Bluebonnets Houston
Every spring, Texas blooms in blue as bluebonnet fields in Houston areas blossom. Families, couples, and friends flock to these places to snap a photo of or in the beautiful blue fields of Bluebonnets Houston.
The bluebonnet flowers in Houston TX also fill up plenty of the city’s spaces. However, where to find bluebonnets in Houston can vary from year to year.
Fortunately, there are plenty of prime spots that you can always depend on to flourish with bluebonnets.
Check out our list below of where to see bluebonnets in Houston TX!
Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.
Also, check out our recent articles on Farmers Market Houston, Summer Camps in Houston, and Things to do in El Paso, Texas!
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Where to Find Bluebonnets in the Houston, Texas area
Please keep in mind that by no means does this list detail every single Houston bluebonnet patch. Additionally, things can change quickly due to nature and other outside forces.
With that in mind, here are some proven fields that typically offer great bluebonnet sightings around the Houston area.
Bluebonnets Houston – Central Houston
Buffalo Bayou Park
Bluebonnets Houston | Image Credit: Buffalo Bayou
The Buffalo Bayou is huge and bluebonnet patches can be found all over the park. However, the best places to check out are near The Dunlavy, Jackson Hill Bridge, and the South bank of Buffalo Bayou. Patches are small but are good for photos.
When: Monday – Sunday, 6 am – 11 pm
Where: Buffalo Bayou Park, 1800 Allen Pkwy &, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77019
How Much: Free
Hermann Park
Bluebonnets Houston | Image Credit: Hermann Park Conservancy
Bluebonnets are typically found in Bayou Parkland, a small part of Hermann Park. You can find them along Brays Bayou behind Hermann Park at Almeda and South MacGregor.
When: Monday – Sunday, 6 am – 11 pm
Where: Hermann Park, 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
How Much: Free
Rice University
Rice University is a comprehensive research college in Houston that boasts plenty of green open spaces all around campus. And these spaces bloom in blue once the bluebonnets season starts. Back in 2010, the school partnered up with the Lynn R. Lowrey Arboretum for a wildflower seed-spreading effort and since then, the school’s grounds have seen bluebonnets springing up every year. If you plan to visit, please call the school ahead.
When: Monday – Sunday
Where: Rice University, 6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005
Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: Mercer Botanic Gardens
Up in Spring, the Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Garden typically has a small patch of bluebonnets in their native wildflower/flower section. It could also be an educational experience for the kids as they can learn about different endangered plants that are protected there.
When: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 5 pm
Where: Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
How Much: Free
Brazos Bend State Park
The Brazos Bend State Park is a 5,000-acre state park with trails, lakes, and a campground. You can ride a horse, bike, hike, catch a fish, and even stay overnight. And during the spring, you can see tons of bluebonnets blooming in many of their fields. The flowers are spread out over the park so get ready to walk out in nature to find them.
When: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 10 pm
Where: Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 Farm to Market Rd 762, Needville, TX 77461
How Much: $7 for people 13 years and older
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Bluebonnets Houston – North Houston
Spring Creek Greenway
The Spring Creek Greenway is a 12-mile trail with a mix of forests, wetlands, and bluebonnet fields. It’s a favorite place for joggers because of the beautiful sceneries and the wonderful trail. Every year, parts of that trail is also filled with blooming bluebonnets.
When: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 7 pm
Where: Spring Creek Greenway, Spring, TX 77373
Rob Fleming Park
This large park in The Woodlands has some bluebonnet patches. It’s a great place for families as you can play and even have a picnic while you’re there.
When: Monday – Sunday, 7 am – 7 pm
Where: Rob Fleming Park, 6055 Creekside Forest Dr, Spring, TX 77389
How Much: $10
Bluebonnets Houston – West Houston
Terry Hershey Park
Bluebonnets can be spotted from Dairy Ashford St. The park itself is also good for playgrounds, fishing, and hiking trails.
When: Monday – Sunday, 7 am – 10 pm
Where: Terry Hershey Park, 15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
How Much: Free
Spotts Park
On the other side of Memorial Dr. off Waugh Dr., you can usually find some large patches every year. The best patches are said to be found on the southeast side of the park.
When: Monday – Sunday, 6 am – 7 pm
Where: Spotts Park, 401 S Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
Memorial Park
You can typically find bluebonnets and other wildflowers popping up in various spots along the running trail.
When: Monday – Sunday, 6 am – 11 pm
Where: Memorial Park, 6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
How Much: Free
White Oak Bayou
Bluebonnets Houston | Image Credit: Texas Bluebonnet Sightings
Along T.C. Jester from W. 34th St. to Ella Boulevard (near 18th St.) has plenty of patches for pictures. Also, check out Stude Park at Studemont and White Oak (near 1-10).
