Texas State Bluebonnet Trail

Ennis Bluebonnet Trails

Adopted on June 18, 1997.

Ennis became the official bluebonnet trail of Texas when Governor George W. Bush signed House Concurrent Resolution No. 116 on June 19, 1997.

Ennis was designated by the 1997 State Legislature as the home of the "Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail" and was designated the "Official Bluebonnet City of Texas." From April 1-30, Ennis showcases over 40 miles of mapped driving Bluebonnet Trails sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club. These trails are the oldest such trails known in the state, and tens of thousands of visitors make the short trek to Ennis to view this wonderful wildflower show. The Ennis Garden Club will drive the trails to check the bloom status each week starting in April.

Ennis is about 30 miles south of Dallas.

Texas State Bluebonnet Trail:
Ennis Bluebonnet Trails

Ennis designated by the 1997 State Legislature as the home of the "Official Texas Bluebonnet Trail". It was adopted on June 18, 1997. This festival sponsored by the Ennis Garden Club, and celebrates 52 years of its annual trails. Every April, Ennis showcases over 40 miles of mapped trails, arts, crafts, food, and historic home tour. Ennis is located 25 minutes south of Downtown Dallas on I-45. These trails are the oldest such trails known in the state, and tens of thousands of visitors make the short trek to Ennis to view this wonderful wildflower show.

Each year, Ennis welcomes approximately 100,000 visitors to the April Bluebonnet Trails Festival Weekend and throughout the month. The Bluebonnet Trail is a regional celebration of the natural wonder of wildflowers common to the Hill Country of Texas. Many communities in the area take this opportunity to highlight their community and have added fairs, events, photo contest and other activities. Each year the peak viewing time of the Bluebonnets and wildflowers varies, but visitors can usually depend on seeing great views and vistas along the roads and highways from late March through April.

The 52nd Annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails last through April 30th. They celebrate the Ennis " Bluebonnet Festival" April 11th, 12th, and 13th. Beginning March 29th the Ennis CVB will be open for visitors to pick up information on their Bluebonnet Trails on Saturdays from 9am until 5pm and on Sundays from 1pm until 5pm. They will be closed Easter Sunday, April 20th, however, maps of the Bluebonnet Trails will be available outside of the CVB office that day.

The City of Ennis has gained renown for having the official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas; an added attraction to those visiting during the weekends of the Bluebonnet Trail is an antique show and sale that attracts vendors from five neighboring states and benefits the Ennis Heritage Society

Some of the best highways to travel are highway 71 west from Austin to as far as Llano - also highway 281 between Burnet and Johnson City - and Farm to Market road 1431 from Marble Falls to Kingsland and along Farm to Market road 2147 from Marble Falls to Horseshoe Bay along Lake LBJ.

Texas House Concurrent Resolution No. 116

Texas HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION H.C.R. No. 116

WHEREAS, In April 1997, thousands of residents and visitors alike will gather in Chappell Hill for one of our state's most popular and colorful yearly events, the 33rd Annual Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival; and

WHEREAS, A much anticipated celebration of spring, the festival honors the spectacular bluebonnets that grace the community of Chappell Hill each April with their seasonal display of eye-catching blooms; and

WHEREAS, This popular event is sponsored by the Chappell Hill Historical Society, and it began in 1964 as the Bluebonnet Antique Show; the festival became known by its present name in 1983, and it currently offers fun-filled activities for the entire family, including a hayride through the community's historic district and abundant opportunities to shop for distinctive wares and furniture from arts, crafts, and antique vendors; and

WHEREAS, The Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival will provide a time for many citizens to set aside the cares of daily life and enjoy the flowering beauty of our Texas spring; this well-loved event continues to be a splendid addition to our state's array of recreational opportunities and is truly deserving of legislative praise and support; and

WHEREAS, In 1951 the Ennis Garden Club established its first Bluebonnet Trail of Texas, mapping certain locales in the City of Ennis and the area surrounding the city, thus sharing its bounty of this unique Texas wildflower; these mapped trails have grown to encompass more than 40 miles where the thousands of visitors may be enthralled for two consecutive weekends in April each year by the spectacular fields of bluebonnets that grow so bountifully in the area; the City of Ennis has gained renown for having the official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas; an added attraction to those visiting during the weekends of the Bluebonnet Trail is an antique show and sale that attracts vendors from five neighboring states and benefits the Ennis Heritage Society; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That Ennis be declared the official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas and that Ennis be designated the Bluebonnet City of Texas because of the 46 years it has been associated with the official wildflower of Texas and the faithful efforts of the Ennis Garden Club in preserving our state wildflower for all to enjoy; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the 75th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby designate the Chappell Hill Bluebonnet Festival as the official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas and commend all those associated with the event for their hard work in ensuring its success.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 116, 75th Legislature, Regular Session (1997)