Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

I especially waited till October to come and see all the beautiful fall colors. It was a quiet, misty, chilly afternoon and I only encountered a few people. If you want a short walk around a beautiful lake, flowers, and wildlife, I definitely recommend! Perfect getaway for a nature lover like me.

I LOVE the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden! I strongly suggest getting an annual pass but I would happily pay $5/day to enjoy the garden, water, eagles, and other wildlife. It’s beautiful year round but incredible in Spring, Summer and Fall.

Had to hit two of the big three gardens in the city so we sped down to Crystal Springs to figure out what exactly a Rhododendron is. Suffice to say its a huge category of flowering (or not), evergreen (or deciduous) shrub... The garden itself is a relaxing walk that likely has a specific time of peak beauty. Our september visit only had one blooming flower but it was quiet and meditative to walk the paths.

Beautiful gardens with nice walking trails, water features, and plenty of local wildlife. We saw some eagles while we were there too.

In September great place to walk very short had a fee but worth it. Very well maintained and people gave so information on walks. Ducks and birds . Places to sit and easy parking.

Really beautiful space. June is a bit late for rhodie blooms but overall a very nice space. Fairly large spot of the venue was limited for a wedding. It would have been nice to get a discount for the wedding duration because a good chunk of trails were on the island area. Interesting spot to see some wildlife and lovely gardens!

Very beautiful and fairly affordable garden. I recommend this to everybody of all ages. It is great as a couple. It is very walkable and not too large for elders and children. You can technically take dogs on leash. I would recommend leaving them at home so you can enjoy the garden without having to worry about your furry little friend. Beautiful in spring and summer.

Beautiful natural location in the heart of Portland. It’s hidden away by Reed College. Only downside is limited parking at the entrance. Park a few blocks away and you’ll be fine. If you have people who have trouble walking there’s plenty of area to drop them off. Loose yourself for a few hours as you wander a beautiful landscape with an incredible variety of flora and water features. Despite being named the Rhododendron Garden there’s lots more than just Rhododendrons. Price is super reasonable ~$9 for an adult. Bonus: so many cute dogs around.

Beautiful garden! Takes around 25 minutes to walk through the whole thing but would be great to have a picnic or sit and read a book here as well. Around 9$ for adults and 6$ for students. Worth stopping here.

This is a phenomenal space that we have been visiting for 50 years. It was created in the early 1950s and the plantings are managed by Portland Rhododendron Society. The property itself is owned by the inept city of Portland who as usual do their best to totally mess it up. There is only a small parking lot which the city in its wisdom has made worse and worse. They used to take advantage of Reed College across with its numerous parking spaces but Reed finally told the city "enough" and no longer allow city of Portland to freeload off of them. On street parking was also eliminated by the city to make it safer for bicycles.....this could have been eliminated by creating a bike lane which would require removal of a couple of trees and shaving some land off of Eastmoreland Golf (also owned by city of Portland) this would not interfere at all with the greens or fairways but most city employees are too stupid and ineffective and the traffic engineers are jokes. The other issue these days is how crowded it has become, especially during the week as it seems no one works anymore. Being planted so many years ago with quality, unusual plants...not just rhododendrons but many great trees. The rhodies themselves are numerous and varied and for the most part mature. For us the park has provided a great place for flashing fun and games. This was especially true in the 1980s when weekdays were very uncrowded and there were always many Japanese businessmen with fancy cameras taking flower and plant pix who were thrilled to see her knickerfree and open-topped. We still go there often when we can, parking along side-streets and walking up to a mile but she must be a lot more cautious giving upskirt views

If the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden isn't on your bucket list, write it at the top NOW. The best time to visit is right about now but you really can't lose because something is always blooming and the wildlife is amazing. (We got a great shot of a bald eagle at the top of a tree and many beautiful photos of the various ducks that live in the park). I couldn't get over the fact that this little park is in the middle of the city and that 99E borders one side of the garden and Eastmoreland Golf Course on the other. Fortunately, no traffic noise or anything to disturb the wildlife. As others have noted, parking is a challenge because the lot is very small but we didn't have a problem as we got there very early and just waited on benches out front. I'd estimate that the garden is about 95% accessible for those with mobility issues, which includes myself. The many ramps and level trails are fairly wide and have many convenient turn-outs that make it easy to give other people room to pass. I had no problem walking through the park with my rollator walker. The the bathrooms are very clean and ADA accessible. I could sit on one of the many benches and listen to the waterfalls and stare at the lake for hours, maybe even take a little nap. The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a great place to take out-of-state family and friends when they visit. Much better than the chaotic downtown Portland experience. Safer too. The garden is dog-friendly (I wish it wasn't) and kid-friendly for well-behaved children too. $5 donation fee to get in but well worth it. I put in a little extra donation to keep this garden treasure open and well tended. Next time I'm bringing my sketchpad.

