Where to Find Texas Bluebonnets

April showers bring May flowers…isn’t that how the saying goes? It’s certainly true in Texas, where the winter rains bring the beautiful wildflowers of spring. Taking your picture in a field of bluebonnets is a rite of passage for every child in Texas. Here are the top locations to catch the flowers in bloom.

Where to Find Texas Bluebonnets

Pictures in the bluebonnets are…well, sort of required…for Texas children. I’m pretty sure I’d get my Texas Mom Card revoked if I failed to get yearly pictures of my kids in the bluebonnets. Bluebonnet pictures are amazing for natives and visitors alike and, no matter where you live, they make wonderful Christmas card pictures.

But, as beautiful as the pictures are, seeing these blossoms in person is a bazillion times better and a bazillion is like, a lot, y’all. Fields of bluebonnets line the rural highways in Texas, and we have directions to the best spots.

Read More: Safety First When Taking Texas Bluebonnet Pictures

Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail

Take a day (or two) and drive through the Texas hill country on the Bluebonnet Trail.

Burnet – The Bluebonnet Capital

The best place to start the Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail is in Burnet (pronounced burn-it). After all, it’s the Bluebonnet Capital of Texas. Burnet, Texas, is located 60 miles northwest of Austin and directly west of Georgetown on Highway 29. Residents and visitors celebrate the blooming wildflowers at the annual Bluebonnet Festival the second weekend of April.

Marble Falls

From Burnet, head south on Highway 281 to Marble Falls. As you approach Marble Falls, look for the Bluebonnet House at 4554 N. US Highway 281. The mid-19th century abandoned home sits in a field of wildflowers and is a popular place to take pictures. While in Marble Falls, make sure to stop by the Blue Bonnet Cafe for a piece of their legendary pies. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has free maps of the Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail.

Johnson City and Fredericksburg

From Marble Falls, head south on Highway 281 to Johnson City and then west on Highway 290 toward Fredericksburg. Stop at the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site to learn more about where the 37th president was born, lived, died and was buried. In Fredericksburg, shop the stores on Main Street and eat at my favorite German restaurant, the Altdorf Biergarten, at 301 West Main.

TravelingMom Tip: If you’ve got extra time, there are a ton of fun things to do in Fredericksburg and Johnson City with your kids. 

Highway 16 from Fredericksburg to Llano

When you leave Fredericksburg, head north on Highway 16 to Llano. After about 13 miles, go east on Ranch Road 1323 to Willow City. The Willow City Loop heads north and eventually loops back around to Highway 16 where you can continue your trip toward Llano. The loop is a scenic 13-mile drive filled with wildflowers. However, this land is private, so you are discouraged from stopping to take pictures. If the weather is good, consider a side trip to climb Enchanted Rock.

The last leg of the Highland Lakes Bluebonnet Trail takes you back west from Llano to Burnet on Highway 29 and past Lake Buchanan.

Washington County

Washington County is located on Highway 290 between Austin and Houston. It is home of Brenham and the Bluebell Creamery Tour. Each spring the Brenham Chamber of Commerce conducts a Wildflower Watch and posts bluebonnet sightings on its blog. Washington County is also close to treasure hunter’s mecca Round Top where you can stay overnight at the nation’s only indoor campground Lone Star Glamp Inn.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson and actress Helen Hayes established the National Wildflower Center in 1982. In 1997, the center was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and moved to 4801 La Crosse Ave. in South Austin. At the center, you can learn about Texas wildflowers, get ideas for your home garden, and walk the trails through wildflowers including bluebonnets.

Read More: Free (and FUN!) Things to Do in Texas

Kingsland

Kingsland sits on the banks of the Colorado River and Lake LBJ. The town’s official slogan is: “Where the rivers flow and bluebonnets grow.” Head to this tiny town’s abandoned railroad tracks for super bluebonnet pictures.

Brenham

Brenham is on the map for ice cream (Blue Bell is made here and if you haven’t tried that, you’re missing out). This small town is the halfway point between Austin and Houston, making it an easy Texas day trip for bluebonnet pictures. Bluebonnets historically appear along Highway 290 East and FM 390. Brenham also has a Wildflower Watch website complete with a wildflower map.

New Braunfels

Off of I-35, take the Rueckle Road exit toward Highway 46. If you’re a San Antonio-area family (or visiting) this is a popular place and an easy drive.

Ennis

Ennis is known as the “Official Bluebonnet City in Texas.” Located south of Dallas, the Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail is said to be the oldest bluebonnet trail in Texas.

The best way to find Bluebonnets?

Worth of mouth. If you’re in Texas or plan to visit during bluebonnet season, ask a local. The best bluebonnet spot within a short drive of my house is the slope behind Rolling Oaks Mall in North East San Antonio. Texas is a big state (you know what they say!) and there are tons of places to go to get beautiful pictures in the bluebonnets.

And don’t forget the other Texas flowers! Indian blankets, Mexican Hats and Drummond phlox are also pretty and very photo-worthy!

TravelingMom Tip: Consider getting professional family photos done with the beautiful bluebonnets. We recommend using Flytograher to find a photographer in the area you’ll be traveling to.

Have you taken a family photo in the bluebonnets? Please share them with us on Instagram using the hashtag #TMOM