Central Texas hosts a wide variety of wildflowers, but by far the most famous—and the most prevalent in the Austin area—is the official state flower, the bluebonnet. These violet-blue flowers start to bloom in mid-March, and since these natural beauties are only in bloom for about six weeks, families, children, photographers, tourists, and flower enthusiasts spend time during the spring months seeking out bluebonnet crops in fields, gardens, and other public greenspaces.

Bluebonnets can be found in several Austin neighborhoods and suburbs, and these five spots provide excellent starting points for your own bluebonnet viewing adventure.

Circle C Ranch

One of the largest master-planned communities within Austin city limits, Circle C Ranch is a desirable community due to its wide selection of single-family homes priced in the high $400s. The community is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country and features abundant outdoor spaces, from pools to athletic fields to parks and greenbelts. 

Circle C Ranch’s prime location in Austin makes it easy for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the blooming bluebonnets. 

Places to See Bluebonnets:

  • Circle C Metropolitan Park: Located within the boundaries of Circle C Ranch, this park features a network of hiking and biking trails dotted with bluebonnet patches.
  • Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: A five-minute drive from the community will lead you to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, a park and preserve dedicated to native Texan flora of all types, especially bluebonnets during the spring.

St. Edwards

Jeff Fearing, SEHS '67 - CC BY 1.0

Considered among the oldest and most charming neighborhoods in South Austin, St. Edwards centers its local identity around its eponymous university. Prospective homebuyers in St. Edwards can choose from an inventory of attached homes and single-family homes, with prices ranging from the high $100s to the low $300s, according to Neighborhoods.com listings. 

Students and residents alike can find plentiful bluebonnet crops on nearby properties as well as throughout St. Edwards University’s historic campus.

Places to See Bluebonnets:

  • The hilltop: St. Edwards is located atop a hill right off of South Congress Avenue, and if you climb to the hill’s crest and face north, you’ll discover an impressive view of the wild bluebonnets with the Downtown Austin skyline as the backdrop.
  • The soccer fields: Surrounding the crest of the hill at the campus’ center, you’ll find a series of soccer fields used by the St. Edwards home team. These fields are also a prime vantage point for scoping out clusters of these bright blossoms around the fields.

Northwest Austin

Thanks to its reasonable real estate prices, impressive master-planned communities, and easy access to both Downtown Austin and the University of Texas, Northwest Austin is quickly growing in popularity among homebuyers seeking a place to put down roots in the Lone Star Capital. The bulk of Northwest Austin’s housing inventory includes single-family houses, and prices range from the mid $100s to the mid $2 millions.

Bluebonnet watchers will also delight at the ability to observe these vibrant blossoms throughout Northwest Austin, particularly in open greenspaces. 

Places to See Bluebonnets:

  • Balcones District Park: A (somewhat poorly kept) local secret, this park houses one of the most celebrated crops of bluebonnets, which reappear on an annual basis. For the highest density of bluebonnets, check out the hiking trails located along Walnut Creek.
  • J. J. Pickle Research Campus at UT: A satellite location of the University of Texas located off of Burnet Road, J.J. Pickle Research Campus features numerous plots filled with bluebonnets which you can spot by walking through the campus proper or by driving down Burnet Road.

Cedar Park

Bluebonnets in Bushy Creek Lake Park, A Yee - CC BY 2.0

Frequently counted among the most scenic suburbs of Austin, Cedar Park has reasonably priced single-family homes as well as the Brushy Creek State Park.

This public park features a lush greenspace with fields specifically dedicated to the bluebonnnet’s annual bloom. Those who visit the park may also enjoy the duck pond and hiking trails near the bluebonnet field, rendering this place an ideal destination for a day trip. 

Places to See Bluebonnets:

  • Brushy Creek Lake Park: This sizable public park features an entire bluebonnet park, making it easy for bloom spotters to find exactly what they want.
  • Cedar Park High School: Locals note that the Cedar Park High School athletic fields at the corner of Cypress Creek Road and Anderson Mill Road are prime locales for bluebonnet sightings, particularly if you visit later in April.

Spicewood

Randall Chancellor, Cliff Diving at Pace Bend Park - CC BY-SA 2.0

Just under an hour’s drive away is the town of Spicewood. This area enjoys a prominent position among Austin’s most scenic suburbs, thanks to its Hill Country locale and easy commuting time to Austin’s city center. The town also includes a park and rec center famous for its bluebonnet fields, making it a gorgeous destination for nature lovers in Central Texas.

Places to See Bluebonnets:

  • Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area: A park measuring over 650 acres, Muleshoe Bend features plenty of outdoor attractions, but bluebonnet fans head here every spring for its large yield of the Texas state flower along its hiking trails and around its beautiful lake.
  • Pace Bend Park: A popular destination for camping enthusiasts in Central Texas, Pace Bend Park is a vibrant scouting ground for spotting bluebonnets. Go at sunset for scenic views of the wildflowers framing Lake Travis for a perfect picture.