Stop and Smell the Wildflowers at Texas State Parks

Beat the heat, avoid the crowds, and see the sights along the way. Wildflowers are another wonderful reason to visit a State Park & spring is a great time to do it.

Every color of the rainbow is flowering out of the Texas soil. This is another great year for wildflowers in Texas. Oceans of color will be decorating many of the roadways and what better place to stop and experience the beauty than at a State Park. Texas State Parks offer a wonderful way to view the amazing foliage up close without the distraction of high-speed traffic. Take a leisurely stroll or a bike ride on one of the trails that are currently teaming with wildflowers. Have a picnic surrounded by them. The options are as varied as the state of Texas.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has a toll-free number 1-800-452-9292 from which you may select a menu option on current wildflower roads reports. You can also get updated wildflower road reports from the TxDOT web site.

For educational information visit "Common Texas Wildflowers" on our Kids pages.

Here are some of the Wildflower events being held during spring 2010:

April

• April 2010 — Goose Island SP — Wildflower Walk — Every Saturday. Celebrate the return of spring as our Park Interpreter leads a walk around the Recreation Hall identifying the wildflowers of the park. Bluebonnets and Indian blankets cover the park as well as many other species. Bring your cameras and enjoy the beauty of a Texas spring. 1-2 PM (361) 729-2858. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Goose Island SP]
• April 24, 2010 — Lake Texana SP — Annual Earth Day Tree Planting — Celebrate Earth Day by bringing a tree (native species only) to donate and plant in the park. We may also have a limited number of trees available to plant. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 2-3 p.m. (361) 782-5718. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Lake Texana SP]
• April 25, 2010 — Government Canyon SNA — Native Plants: Thrill-A-Minute — Join Nature Conservancy of Texas Botanist Bill Carr, one of the foremost authorities on the native plants of Central Texas, for a stroll around the natural area. We will be looking at anything and everything of interest from trees and shrubs down to grasses and sedges (and probably even some insects, amphibians and reptiles). Open to ages 14 and older; participants under 18 must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. All participants must be able to hike over broken, rocky terrain with some changes in elevation. Wear sturdy shoes and weather appropriate clothing; bring water (one liter per person), and a snack, if you like. Group size limited; no pets, please. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; reservations required and will be accepted beginning at noon March 25, 2010 and end at noon April 24, 2010. Please e-mail reservations@friendsofgc.org and include names of each participant, age if under 18, e-mail address and telephone number. (210) 688-9055, ext. 291 [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Government Canyon SNA]

May

• May 2010 — Tyler SP — Wildflower Hike — Every Saturday. See the birds, butterflies and wildflowers of the season during an easy walk between two ecosystems. Accessible for the mobility impaired. 3:30-4:30 p.m. (903) 597-5338. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Tyler SP]
• May 2010 — Goose Island SP — Wildflower Walk — Every Saturday. Celebrate the return of spring as our Park Interpreter leads a walk around the Recreation Hall identifying the wildflowers of the park. Bluebonnets and Indian blankets cover the park as well as many other species. Bring your cameras and enjoy the beauty of a Texas spring. 1-2 PM (361) 729-2858. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Goose Island SP]
• May 2, 2010 — Government Canyon SNA — A Stroll through the Flowers — Discover Texas wildflowers! Join us as we go in search of them and other native plants on a short exploratory hike, which will be low-to-moderate in intensity. Open to ages 8 and older; participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All participants must be able to walk over rocky ground for short to moderate distances; sturdy shoes, hats, sunscreen and at least one liter of water per person strongly recommended. Photography welcome, but no flower picking allowed and no pets please; 1:00 PM-2:30 PM; reservations required and will be accepted beginning at noon April 1, 2010 and ending at noon April 30, 2010. For reservations and more information, e-mail reservations@friendsofgc.org and include name, age if under 18, e-mail address and telephone number for each reservation. (210) 688-9055, ext. 291 [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Government Canyon SNA]
• May 8, 2010 — Blanco SP — Wildflower Walk — We will enjoy the beauty of spring in Central Texas on a wildflower walk. We will stroll along the wildflower meadow, see how many we can identify, learn names and hear folk stories about their origin and uses. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes for walk. Contact Park Headquarters for starting location. This program is appropriate for adults and older children. 10-11 AM (830) 833-4333. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Blanco SP]
• May 8, 2010 — Lake Mineral Wells SP & Trailway — Wildflower Walk — Join Park Interpreter, David Owens, for a walk in the park to observe and identify wildflowers. Along the way, David will stop and identify plants and tell about the plant's nature, folklore and other interesting facts. 9-10:30 a.m. and 2-3:30 p.m.; reservations required (940) 328-1171. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Lake Mineral Wells SP & Trailway]
• May 8, 2010 — San Angelo SP — Wildflower Tour — Spring rains often bring a blanket of color to the park. The Park Naturalist will identify and tell stories of many of the 150 plus species of wildflowers found in the park. Meet at the South Shore Gatehouse. 10 AM-11:30 AM (325) 949-4757. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About San Angelo SP]
• May 15, 2010 — Lake Mineral Wells SP & Trailway — Wildflower Bicycle Tour — Take a bike ride on Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway to observe and identify wildflowers. Along the Trailway, we will stop and identify plants and learn about the plant's nature, folklore and other interesting facts. 9-10:30 a.m.; reservations required (940) 328-1171. [Events at the Same Site] [Events in the Same Region] [More About Lake Mineral Wells SP & Trailway]

Be sure and check the Calendar of Events for other options.

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