With bluebonnet season kicking off in the Lone Star State, here are the top ten spots to bask in their beauty in and around the metroplex:
Bluebonnet Trail Greenbelt
The Bluebonnet Trail extends from Central Expressway to Midway Road, tracing the path of an Oncor power line easement. It also runs along Spring Creek Parkway and Chase Oaks Boulevard. Midway through Plano, it crosses the Chisholm Trail and links with the Preston Ridge Trail at Carpenter Park.
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. until August, is an idyllic spot to view bluebonnets in North Texas.
Richardson Parks
Richardson’s Parks & Recreation Department plants over 45 acres of wildflower seeds in municipal parks and other spots in the city. Places in Richardson to spot bluebonnets include the following: Crowley Park, Richardson City Hall, Richardson Library, Breckinridge Park, Cottonwood Park, Prairie Creek Park, and Fujitsu Field in East Richardson. Most parks in Richardson offer a good chance of catching a bloom.
Airfield Falls Trailhead and Conservation Park
Butterflies and flowing water just outside Fort Worth make this natural setting a convenient place to enjoy the state’s flowers.
Zion Cemetery
Although you cannot access the grounds directly, you can admire bluebonnets from afar at the Zion Cemetery on Farm to Market Road 423, north of Eldorado Parkway.
Frisco Parks
Freedom Meadow at Warren Sports Complex, Meadow Monarch View Park, Pearson Acres Park, Frisco Commons Park Meadow, and Wildflower Loop along Grand Park’s Big Bluestem Trail are all recommended by the City of Frisco for bluebonnet viewing.
The Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park
Located on the grounds of George W. Bush Presidential Center at SMU, enjoy a trial network that stretches one mile through native Texas environments, including bluebonnets.
Ennis Bluebonnet Trails and Festival
From April 19-21, catch some live music, indulge in some delicious food, and enjoy the bluebonnets, which the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center predicts will be particularly vibrant this season. The area’s trails remain open the entire month of April.
Arbor Hills Nature Preserve
Take in the state’s flowers from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, except Wednesday when the area remains closed from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. for maintenance.
Coppell Nature Park
This 66-acre park is home to over 130 different species of birds and over five miles of trails. The Biodiversity Education Center on the grounds offers information about the state’s flora and fauna.
