Whether you’re from Texas or just visiting us in the springtime, Texas is known for its beautiful wildflowers, and there are many places you can go see them. From our beloved state flower, the Texas Bluebonnet, to a multitude of other flowers and blooms, the variety here is plentiful across the entire region from early spring to summer.
Here are my top 15 places to see wildflowers in Texas:
1. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Located in Austin, the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is a 284-acre Botanical Garden that is dedicated to the preservation and conservation of native plants. In the spring, you can see a wide variety of wildflowers in bloom, including bluebonnets Indian paintbrush, and coreopsis.
2. Wildseed Farms – Located in Fredericksburg, Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the United States. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the fields, which are filled with a colorful array of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and Black-Eyed Susan’s. Stop inside for a wine-tasting and check out the seed store for your favorite Texas garden flowers.
3. Ennis Bluebonnet Trails – Located in Ennis, about 40 miles south of Dallas, the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails offer 40 miles of mapped driving trails that take visitors through fields of bluebonnets and other wildflowers. The best time to see the flowers is typically in late March and early April. Check their website for status updates and for Festival details!
Located in Spicewood, Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area is a 654-acre park that offers hiking, camping, and fishing opportunities. In the spring, the park is home to a variety of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and verbena.
5. Guadalupe River State Park – Located in Spring Branch, Guadalupe River State Park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing. In the spring, visitors can see a variety of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, Indian blankets, and pink evening primrose.
6. Big Bend National Park – Located in southwest Texas, Big Bend National Park is a vast desert park that is home to different types of wildflowers than other areas of Texas in the spring. The park’s desert landscape is often dotted with blooming cacti, desert marigolds and other colorful plants.
7. Willow City Loop – Located near Fredericksburg,
the Willow City Loop is a scenic drive that takes visitors through fields of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and buttercups.
8. Chappell Hill – Located between Houston and Austin, Chappell Hill is a small town that is famous for its bluebonnets. In the spring, visitors can take a drive through the countryside to see the wildflowers in bloom and enjoy food and entertainment at the Bluebonnet Festival.
9. LBJ Ranch – Located in Stonewall, the LBJ Ranch is a historic site that was once owned by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In the spring, visitors can see fields of bluebonnets and other wildflowers throughout the property.
10. Pedernales Falls State Park – Located in Johnson City, Pedernales Falls State Park is a popular destination for hiking, fishing, and camping. In the spring, the park is home to a variety of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and winecups.
11. Davis Mountains State Park – Located in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, this state park features over 2,700 acres of scenic terrain. During wet years, wildflowers fill the park. You may see scarlet bouvardia, littleleaf leadtree, trompillo, sumac, Apache plume, tree cholla, Torrey yucca, catclaw acacia, and agarita on the park’s scenic driving loop or around the 12 miles of hiking trails.
12. Texas Hill Country – The Texas Hill Country region, which includes places like Fredericksburg, Johnson City, and Marble Falls, is one of the best places to see wildflowers in Texas. The region is known for its rolling hills and fields of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and other wildflowers in the spring.
13. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge – Located near the Gulf Coast, the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge is home to a variety of wetland plants and wildflowers, including marsh marigolds, spider lilies, and bluebells. Visitors can take a self-guided auto tour or hike one of the refuge’s trails to see the wildflowers.
14. Caddo Lake State Park – Located in East Texas, Caddo Lake State Park is a popular destination for fishing, boating, and hiking. In the spring, the park is home to a variety of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and verbena.
15. And finally, Possum Kingdom State Park – Located west of Fort Worth, Possum Kingdom State Park is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and hiking. In the spring, visitors can see a variety of wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush, and evening primrose.
Tell me below, where do you plan to go this spring to see some of the State's wildflowers?