Lauterbrunnen was beautiful, but the truth is that Lauterbrunnen was beautiful, but the truth is that this view is one you’ll find in so many Swiss villages. Quaint churches towering among small mountain valley villages with water pouring out of the rock walls is a sight you’ll experience on many occasions as you drive through the Swiss countryside. 
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#lauterbrunnen #lauterbrunnenvalley #switzerland #switzerlandpictures #switzerland_destinations #switzerlandwonderland #visitswitzerland #mountains #alps #alpsmountains #europe #europetravel #europeanstyle #roadtrip #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
As we drove down into the Logar Valley, my eyes fi As we drove down into the Logar Valley, my eyes filled with tears at how beautiful our Earth is. We were driving through a wildflower meadow, passing small log cabins and staring ahead at the breathtaking Julian Alps. The Logar Valley is an overlooked gem of Slovenia. Don’t miss out on visiting this area and make sure to check my blog for the cutest, quaintest budget accommodations in the area!
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#logarskadolina #logarvalley #slovenia #slovenija #slovensko #slavic #julianalps sloveniatravel #slovenialovers #visitslovenia #easterneurope #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
Lier was one of those hidden gems I didn’t expec Lier was one of those hidden gems I didn’t expect to find in my home country. In 2020, I began searching for places to visit in Belgium, thinking there was no way I’d be able to go anywhere else. Though we managed to spend an incredible week in the French Alps that summer, it taught me so much about finding beauty in your own backyard! Lier is a small town in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, and home to the gorgeous Zimmer Tower and amazing canal scenery. I highly recommend stopping for a visit and some fresh seafood. 
.
.
.
.
#lier #lierbelgium #zimmertoren #canals #flanders #visitflanders #vlanderen #belgium #belgie #belgiquetourisme #visitbelgium #loving_belgium #belgiumtourism #belgiumphotography #travelphotography #traveltheworld #travelblogger #belgianblogger #belgiangirl #girlsborntotravel #globetrotter #globelletravels #sheisnotlost #glt #gltlove #dametraveler #femmetravel #journeysofgirls #gltlove #glt #girlstrip #girlstoptravel
Plansee was one of my favorite lakes in the Austri Plansee was one of my favorite lakes in the Austrian Tirols. We took a non-official trail up the side of the mountain. We got this view shortly after we began the climb.  It was one of the toughest hikes but absolutely worth it!
.
.
.
.
#plansee #austria #austrianalps #hiking #visitaustria #austriatravel #aussicht #aussichtspunkt #viewpoint #lake #leavenotrace #europe #europetravel #roadtrip #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #traveltheworld #travelblogger #girlsborntotravel #globetrotter #globelletravels #sheisnotlost #glt #gltlove #dametraveler #femmetravel #journeysofgirls #gltlove #glt #girlstrip #girlstoptravel
The gorgeous Hungarian Parliament in Budapest Hung The gorgeous Hungarian Parliament in Budapest Hungary had been a bucket list item of mine for a long time. I can’t wait to head back to Eastern Europe for a new city trip in this gorgeous capital! 
.
.
.
.
#budapest #budapesthungary #hungary #hungarygram #travelhungary #visithungary #hungarianparliament #easterneurope #easterneuropetrip #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #europeanstyle #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
We had driven through the Julian Alps for 5 very f We had driven through the Julian Alps for 5 very full days by the time we got to Piran. We went from mountain views to these Adriatic vibes in the blink of an eye. Slovenia has so much to offer from gorgeous mountains, lakes, waterfalls, caves, and castles, to amazing seaside cities along the Adriatic like this one. Check out my newest article covering the most perfect 2-week road trip through Slovenia!
.
.
.
#piran #visitpiran #piranslovenia #slovenia #sloveniatravel #slovenialovers #visitslovenia #adriatic #adriaticsea #adriaticcoast #easterneurope #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
I had wanted to visit Plitvice National Park for s I had wanted to visit Plitvice National Park for so long and was finally able to do it this summer on our Eastern European road trip. We spent a week traveling through Slovenia and Croatia and even managed to stop in Hungary for breakfast with a friend.
.
.
.
.
#plitvickajezera #plitvicelakes #plitvickajezeranationalpark #plitvicelakesnationalpark #croatia #croatiatravel #croatia #croatia_photography #easterneurope #easterneuropetrip #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #europeanstyle #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
Strolling around Eguisheim made me feel like I had Strolling around Eguisheim made me feel like I had just set foot in a scene of Beauty and the Beast. When I was working on my article covering the 5 most beautiful villages in Alsace, I discovered it was indeed the region that inspired Disney’s writers. I have visited so many locations that were used as inspiration for the Disney studios. What would you think of a Disney-inspired location guide? Let me know in the comments and make sure to check out my brand new Alsatian guide with the link in my bio!
.
.
.
#eguisheim #eguisheimfrance #visiteguisheim #alsace #alsacefrance #alsacetourisme #alsacemylove #alsacewine #alsacegram #visitalsace #france travelphotography #travelgram #traveltheworld #travelblogger #belgianblogger #belgiangirl #girlsborntotravel #globetrotter #globelletravels #sheisnotlost #glt #gltlove #dametraveler #femmetravel #journeysofgirls #girlstrip #girlstoptravel
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The Wandering Homemaker

