Texas Wildflower Season and Where to Go for Photos!
Best Places Near Austin, TX to Take Photos During Texas Wildflower Season
Texas wildflower season is one of the most stunning times of the year, with vibrant colors carpeting the hillsides, fields, and roadsides. If you’re planning to capture the beauty of wildflowers near Austin, you’re in luck! The surrounding areas boast a variety of locations perfect for a photoshoot, from expansive meadows to secret nature trails. Whether you’re looking for a romantic photo session, family portraits, or just to bask in the beauty of the wildflowers, here are some of the best spots near Austin to photograph during Texas wildflower season.
McKinney Falls State Park
A hidden gem just south of Austin, McKinney Falls State Park offers a mix of wildflowers, lush greenery, and the serene beauty of Onion Creek. During wildflower season, the fields surrounding the park are dotted with bluebonnets and other colorful flowers, making it a prime location for nature photography. The park’s many trails and waterfalls provide scenic diversity, giving your photographer a range of settings to work with.
Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs allowed on leash
Price: $6 per adult
Photography Permits: No photo fee or form required.
Drive Time: 19 minutes from downtown Austin
Photographer Tip: Consider taking photos near the falls as well for a water feature backdrop!
Wildflower Loop in the Texas Hill Country
If you're up for a scenic drive, the Texas Hill Country offers a breathtaking landscape during wildflower season. You can explore various routes, such as Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, or take the famous "Wildflower Loop" (Willow City Loop) for a road trip filled with fields of flowers. Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and other wildflowers pop up along the highway, making it a prime location for a spontaneous roadside photoshoot.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Price: Free
Photography Permits: None
Drive Time: 1 hour 36 minutes from downtown Austin
Barton Creek Greenbelt
For a more secluded, natural environment in the heart of Austin, Barton Creek Greenbelt offers the perfect mix of wildflowers and rugged scenery. With its scenic creek views, towering trees, and hidden meadows, it’s a wonderful location for a more intimate, bohemian-style photo shoot. During the spring, vibrant wildflowers like bluebonnets and buttercups dot the landscape, providing a colorful and soft contrast to the rocky terrain.
Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs permitted on leash.
Price: Free
Photography Permits: None
Drive Time: 12 minutes
Photographer Tip: The Greenbelt can be a little tricky to navigate, so be prepared for some hiking! The varying landscapes, from forests to creeks, allow for diverse photo opportunities.
Willie Nelson's Luck, TX
A short drive from Austin lies the quirky, picturesque town of Luck, Texas—also known as "Willie Nelson’s Luck." This charming, vintage town is a favorite for photo shoots, and during wildflower season, the surrounding fields come alive with an explosion of color. If you're looking for a unique, rustic setting to complement the wildflowers, Luck’s charming barns, old buildings, and the natural beauty of the area provide a perfect backdrop.
Dog Friendly: Yes, dogs permitted on leash
Price: Free
Photography Permits: None
Drive Time: 42 minutes from downtown Austin
Photographer Tip: The rustic charm of Luck, Texas, pairs beautifully with the vibrant wildflower fields. Combine the colorful flowers with the vintage architecture for a whimsical, Americana-inspired photoshoot.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Pool Preserve is another stunning spot just outside of Austin, known for its natural beauty and dramatic landscapes. The preserve features a collapsed grotto, a cascading waterfall, and lush greenery. While Hamilton Pool is most famous for its emerald waters and cliffside views, the surrounding wildflower meadows come alive in spring. The contrast between the vibrant wildflowers and the stunning natural surroundings creates a captivating backdrop for photos.
Dog Friendly: No pets allowed - on leash OR in your vehicle
Price: Accepting Cash Only for Day Use Fees
Reservation Fee per Vehicle
$12 (1 vehicle max, 8 people max), additional $8 per person if getting in water
Per Person Entrance Fees
$8 per adult (13 to 61 years of age)
$3 per senior (62 years of age and older)
$0 per child (12 years of age and younger)
Photography Permits: No photo fee or form required.
Drive Time: 45 minutes from downtown Austin
Photographer Tip: Take advantage of the surrounding meadows and natural formations for a diverse shoot. The unique blend of water and wildflowers can offer a variety of textures and colors for your photographer to play with.
Blanco State Park
Blanco State Park, located about 45 minutes from Austin, is another lovely spot to capture Texas wildflowers. The park is set along the Blanco River, providing a serene atmosphere with plenty of wildflower meadows to explore. Bluebonnets are abundant here, particularly near the river’s edge. It’s also a fantastic spot for family photos, with opportunities for both intimate and wider shots.
Dog Friendly: Yes
Price: $5 per person 13 and older
Photography Permits: No photo fee or form required.