When: Monday – Sunday
Where: White Oak Bayou, Houston, TX 77002
How Much: Free
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Bluebonnets Houston – South Houston
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
At Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find plenty of beautiful wildflowers. This includes sea oxeye daisy, tropical sage, coreopsis, yellow thistle and spider lily, as well as sedges, rushes and cattails. And, of course, you’ll also find plenty of bluebonnets. It’s not a commonly known area for bluebonnets but they have great fields covered in blue during the spring too!
When: Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Where: Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, 24907 FM 2004 Rd, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
How Much: Free
University of Houston – Clear Lake
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: University of Houston – Clear Lake
The University of Houston – Clear Lake stands on a 524-acre nature preserve, a perfect setting for Texas’ most beloved blue flower, the bluebonnets. Every year, the university also puts in effort to remove invasive trees and overgrown plants to make space for native wildflower and grass species including the bluebonnets. Stop by the outside the NOA buildings on north side of campus to see their beautiful blue spaces.
When: Monday – Sunday
Where: University of Houston – Clear Lake, 2700 Bay Area Blvd, Houston, TX 77058
Sugar Land
Bluebonnets are usually sighted in Sugar Land in the Telfair community along the river.
When: Monday – Saturday
Where: Sugar Land, TX 77469
How Much: Free
Willow Waterhole Greenspace
Bluebonnets Houston | Image Credit: Willow Waterhole Greenway
291-acre greenway in Southwest Houston is a combination of recreational greenspace and a series of wet-bottom detention lakes. Bluebonnets are expected to be in their prime in April.
When: Monday – Sunday, 6:30 am – 7 pm
Where: Willow Waterhole Greenspace, 5300 Dryad Dr, Houston, TX 77035
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Bluebonnets Houston – East Houston
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Enjoy the blue meadows of the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center this spring. And also get a chance to learn more about the various wildflower species that will also be blooming around the area. You’ll also see plenty of the blue flowers along the arboretum’s pathways so get your cameras ready.
When: Monday – Sunday, 7 am – 6:30 pm
Where: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024
How Much: Free
Bluebonnets Houston – Outside the Greater Houston Area
Texas A&M University
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: Texas A&M University
The Gardens is the Texas A&M University’s own outdoor classroom that is free for everyone to enjoy. You can come here to relax, learn, gather, and experience. More importantly, you can visit here in spring to enjoy their lovely blue and maroon bluebonnets fields.
When: Monday – Sunday, 7 am – 9 pm
Where: The Gardens at Texas A&M University, 578 John Kimbrough Blvd, College Station, TX 77845
How Much: Free
Huntsville State Park
The Huntsville State Park is a wonderful place to relax in and enjoy the beauty of nature. In recent years, there have been sightings of bluebonnets clusters all around the park. Go out and hunt for them this spring!
When: Monday – Sunday, 6 am – 10 pm
Where: Huntsville State Park, 565 Park Road 40 west, Huntsville, TX 77340
How Much: $7
Lake Somerville Nails Creek State Park
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: Lake Somerville Nails Creek State Park
If you love bluebonnets, then you’ll definitely love waking through Nails Creek. The two-mile path there will be filled with fields and spots of bluebonnets. And every few steps, you’ll see plenty of great photo opportunities to enjoy these pretty blue flowers.
When: Monday – Sunday, 6 am – 10 pm
Where: Lake Sommerville State Park, 14222 Park Rd 57, Somerville, TX 77879
How Much: $5
Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Lake Mineral Wells State Park has plenty of great spots for those who love hiking and the adventure of the outdoors. Nestled in along those trails and paths are plenty of bluebonnet patches. While the park may not have extensive fields of blue, the pops of blue along the paths will still delight trailgoers.
When: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 8 pm
Where: Lake Mineral Wells State Park, 100 Park Rd 71, Mineral Wells, TX 76067
How Much: $7
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: Stephen F. Austin State Park
Here, you won’t need to go very far to spot the bluebonnets. Right at the entrance of the park, you’ll be able to spot the blue beauties. If you go deeper in, they’ll also be everywhere in clusters. So simply find the best photo background and take your shots as you enjoy the blue blooms.
When: Monday – Sunday, 8 am – 10 pm
Where: Stephen F. Austin State Park, Park Rd 38, San Felipe, TX 77473
How Much: $5
Bastrop State Park
This park is a perfect place for those who want to enjoy an overnight camping trip, some fishing, a great bike trail, plus some swimming. Other than that, you can also enjoy the fields of bluebonnets they have blooming over there every spring. Enjoy them while simply walking around or on one of your hikes.
When: Monday – Sunday, 6 am – 10 pm
Where: Bastrop State Park, 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602
How Much: $5
Ennis Bluebonnet Trails
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival
Ennis is home to the Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail. These trails are some of the oldest known in Texas and tens of thousands of visitors make the short trip to Ennis every year to drive through these trails. Each year, the bluebonnets bloom in different parts of the trail but don’t worry, the Ennis Garden Club does a yearly check of these and informs guests of the latest locations. So come on and go on a bluebonnets journey with your friends or family.