Travel and Lifestyle Blog

Ultimate Guide to Ennis’s Bluebonnet Trails

April 22, 2021 · Texas, United States

Bluebonnet patch

If you know me, you know I LOVE wildflowers. There is something magical about seeing color pop up everywhere, even in the most unlikely places after a long gloomy winter. Wildflowers get no care, yet they bloom in adversity and come back year after year. White, yellow, pink, purple, blue, red… I love them all. In January, when I first heard about the bluebonnet festival in Ennis, I knew I had to go. Huge fields of wild bluebonnets dancing in the Texas wind? Yes, please! Sign me up! I did some research and began monitoring the state of the bluebonnets several times per week, starting late March. The bluebonnets are expected to peak mid-April this year, so make sure to stay on the lookout. Click here to check the state of the bluebonnets in Ennis.

Related: Quick Guide to Texas Tulips

Where? In Ennis, TX about 35 mi/ 56 km south of Dallas. Click here for directions and a map to the bluebonnet trails

When? The Texas bluebonnets begin blooming in February in the more southern parts of the state (Houston/ Austin areas) and reach their peak blooming time in April in the Dallas area. Every year is different, so make sure to monitor the blooming status before visiting. Though the bluebonnet trails are accessible during the entire month of April, peak season in Ennis is typically the second or third week of April. The 2022 edition of the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival will be held April 8-10.

Bluebonnet field

The trails have no real opening or closing time as the bluebonnets can mainly be found on roadsides that are accessible 24/7. However, I recommend visiting on a weekday starting late morning or early afternoon for best lighting and fewer crowds.

What? The Bluebonnet is the Texas state flower. As its scientific name (lupinus texensis) indicates, it is a member of the lupin family. The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails offer more than 40 mi/ 64 km of drivable roads with possible bluebonnet sightings. The Ennis Bluebonnet Festival takes place the second or third weekend of April (April 8-10,2022) and features live concerts, local craft vendors, and food trucks serving delicious food. We visited on a Sunday, and the place was quite crowded, but the country music and Texas sun made for such a nice atmosphere.

How much? Driving along the trails and stopping for an occasional photo is free, but the festival entrance fee is $5 per person or free for children 12 years and under.

Bluebonnet and paintbrushes
Bluebonnets and red Indian paintbrushes at the Meadow View Nature Area

Though some areas on the Ennis bluebonnet trails are seeded and monitored, many of the bluebonnet fields are wild and the density of the bluebonnets will vary year after year. Here were our favorite bluebonnet locations for the 2021 season. Keep in mind that some of these locations are on private property, and trespassing is not allowed. If the area is fenced in, simply enjoy the bluebonnets from afar.

  1. Ennis Veterans Memorial Park
  2. Meadow View Nature Area
  3. FM 85
  4. Walker Creek Rd
  5. FM 660
  6. Sugar Ridge Rd

1. Ennis Veterans Memorial Park

Ennis Veterans Memorial 1
Ennis Veterans Memorial 2
Ennis Veterans Memorial 3

Located at 2301 Ennis Parkway, the Ennis Veterans Memorial Park has a large viewing area on the left side of its parking lot. Signs indicate the seeded area to visitors. As you can see in the pictures above, there are patches of dirt in the field. When walking around the bluebonnets and taking pictures, try using those patches and watching your step to avoid damaging the wildflowers.

2. Meadow View Nature Area

While very beautiful, this area was also very crowded. The Meadow View Nature Area is located right by Bardwell Lake, and I was hoping for a few lakeside shots, but it really wasn’t feasible with the amount of people massed on the lakeshore and among the bluebonnets. If you are looking for a great place to take pictures among the bluebonnets, the banks of Bardwell Lake are ideal. The hills by the lake are blanketed in beautiful bluebonnets, and you may even see some red Indian paintbrushes.

