The air feels slightly warmer. The days are growing longer, and the rain and snow are beginning to fade, indicating that Texas is ready to be overrun with wildflowers.
The bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, and pink evening primrose are just a few of the 2,700 wildflower species found in Texas. They’re all set to burst forth into a riot of color, blanketing the fields and filling the roads. It’s why now is the ideal time to organize a wildflower road trip in Texas.
Though the quantity and placement of the blooms change year to year, Texas has a few tried-and-true spots where you can enjoy these beautiful panoramas during peak bloom, which occurs between mid-March and mid-April. Find out which Texas road trip path is perfect for you by reading on.
1. Washington and Grimes Counties
Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush blossoms, thistles, purple coneflowers, verbenas, skullcaps, rattlesnake masters, blanket flowers, and more can be seen throughout an 80-mile round-trip circuit between Brenham, Burton, Independence, Washington, and Chappell Hill.
Want to take it a step quite far? Tourists can enjoy a breathtaking show of natural color against the sceneries of oak and pine forests along FM 1774, which runs from Brenham to Navasota, Plantersville, Magnolia, Hempstead, and back to Brenham.
2. Ennis
If you’re searching for something more formal, go to Ennis’ Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail. The area is known for its endless grassy plains, which are covered in bluebonnets every spring. If you travel in April, you can participate in the Bluebonnet Trails Festival, which highlights the area’s 40-plus miles of magnificent wildflower pathways.
3. The Texas Hill Country
Navigate your way to the Texas Hill Country for another assured vista of the bluebonnets. In particular, look for Indian paintbrush blooms, pink evening primroses, daisies, winecups, prairie verbena, and goldeneye phlox in Marble Falls, Burnet, Lampasas, San Saba, Mason, Llano, Fredericksburg, and Johnson City.
Between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site boast more than 400 species, including bluebonnets, evening primrose, and scarlet sage, according to Texas Highways.
The Willow City Loop, which comprises US 281, US 290, and Ranch Roads 1323, 1631, 2721, and 1320, is also indicated. Visit Wildseed Farms, the nation’s largest functioning wildflower farm, in Fredericksburg as a treat.
4. West Texas
Wildflowers grow wild in West Texas, particularly in the Terlingua and Big Bend regions. Visitors are likely to come upon wayside blooming among the generally parched terrain. Visitors may even come across fields of Chisos bluebonnets, a rare Texas bloom that can grow to be four feet tall. Visitors may also want to travel about five hours north to Franklin Mountains State Park, which is home to the ocotillo, yucca, Southwestern barrel cactus, and Chihuahuan fishhook cactus, according to Texas Highways.
5. East Texas
Lastly, on your wildflower road trip, make sure to stop in East Texas. The Texas Dogwood Trails are known for their distinctive white and pink blossoms. Davey Dogwood Park in Palestine also has 254 acres of public land, five miles of roads, and eight miles of trails, all of which are brimming with dogwood trees about to blossom. Texas Highways recommends driving along the sides of FM 227 for a drive-by floral show, then heading to State Highway 21 for redbuds and yellow jessamine.