Not the largest paid park in Portland, compared to something like the Japanese Garden, but for the price I definitely think it's worth it. Parking can also be a challenge if you go on a super busy day. Perfect for a day in the spring or summer if you're looking to spends some time in the sun. They have benches scattered around or you can take a blanket and set up on any of the grassy areas. Over looking the lake is super relaxing and there are a handful of animals for kids and adults to watch.

Another wonderful experience in this beautiful garden! We came on Memorial Day, which is on a Monday, so admission was free! We arrived at 10 am, and there was a short line to get in. They were taking a head count as people were entering, hence the line on free admission day. The small parking lot was full (only about 20 spots), so we parked across the street at Reed College. The grounds are gorgeous! There are paved, gravel, and wooden bridges throughout the garden. The paths are well maintained. We came about 2 weeks after peak season, so many Rhododendron and Azalea flowers were dying. There were plenty still at peak though, so plenty to see. We also saw many ducks, birds, and nutria. There are many benches throughout the garden to sit and relax and enjoy the views. Since it was a free admission day, it was pretty busy, so we decided an hour was enough time spent there. We probably would have taken more time to sit and observe in some areas, but it was noisier than we like. I'd recommend about 2 hours to really enjoy these gardens. You can also bring food in and picnic on their nice big lawn area near the restrooms. Would highly recommend!

What a beautiful park, nestled along a golf course! Normally peak season for the rhododendron blooms is April & May, and we visited in mid-April, but die to our chillier that usual Spring the most hadn't started blooming yet. But don't let the time of year deter you, because it's a lovely park no matter the season. When we went there were many varieties of Spring wildflowers blooming and plenty of other flora budding & bursting forth. There are a few ponds and nice streams meandering throughout, and a couple small man-made waterfalls. We also saw several kinds of birds and critters scampering about, of which a Green Heron, Wood Duck & a Nutria were the highlights. It's well worth the $5 per person admission. I think it might be free on Mondays, but that might only be during non-peak months, so check their website for more info. Their parking lot only has spaces for about 25 vehicles, and I don't think street parking is possibly nearby, so that's something to keep in mind. They also have a restroom inside, but I don't think the restroom is open during the Winter months.

I had the pleasure for going while the garden was in full bloom. Amazing to see all the colors and varieties at their best. They have lots of open green spaces so you can bring a picnic or a book and enjoy some family time or quiet relaxation. They also have benches where you can sit and watch the ducks and geese. It really is a tranquil space to relax and unwind. Parking is very limited so either be prepared to walk or take public transit.

Beautiful to visit during the fall. The entry fee is only $5/ adult (free for children under 10). The paths are paved. There's a medium sized parking lot. When we arrived on a Saturday at 2pm, there weren't that many visitors. We also witnessed a couple taking engagement photos.

A peaceful paradise right in the middle of Portland's suburbs. It's a large, well-kept area that feels incredibly serene. Walking through the garden, we were greeted by a variety of wildlife, including ducks, geese, nutria, and other birds. The garden's beautiful ponds and lush greenery provide a perfect habitat for these creatures. Despite being surrounded by city life, the garden offers a tranquil escape where you can immerse yourself in nature's beauty. Whether you're enjoying a leisurely stroll or simply relaxing by the water, every moment spent here is a refreshing retreat.

After visiting another nearby botanical garden we headed to Crystal for more green fun. Crystal Springs has a gorgeous setting, making a great home for the many birds we saw while there. Big ponds with, as the name implies, crystal clear springs. Even without spring blooms the grounds were lovely, such a variety of trees and plants to admire. While the place isn't massive, there are enough winding paths to explore and animals to watch you can definitely make an afternoon of it. A beautiful garden, and with only a $5 admission fee why not?!

