connected Mission Reach, where eight miles of scenic walking trails await. These wide, well-paved paths ensure accessibility for all visitors. If you like more excitement, hop on a bike (your own or a B Cycle rental), a skateboard, or even a kayak to cruise down the river chutes. Want to find some zen? Join our free Sunday Community Yoga class in the park, courtesy of Mobile OM, for some serenity. For those desiring a more relaxed experience, we suggest packing a picnic to enjoy beneath the park’s picturesque petal-like shade structure.
Stay Connected
There is always something going on at Confluence Park! Keep in touch by signing up to receive our email with updates on upcoming park events. We look forward to seeing you at an event soon.
Upcoming Events at Confluence Park
Every Sunday: Community Yoga w/ Mobile Om
OM MY!! Free yoga in Confluence Park? Yass, please! Dreading those Sunday Scaries? We got you covered! Raise your vibration with Mobile Om and the River Foundation Sunday mornings at 10am at Confluence Park. Join us for a free, all-level 1-hr community yoga flow that will help you release tension, build strength, connect to nature and empower you to have a more productive and calmer week ahead. Details and Registration
Sunday, June 25: Om Fest
You’re invited to celebrate a decade of Mobile Om Yoga in San Antonio with an all-out community yoga festival at the iconic Confluence Park. This mindful morning celebration is curated by Mobile Om founder Cassandra Fauss. It includes all-inclusive yoga, a sound bath meditation, puppy yoga, a tree giveaway, a bike ride, and a vendor market. Om Fest Schedule and Details
Monday, July 10 – Friday, August 4: Nature of Art
Nature of Art is a weeklong program produced in partnership with the UTSA School of Art. This art and science-based nature camp will be held at Confluence Park, where students can learn about nature and science through creative practices led by local artists and educators. Program Details and Registration
Saturday, July 15: AM Project DJ Workshop
Calling all Young Music & Nature Enthusiast Unleash your creativity at our FREE “Natural Genre” workshop with The AM Project! Experience and record the rush of the San Antonio River, the chirping of local birds, and the whisper of a gentle breeze. Our AM instructors will guide you through transforming these natural sounds into a track/song you’ll create using a state-of-the-art music production platform. At the end of this workshop, you’ll have an audio memory of Confluence Park. Details and Registration
