Bluebonnets in Texas: 12 Great Places to See Them

Spring is one of my favorite seasons in Texas.  The temperatures are mild, and the wildflowers are in bloom all across the Lone Star State.  For Texans, that means the bluebonnets in Texas (and all of the Texas wildflowers) are in full bloom!

These beautiful blue flowers are the official state flower of Texas (the Lupinus texensis), and like everything in the Lone Star State, we take great pride in our Texas bluebonnets! 

To help you learn more about the Texas state flower, we thought we would put together this post to provide you with a list of our favorite places to find bluebonnet fields and some tips when visiting, like letting you know when bluebonnets bloom.

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Bluebonnets in Texas

When do Texas Bluebonnets Bloom?

It can sometimes be a little tricky to know exactly when bluebonnets in Texas will bloom.  For you see, several factors go into determining Texas bluebonnet season. 

Lucky for you, I am not going to go into a ton of detail, I am just going to try and provide you with a short and sweet answer to help you pinpoint the Texas bluebonnet season.

If the winter season was mild, and there was a decent amount of rain, then the Texas bluebonnets may bloom in late February or early March. 

Normally though, you can bank on them being in bloom in late March, early April, and mid-April. This is the optimal peak season!

The farther into south Texas you go, the earlier the blooming wildflowers appear, thanks to the warm temperatures down south.

Of course, this article is about the white and blue bluebonnets, but Texas has many other wildflowers. These other wildflowers include the Indian paintbrush, Mexican hats, Winecup, Firewheel, and more!

We especially love seeing the Indian paintbrushes mixed in with the beautiful bluebonnets.

Note that the blooming season of the official state flower of Texas is short-lived.  Once the Texas wildflowers bloom, the beautiful blue flowers generally last about 4-6 weeks.

This means that the peak season is short-lived, so you must time your visit perfectly if you want to hit peak season!

Can I Pick Texas Bluebonnets?

Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas.  While it is not illegal to pick bluebonnets, it is considered RUDE! It is the state flower; let’s enjoy them in their natural state!

To preserve the flowers and ensure they return year after year, they must complete their maturation cycle, which occurs six to eight weeks after flowering. 

So, long answer short…You “can” pick them, but people DON’T pick them.

Where to Find Bluebonnets in Texas

As mentioned above, you must hit the bluebonnet fields at the right time, as these annual plants can be temperamental. 

We usually start seeing bluebonnets in the southern half of the Texas Hill Country in mid-to-late March and the more northern cities in mid to late April.

Keep that in mind when planning your trip to the Texas Bluebonnet fields.

Ennis Bluebonnet Trails

Ennis is a small Texas town that loves celebrating bluebonnet season.  Known as the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas,” Ennis hosts a fun festival and a great bluebonnet trail.

Since they are the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas,” they do a great job of informing the public when the flowers bloom.  Just head to the Ennis Tourism website to check the status of the blooms.

The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails are in peak form in April, especially around the third week.

Ennis kicks off the Bluebonnet season with their annual Bluebonnet Festival each April. 

After attending the free festival, grab a map and head to the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails.  The 4-mile Ennis Bluebonnet Trail lets you see fields covered in beautiful Texas bluebonnets.

Burnet

Burnet (pronounced burn-it) has gorgeous landscapes covered in bluebonnets that have earned this Texas town the “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” title from the Texas legislature.

Like Ennis, Burnet also has an annual Bluebonnet Festival on the second weekend in April.

Be sure to stop by the Visitor’s Center on Highway 29 to take a selfie with one of the two eight-foot-tall bluebonnets.

Don’t miss the drive to Inks Lake State Park, as this is often an area of the Texas Hill Country with lots of blooms, proving why this is the Bluebonnet Capital.

Don’t just go for the Bluebonnets, though. The Highland Lakes of Texas are full of fabulous things to do any time of year!

Read Next: Fabulous Lake Buchanan Cabins, RV Park, and Camping

Kingsland

On the banks of the Colorado River and LBJ Lake sits one of the small Texas towns, Kingsland, TX.  The town’s official slogan is “where the rivers flow, and the bluebonnets grow.”

Some of the best pictures here are on the abandoned railroad tracks where the bluebonnets often grow in and around the tracks.

In addition to the abandoned railroad tracks, there are abandoned farm equipment and old barns strewn throughout the area that makes interesting backdrops for the best bluebonnet photos. 

Just keep your eyes peeled and remember to be respectful of private property.

Marble Falls

Marble Falls is a small Texas Hill Country town perched on the bluffs of the Colorado River and centered around Lake Marble Falls.

While driving through Marble Falls, don’t miss the Blue Bonnet Cafe for great home cooking and a piece of their famous pie! 

Once your stomach is full from the BlueBonnet Cafe, head over to the Marble Falls Visitors Center to grab a Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail map.

The Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail is a great self-drive tour that winds through the waterfront community of Highland Lakes. The Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail never disappoints, so don’t miss it!!

We recommend hitting the 400 acres at Turkey Bend Recreation Area or Muleshoe Bend in Spicewood, TX, close to Marble Falls.  When heading out, take Highway 281 to see even more wildflowers, including The Bluebonnet House.

The Bluebonnet House is located on Hwy and is the perfect place to get a great picture!

While here, check out all the things to do in Marble Falls.

Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is an awesome Texas Hill Country town to visit any time of year, but it is especially amazing during the wildflower season.

