Chasing flower fields is a hobby and true love of mine! There is just so much beauty in flowers and I love immortalizing that beauty in photos. So yes I will travel just for flowers! We spent 5 months in the summer of 2019 living in Dallas, Texas and one of my first searches was for flowers to visit. I found out the Official Bluebonnet Trail in Ennis, TX was only a 45 minute drive away. I knew I had to take a day trip to see the bluebonnet trail.
Luckily a couple girlfriends were completely up for the adventure with me. One is a photographer and she took most of the photos you’ll see in this post and edited them. They turned out so magical and she does amazing work, definitely check her out, I’ll put her info below her photos.
This post may contain some affiliate links. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. I only recommend products that I love and would purchase myself! Full disclaimer here.
Read More: How to Pose with Flowers: 17 Poses for Beautiful Photos
Ennis, Texas: Bluebonnet Trail
Ennis, Texas is a go-to destination to see Bluebonnets because it is home to the Official Bluebonnet Trail. This is a 40 mile area of road that you can drive through. The whole area is lined with fields of flowers during peak season. Much of the surrounding land is private property which you can only look at. However, there are many spots that are still perfect for stopping and getting pictures alongside the road or in public parks such as Bluebonnet Park or Meadow View Nature Area.
When to See Bluebonnet Flowers
Bluebonnets are the official state flower of Texas and are found in the southwestern United States. Their peak season does vary a little each year, but generally the bluebonnet season starts in mid-March and goes through the end of April. The peak blooms happen around the second and third weeks of April
We visited at the tail end of the season at the very end of April. There were still tons of blooms, but not as many as there would have been a week or two earlier. It was still beautiful though!
How to See the Bluebonnet Wildflowers
The best way to see the bluebonnets is by car. It may even be the only way. Ennis, TX is a small rural town outside Dallas, TX. There is no public transportation and the bluebonnet trail covers over 40 miles. Plus the trail often is the road, not a pedestrian friendly walking trail.
If you are flying in to see the bluebonnets then I recommend flying into Dallas, TX and combining your trip with sightseeing in the area. There is a lot to do in downtown Dallas and Fort Worth plus the bluebonnets make for a perfect day trip from Dallas.
Other Dallas Blog Posts to Read:
- A Local’s Guide to Dallas and Fort Worth
- 8 Restaurants in the DFW Area to Try Today
- 5 Desserts in Dallas to Try Before You Die
How to Find the Best Bluebonnet Blooms
If you are going to make the trip out to see the bluebonnet fields you want to make sure that you’re going to see the best blooms possible. There are several trails and a lot of land to cover which makes it hard to just go by trial and error. Luckily the city of Ennis has made it super easy for you. They send people out on the trails each week to map out the best blooms.
You can find all the bluebonnet maps and updates on the Ennis Visitor Center website or their corresponding app “Ennis Y’all” for iPhone or Android. You can also visit the Ennis Welcome Center in person and talk to a real person. They can give you a physical map and talk you through where the best blooms are currently and the best way to go.
Address: 201 NW Main, Ennis, TX 75119
Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival
Every year during the third week of April, the city of Ennis puts on the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival. There is live music, small shops and lots of food vendors from all over Texas. The event is free to attend and sure to be lots of fun for the whole family!
Helpful Tips to Visit the Bluebonnet Fields
- You can pull over anywhere you want to stop as long as you aren’t blocking driveways, fire hydrants, etc.
- Be polite and obey the law. Listen to signs warning about private property especially and be respectful of people’s property. There are plenty of beautiful spots to visit that don’t require entering private land.
- Try your best to not damage the flowers and leave no trace. Many people come to enjoy the flowers and we all need to do our part to keep it looking nice all season long.
- The Bluebonnet Trail is dog friendly. However, be aware that you are right next to farm animals in many areas and often next to roads. Be careful and aware that your pup is always under your control, whether verbal or a leash. Try your best to minimize the damage they inflict on the flowers.
Is it Illegal to Pick Bluebonnets?
No. You would not be breaking any laws if you picked the bluebonnets. Bluebonnets are naturally occurring wildflowers in Texas, so although they are a protected state flower, you could take some. However, please do not pick them in order to preserve the area for the hundreds and thousands of other people that want to see the bluebonnets too. If everyone took a few, then the peak season would not last very long.
Instead try purchasing some in town that are grown for the purpose of being sold. Or grab some seeds and grow your own at home!
Where to See Bluebonnets in Texas
If you are in a different area of Texas or maybe you want to go to multiple locations then here are 5 other places to see bluebonnets in Texas. Each destination is well known as a bluebonnet hot spot year after year.
- Burnet, TX – The Bluebonnet Capital
- Kingsland, TX
- Marble Falls, TX
- Llano, TX
- Fredericksburg, TX
Bluebonnet Trail of Ennis, TX
The bluebonnet flowers are definitely worth a visit if you have the chance. Hopefully this guide will make your visit to the bluebonnet fields easy and smooth! Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions that I can help answer that I didn’t think of.
The only other thing I will say is that you should definitely bring a picnic or stop in Ennis to grab some food because between the drive, the exploring and the picture taking I have no doubt that you’ll get hungry. If you wait till you’re back in Dallas to eat check out one of these 8 delicious Dallas restaurants!
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