Cookie Policy

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Introduction

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device when you visit our website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently and to provide information to website owners. Cookies allow websites to recognize your device and remember your preferences or actions over time.

Why We Use Cookies

We use cookies for several important reasons:

  • To ensure our website functions properly and securely
  • To remember your preferences and settings
  • To understand how visitors interact with our website
  • To improve our website and user experience
  • To provide personalized content where appropriate

Your Control Options

You have the right to decide whether to accept or reject cookies. When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner that allows you to:

  • Accept All - Allow all cookies for the full website experience
  • Reject All - Decline all non-essential cookies
  • Settings - Choose which types of cookies you wish to accept

You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in our website footer or through your browser settings.

Types of Cookies We Use

Essential / Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for the website to function properly. They enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You cannot opt out of these cookies as the website would not work without them.

Examples include:

  • Session management cookies that keep you logged in
  • Security cookies that protect against fraudulent activity
  • Cookie consent preferences
  • Shopping cart or form data preservation

Analytics / Performance Cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website by collecting and reporting information anonymously. This data helps us improve our website and services.

What they track:

  • Pages visited and time spent on pages
  • How you arrived at our site (referral source)
  • Which links you click on
  • Device and browser information
  • Geographic region (country/region level)

Data is anonymized - We do not collect personal information that identifies you individually through these cookies.

Functional Cookies

These cookies enable enhanced functionality and personalization, such as remembering your preferences and settings. If you do not allow these cookies, some or all of these services may not work properly.

Examples include:

  • Language preference settings
  • Theme preferences (light/dark mode)
  • Remembering form inputs
  • Customized content display

Marketing / Advertising Cookies

These cookies are used to track visitors across websites. The intention is to display ads that are relevant and engaging for the individual user.

Our current use: At this time, we do not use marketing or advertising cookies on our website. If this changes, we will update this policy and seek your consent.

Third-Party Cookies

We use services from third-party providers that may set cookies on your device. These cookies are governed by the privacy policies of the respective providers:

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use our site. Google Analytics cookies collect information about how you use our website, including which pages you visit and if you experience any errors. These cookies do not collect information that identifies you personally.

Google Privacy Policy

Google Maps

Our website may embed Google Maps to show locations related to the historic trail. When you interact with these maps, Google may set cookies to improve the mapping experience.

Google Privacy Policy

FormSubmit

We use FormSubmit to process contact form submissions. FormSubmit may use cookies to prevent spam and ensure form security.

FormSubmit Privacy Policy

Other Services

As we integrate additional services to improve our website, we will update this section with relevant cookie information and links to their privacy policies.

The following table lists the specific cookies used on our website:

List of cookies used on this website
Cookie Name Purpose Duration Type
cookie_consent Stores your cookie consent preferences 1 year Essential
session_id Manages your session on the website Session Essential
_ga Google Analytics - distinguishes users 2 years Analytics
_ga_* Google Analytics - maintains session state 2 years Analytics
_gid Google Analytics - distinguishes users 24 hours Analytics
language_pref Remembers your language preference 1 year Functional
theme_pref Remembers your display theme preference 1 year Functional
_formsubmit_* FormSubmit spam prevention and security Session Essential

How to Manage Cookies

Browser Settings

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can:

  • View what cookies are stored on your device
  • Delete some or all cookies
  • Block cookies from being set
  • Set preferences for certain websites

How to manage cookies in popular browsers:

Our Cookie Consent Banner

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie consent banner at the bottom of the screen with these options:

  • Accept - Allows all cookies to be set
  • Decline - Only essential cookies will be used
  • Settings - Opens detailed cookie preferences where you can choose which categories to accept

Opt-Out Mechanisms

For analytics cookies, you can also opt out directly through:

Effects of Disabling Cookies

If you choose to block or delete cookies, you may experience:

  • Some features of the website may not function properly
  • You may need to re-enter preferences each time you visit
  • Some forms may not remember your inputs
  • We will not be able to improve the website based on your usage patterns

The website will still be accessible, but your experience may be limited.

Cookie Duration

Session vs. Persistent Cookies

Session Cookies are temporary cookies that are deleted when you close your browser. They are used to maintain your session during a single visit.

Persistent Cookies remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. They are used to remember your preferences across visits.

Typical Retention Periods

Cookie retention periods vary by type and purpose:

  • Essential cookies: Session to 1 year
  • Analytics cookies: 24 hours to 2 years
  • Functional cookies: 1 year
  • Marketing cookies: 30 days to 2 years (not currently used)

Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation, or our practices. When we make changes:

  • We will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
  • Significant changes will be communicated via our website or email
  • We may prompt you to review and update your cookie preferences
  • Continued use of the website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

Contact Information

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association

3710 CEDAR ST
Austin, TX 78705

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1 (718) 629-7474

Our website uses a cookie consent banner that appears on your first visit. Here's how it works:

  • Accept All - Enables all cookie categories (essential, analytics, and functional) for the optimal website experience
  • Reject All - Disables all non-essential cookies; only strictly necessary cookies will be used
  • Settings - Opens a detailed preference panel where you can individually enable or disable each cookie category

Changing Your Preferences

You can modify your cookie preferences at any time by:

  • Clicking "Cookie Settings" in the website footer
  • Clearing your browser cookies to trigger the consent banner again
  • Using your browser's cookie settings to manage individual cookies

Your cookie preferences are stored in an essential cookie on your device. This cookie:

  • Is necessary for the website to remember your choices
  • Expires after one year
  • Does not track your browsing behavior
  • Can be deleted by clearing your browser cookies