What are my favorite locations for Spring Family Photo Sessions in Austin?
Hint: They involve wildflowers.
If you’re looking for a spot for your own family photos – and remembering that wildflower crops can vary from year to year, going from North to South, here’s where I recommend:
1. Balcones District Park
12017 Amherst Dr, Austin, TX 78759
My favorite bluebonnet spot in North Austin is Balcones District Park. You can find a large field that runs against Duval Rd. as well as bluebonnets near the playground closer to Amherst Dr.
Parking: yes, parking lot
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
2. Northwest Park
7000 Ardath St, Austin, TX 78757
On the Shoal Creek side of this park, you can find bluebonnets and then mixed wildflowers growing under and around the metal bridge throughout the Spring season.
Parking: yes, lot and street
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
3. St. Edwards Park
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759
In Northwest Austin – you can visit St. Edward’s Park. Along their trails you can find large patches of wildflowers – peaking closer to May.
Parking: yes
Bathrooms: no
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
4. Southwest Greenway at Mueller Development
2501 Tom Miller St, Austin, TX 78723
The Southwest Greenway at Mueller has restored Texas blackland prairie that incorporates native plants in partnership with the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Parking: street
Bathrooms: yes but not very close
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
5. Lady Bird Lake
Hike and Bike Trail – park near Austin High School (1715 Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78703)
My favorite bluebonnet spot farther South is along the hike & bike trail. If you park near Austin High School and walk on the hike & bike trail towards the baseball fields – just beyond the baseball fields, you’ll find a large patch of wildflowers.
Parking: yes, school lot on weekends or pay for street parking during the week
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
6. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
Multiple spots at this botanical garden can provide beautiful backdrops for your photos. The Wildflower Center has an admission fee as well as a photography fee if you’re hiring a professional. Make sure to read their guidelines here. They also have a Bluebonnet FAQ.
Parking: yes
Bathrooms: yes
Kid and pet-friendly: kids – yes; pets – service animals only
7. Circle C Metropolitan Park
6301 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78739
In the same neck of the woods as the Wildflower Center down South – you can visit the Circle C Metropolitan Park. Along their trails you can find large patches of bluebonnets.
Parking: yes
Bathrooms: yes, near the sports fields
Kid and pet-friendly: yes
Other good locations for Spring wildflowers (some outside of Austin) include:
- Brushy Creek Park – 3300 Brushy Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
- Old Settlers Park (by the intramural fields) – 3300 E Palm Valley Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78665
- McKinney Falls State Park – 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
- Pace Bend Park – 2011 Pace Bend Rd N, Spicewood, TX 78669
- Wildseed Farms – 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
- St. Edward’s University – 3001 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
- 45th and Bull Creek – Austin, TX 78731 (now under renovation as The Grove)
- Sweet Eats Fruit Farm – 14400 East State Highway 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
Sweet Eats Fruit Farm – peach trees in bloom
Texas Parks and Wildlife also has you covered with their Pinterest Page with Where to See Wildflowers.
If you’d like your photos taken in the bluebonnets or just want a Spring Family Photo Session, contact me.
Hope to see you in the flowers!
