I hit the ground hard and winced, feeling mud splatter my face.
Eyes still closed, I sighed, and then grinned. In a movie, I’d be gracefully frolicking in a field of tulips in a sun dress. But here in the real world, it was April in the Oregon tulip fields, and the mud was thick.
I gingerly got to my feet. The leg of my rain pants was covered in gooey mud, and one of my shoes looked like it had been dipped in plaster. Otherwise, I was intact.
The yellow tulip I’d been trying to approach bobbed innocently in the slight breeze, its double petals laced with tiny raindrops. Rows and rows of tulips extended in all directions, their colors seemingly more vivid for their contrast with the slate of the stormy sky.
Dozens of rain jacket-clad and umbrella-toting flower watchers moved along the paths through the rows of tulips. They looked tiny in the vastness of the tulip fields, but I also felt a strange sense of community with them all, as together we undertook this absurd annual pilgrimage to the tulip fields in the rain.
In today’s post, I’ll share the essential tips for visiting the tulip fields in Oregon at the annual Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival. To start with a virtual tour, check out our video below.
The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm is in Woodburn, Oregon, about 45 mins’ drive south of Portland. Festival goers can stroll through acres of colorful tulip fields, view antique steam tractor displays, picnic on site, and even take a hot air balloon ride (if you’re there at the right time!).
#1. When is the Tulip Festival in Oregon?
Spring in Oregon brings delightful opportunities to visit flower farms and gardens across the state. From tulips to dahlias to lavender, many regional farms open their gates to the public during the peak bloom season. Tulips are among the early bloomers, and the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival marks the opening of the flower festival season for many Oregonians.
The festival opens in late March, but tulips typically peak in April in the Willamette Valley. The peak bloom season varies from year to year depending on the weather. The Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm website keeps visitors up-to-date with a field report page where they report out on current conditions. Check the field reports as the festival nears so you can best time your visit.
If you’re interested in taking a hot air balloon ride over the tulip fields, you’ll need to try for a sunny day that isn’t too windy. The weather is pretty volatile in April, so it’s a bit of a wildcard. Check out the page linked above for details on availability and hot air balloon bookings.
#2. What to Take to the Oregon Tulip Fields
April weather in western Oregon can be sunny, rainy, or both on the same day. The farm gets a lot of visitors, so the paths through the tulip fields can get very muddy. Some of the paths have cool hazelnut mulch that helps with traction, but a lot of them don’t. Accordingly, I’d recommend rain gear and shoes with good traction. Otherwise, tiptoeing through the tulips Pacific Northwest-style can quickly go sideways….
Make sure to pack your camera (or use your phone) so you can try your hand at the annual tulip photo contest.
In terms of food, visitors can either take their own picnic lunch or buy food from the food trucks on site.
#3. Tickets for the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Book tickets in advance! The festival is popular and often sells out on weekends, even though it’s quite expensive ($20/person as of 2022). Tickets must be booked online.
If you’re tracking the bloom reports and want to change the date of your ticket, you’re allowed to change the date and time online ahead of the day of your visit (as long as tickets are still available for the new date/time you’re targeting).
Check the Wooden Shoe website to confirm the current ticket policy in the year you go.
#4. Antique Steam Tractors at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
The festival includes a display of wood-burning steam tractors, which were popular from the late 1800s through the early 1900s. Don’t miss the rare chance to see these unusual tractors up and running. Plus, since they run on steam, it’s somewhat warmer next to the tractor display…
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
If you enjoy the tulip fields in Oregon, you may enjoy exploring the many other Oregon flower farms and gardens. I’ve compiled the highlights and how to visit 10 top flower farms and gardens here.
For more travel ideas in the Pacific Northwest, check out our PNW Trip Planner. You can find adventures near you and filter by season and difficulty level. There are weird and wonderful things to explore any time of year. The trip planner links to blog posts to help you plan your next adventure.
Happy exploring!
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