Skagit Valley Tulip Festival: How and When to See Washington Tulips
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If someone told the flower-obsessed Bella (me) that there is an affordable alternative to seeing vibrant fields of mesmerizing tulips WITHOUT traveling across the world (to the Netherlands) she would have blossomed with excitement.
You should’ve seen her (my) face when she discovered North Washington’s annual spring tulip festival.
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, a local spring bloom event celebrating fields of colorful tulips in Washington state, invites travelers from all over North America.
This year, I was one of the lucky visitors to experience not only a few sunny April days in Seattle – a rare occasion during an otherwise typically-wet season – but also peak bloom during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Think: seas of glowing yellows, eye-catching reds, and deep purples scattered artistically and decoratively over the green fields of North Washington.
That’s right. You DON’T need to travel all the way across the world to experience spring in all its vibrant, picturesque splendor.
Visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival should be at the top of everyone’s bucket lists, and not just to curate a collection of picturesque Instagram photos. Mount Vernon, with its small town vibes and sprawling farmland, is the perfect spring getaway in Washington State!
This is my ultimate Skagit Valley Tulip Festival guide, complete with my recommendations for when to visit each tulip farm, where to stay in Mount Vernon, and my comparison of North Washington’s two largest farms, RoozenGaarde vs. Tulip Town.
What is the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a springtime event celebrating the bloom of thousands of mesmerizing tulips in North Washington.
Farms located all around Mount Vernon showcase their stunning fields of tulips and other flowers creating an immersive, family-friendly spring event that supports local farms.
During certain spring weeks, you can experience peak daffodil bloom with peak tulip bloom, a two-for-one bloom event that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.
The Skagit Valley Tulip festival occurs every April, but peak bloom varies from year to year depending on seasonal conditions.
Bring your rainboots! April is Washington’s rainy spring season!
How to Pronounce “Skagit” (as in Skagit Valley Tulip Festival)
“Skagit” is pronounced “SKA–jit”, it rhymes with gadget.
When to Visit the Tulip Festival in Washington State
The tulip festival in Mt. Vernon, Washington occurs every April, rain or shine!
Visitors can experience the tulip fields at any point from April 1st – 30th, but peak tulip bloom usually occurs around the second and third week in April.
Every year the expected peak bloom varies depending on the weather conditions. Some years might experience an early bloom, while others might experience a late bloom!
I visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival during the third weekend in April after spending a few days exploring Seattle and staying in a treehouse near Issaquah (a must-do experience when you visit Washington!).
After reading lots of blogs about when to visit the tulip festival in North Washington, I decided to plan my tulip route on a Monday, during a weekday when there are fewer crowds. This was the perfect time to visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, the tulips were in peak bloom (the daffodils were not, however)!
April is a very rainy month for Washington so I figured we would experience typical PNW weather conditions during the third week in April. However, we experienced the rare Seattle spring sun two out of our three days in Washington.
For travelers visiting from outside of Washington state, I recommend visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival during the second or third weekend of April. Travelers visiting from within Washington state can be a little more flexible with coordinating a visit during tulip and daffodil peak bloom times!
Best Tulip Farms in Washington + Ticket Info
Here are my rankings of the Washington State tulip farms along the tulip route (including a Skagit Valley Tulip Festival map with my recommended route!):
A Note About the Tulip Festival Tickets
In order to visit each unique tulip farm, tickets must be purchased individually through the farm’s website. More information about tickets for each farm BELOW!
Tulip Town (My FAVORITE!)
Price: $20 per adult, $17 for seniors, $12 for children
Tulip Town was my favorite farm along the Skagit Valley Tulip route.
Featuring an eye-catching windmill that makes for a great photo-op, Tulip Town is a family and pet-friendly tulip field with everything including a free tractor ride around the field and a picturesque swing in front of the vibrant rows of tulips.
*direct link (not affiliated)
RoozenGaarde
Price: $23 Fri – Sun, $19 Mon – Thurs
RoozenGaarde farm is the largest tulip farm in North Washington.
