One of the best spring traditions in Texas — especially for those with young children — is to take pictures in the bluebonnets! Bluebonnets, the state flower of Texas, grow throughout the state, although the best patches sometimes vary from year to year. A good cold snap is crucial for exceptional bluebonnet seasons, but warmer than average temperatures, late or extended hard freezes, flooding, hail storms and even mowing can impact these native blooms.
Most experts agree the best bluebonnets are clustered around the Texas Hill Country, but there are usually several good spots to find photo-worthy bluebonnets in and around Houston. Here is what some local crowdsourcing has designated as the best spots:
- Bayou Parkland at Hermann Park — This is a great spot if you can get the Bill Coats Bridge in the background.
- Brays Bayou, behind Hermann Park — There is a patch with a variety of wildflowers, plus more bluebonnets on the steeper banks of the bayou.
- Chatham Avenue by Cornerstone Elementary in Sugar Land — Great flowers, but be careful for snakes!
- Rob Fleming Park — This is the best wildflower meadow in The Woodlands
- Spotts Park — Go to the southeast side of the park, opposite of the volleyball court and past the playground. And watch out for bees!
- Stude Park — This park in the Heights area is nice, but watch out for ant beds.
- Terry Hershey Park — You can usually see the bluebonnets from Dairy Ashford Street.
- White Oak Bayou — The best patches are usually between 18th and 43rd streets. Park at T.C. Jester Park. There are also some great spots along banks of the bayou, but they are difficult to get to if you have little kids
- Willow Waterhole Park — This spot in southwest Houston also has a dog park, so bring your pup!
If you’re up for taking a drive — and Colony Limo is happy to arrange that for you — consider going out to Brenham for the day. If you can’t make it out to the Texas Hill Country, Brenham is your best bet for high-quality, densely-populated fields of bluebonnets. Highway 290 and FM 390 are always hot spots, and there’s even a frequently-updated “Wildflower Watch” blog with information so visitors know exactly what stage the blooms are in before they visit.
Further from Houston, the best spots for bluebonnets are in Marble Falls, Kingsland, Burnet, Bertram, Mason, Lampasas, Llano, Fredericksburg, Rockdale, Georgetown, Ennis and Big Bend National Park.
And don’t forget, you can always call the Texas Department of Transportation Wildflower Hotline (800-452-9292) for more up-to-date information on the best spots for bluebonnets.