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Skagit Valley Tulip Guide
The Skagit Valley Tulips have become the undisputed royalty of blooms in Washington State! It’s no wonder, given their renown – in 2016, National Geographic voted them as the number one feature in their “Best Spring Trips” and in 2019, Celia Fernandez of Oprah Magazine named them number four in her “10 Best Flower Festivals in the U.S.” list. These honors have certainly helped to cement the tulips’ reputation, but they were already drawing crowds of thousands of visitors worldwide before making these lists, and continue to do so to this day. If you’re looking for a spectacular show of blooms, there’s nothing quite like the Skagit Valley Tulips! To help make your visit to Skagit Valley a memorable one, here is a detailed Skagit Valley Tulip Guide.
What Makes The Tulips So Popular?
Just imagine a landscape quilted with rows and rows of vibrant patterns of hand tailored tulips with a picturesque snowcapped mountain range in the backdrop. It seems like something from a dream. But the reality is, every spring, acres and acres of land in Skagit Valley are blanketed with vibrant, multi-colored tulip blooms. Moreover, visitors can enjoy walking around the fields, exploring various farms, and taking pictures of the stunning views.
Credit: Getty Images
When is The Best Time to See the Skagit Valley Tulips?
This question is a little harder to answer. The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival runs from April 1st to April 30th each year. However, weather and field conditions will cause the tulip bloom times to fluctuate from the last week of March through the second week of April. You can verify bloom locations by viewing this Bloom Map:
Click image to jump to updated bloom map
Where To See the Skagit Valley Tulips?
The tulip fields are open to the public, but they are located on private land. Because of crop rotation, the tulip fields are different each year. RoozenGaarde, Tulip Town, Tulip Valley Farms, and Garden Rosalyn all have tulip displays for visitors to view and photograph. Every bulb grower has their own admission fee and set of rules to follow so make sure you head to their websites to see what the 2024 year expectations are.
Where to Stay Overnight?
The official Skagit Valley Tulip Festival website has compiled a thorough list of accommodations. In my opinion, if you are willing to travel a little, I would recommend looking at lodging in La Conner or Anacortes for something more affordable and less crowded during the tulip bloom season.
Pro Tips For Skagit Valley Tulip Tiptoeing
Layering up and making sure you have a change of clothes and shoes is essential for a successful and enjoyable tulip visit. The weather in Skagit Valley can be unpredictable, and the tulip fields can be muddy, so making sure you’re prepared is key. It’s also important to remember to not walk through the tulips as this can damage the flowers. Instead, find the perfect angle to capture your photo so that it looks like you are in the middle of the field. Lastly, bring snacks and water for the car ride! The lines to park can be a LONG wait. With these tips in mind, you’re sure to have a great tulip-tiptoeing experience.
Want More Skagit Valley Tulip Festivities?
This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever with over 140+ vendors, entertainers, food trucks, and children’s activities. Be sure to grab some delicious food while you’re down there and don’t forget to stop by the local shops and the Riverwalk!
A few stores I would recommend you check out are Jeka’s Plants, Forte Chocolates, and the Skagit Valley Food Co-Op.
You Will Be Happy You Went!
Skagit Valley is truly a breathtaking sight to behold each spring! The sight of acres of hand tailored flowers in vibrant and vivid colors is an image that will stay with you for a lifetime. Not only are the views stunning, but you can also explore the many nearby farms and take pictures of the incredible scenery. There is no better way to welcome in the spring season than with a visit to Skagit Valley!
Kerriann Jenkins
