I’m not a native Texan, but I have lived here long enough to know that around this time of year the natives go crazy over bluebonnets. In all honesty, I haven’t paid much attention to them, but after seeing social media flooded with pictures of cute kids engulfed in a sea of bluebonnets, I figured it was time to discover what all the hype was about.
So I did a little research (a.k.a Google search) to find out where all the bluebonnet lovers go. It was either “go big, or go home,” so we decided to go big. And by big, I mean we drove an hour out to the “Official Bluebonnet City of Texas” in Ennis. It is listed as one of the top 10 place to find the best bluebonnets in 2019, so I figured it must be worth the trek to see these blue beauties. There were some other places listed, but I wasn’t about to dive 4+ hours with three kids by myself to go and see them. We went big, but not that big!
According to the Ennis Visitor Center website, the city showcases over 40 miles of mapped driving Bluebonnet Trails from April 1-30. These are the oldest known trails in the state, and tens of thousands of visitors come to view this wonderful wildflower show.
We arrived at the visitor’s center and received a map and suggestions on the best places for kids and where we could get out and take pictures with the bluebonnets. They also have a free app you can download on your phone that features the bluebonnet trail map with GPS location and a full directory of restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions and events. I wish I would have known this ahead of time, since we ended up getting lost (totally my fault, not the map).
The lady at the visitor’s center recommended that we check out the Meadow View Nature Area. I could not have agreed more. It was located close by and had plenty of places to park and snap a few shots. It’s also right by Lake Bardwell, which made for a pretty backdrop. If you have little ones or are short in time, you’ll definitely want to go here.
There are also a couple other parks nearby the nature area, but the lady at the visitor’s center said the bluebonnets there had been trampled, so we didn’t bother trying those places out.
Since the kids were having a great time, we decided to try out one of the driving trails. The South Trail was closer and shorter (45 min) and also had another field 8 mi. east called Holy Field where you could take pictures at. The North Trail was about 15 min up the I-45 and was longer (1 hr) and more scenic. There is also a winery up there, but I had my kids with me…plus I don’t drink, so that wasn’t a selling point for us.
We ended up going to the North Trail because there are also longhorns, swans, donkeys, goats, horses…okay, livestock, along the way. Since it’s in a residential area many of wildflowers are on someone’s private property and it’s strongly discouraged that you take pictures in someone’s yard, field, driveway, etc., which is completely understandable.
We did pull off the road a couple of times to find patches of bluebonnets we could take pictures in. There may have been more places along the trail, but since I got lost a few times, we decided to call it a day and head back home during Dallas rush hour traffic. Yay me for not planning that out a little better.
All-in-all, the kids had fun and so did I. We learned more about the Texas state flower and enjoyed God’s beautiful creation. I have to say, that seeing fields and fields of bluebonnets and other wildflowers is quite a sight to behold and I’m glad we got to experience this spectacular display of beauty.