3. FM 85

Cows on bluebonnet patch

One of my favorite views on the bluebonnet trails was on Farm to Market Road 85 right across the Mach Road turnoff. To our right were dozens of cows grazing among the bluebonnets. Of course, the area is fenced in, so pictures must be taken through the wire. The bluebonnets were also very abundant on that roadside by the fence. These bluebonnets were better preserved than the ones we had seen in city parks as fewer pedestrians wander on roadsides, making them ideal to photograph.

4. Walker Creek Rd

bluebonnet patch near pond

Soon after turning onto Mach Rd, we made another turn on Walker Creek Rd. Right after turning on Walker Creek, we noticed a large pond surrounded by tall grass and countless bluebonnets. This location is farther removed from the main attractions, and we had the view all to ourselves

5. FM 660

Woman among bluebonnets 1
Woman among bluebonnets 2

Driving through the bluebonnet trails reminded me of driving through a national park: going slowly not to miss any viewpoints and stopping where cars line the roadside. This is exactly what happened as we drove on Farm to Market Road 660 toward Sugar Ridge Rd when we noticed 20 vehicles were parked on the side of the road. To our left lay a large open field of bluebonnets, perfect for pictures. Garrett grabbed the camera and quickly shot what would become my favorite pictures of the day. As mentioned previously, these pictures were taken with me sitting and laying in patches of dirt to avoid harming the bluebonnets.

ATTENTION

Be careful parking on road sides as you may be ticketed for blocking the roadway. improper parking is not allowed on the trails, and you will be responsible for any damage to your or someone else’s vehicle.

6. Sugar Ridge Rd

Sugar Ridge Road is currently a hot spot for pictures of bluebonnets and livestock. Many horses roam the pastures lining the road to the family-friendly Sugar Ridge Winery & Bistro in Bristol, TX. From Sugar Ridge Road, we got back on I-45 and headed home before dark.

Note that though it is not illegal to pick bluebonnets, they are likely to wilt fast once ripped from their root. I highly encourage you to leave the bluebonnets in the grounds for future visitors to enjoy as others did before you.

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Bluebonnet Pin

Posted In: Texas, United States

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Comments

  1. Misti Luke says

    April 22, 2021 at 10:59 pm

    Fantastic article! I’m leaving a comment to help your algorithms!

    Reply
    • The Wandering Homemaker says

      April 23, 2021 at 12:51 am

      Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it! <3

      Reply
  2. Amy says

    April 24, 2021 at 2:43 am

    Love this! Thank you for doing all the “leg work”

    Reply
    • The Wandering Homemaker says

      April 24, 2021 at 6:24 pm

      I’m so glad you loved it! I hope it helps if you decide to visit the bluebonnets 🙂

      Reply

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Meet Sarah

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Welcome to The Wandering Homemaker! I'm Sarah, a home body with a travel addiction. I grew up in Europe and now live on a farm in Oklahoma with my husband, Garrett, our 3 cats and 2 dogs. Here, I share complete travel guides, unique life experiences, and tutorials to help you create your dream life. Enjoy your visit!