When: Monday – Sunday
Where: Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, 201 NW Main, Ennis, TX 75119
How Much: $5
Brenham/ Washington County
Bluebonnets Houston | Image credit: Visit Brenham Washington County, Texas
Whenever spring season rolls around, a favorite spot for bluebonnets hunters is the Brenham/ Washington County. The area is filled with tons of picturesque bluebonnets fields. One particular favorite stop is Old Baylor Park in Independence. Situated just off Highway 390, the bluebonnets-filled area is shaded by centuries-old, graceful Oak trees making it a fairytale-like spot.
When: Monday – Sunday
Where: Brenham/ Washington County, TX, 77833
How Much: Varies
Blessington Farms
Bluebonnets Houston | Image Credit: Blessington Farms
Good for those out near Katy and Sugarland, Blessington Farms has a small hill with bluebonnets and wildflowers. You can also participate in strawberry picking and other fun farm activities.
When: Saturday – Sunday, 9 am – 4 pm
Where: Blessington Farms, 510 Chisolm Trail, Wallis, TX 77485
How Much: $18
Bluebonnets in Houston – Galveston
Galveston Island State Park
With both beach and bay sides at the Galveston Island State Park, there is so much to do and explore. One more thing you can add to your list is to do some bluebonnet hunting around the park. Once spring starts, the park is filled with tons of various wildflowers blooming that make it a colorful nature wonderland. Test your luck at finding the perfect bluebonnet field in Houston for some great photos.
When: Monday – Sunday, 7 am – 10 pm
Where: Galveston Island State Park, 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554
How Much: $5
Bluebonnet Houston, Texas FAQs
What are Bluebonnets?
According to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, “Bluebonnet is the common name for a few species of lupines including the Texas bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis), sandyland bluebonnet (Lupinus subcarnosus — also called the Texas bluebonnet) and the Big Bend bluebonnet (Lupinus havardii). These three, plus the rarer Lupinus concinnus and Lupinus plattensis, are lumped together as the state flower of Texas.”
When do Texas bluebonnets bloom?
This year, the bluebonnets are expected around the end of March and beginning of April for most of Texas with the bluebonnet season expected to last until the end of April and into early May.
Things to know before you head out to see Bluebonnets in Houston
- Respect nature–The bluebonnets in Houston are beautiful, and we want to keep them that way. When you go to visit a bluebonnet field, be very careful walking around. A lot of people ask “Is it illegal to pick bluebonnets in Texas?” Answer is No. However, it is important to be courteous and let other Texans enjoy them as well. Don’t trample the flowers, do not pick them. And if you see a bluebonnet patch in someone’s yard or private property, do not enter.
- Stay safe–In your excitement to enjoy the bluebonnets and to take your photos, don’t be careless and disregard safety. Some Houston bluebonnet patches may be near busy roads, so make sure your kids don’t run out into traffic. Also, be on the lookout for ant beds, mosquitoes, and even snakes in some cases.
- Don’t hog the spotlight–There’s a good chance you won’t be the only one visiting the bluebonnet patch. If others are around, make sure you’re sharing the space and everyone gets a chance for their photo op.
How did bluebonnets get their name?
Bluebonnets got their name from the shape of the flower petals, which resemble bonnets (a type of cap) worn by Texas pioneer women to shield them from the blazing sun. They’re also known as wolf flower, buffalo clover, Azulego, meaning cornflower or indigo bunting, and El Conejo, meaning rabbit in Spanish because of the resemblance of a white spot on the flower to the rabbit’s white tail.
When did bluebonnets become the State Flower of Texas?
Bluebonnets, which are native to Texas , became the State Flower In 1901, when the Texas Legislature chose it over cotton bolls and cactus pears. In 1971, the Legislature added five other bluebonnet species to the State Flower designation, so now six species of the bluebonnet are all considered the State Flower.
Are bluebonnets only blue?
Most bluebonnets are blue and white, but in Texas the blooms come in varying shades of pink, purple, lavender, and white.
Do bluebonnets have a smell?
Some people say that bluebonnet blossoms have no scent; other say the scent is “sickly sweet.” What do you think?
Are bluebonnets toxic?
All parts of the plants, in particular the pods and seeds, are toxic to humans and dogs. The toxic component, alkaloids, acts as a natural pesticide. The flowers may also absorb herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the environment. Sheep, goats, and a few insects eat them without problem; deer eat them when desperate; but cattle and horses know to stay away from them.
Are bluebonnets edible?
Bluebonnets (seeds) are not edible even though they are part of the legume family, which includes soybeans, chick peas, beans, and peanuts. And remember Blue Bonnet margarine, introduced in 1942? It has a great name, but its oil comes from soybeans, not bluebonnets.
What is the best way to take bluebonnet pictures with the family?
You don’t have to be a trained photographer to take memorable snaps. Whether you’re photographing your kids, pets, or your family or friends, check out our Simple Tips for Bluebonnets Photography in Texas for taking amazing photos. Things such as what time of the day is best, what to wear for bluebonnet pictures and so on!
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