There are so many things to do in Fredericksburg that you can easily stay busy for weeks. 

Combine the Fredericksburg, TX wineries with the fabulous shopping, Enchanted Rock State Park, and great restaurants, and you have a great weekend getaway.

Enchanted Rock is a great place to go hiking and see some Texas bluebonnets!

You can start your bluebonnet hunt at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site. 

Another great place in Fredericksburg is Wildseed Farms. They grow acres of Texas wildflowers to harvest their seeds. (The above picture was taken at Wildseed Farms!)

You can also do the Willow City Loop while in the Hill Country.  The Willow City Loop is located just off Highway 16, right outside of Fredericksburg, and is a fabulous bluebonnet drive. There are large fields of bluebonnets here!

Please take note if doing the Willow City Loop, this area gets VERY crowded, and the land surrounding you is private property, so DO NOT get off of the road while driving the Willow City Loop.

Llano

Those in the know of Texas small towns realize Llano is a hidden gem in this big state.  If you go, be sure you know how to pronounce the town’s name, it is LAH-no.

Llano has a 1927 single-screen theatre, a cool record store, and a small museum outlining the town’s history.  You can also find some great eating establishments and some small-town shopping.

Highway 29, east and west of Llano, is usually lined with bluebonnet fields. 

In addition, Highway 71, northwest of town, also has numerous bluebonnet fields.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park

The Hill Country isn’t the only place to see Texas bluebonnets.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park is a fabulous place to enjoy a day out in nature. 

This fabulous state park offers you opportunities to go rock climbing, hiking, picnicking, enjoy a great Texas lake and enjoy the beauty of the rolling hills.

During the spring months, this is also a great place to catch the rolling fields of Texas bluebonnets.  I especially love capturing the wildlife here (specifically the deer), and enjoying the bluebonnets.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

An easy day trip from Dallas is Glen Rose. Here you will find land with evidence that dinosaurs once roamed this area of North Texas in the small town of Glen Rose, TX. 

Dinosaur Valley State Park provides evidence of dinosaurs’ existence in this area.  You can walk directly in their tracks (literally) in the bed of the Paluxy River.

While enjoying the park, note that the primary flower in bloom in the area during spring is the Texas bluebonnet. We think you will enjoy the fields of bluebonnets in this area.

San Antonio Botanical Garden

The San Antonio Botanical Garden has 11 acres of a Native Texas Area that is a great place to see plants and flowers native to the area, including bluebonnets.

Since you are paying to enter the San Antonio Botanical Garden, be sure to make a day of it and see the beautiful conservatory and the other gardens at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Of course, there are other areas in San Antonio and central Texas to see bluebonnets for free!

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin

Located in south Austin, in the Hill Country, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center definitely lives up to its name and is one of Austin’s top things to do. 

Here you can not only view bluebonnets in central Texas, but you can also learn about their conservation and their preservation. 

There is an admission fee, but note that your money is going to a good cause, the conservation of our native Texas plants.

The area around Lake Travis also has many spots to see bluebonnets, so check it out while in Austin also!

Brenham

Beautiful bluebonnet blossoms abound in Washington County and, specifically, Brenham.  Just driving through town will show you numerous bluebonnet fields. 

Large displays of blue flowers are behind the Wal-Mart, and a great bluebonnet field is behind the Home Depot on Wood Ridge Boulevard. 

While in Washington County, indulge in the state’s favorite ice cream, Blue Bell, made right here in Brenham, Texas!

Washington County is a great place to visit any time of year!

Terlingua

One of our favorite road trips in Texas is to venture off the beaten path and explore the Big Bend National Park area of Texas. 

Even a special breed of bluebonnet grows here that is much taller. It is even named the Big Bend Bluebonnet, one of the cool native plants.

While in this area, explore Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Tuff Canyon, and River Road to search for the Chisos bluebonnets that bloom there.

Of course, Big Bend is amazing on its own, so seeing Bluebonnets in Big Bend makes it even better!

While in the area, visit the small towns in west Texas, including Marfa and Alpine!

Pro Tips When Visiting Bluebonnet Fields

Be Respectful and Courteous

Throughout this article, I have mentioned the fact of being respectful.  Bluebonnet fields in Texas are a big deal.  Many people often want to use the same field of bluebonnets for their photos, especially on the weekends.

Be mindful of others, don’t stop on major highways, and always ensure you have a safe parking space and snap photos. 

Also, remember that many of the bluebonnets grow on private property.  While the owners want to share the beautiful bluebonnets with you, they don’t necessarily want you trespassing on their beautiful landscapes. 

If you are permitted to enter their property, then be respectful.  Don’t stomp down the bluebonnets or pick bluebonnets or other wildflowers without permission.

Wear Close Toe Shoes

You will likely be walking in tall grass and over uneven terrain to get to the bluebonnet fields.  Be sure to wear appropriate shoes to ensure that you don’t damage your feet.

Cowboy boots work perfectly in this situation!

Be Prepared

Be prepared for your outing.  Most of the bluebonnet fields will require a bit of a drive, making them one of the fun road trips, so download your favorite songs about travel, pack a picnic and some water, and hit the road. 

You might also want to bring a towel or blanket to sit on, and of course, don’t forget the bug spray!

While You’re Here, Check Out These Other Texas Posts:

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About The Author

Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel.  Her practical tips and suggestions help make travel dreams a reality while immersing her readers in the history, culture, and food of a region.  She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.

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