The search for the Holy Grail
One of the highlights of springtime in Texas is riding along back roads that are awash with brilliant colors from nature’s paintbrush, Texas wildflowers. But fabulous wildflowers shows don’t happen ever year, it depends on the preceding winter’s, and the spring’s, rainfall. And they don’t happen everywhere, but when you hit the right road, on the right day, in the right spring, it can be an epiphany–like riding to the Emerald City in Oz.
There are wildflower roads across the entire state, and to help to fund those roads and maximize the chances of having a spectacular wildflower ride, we’d like to direct you to a few wildflower resources.
Texas Wildflower Roads Resources
(1) TxDOT’s Interactive wildflower map
As you may have noticed, our friends at TxDOT are adding online tools and widgets to help motorists avoid traffic, know where traffic cameras are tucked away, etcetera. Well, now they have launched a nifty interactive widget that indicates where wildflowers are blooming. Good stuff. Possibly the coolest thing, ever. TxDOT’s interactive wildflower map helps you find what’s blooming where, now.
(2) An excellent selection of East Texas wildflower road trips
(3) Lady Bird Johnson started the whole thing
General Wildflower Information from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
(4) Texas State Parks & Wildlife Department holds wildflower-related events
Texas State Parks Events & Resources
(5) Wildflower sightings crowd-sourced page
Flora & Fauna updates on wildflower sightings along particular roads
A caution about spring weather
Spring is the most volatile weather season in Texas–a beautiful day can turn into a hailstorm quicker than you can say “Yikes, what’s that?” It’s important to keep abreast of weather forecasts
On the road, nothing beats a NOAA weather radio. Just ask at your local sporting or hunting store, they’ll be able to help you out. Use your best judgment, and survive to ride another day.
RT’s Wildflower Roads of Texas ride guide
Probably your best riding resource for wildflower rides. Carry it with you–maps and resources at your fingertips.
