Where to See Wildflowers in Texas
The Spring season in Texas is my favorite time of year. The weather gets warmer, the days get longer, and the flowers begin to bloom. The dead of winter gives way to beautiful vibrant colors as the Texas wildflowers bloom across the landscape. These are some of the best places to visit if you’re looking to take in the picturesque view of Texas in spring.
- LBJ National Park (Johnson City, Tx)
West of Austin along U.S. 290, you’ll notice the highway has started to be lined with an assortment of wildflowers. Eventually you’ll reach Johnson City, home of the LBJ National Park. Aside from being the birthplace and childhood home of former president Lyndon B. Johnson, the LBJ National Park also has some of the largest fields of native wildflowers in the state. So be sure to plan your visit to the LBJ National Park during spring to experience the wildflowers in full bloom.
2. Ennis Bluebonnet Trail (Ennis, Tx)
If you’re looking for something a bit more official, head straight to the source at the official Texas bluebonnet trail in Ennis. The area is home to never-ending grassy plains that are taken over by bluebonnets every spring. And if you plan a visit in April, you can partake in the Bluebonnet Trails Festival, which showcases the 40-plus miles of scenic wildflower routes through the area.
3. Franklin Mountain State Park (El Paso, Tx)
West Texas may not be what most people think of when they think of flowers but the Franklin Mountain State Park is home to some of the most unique and stunning wildflowers in the state. Along one of the many trails in Franklin Mountain State Park you’re likely to stumble across the Chisos Bluebonnet, a unique Texas flower that can reach up to four feet in height. The park also has a large number of ocotillo, yucca, Southwestern barrel cactus, and Chihuahuan fishhook cactus which will all be in bloom from late April to July.
4. Davey Dogwood Park (Palestine, Tx)
Palestine’s Davey Dogwood Park is home to 254 acres of public grounds, five miles of roads, and eight miles of trails, all overflowing with dogwood trees that will soon be in full bloom. The park also has a wide variety of common wildflowers such as bluebonnets, evening morning primroses, and Texas yellow flowers. One reason to visit the park is to see the Chervona Ruta or as it’s more commonly known the fern flower. Producing a yellow flower that only blooms for a short time in the summer months, this plant is highly regarded in eastern european folklore as magical. It is said that the yellow flower brings luck, wealth, and prosperity to those who find it.
5. Willow City Loop (Fredericksburg, Tx)
The Willow City Loop provides one of the most scenic drives in the state. Even off-season this rural road between Llano and Fredericksburg is something to see, with its rugged landscape, grazing cattle, and beautiful open fields. Come spring, however, you’ll find a variety of blooming plants. You’ll see bluebonnets, coreopsis, sunflowers, firewheels, and much more.
