It is officially Spring in North Texas, and that means things are blooming!
You can find bluebonnets, daisies, sunflowers, and more seasonally in parks and green spaces in and around Denton.
Essential to a healthy ecosystem and a necessary aspect of sustainability in our city, these wildflowers not only improve our local landscape environmentally but aesthetically as well!
Grab your camera and get ready to experience the natural beauty and splendor of our bountiful bouquet at these locations.
1. Wildflower Trail at North Lakes Park
Green initiatives are an integral part of Sustainable Denton, and we have the titles to prove it! Carrying the Monarch City and Bee City titles means an increased abundance of native plants and nesting sites for these pollinators. The most obvious example of this is the Wildflower Trail at North Lakes Park maintained by the City of Denton Parks and Recreation.
(Added Bonus: Wander a little further into North Lakes park near the disc golf course (behind Torchy’s) and find a bluebonnet field!)
2. Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center
Tucked away in a secluded area of northeast Denton is a lowland preserve with an abundance of diverse plants and wildlife. Residents and visitors have the opportunity to participate in nature workshops and experiences or hike the trail at their leisure. Because of its location as Lake Lewisville’s upper floodplain, it is often muddy after rain and can be overgrown. We encourage visitors to check CCNHC social media for trail conditions before heading out.
3. Ray Roberts Greenbelt Trail
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Greenbelt Trail follows the Trinity River’s wooded banks, connecting Lake Lewisville at its southern tip and Ray Roberts Lake at its northern end. Right now, the southernmost section of the trail between US 380 and FM 428 is closed, so we recommend parking at the lot on FM 428. The trails heading south from FM 428 are currently open all the way to the overlook. The hard surface, as well as the equestrian trail, are both around 2.5 miles from the parking lot to the overlook. To enjoy any state park, you will need a pass ($7 cash for the day or $70 paid to Texas Parks and Wildlife for the year). Pack your sunscreen as much of this trail is not shaded!
4. Denton County Historical Park
Located on Mulberry Street just south of the square, this park is home to the Bayless-Selby House museum and the Quakertown House museum. The park also holds the Denton Community Market every Saturday during the warmer months. Seasonally, you can find bluebonnets and other wildflowers in the green spaces here, making it a perfect location for those family photos.
5. East University Drive
You can find bluebonnets when in season along parts of East University Drive (Hwy. 380). We recommend checking out Kayewood and University’s intersection, next to Metzler’s Food and Beverage and Papa Murphy’s, where blue and pink bluebonnets spring up this time of year.
6. UNT Campus
Like the space behind Willis Library, native wildflowers bloom on parts of the University of North Texas’ grounds. Even if the wildflowers aren’t in bloom, the UNT’s Grounds Team keeps the campus’ outdoor spaces beautifully manicured and photo-worthy year-round!
7. Public Parks in Flower Mound
A short drive from Denton is the city of Flower Mound. Given its namesake, it’s no surprise wildflowers are in abundance here. We recommend visiting John Thomas Wildflower Preserve and Stone Creek Park. Find a parking space at the baseball fields near Forestwood Middle School and walk through these two parks to enjoy the sights!
Worth Mentioning
Locally, there are plenty of locations along the side of highways and roads that boast a bevy of bluebonnets and other native flowers. We encourage you to practice common-sense, safety, and never trespass on private property. These wildflower fields often attract more than just humans, so be mindful of critters like bugs and snakes. It is also important to remember that many of these wildflowers are planted to sustain the local ecology, so do not pick or harm the plants as they’re necessary for a thriving community.
And let’s say you’re not the type of person who wants to sit on the side of the highway just to capture the family photo that may only garner a handful of ‘Likes’ on Facebook and Instagram. Here are two other ways can you experience spring flowers in Denton:
8. Denton Community Market
Many of the vendors at Denton Community Market bring a local assortment of honey and fresh-cut flowers. Opening day is Saturday, April 2nd, from 9 am to 1 pm. Join us as we see what local provisions this year brings!
9. Texas-Tulips
Texas-Tulips is a U-pick Tulip Field located at 10656 FM 2931 in Pilot Point. There is a $5 entrance fee, but it’s open from 10 am to 8 pm and makes for a lovely backdrop for family photos. With over 100 varieties of tulips, you’ll be sure to want to bring a bouquet home with you.
Honorable Mentions
The City of Denton recently enacted a Wildflower Planting Program (WPP) in which 34 sites (over 237 acres) were selected for wildflowers planting and limited annual maintenance. While still in its early phases, we’re excited for future wildflower experiences that will be available to both locals and visitors alike.
Want to start your own wildflower garden? The Denton Public Library Seed Sharing Program makes that possible. Native seeds are collected from Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center and are placed in the seed library at Emily Fowler Central Library.
