Those beautiful blooms will be here before we know it! The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival will be ready for your visit in April. Get ready with these great resources:
- A Complete Guide to the Skagit Tulip Festival
- Bloom Map from RoozenGaarde
- Full Bloom Status from The Tulip Festival
The Washington State DOT sent out some tips to make your trip more enjoyable and less congested.
Alternate Interstate 5 exits
Many travelers choose to take the Interstate 5 to exit 226 (State Route 536/Kincaid Street) into the heart of Mount Vernon. This route easily connects to shops and restaurants, but during peak weekend visiting hours, traffic can quickly back up onto the highway. Consider alternate exits to avoid this congestion.
- Exit 230: SR 20 is a great option for anyone traveling from Canada, points north of Skagit County or those from the south who want to avoid congestion in town. You can head west on SR 20 to SR 536 or take a left on your choice of Skagit County roads to reach the flower fields.
- Exit 221: Head west, toward Conway, to enter the flower fields from the south.
Tulip viewing is best as a driving or cycling tour
For travelers who want to see the many tulip fields around Skagit County, this portion of the festival is a driving tour. Drivers should safely navigate the roads while passengers take photos. If everyone wants to get out of the car, visit the display gardens at Roozengaarde or Tulip Town to find designated parking areas. Parking is free with admission to these tulip farms.
Travelers should also:
- Obey no parking signs.
- Never stop in the middle of the road.
- Avoid parking in/blocking private driveways.
For those who would like to cycle or take a bus to the event, there are two Skagit Transit Park & Rides in Mount Vernon. When cycling through the fields, be aware of drivers touring the fields and follow the rules of the road to keep yourself and others safe.
Avoid the crowds
The tulip festival runs the entire month of April. Weekday visits typically allow visitors the chance to see the tulips with minimal traffic. If a weekend visit is necessary, arrive early when the display gardens open. Congestion is often at its worst on county roads and on southbound I-5 during sunny weekend afternoons, just after the gardens close.
Go before you go
There are no public restrooms in the tulip fields. Those who purchase tickets to the display gardens or are customers at some area businesses will have access to restrooms. Others will want to make pit stops before hitting the flower fields.
- WSDOT has safety rest areas just north of Arlington and near the Skagit/Whatcom county line.
- City of Mount Vernon has a public restroom at Lions Park just north of downtown.
Enjoy the beauty of the Skagit Valley by planning ahead, knowing alternate routes and allowing extra time. There are some additional tips for visiting the festival in this tulip traffic video. On Twitter, follow WSDOT_North on for blocking incidents on the highways and SkagitGov for information on county roads.
Are you planning on heading to see the Tulips this year? Where is your go to spot?