Drive Time: 1 hour 3 minutes from downtown Austin
Photographer Tip: Focus on capturing the reflections of the wildflowers in the calm river water. Early morning or evening light will provide the most beautiful glow to the river and flowers.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
If you’re looking for a more rugged backdrop with stunning panoramic views, head to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, located about 90 minutes from Austin. The iconic pink granite dome is a dramatic setting for photos, and during wildflower season, the meadows around the rock are awash in color. Bluebonnets, winecups, and other native flowers create a beautiful contrast against the rocky terrain and expansive skies.
Dog Friendly: Pets allowed on leash in picnic areas, campgrounds, and on the loop trail.
Price: $8 per adult
Photography Permits: $25 photo fee (can be paid over the phone or at the park) and email visiterock@tpwd.texas.gov to acquire photography form. Form needs to be sent in asap before the shoot. Recommended to have a reservation during the busy season of Sept to May.
Drive Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Photographer Tip: Consider climbing to the top of Enchanted Rock for some epic shots overlooking the surrounding hills. The light at sunset or sunrise from the summit is magical.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park, about an hour outside of Austin, offers a tranquil and scenic location for a wildflower-filled photoshoot. Known for its beautiful waterfall, clear creek, and meadows of wildflowers, it’s an excellent location for nature photography. During spring, wildflowers like bluebonnets and evening primroses flourish, creating a peaceful and picturesque environment.
Dog Friendly: Dogs Allowed, On Leash
Price: $6 per adult, 13 and older
Photography Permits: Fill out application https://tpwd.texas.gov/forms/sp/special-event-application/. Then the park will determine your fees.
Drive Time: 56 minutes from downtown Austin
Photographer Tip: Capture the falls with the wildflowers in the foreground for an ethereal, nature-filled composition. Take advantage of the park’s serene environment for more reflective and quiet moments during your shoot.
Texas Hill Country Lavender Farm
For something a little different, consider booking a photoshoot at a lavender farm in the Texas Hill Country. Though the lavender blooms in June, the wildflowers that grow alongside them start to make their appearance in the spring. The vibrant purple and yellow hues, combined with the soft smell of lavender, create a magical atmosphere for photos. Many Hill Country lavender farms, like the Hill Country Lavender Farm in Fredericksburg, offer photo sessions among their fields.
Dog Friendly: Yes, but must be on leash
Price: Free to visit
Photography Permits:
Visitor Hours: Thurs - Saturday 10-4pm Cost $100 for 2 hour slot, $60 for each additional hour
Off Hour Sessions: 8-10am or 6-8pm, please email info@hillcountrylavender.com for open slots, Fee $150 for 2 hours and $80 for each additional hour.
Contact email info@hillcountrylavender.com at least one week before shooting to confirm your date.
Drive Time: 51 minutes from downtown Austin
Photographer Tip: Capture both the wildflowers and the lavender for a multi-dimensional, fragrant shoot. The lavender fields offer beautiful, symmetrical lines, while the wildflowers add bursts of color.
Wildseed Farms - Fredericksburgh
Wildseed Farm is an 1,000 acre property that houses a home decor shop, wine tastings, a nursery and over 200 acres of wildflower fields outside of Fredericksburg, TX. The best time to see blooms is from March to October and dogs are welcome on this property!
Dog Friendly: Yes
Price: No admission fee
Photography Permits: None
Drive Time: 1 hour 17 minutes from downtown Austin
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Just a short drive from downtown Austin, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is a must-visit during wildflower season. This 284-acre botanical garden is home to a diverse array of native plants, including beautiful bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and primroses. The garden’s carefully curated landscape offers an excellent backdrop for photos. With its well-maintained paths, vibrant blooms, and scenic ponds, this spot is perfect for a peaceful and picturesque photo shoot.
Dog Friendly: No
Price: $15 Adults ; $10 Seniors (65+) ; $13 Military (with ID) ; $8 Youth (Ages 3 – 17)
Photography Fees:
Formal photography fee during business hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Monday through Friday, is $100.
Formal photography fee on weekends or after hours is $250.
Additional fees may be assessed to accommodate guests over the maximum of six.
Drive Time: 18 minutes from downtown Austin
Photographer Tip: The best light for photographing wildflowers here is early in the morning or during golden hour, when the sunlight is softer and creates magical warmth over the blooms.
Flower Power
No matter where you go, the beauty of wildflower season in Texas is truly breathtaking. Each of these locations offers something unique, whether it's a peaceful park, dramatic rock formations, or rolling hills filled with blooms. Working with a photographer allows you to truly capture the magic of this fleeting season, so don't forget to plan ahead and take advantage of the optimal lighting times. Get ready to enjoy the vibrant colors, sweeping landscapes, and unforgettable memories during Texas wildflower season!
Need a photo and video team to capture your wildflower love?
Hi there! We’re Tana and Cory Metcalf @ Roaming Desert Film Co. - a husband and wife photo/video team, located in Utah! We love exploring all that the world has to offer and taking our doggos and cameras along for the journey, as well!
