Top Greater Houston Area Bluebonnet Sightings

A mother and three children sitting together in a field of Bluebonnets.

Updated March 2024

The bluebonnet is the Texas state flower, and taking photos with the cerulean buds is every Texan’s favorite pastime. Spring means warmer weather, longer days, and of course, stunning fields covered in bluebonnets!  This is the time of year when Houstonians venture outside the loop to find the perfect field to sit in and take family photos! Before we can find that perfectly ‘gram-worthy spot to make photo magic, here are a few ways to make sure we can appreciate these fields of blue for many years to come.

Be Respectful

Respect the bluebonnets and the land they grow on.  Bluebonnets are delicate! Tread lightly so you don’t flatten the patches. You may be able to achieve the same look by sitting just behind a patch instead of in it.

Respect others’ property. Be sure not to enter private property or a private residence to get those famed photos and if you aren’t sure, be respectful and ask before you tell everyone to hop out of the car.

Be Safe

I’ll tell you a secret many city-folk don’t know: ants love Bluebonnets as much as we do! Fields of Bluebonnets are notorious for being filled with ant beds, not to mention, mosquitoes, snakes, and other critters. Watch where you step- and sit!

If you’re headed to the Hill Country for a photoshoot, pay attention to where you’re stopping. Be sure to park far off the road so that you aren’t blocking traffic or views of the road. If you find a popular spot where a lot of cars are waiting, it might be a good idea to drive around the block and wait for it to clear out.

And never, ever cross a major freeway to get to the flower beds. Your life isn’t worth these photos!

Be Proactive

If you’re taking photos with children, be sure to bring plenty of snacks and drinks to keep them occupied and satisfied. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen! And a lollipop or two never hurt as incentive for those insta-worthy smiles.

The best time of day to take photographs outdoors is morning or late afternoon, during the golden hours.

Finally- Mama, get in the picture! Whether you ask a stranger for help or you bring a tripod and set a timer, your face in those pictures is paramount. Ten years from now, your face will bring back those beautiful memories even more so than the cobalt fields.

A close up of a bluebonnet.

In The Hill Country

If you’re like me and you want to make a day of it, here are a couple of my favorite locations for day tripping to enjoy the bluebonnets:

Wildseed Farms: Right in the heart of wine country, this farm and wine tasting room has the most gorgeous fields of bluebonnets and wildflowers. As of the first of April, not much is blooming yet but I was told within 10-14 days they are expecting lots of spring growth.

First Baptist Church in Chappell Hill:  This is where you’ll find the picturesque field with the red barn  {bonus, you can park in their lot}!

290 and Indian Paintbrush Rd: This location has an unoccupied field a little bit out of the way which means fewer crowds.  You’ll want to park nearby and walk to the location so scout out where to park first.

Wildflower fields are also plentiful on the drive toward Brenham from Houston. Just keep safety in mind and don’t trespass on private property!

A smiling mother and two children wrapped in a quilt and sitting in a field of bluebonnets.

Top Houston Area Bluebonnet Sightings

A young girl standing in a field of bluebonnets.

Buffalo Bayou Park: Bluebonnets can be found just east of the Jackson Hill Bridge, The Dunlavy, and Lost Lake on the South bank of Buffalo Bayou. The patches here are small but perfect for quick photos with little ones.

Stude Park: Located in the Heights area, this park has a lot to offer including bluebonnets. The red statue {Mac Whitney’s “Houston”} is a unique urban touch. There’s also a small playground at this park, so you can use it as a negotiation tool if needed. Watch out for the ant beds, they’re pretty dense here.

Spotts Park: You’ll find the best patches of bluebonnets on the southeast side, across from the sand volleyball court and past the playground. Parking and traffic can be a nightmare so aim for less busy times of day, between 9 – 11 am or in the early afternoon before school lets out and rush hour begins.

T.C. Jester Park: The banks of White Oak Bayou are typically covered in bluebonnets, particularly between 18th and 43rd streets. Your best bet for parking is at the park, just make sure to take your valuables and lock your car.

Bridgeland: This neighborhood in North West Houston has two different areas where bluebonnets and wildflowers lie. You’ll want to be especially careful and respectful because local residents take their Bluebonnet growing very seriously. There are patches perfect for pictures at the front and back of the neighborhood.

Brays Bayou: One of Houston’s best kept secrets is Bayou Parkland in the Museum District. There are typically huge patches with tons of potential for photo ops. You can also find large patches near the Hermann Park Golf Course.

Willow Waterhole Greenway:  Located near the Levitt Pavilion, this conservancy has a patch of bluebonnets, plenty of bird watching, and a dog park! Perfect for family photos with man’s best friend.

Terry Hershey Park: This is one of the most popular places in all of Houston for Bluebonnet sightings so you’ll find plenty of patches that have already been flattened. Please don’t contribute to that pattern- just re-use the places where people have already obviously sat down for pics. You’ll be able to spot these patches easily so just park and walk!

In Telfair/Sugar Land

Telfair/Sugar Land: There are beautiful bluebonnet patches in this Sugar Land neighborhood, near Cornerstone Elementary school. You might want to be discreet and mindful of parking in the subdivision so as not to disturb any nearby homeowners.

Blessington Farms: Just outside of Katy and not too far from Sugar Land, this farm takes pride in their flowers. Make a day of it and go berry picking, too! Their strawberry picking is only available from 10 am to 12 pm on specific days so be sure to check their website and Facebook page for updates.

Two smiling teenagers standing in a field of bluebonnets. One teenager holds a younger girl on her shoulders.

So, get your camera ready! If you need a refresher on photography skills, check out this post on photography tips and this fantastic post on how to use your fancy DSLR.

**And don’t forget – if all else fails, book a session with one of our favorite Houston-area photographers. Many, if not all, of them are hosting bluebonnet minis, so keep an eye out!**

Two children with their arms around each other sitting in a field of Bluebonnets. A barn is in the background.


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Elyssa Gottheim
Elyssa was born and raised in Houston. Deciding to try out life in the cold weather, Elyssa attended University of Michigan for undergrad and University of Chicago for grad school. After obtaining her LCSW {licensed clinical social worker}, Elyssa decided that she was not cut out for the cold and moved back to Houston in 2012. Shortly after her move, Elyssa met her husband, Paul. Elyssa and Paul have been married for 6 years and have two children – Henry {October 2018} and Josephine {March 2021}. After working in schools, hospitals, and community clinics, Elyssa currently has a private practice where she specializes in working with children, adolescents, young adults, and parents. When she isn’t working or chasing after her kids, Elyssa’s favorite activities can be described as the ultimate mom cliché – baking, working out, and napping. Elyssa is a huge fan of trying new restaurants and dining spots especially if it involves any form of dessert!

10 COMMENTS

  1. Mercer Arboretum has a beautiful patch at it’s peak right now but no pets allowed. Super cute with lots of stepping stones that make great seats for kids to sit in the middle of the patch.

  2. The first Baptist Church in Brenham is no longer a Bluebonnet spot. I guess they got tired of cleaning up after Those Dang People. Imagine that. More dogs and less people.

    • Hi Karen! That shot was taken near Brenham at the 290 and Indian Paintbrush Rd location. It’s a field out of the way. Happy bluebonnet hunting! 🙂

  3. While the field at the First Baptist Church was allowed to grow this year, this past weekend it was mowed down. I was out there on Saturday & saw this with my own eyes. There is another larger patch near there though inn 290.

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