The San Jacinto Battleground is the site of the final battle of the Texas Revolution. On April 21, 1836, General Houston and his men defeated the Mexican army after an 18-minute battle. The following day, General Santa Anna was captured and surrendered, effectively ending the Texas Revolution.
Today, visitors to the San Jacinto Battleground can take a self-guided driving tour of the battlefield, hike our marsh trail, enjoy birdwatching and fish in the Buffalo Bayou.
Visitors can also visit the 567-foot tall San Jacinto Monument, explore the San Jacinto Museum, watch Texas Forever!! and ride the elevator to the observation tower, nearly 500 feet above the battlefield.
Use our mobile tour to see the top spots not to miss on your visit.
Facilities
The San Jacinto Battleground has four picnic areas. Food and drinks are not for sale at the site and not allowed in the San Jacinto Monument. Public restrooms are located in the San Jacinto Monument and the picnic areas.
Visitor parking is available on site. Only park in designated spots. To help us with our preservation and conservation mission, please refrain from climbing on the monuments and markers or driving off the paved road.
The San Jacinto Battleground and San Jacinto Museum can be rented for weddings and special events. For more information about facility rentals, visit the San Jacinto Museum's website.
See our site map for picnic areas, parking and other key spots.
Pets are welcome at the site, but must be kept on a leash at all times. Only service animals are permitted inside buildings.
School Groups & Tours
Schools and homeschool groups are welcome to visit the San Jacinto Battleground. Our education staff offers TEKS-aligned programs for 4th and 7th grade. Find out more about field trips to the San Jacinto Monument.
We offer tours of the site or programs most weekends. Check our calendar of events for upcoming activities.
Guided tours for individuals and groups can be provided for a fee during the week. Email san-jacinto-battleground@thc.texas.gov to make a reservation. Group reservations to visit the San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History can be made online or by email.
Gift Shop
A gift shop is located inside the San Jacinto Monument. Items available for purchase include books, t-shirts, postcards and other souvenirs. The gift shop is open whenever the San Jacinto Museum of History is open.
Accessibility
The San Jacinto Monument and San Jacinto Museum is wheelchair accessible. Handicap-accessible restrooms are located at the San Jacinto Monument and the covered picnic pavilion.
The site is not wheelchair accessible; however, the majority of the site can be navigated by wheelchair.
Photoshoots and Filming
The San Jacinto Museum, Monument, and Battlefield sites are the ultimate locations for stunning wedding, engagement, graduation, Quinceañera, birthday, family, or style photoshoots. From breathtaking shots beneath the monument to the picturesque backdrop of the reflection pool and the natural greenlands found throughout the Battlefield, the site offers a diverse range of locations for your next photoshoot.
A permit is required for professional photoshoots. Reservation must be made in advance. Walk-up photo sessions are not allowed. A signed agreement and full payment is due when reserving your shoot. In the event that you need to change your date, your payment will be transferred to the new date and time. The cost is $50 an hour during regular business hours. For an additional $100, you can include a replica of one of the Twin Sister cannon during your photoshoot, available Monday-Sunday between 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Please fill out the inquiry form to learn more or to book your shoot. Upon receipt of your form, you will be notified of the permit fee and arrangements for payment. Your permit will be sent to you by email once payment is received.
Drones
The use of drones is carefully managed at the San Jacinto Battleground to ensure the safety of the site’s natural and cultural assets, as well as the safety, peace and privacy of visitors.
Visitors wishing to fly their drone at the San Jacinto Battleground may do so with prior authorization by the Site Manager. Authorization must be obtained before flying your drone and is granted on a case-by-case basis for the specific dates requested. For permission to fly a drone at the Battleground, please contact us at san-jacinto-battleground@thc.texas.gov.
Archeology & Metal Detectors
The San Jacinto Battleground is an archeologically sensitive site. Help us preserve these resources for future generations. No metal detecting or other archeological investigations may be conducted at the San Jacinto Battleground without an antiquities permit for archeological work issued by the Texas Historical Commission under Natural Resources Code Chapter 191.
If you find what you think is an artifact on the site, do not remove it. Instead, take a picture or otherwise note the location and inform a staff member so they can properly document it.
Wildlife
The San Jacinto Battleground is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, coyotes, feral hogs, venomous snakes and biting insects. Always use caution around wild animals and do not approach or feed any wildlife you see at the site.
The San Jacinto Battleground is home to more than 200 species of birds! Birds from throughout the eastern hemisphere visit the marsh and prairie at battleground during the spring and fall migration seasons. You can see wading and shore birds, wood storks, scissortail flycatchers and more.
Nearby Attractions
While you're in the area, visit these nearby sites:
- Armand Bayou Nature Center (approximately 15 miles from site)
- Space Center Houston (approximately 20 miles from site)
- Houston Museum District (approximately 25 miles from site)