With over 200 varieties of tulips and a mix of daffodils spanning the 50+ acres of fertile North Washington soil, travelers from all over Washington and the United States visit RoozenGaarde.
This spectacular farm originally found its roots in the Netherlands. William Roozen, the patriarch of the Roozen family, emigrated from the Netherlands to North Washington, bringing his wealth of tulip farming knowledge with him.
Nearly thirty years after purchasing the Washington Bulb Company in 1955, seven acres of display gardens were planted to showcase the incredible beauty of a breathtaking Dutch tradition.
Millions of bulbs are planted yearly at RoozenGaarde inviting travelers from all over the US.
I really enjoyed visiting RoozenGaarde, and I loved the many different colorful varieties!
*direct link (not affiliated)
Garden Rosalyn
Price: $20 Fri – Sun, $19 Mon – Thurs, $17 for seniors, $12 for children
Garden Rosalyn is one of the smallest tulip farms along the Skagit Valley Tulip route, but it is a great place to start your tulip adventure in the Skagit Valley!
This was my first destination for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Arriving bright and early, right around the garden’s opening at 8:30am, I was among the first visitors to stroll through the glowing rows of tulips.
Having just rained the day before, many of the tulips were glistening with dew. The fields of tulips shimmered like the reflections of sunlight on the gentle waves of a calm sea.
Garden Rosalyn is one of the pet-friendly tulip farms along the route. With a stunning blue windmill perfectly placed in front of the mountains, this picturesque garden is a must-visit farm!
*direct link (not affiliated)
Tulip Valley Farms
Price: $20 general admission, $36 pick-your-own (adult prices)
With a variety of vibrant reds, glowing whites, and bright yellow tulips, Tulip Valley Farms is a picture perfect tulip farm, often overlooked by many festival visitors due to the popularity of the larger farms. This is a great farm to visit with kids and dogs and the only tulip farm that offers pick-your-own tulips and daffodils!
*direct link (not affiliated)
Schuh Farms (BONUS! Not a Tulip Farm)
When I was creating my driving route for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, I came across Schuh Farms on the map.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to support a local farm and purchase homemade pie! Schuh Farms, though not technically part of the tulip festival, is a great local farm to visit for handmade souvenirs, knick knacks, and farm-fresh baked goodies.
How to Spend Your Day at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
If you’re planning on exploring the tulip farms in Washington, here’s how I would recommend you spend your day!
Start your morning bright and early at the Whidbey Island Bagel Factory. This local bagel factory produces fresh, mouthwatering bagels! This is a great place to stop and get breakfast before visiting the tulip farms.
After a quick breakfast, I recommend starting your journey along the tulip route.
Garden Rosalyn is a great place to start because it is the earliest farm to open, usually around 8:30am.
I visited Garden Rosalyn first and enjoyed people-free tulip fields while the sun began to peek through the clouds (it was a lot chillier than I expected!).
After enjoying the picturesque, sky-blue windmill at Garden Rosalyn, drive to the largest tulip farm along the route, RoozenGaarde.
Most people skip the smaller farms and only visit RoozenGaarde because of its expansive, seven acre display field. You can expect RoozenGaarde to be the busiest because it is the largest and most well known tulip farm in North Washington.
Even on a rainy weekday, RoozenGaarde will be crowded.
After perusing the mind boggling rows of tulips at Roozengaarde, head to Tulip Valley Farms to pick your own tulips. Tulip Valley Farms has a “U-pick” experience where you can pick your own flowers. This farm also has a petting zoo which is great for families with small kids.
If you’d rather skip the petting zoo, drive directly from Roozengaarde to Tulip Town, my favorite local farm in the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. At Tulip Town, you can enjoy a relaxing tractor ride around the tulip fields to get 360° views of the beautiful fields.
If you want to make a bonus stop before grabbing lunch, drive to Schuh Farm, a local farmstand providing fresh produce, local flowers and homemade goodies. The homemade berry pie at Schuch Farm was the perfect dessert after a day exploring the tulip field!
For lunch, I recommend driving up to Burlington (ten minutes north of Mt. Vernon) to Train Wreck Bar and Grill for fresh-off-the-grill American classics and ice cold beer. Drive back to Seattle to complete your spring itinerary!