Since the pandemic has mostly abated, I have resumed my mission of going to Portland's tourist attractions to rate and review them all. I haven't been majorly impressed by Portland's gardens yet, as most of them are expensive and crowded. However, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden was a refreshing experience at a very fair price ($5 a person. Admission waived on Mondays. Children ten and under free.) Even though the parking lot is small, I was able to get parking easily- otherwise, it appeared there was plenty of parking in the area since Reed College is right there. The park itself, while not massive (10 acres,) offers a variety of plants, trails and great views of the lake. Apparently the island in the park was called "Shakespeare Island" many years ago when students would act out Shakespeare's plays in the secluded location. Most of the trails are paved or semi-paved, and it is not much of a work-out but great for a morning or afternoon stroll. Birds love this garden too- I saw geese, crows, ducks and robins. I even saw a few ducklings, that were absolutely adorable! There are plenty of rhododendrons, but also native plants such as Oregon Grape and Douglas Firs. For the price and location (inner Southeast Portland,) I highly recommend visiting the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. It's a great location too because you can also visit the Reed College campus, and drive down to Woodstock or Sellwood to get breakfast or lunch. My only, and VERY minor critique, is that the garden stops admitting people at 3:30pm and closes at 4:00pm. But otherwise, it is well worth visiting.

Lovely park in the city! It was much bigger than i expected and worth the $5 entry. We came around 12 on a Friday and had no issues with parking or crowds!

I would like to rate this garden a thee and a half stars for a number of reasons. Firstly parking was a pretty bad situation. The parking lot had only about 20 spot including handicap spots and it was perpetually full. I had to go around once before finding a free spot. The good thing is that the garden itself was quite small and traversing it would take about 30 minutes. If you stopped to enjoy the plants, flowers and ducks it would be about an hour. Secondly, I was hoping to see more flowering plants but i think I visited it during the wrong season. It was the beginning of September so there weren't many blooms to enjoy. Thirdly, I think the lake in the garden was fueled by a spring which created a small babbling brook. I did enjoy the sound of the flowing water but there was no path that I could see that would allow me a fiw of the source of the spring. Or maybe it wasn't a spring??? The ducks in and around the lake were really cute though the water itself smelled a little stagnant. I did notice that a golf course bordered one side of the lake so it would provide a nice view for the players.

Updating my review since entrance fees have now changed. The garden is now staffed full time, so they charge admission during the off-season as well. Still worth the $5 IMO. If you are looking for a budget option, there is no entrance fee on Mondays.

My boyfriend and I had went right when the gates opened on a Monday. The entrance fee is $5 per person but the Monday we went, admission was free! Fun place to stroll around with a golf place next door. We observed the geese and ducks and sat on a bench and enjoyed the sight

I knew this place existed when I lived in Portland, but never came the entire 12 years I lived in the area. My second visit back to the area, and I finally made it here! I am so glad I came and unhappy with myself for not having come before. I came to visit in February 2022, and there were some flowers coming up, birds and small animals abounded. Admission was not much, the walkways are all well maintained. The water features seem lovely. There are benches at frequent intervals. Quite a lovely garden area. I look forward to coming back in the future. Even though the day was kind of grey, this garden was indeed the bright spot.

This is a true spot worth checking out! I have been in both in the spring and fall, and while the rhododendrons weren't in bloom at that time, there was still plenty to see. This is a photographer's dream. Please take a look at some of my pictures to see for yourself!

This was an unexpected but pleasant trip to the garden. We arrived on a Monday which meant free admission! The nice lady in the front also gave us a little" treasure hunt " for the kids to do. I thought it'd be a small and quick walk through the garden but there was plenty of wild life to see, diverse trees to admire and fun structures intertwined along the path to experience. Would definitely bring guests here to experience it.

Gorgeous and peaceful respite inside the city. It's May 4 and the rhodies are 80% blooming. Lovely walk, plan on 1-2 hour stroll.

This park is beautiful, and I imagine more so when it is open fully. Approximately 50%was blocked off during this pandemic but it didn't matter. Our walk around what was open, was perfect. Ample places to sit by the water, enjoy watching the ducks do their thing, and share lovely conversation from a distance. Not crowded, simply perfect. The cost was 10.00/person. Worth it knowing it will keep them open, up and running. So relaxing and enjoyable. Well marked in directions that should be followed during COVID precautions.

Portland is full of gorgeous parks and gardens. This is a small garden, but it feels huge because of all the open spaces. The hours are bit weird though. They close around 3,330pm. If you're ever in Portland this place is a must. If you're lucky you'll get to spot the bald eagle...

Absolutely gorgeous garden to walk around in the middle of the suburbs. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here with my friend who was busy pointing out all of the wildlife and naming all of the plants for me. There are multiple paths one can choose which makes each time here seem like your first. Though from the onset, Crystal Springs seems rather large, you could easily complete a loop within 30-45 minutes, which for the price, seems quite fast. That being said, please take your time, explore, and just immerse yourself in this serene place.

