Thinking about visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit Western Washington. There is so much to see and do. The summer crowds have not yet descended on the Evergreen State, and there are always some sun breaks between the rain. With everything in bloom, great photographic opportunities are around each corner. And there is nothing like tulip time in Western Washington’s agricultural center. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is the biggest tulip festival in the U.S. and brings thousands of visitors each year from all over the world. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your trip.
When to Visit
You can find daffodil, tulip, and iris blooms in Skagit Valley every spring. This area has been home to tulip growers since the early 1900s and more than 1 million tulip bulbs are planted here each year. The festivities start in March with daffodils, and tulips are usually in full bloom by the beginning of April. Depending on the weather, blooms can still be enjoyed until early May some years. Mother Nature is in charge and each year is different. So, when should you plan to come? The first 3 weeks of April are a good bet for finding the most blooms of all varieties.
Getting to the Skagit Valley
Skagit Valley is located along the I-5 corridor between Vancouver, BC, and Seattle, WA. The drive north from Seattle is about an hour and 15 minutes. Take exit 226 and drive through Mt. Vernon. If you have a little extra time to spend, there are cute shops and good places to eat in downtown Mt. Vernon. Don’t miss the Skagit River Brewery and Il Granario Authentic Italian. The Skagit Valley Food Co-op has vegetable, flower, and herb starts for those in the gardening mood. From Mt. Vernon follow the green Tulip Route signs to the heart of tulip country.
Where to Go
There are many multi-acre gardens in this area that boast beautiful tulip, daffodil, iris, and hyacinth displays and fields including RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, and Garden Rosalyn. RoozenGaarde has always been my favorite and I plan a trip there every spring. Parking is included with paid admission and is located in a grassy field. Entry fees are $20 on weekends and $17 for weekdays. You can save a few bucks if you purchase tickets online ahead of time. There are many clean portable toilets with hand-washing stations in the parking lot and inside the gates. You will find beautiful display gardens with many varieties of tulips, daffodils, irises, and hyacinths. You can order your favorite bulbs or buy cut tulips to take home. If you are looking for souvenirs, they have two shops inside the gates that sell all things tulip. Past the display gardens are the tulip fields with many colors of tulips in different stages of growth. The growers implement a 5-year crop rotation, so you never know where and what you will find.
Weather and Attire
The spring weather can be unpredictable and it is essential that you come prepared for wind, rain, and sun. A pair of good shoes is important. I usually wear high-cut hiking boots or galoshes, water-resistant hiking pants, a jacket, and hat. The fields can be a bit muddy even if it hasn’t rained in a few days. In 2024 RoozenGaarde added some gravel to the walkways, so even if you don’t have the perfect shoes, you can still get around. There is not much shade especially out in the fields, so don’t forget the sunscreen.
Photographing Tulips
What makes the tulip fields in Skagit Valley so special is all of the vivid colors with a backdrop of the Cascade Mountain range. This time of year the mountains are snow-capped and the weather can often make for very dramatic pictures. I used my Android smartphone to take these stunning photos, but any type of camera will do. Mornings are the best time to photograph tulips. The fields and display gardens aren’t as busy and the morning light is better for photographing. Lately, I have planned my visits on a dry day with some clouds. The vibrant colors of the tulips can be hard to capture on a bluebird sunny day since the tulips are easily over-exposed. Sunny days also mean more people.
When photographing tulips, my favorite shots tend to be taken from a crouched position, looking up at the tulips. Create a balanced composition by framing your photograph with one tulip in the center or use the rule of thirds and place your focal point to one side. Capturing the tulip fields in all their glory can be a little harder, especially with big crowds. I try to find a corner of the field and photograph facing east to capture the rows of color as well as the mountains in the background. Each year the display gardens are different and contain many new varieties and color combinations, so it never gets old and I always find new ways to photograph this special place.
After the Tulips
On the way back to the highway, don’t miss my favorite lunch spot, the Conway Pub and Eatery, located in downtown Conway. Established in 1932, this little pub offers steaks, seafood, salads, and soups. They are best known for their 1/2 pound steak burgers and fried oysters. Cocktails and beers are offered as well as a tasty iced tea. If you don’t have to head back to the city, continue a little further west past the tulip fields to the town of La Connor, located on the Salish Sea. Many of the official tulip events take place here and there are restaurants, galleries, shops, and museums. Parking can be a bit of a challenge and weekends can draw large crowds to the area. Stay a night or two in and around Skagit Valley to really explore this diverse area.
Check out the Skagit Valley webpage for more information.
Disclaimer: I was not compensated by any of the businesses mentioned in this article.