5 Tips for Visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
TIP #1: Visit on a Weekday!
During the month of April, Mt. Vernon turns into Flowerland. Welcoming visitors from the Seattle area and all over the USA, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival generates lines longer than those at Disneyland.
The best tip for visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is to go during a weekday!
TIP #2: Start Early or Go Late
Even on a weekday, you’ll experience crowds of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the vibrant North Washington blooms. Time your visit to the largest farms to be in the early morning, right when the farms open, or towards the end of the day, right before the farms close.
The crowds tend to visit the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival during the hours of 10am – 2pm, when the rain clears (if it does).
TIP #3: Expect to Get a Little Muddy
Don’t believe everything you see on Pinterest…the tulip fields can get very muddy after a few days of rain!
I recommend bringing a pair of shoes you don’t mind getting mud on, or a pair of rainboots for the aesthetic.
Additionally, with the bipolar April weather in North Washington, it’s always a good idea to bring a rain jacket and an umbrella!
TIP #4: Check if Dogs are Allowed Entry
Leashed dogs are welcome at many of the farms, including Tulip Town and Garden Rosalyn. However, it’s important to check whether or not your furry friend can enjoy the festival before bringing them!
TIP #5: Stay on the Designated Paths
Oftentimes you’ll see photos or videos of influencers walking between the rows of beautiful tulips.
This is strictly prohibited at the tulip farms due to the damage it causes to the flower beds.
Each farm will have designated photo spots between tulip rows to create that “walking among flowers” photo look, there is no need to walk further between the flower beds!
Tramping between the rows of tulips can damage the tulip bulbs, harming the beautiful flowers for next season. You’ll see signs telling you to stay on the designated paths. Make sure to follow the farm rules!
RoozenGaarde vs. Tulip Town
A Comparison of Two of North Washington’s Best Tulip Farms
RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town are two of North Washington’s largest tulip farms.
RoozenGaarde, the “flagship” tulip farm rooted in Holland’s agricultural practices, spans over 50 acres of North Washington soil. This is the largest farm in the tulip festival with over 200 varieties of tulips, many of which you can purchase right from the farm!
Tulip Town is a thirty-acre farm with over five acres of colorful tulips. North Washington’s second largest farm features a variety of family-friendly activities, a picturesque windmill, and a free tractor ride for all to enjoy.
So which tulip farm was my favorite in the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival?
Though I loved the endless rows of vibrant reds and mesmerizing dark purple tulips at RoozenGaarde, I preferred the family- and pet-friendly Tulip Town farm for its charming windmill, spacious walking paths, and laid-back atmosphere that made it easy to enjoy the blooms without the Roozengaarde crowds.
If you have time, visit both tulip farms!
Where to Stay for the Tulip Festival
There are a variety of places to stay in and around Mt. Vernon for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.
Here are my top recommendations for where to stay for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival:
In Mount Vernon
A budget-friendly Inn in the heart of Mount Vernon perfectly on theme for travelers visiting the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!
A comfortable, no-frills budget friendly hotel in the heart of Mount Vernon. This family-friendly hotel is great for guests wanting to stay in the heart of Mount Vernon for an affordable price.
Outside Mount Vernon
A relaxing nature retreat a short drive away from Mount Vernon, the Postcard Cabins are the perfect outdoor getaway for adventurers who want to combine the tulip festival with a “glamping” experience.
Fairfield by Marriott (Burlington)
Slightly north of Mount Vernon, Fairfield by Marriott is a family-friendly hotel, perfect for visitors with a car.
The Kulshan Hotel (Sedro Woolley)
Located just seven miles outside of Mt. Vernon, the Kulshan hotel is the perfect place for travelers who want to avoid the festival crowds. This hotel is a great place to stay for travelers with plans to hike or explore more of the North Cascades.
I hope this guide was convincing enough for you to book a spring getaway to North Washington! The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a bucket list experience full of vibrant beauty and postcard views!
Want to explore even MORE Washington content?
Check out my latest Washington blog Posts BELOW
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