During our trip to Portland to see extended family, I set a goal of walking as much as I could. One of the ways I achieved this goal was to visit the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden, courtesy of a suggestion by my uncle, and I'm happy to say it was completely worth the visit. Admission is only $5, and it is well worth the price. It goes back into maintaining the garden, so you can feel good about helping to preserve the space for all the wildlife calling it home. There were eight of us all together, so I feel that we got our money's worth. The Garden has one of the best trails I've ever hiked. I appreciated the accessibility of the trails for walkers (or non walkers) of every pace. You can spend plenty of time in here just staring at the flowers alone. Not having the knowledge beforehand, I tried to spot as many different birds as I could, and definitely hit that particular goal. I'm not even sure I can say any other positive things about this garden that haven't already been said. Sometimes it's hard to review a popular place, especially one that many people like. But I plan on returning to Crystal Springs on my next trip to Portland, no matter what time of year it is. The rhododendrons are gorgeous, the wildlife is adorable, I get to help out a good cause, I get to spend time in nature, and I'll get to spend time with my west coast family. What's not to love about this garden?

Beautiful, colorful, peaceful, serene, great location for walking and photography.

For $5 entry, I would come here over Japanese Gardens any day. Both are beautiful but Crystal Springs is so much bigger and tucked away in SE Reed area without all the tourists. I've gone in almost every season and it's beautiful covered in blooms or snow. The lake is huge and full of ducks, geese, and other birds. There are plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the views and everyone is so friendly. This place is truly a gem.

Spent a day exploring this wonderful garden. Such a beautiful variety and perfect time of season to visit.

This garden is spectacular! From the minute I walked in, I knew I would be coming back again and again. While right now there are rhododendron in every imaginable color and azalea starting to bloom, I'm sure it's just as gorgeous in the fall. How have I never been here before? The garden is so lush, the various shades of green providing the perfect backdrop for the colorful rhododendron. The paths wind up, down, across a bridge, around a pond, past a few small babbling waterfalls with benches everywhere beckoning one to sit, relax, be at peace with nature. Every turn is a photo opportunity! Or a chance to etch it in your mind and savor the memory. It's breathtaking, truly. The park is adjacent to the golf course giving it even more expansive views. It's the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle and simply "be" with nature. The wildlife is just as beautiful- ducks in colors I have never seen before. Squirrels that come right next to you. Even saw a bald eagle flying above the trees. Watching the vibrant colored ducks, their chicks, and the geese swim, and bath in the water kept me entertained forever! I especially liked watching the ducks bury their heads in the water looking for food, their butts up in the air twirling around like synchronized swimmers! There is a nominal $5 fee; Monday's are free. There is a donation box as well so if you enjoyed your visit, help them maintain this magical garden. There is a very, very small parking lot. Overflow parking is available across the street at Reed a College in front of the Performing Arts Building. There were lots of cars parked on the street but they all received warnings as they were actually parked in the bike lane. So please don't park there as they give warnings or citations or tow. Don't take a chance and ruin the calm that this garden brings by dealing with car drama! I visited on a Monday, choosing a weekday to avoid the huge crowds since it was peak season for rhododendron (mid May). Good call. There were still a lot of people: couples holding hands, moms with babies and toddlers, photography buffs, people with their dogs, groups picnicking. Even so, it was serene and peaceful. I ended up staying a few hours getting lost in the beauty! So happy to have discovered this gem and I plan on visiting throughout the seasons. I can only imagine how vibrant the leaves will look in the fall. Highly recommend! While in the area, take a ride through West Moreland. The surrounding neighborhoods are just as gorgeous.

Beautiful place for a stroll or to sit and enjoy nature. Many water features, plants, and ducks/geese. It is free on Mondays. Limited parking but we were able to find spots across the street.

Beautiful garden with lots of paths. It seemed kind of small, but with all of the paths I got a lot of steps in! It's very reasonably priced at $5. Parking is tight so I parked at Reed (which is frowned upon, but they won't tow).

Loved this place!!! It was so beautiful. It's $5 to enter & there is a private lot for parking. The park is in really good shape & well maintained. We came on a hot 90 degree day but there was plenty of shade from the gorgeous trees to keep us cool. Lots of benches to sit & enjoy the scenery. So many different trees & flowers. Very cute spot for a date or any occasion really. Highly recommend.

