Best time to travel to Texas

Wildflowers in Texas

Every spring, Texas countryside gets transformed with yellow, blue, purple, and red blooms

Best time: late February–October | best April

Wildflowers
Wildflowers
Wildflowers
Wildflowers

Texas boasts a vast territory and variety of climate types, which results in the great diversity of plants. Over 2,500 wildflower species are found in the Lone Star State. That doesn't include trees, shrubs, and cacti which Texas has in large numbers as well.

Lupinus texensis or the Texas bluebonnet is the state flower and undoubtedly the most iconic of all spring blooms in North Texas. Bluebonnets are most abundant in Hill and Washington Counties. The fields bloom from March until mid-April. The best place to spot these stunning wildflowers is Ennis, home of the "Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail" that spans 40 miles and attracts tens of thousands of visitors. The cities of Burnet and Fredericksburg offer quite impressive bluebonnet trails as well.

Red poppies typically bloom in Texas from mid-March through late April. Picture-perfect poppy sites in the state include Georgetown, where flowers are abundant right in the downtown, and Castroville in Medina county. In west Texas, El Paso boasts the fields of Mexican gold poppy and hosts the annual Poppy Festival in late March. White prickly poppy is another interesting variety, native to Texas. It blooms from March through June and can be spotted at various locations, in particular, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

West Texas with its arid climate offers an array of unusual desert blooms, including yucca, desert marigold, and cacti species. Prickly pear cactus one of the most recognizable species and a state plant of Texas. Prickly pear usually has large orange-yellow flowers from April through June. You can look for it at the Big Bend National Park on the border with Mexico.

Texas wildflower season generally runs from late February through October. However, spring, especially April, is the best time for nature walks in the state. If you can choose just one location to visit, head to Hill Country. Wildseed Farm in Fredericksburg is the largest wildflower farm in America with the most impressive fields and meadows. Nearby Willow City Loop is ablaze with color throughout spring and summer.

Practical info

When is the best time to visit Texas for wildflowers?

The period from late February to October is when wildflowers bloom in Texas. However, the ideal time to visit Texas to see nature's colorful display is during spring, particularly in April. Visitors can see iconic blooms, including bluebonnets, red poppies, and desert wildflowers if the West part of the state is visited. State parks or wildflower farms can be explored during spring to participate in nature walks. Show more

Where are the best places to see bluebonnets in Texas?

The Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail, running for 40 miles, is the best place to find bluebonnets in Texas. You can see bluebonnet trails in Fredericksburg and Burnett. Bluebonnets are in their peak season from mid-March to April, and they are available in abundance in Hill and Washington Counties. Visitors can spot them in both rural and urban areas in North Texas. Show more

What other colorful wildflowers bloom in Texas besides bluebonnets?

Apart from bluebonnets, Texas boasts over 2,500 diverse wildflower species, including Mexican and white prickly poppies, red poppies, and desert blooms. During mid-March to late April, fields garnished with blooming red poppies, white prickly poppies, and Mexican gold poppies are a common sight. The West part of Texas offers various desert blooms like yucca, desert marigold, and different species of cacti, including the recognizable prickly pear cactus featuring large orange-yellow flowers from April to June within the Big Bend National Park. Show more

Where are the best locations in Texas to spot desert wildflowers?

The best location in Texas to spot desert wildflowers is West Texas with its arid climate. There are fields of wildflowers such as desert marigold and other unique flora in places such as the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center in Fort Davis. The Big Bend National Park located on the border with Mexico offers visitors an opportunity to explore various cacti species, including the recognizable prickly pear cactus with large orange-yellow flowers. Show more

What are some unique species of cacti and other plants found in Texas besides wildflowers?

Texas is blessed with a variety of plant species, including cacti, shrubs, and trees. The most recognizable species is the prickly pear cactus featuring flowering from April to June. The West part of Texas is home to the ocotillo cactus displaying finger-like stems growing tall without leaves featuring red flowers in spring. The Texas horned lizard, aka the 'horny toad,' is an ant-eating lizard that blends with sand's color and is another distinctive plant of Texas. Show more

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin