Seaholm District, Tau Ceti Mural and Downtown Rooftop Views | Austin Senior Photographer This Family chose the Seaholm District and the Tau Ceti area in Downtown Austin for their combination Senior + Family photo session. When they met me outside of Seaholm this...
Where to find Wildflowers in Austin
Best Wildflower Fields in Austin | Spring Locations
Spring wildflower season is my favorite time of year in Central Texas. It usually lasts from March to May. If you want to take photos in the flowers – check out my recommended Spring-time patches below.
Reminder: the blooms change from year to year – so subscribe to the Wildflower Center updates or follow the Texas Wildflower Report for the latest news.
Where are my favorite wildflower fields in and around Austin?
Spring wildflowers at Mueller Southwest Greenway Park
1) Mueller Southwest Greenway
Located in East Austin, this restored Texas blackland prairie has native plants, sculptures and pond access.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, free to use, but expect crowds on Spring weekends.
Wildflower Center
2) Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Located in South Austin with over 900 native plant varieties. Several fields of wildflowers are grown across their gardens and meadows.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, but professional photography has a location cost of $100 (M-F) or $250 (after hours / weekends)
If there’s a “sure thing” for bluebonnet season, it’s the Wildflower Center in southwest Austin.
Brushy Creek Lake Park
3) Brushy Creek Lake Park
Located in Cedar Park (about 20 minutes from Central Austin), this 90-acre park has nature trails, lake views and lots of Spring wildflowers.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, free to use, but expect crowds on Spring weekends.
Pease Park wildflowers
4) Pease Park
Located in Central Austin, there is a wildflower field near the Live Oak Meadow.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. But keep an eye on their Events Page.
Commons Ford Ranch wildflowers
5) Commons Ford Ranch
Located in Southwest Austin, this 215 acre park has multiple fields of wildflowers. You can also explore their boat dock and rustic barn. Their flower season lasts into the start of summer with sunflowers blooming.
614 N. Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. Will be crowded on Spring weekends.
Northwest Park wildflowers
6) Northwest District Park
Located in Central Austin, this 31 acre park has a field of wildflowers near the bridge that backs up to Shoal Creek.
7000 Ardath St. Austin, TX 78757
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Lady Bird Lake patch of wildflowers
7) Lady Bird Lake Trails
Located in South Austin, the trail around the water often has a mix of wilflowers including bluebonnets. I’ve found good patches by the Austin High School baseball fields.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. You may have to pay to park nearby.
St. Edwards Park spring flowers
8) St. Edwards Park Greenbelt
Located in Northwest Austin, this 80-acre greenbelt park includes trails blanketed by wildflowers in certain years.
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd. ATX 78759
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park.
Waterloo Greenway garden
9) Waterloo Greenway Park
Located in Downtown Austin, this 1.5 mile park system includes a flowering butterfly garden filled with native plants.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, it’s free to have photos at the park. You may have to pay to park nearby. Also – keep an eye on their Events page.
10) McKinney Falls State Park
Located in Southeast Austin, this state park has a wildflower meadow that starts with bluebonnets and shifts to other wildflowers throughout the spring season.
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway 78744
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, though there is a fee to enter the park ($6/adult). Also check their Events page for possible conflicts.
Other Hill Country Flower Spots outside of Austin:
Poppies in Georgetown, TX
1) Red Poppies in Georgetown
Located 30 miles from Austin, the Red Poppy patches in Georgetown bloom in Spring. You can also visit their Red Poppy Festival at the end of April.
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, but check by location.
2) Wildseed Farms
Located an hour and a half from Austin, this Fredericksburg farm has gardens to explore as well as a vinyard on site.
100 Legacy Drive, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, personal photography is allowed. Ask permission first for professional photo sessions. Their site also says they do charge an entrance fee during peak bloom times.
Sweet Eats Sunflower Fields
3) Sweet Eats Farm
Located in Georgetown, this farm has a multitude of activities to enjoy. They have a tulip field in February, pick your own flowers in May and a sunflower field in June and July.
14400 E. State Hwy 29, Georgetown, TX 78626
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, personal and professional photography is allowed provided you pay the admission fee.
4) Arnosky Family Farm
Located in Blanco, TX, visit this cut flower farm and garden. This farm in the Hill Country has blooms throughout the year (tulips, poppies, sunflowers and more).
13977 Farm to Market Rd 2325, Blanco, TX 78606
Photo Sessions allowed: Yes, personal photography is allowed. Ask permission first for professional photo sessions.
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Please contact me if you’d like to book your own Family or Senior Portrait session among the wildflowers. Explore more photo sessions on my blog.
Stephanie Friedman first picked up a camera in high school, went on to study photojournalism in college (Hook ‘Em), then worked as a photo researcher in educational publishing for over 20 years.
During all that, she’s been photographing Families and Seniors for the last 10 years. You can count on her to be communicative and organized before your session. She’ll help you feel relaxed and confident during your session. And you’ll have a smile on your face after your session once you see your new photos.