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Lauterbrunnen was beautiful, but the truth is that Lauterbrunnen was beautiful, but the truth is that this view is one you’ll find in so many Swiss villages. Quaint churches towering among small mountain valley villages with water pouring out of the rock walls is a sight you’ll experience on many occasions as you drive through the Swiss countryside. 
.
.
.
.
#lauterbrunnen #lauterbrunnenvalley #switzerland #switzerlandpictures #switzerland_destinations #switzerlandwonderland #visitswitzerland #mountains #alps #alpsmountains #europe #europetravel #europeanstyle #roadtrip #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
As we drove down into the Logar Valley, my eyes fi As we drove down into the Logar Valley, my eyes filled with tears at how beautiful our Earth is. We were driving through a wildflower meadow, passing small log cabins and staring ahead at the breathtaking Julian Alps. The Logar Valley is an overlooked gem of Slovenia. Don’t miss out on visiting this area and make sure to check my blog for the cutest, quaintest budget accommodations in the area!
.
.
.
.
#logarskadolina #logarvalley #slovenia #slovenija #slovensko #slavic #julianalps sloveniatravel #slovenialovers #visitslovenia #easterneurope #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
Lier was one of those hidden gems I didn’t expec Lier was one of those hidden gems I didn’t expect to find in my home country. In 2020, I began searching for places to visit in Belgium, thinking there was no way I’d be able to go anywhere else. Though we managed to spend an incredible week in the French Alps that summer, it taught me so much about finding beauty in your own backyard! Lier is a small town in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, and home to the gorgeous Zimmer Tower and amazing canal scenery. I highly recommend stopping for a visit and some fresh seafood. 
.
.
.
.
#lier #lierbelgium #zimmertoren #canals #flanders #visitflanders #vlanderen #belgium #belgie #belgiquetourisme #visitbelgium #loving_belgium #belgiumtourism #belgiumphotography #travelphotography #traveltheworld #travelblogger #belgianblogger #belgiangirl #girlsborntotravel #globetrotter #globelletravels #sheisnotlost #glt #gltlove #dametraveler #femmetravel #journeysofgirls #gltlove #glt #girlstrip #girlstoptravel
Plansee was one of my favorite lakes in the Austri Plansee was one of my favorite lakes in the Austrian Tirols. We took a non-official trail up the side of the mountain. We got this view shortly after we began the climb.  It was one of the toughest hikes but absolutely worth it!
.
.
.
.
#plansee #austria #austrianalps #hiking #visitaustria #austriatravel #aussicht #aussichtspunkt #viewpoint #lake #leavenotrace #europe #europetravel #roadtrip #travel #travelphotography #travelgram #traveltheworld #travelblogger #girlsborntotravel #globetrotter #globelletravels #sheisnotlost #glt #gltlove #dametraveler #femmetravel #journeysofgirls #gltlove #glt #girlstrip #girlstoptravel
The gorgeous Hungarian Parliament in Budapest Hung The gorgeous Hungarian Parliament in Budapest Hungary had been a bucket list item of mine for a long time. I can’t wait to head back to Eastern Europe for a new city trip in this gorgeous capital! 
.
.
.
.
#budapest #budapesthungary #hungary #hungarygram #travelhungary #visithungary #hungarianparliament #easterneurope #easterneuropetrip #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #europeanstyle #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
We had driven through the Julian Alps for 5 very f We had driven through the Julian Alps for 5 very full days by the time we got to Piran. We went from mountain views to these Adriatic vibes in the blink of an eye. Slovenia has so much to offer from gorgeous mountains, lakes, waterfalls, caves, and castles, to amazing seaside cities along the Adriatic like this one. Check out my newest article covering the most perfect 2-week road trip through Slovenia!
.
.
.
#piran #visitpiran #piranslovenia #slovenia #sloveniatravel #slovenialovers #visitslovenia #adriatic #adriaticsea #adriaticcoast #easterneurope #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
I had wanted to visit Plitvice National Park for s I had wanted to visit Plitvice National Park for so long and was finally able to do it this summer on our Eastern European road trip. We spent a week traveling through Slovenia and Croatia and even managed to stop in Hungary for breakfast with a friend.
.
.
.
.
#plitvickajezera #plitvicelakes #plitvickajezeranationalpark #plitvicelakesnationalpark #croatia #croatiatravel #croatia #croatia_photography #easterneurope #easterneuropetrip #europedestinations #europe #europetravel #europeanstyle #roadtrip #travel #travelgram #travelblogger #traveltheworld #gltlove #sheisnotlost #globetrotter #femmetravel #globelletravels #dametraveler #girltravel #journeysofgirls #girlstoptravel #glt #gltlove #girlsborntotravel
Strolling around Eguisheim made me feel like I had Strolling around Eguisheim made me feel like I had just set foot in a scene of Beauty and the Beast. When I was working on my article covering the 5 most beautiful villages in Alsace, I discovered it was indeed the region that inspired Disney’s writers. I have visited so many locations that were used as inspiration for the Disney studios. What would you think of a Disney-inspired location guide? Let me know in the comments and make sure to check out my brand new Alsatian guide with the link in my bio!
.
.
.
#eguisheim #eguisheimfrance #visiteguisheim #alsace #alsacefrance #alsacetourisme #alsacemylove #alsacewine #alsacegram #visitalsace #france travelphotography #travelgram #traveltheworld #travelblogger #belgianblogger #belgiangirl #girlsborntotravel #globetrotter #globelletravels #sheisnotlost #glt #gltlove #dametraveler #femmetravel #journeysofgirls #girlstrip #girlstoptravel

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