Where is the best place to see Texas bluebonnets in 2024? Check out our map
We're in prime bluebonnet viewing season in Texas, which also means it's time to break out those cameras.
The Texas state flower, known scientifically as Lupinus texensis, normally blooms from late February to early April, according to thetexaswildflower.com. The flowers are most commonly found in fields and are extremely prevalent in Central Texas.
Photos of groups of bluebonnets are stunning. Their colors can vary from blue to purple, and they're great for personal and nature photography. To get the best shots, here are some locations in Central Texas where bluebonnets thrive:
State parks
Several state parks in Central Texas offer great bluebonnet viewing and photography opportunities, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. The most notable parks are Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site, Inks Lake State Park, Pedernales Fall State Park, Palmetto State Park and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
All of the parks are within an hour-and-a-half drive from Austin. So, make it a day trip and go see Texas' official state flower in full bloom.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center features nearly 900 different species of plants, including the star of the show: the bluebonnet. The center allows visitors to get up close and personal with wildflowers of all varieties, making it a great place to view bluebonnets.
The center also features its very own bluebonnet photo station, according to TheAustinThings.com. There's a small entry fee and reservations are required, but it'll likely make your bluebonnet photos worth it.
Turkey Bend Recreation Area
Consider heading to Marble Falls to gawk at the bluebonnets growing in Turkey Bend Recreation Area and Muleshoe Bend. It's a wildflower hotspot, according to TexasHillCountry.com, complete with more than 400 acres of land and views of the Colorado River to boot.
Marble Falls is also home to the aptly named Blue Bonnet Cafe, where visitors can enjoy all-day breakfast and the cafe's "world famous" pies.
McKinney Falls
Some of the best views of bluebonnet fields come courtesy of McKinney Falls State Park, less than a 30-minute drive from Austin. Waterfalls complement the scenery, and Sierra Schmidt, lead writer and photographer at VeryTrulyTexas.com, recommends the park's Onion Creek Trail for the best viewing opportunities.
St. Edward's University
A hometown favorite for bluebonnet viewing is St. Edward's University, a private, Catholic university situated along South Congress Avenue.
The campus' bluebonnet fields are a major draw for students and visitors. They even prompted one student to create a map of the best spots to view the flowers.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Map: Best spots to take stunning photos of Texas bluebonnets in bloom