Such a relaxing and beautiful place! The place is quite spacious with a wide variety of well-tended plants. We stayed around for at least an hour and a half. It was enjoyable to see all the ducks and geese as well as all their offspring at this time of the year. But my favorite has to be the bridge across the Crystal Springs Lake. Absolutely a pleasant place to come take a stroll in! Garden Hours: April - September: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM October - March: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM Admission Fee: Except for Mondays, a $5 admission fee is charged between 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM during March - September.

for 18 years our small private school went to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden at sunset on Sunday night in November and made a lantern walk through the gardens and exited peacefully within about 45 minutes. Several years ago some of the group took over the management of this garden and they were very hostile and rude on the phone and not interested in the slightest in hosting us in this event. This year we contacted them again to see if it was possible and they told us it would be $1200 to have the park open for one hour on a Sunday evening at about 530 p.m. for a small school to walk through the park. I thought this was a public venue. This is outrageous and unbelievable. I don't know what's going on but I wanna put this out there that people understand that this place has changed.

Oh my WOW!! This place is just AMAZING, breathtaking, gorgeous, stunning, words will not describe this place, you will have to make a stop here and see for yourself. True story, I had tears of joy, during my visit, When I walked in, and glanced at the view, I had a moment of silence to myself to thank god for the many blessings, I needed time to take it all in, that this is real, I am really at Crystal Springs and not a dream. I LOVED every moment of my visit here. Thank you to my other half for taking me here and to Yelp friend Li Y. for recommending. We visited in early February, which was too early for Rhododendron season, now I really want to return again to see the Rhododendron (will cross my fingers that I can make it happen for this year) Although no Rhododendron, I still had an amazing time with my other half, we walked together holding hands, enjoying all the scenery, the luscious greens, the amazing landscape, looking at all the different plants, many I've never seen before, loved the small waterfalls, ponds, lake, never seen so many ducks & geese, in my life, crossed the bridge, and even a saw a squirrel. I had so much fun taking my tons of pictures of everything that caught my eyes, actually everything caught my eyes here. I can stay here forever and I didn't want to leave, we were on a time limit and I was sad when my other half said its time to go. Location, 5801 SE 28th Ave ( between SE Holgate and SE Woodstock) Located in southeast Portland, Crystal Springs is about 20 minute drive from Portland, we stayed near the airport and driving to the Crystal Springs was fast and simple. I got to see this side of Portland, Eastmoreland and I also passed Reed College along the way. History, The garden at Crystal Springs was established in October 1950, by special ordinance from the City of Portland to be jointly maintained and administered by the Portland Parks and Rhodendron Society as a test area for rhodondendrons, azaleas, and ericaceous plants. The garden has more than 2000 species of hybrid, rhodendron, and azaleas. Today the garden is no longer used for testing. The garden is the site of two flower shows and plant sales, usually occurs during the first weekend in April and The Mother's Day show which occurs during the second weekend in May. All profits from the sales goes to support the garden. If you are undecided on where to have your wedding ceremony/reception, consider Crystal Springs. Admission, $5.00, 10-6pm starting March 1st-September 30th, and no FEES on Mondays. No charge for children under 12 or for members of American Rhodendrum Society. Inquire about annual passes. Overall, I am super grateful that I had the opportunity to visit this garden, this is a must visit when in Oregon. If I moved to Oregon, Id get the annual pass, volunteer my time here, and I will be visiting Crystal Springs everyday!

My family traveled to Portland from out of state to attend a family member's wedding and reception at the Rhododendron Gardens. So this review is for the gardens' event services, not the attraction itself. After having their original wedding last year delayed by Covid, the couple was looking forward to finally having the event here at their dream venue. They re-reserved it about a year in advance. You can imagine their surprise and devastation when ONE week beforehand the staff suddenly canceled their outdoor evening wedding because of the forecasted hot weather. In the many weddings I've been involved with and attended over the years, I've never heard of one being canceled because of too warm weather! This is a venue in which you bring in all your own services, including catering. So all the Gardens had to do was just remain open, host the event, and collect all the money. Everyone was totally shocked about this strange decision that disregarded a young bride and groom doing their best to have a small wedding during a lull in the Covid restrictions. I don't believe any other venue in the area did this, though some parties canceled their own wedding venues due to the heat. But an evening wedding? Guests could never hold the venue responsible for the weather and any discomfort, even if they tried. Thank goodness after calling dozens of venues just days before, they finally found one with a recent cancellation in Washington to shuttle their guests to. What an ordeal. Neither the guests nor the local family will ever feel the same about the Rhododendron Gardens. Think twice before planning an important event here.

I took a lovely Fall walk in the garden with a friend and her 8 week old & her 3 year old. Free admission this time of year (yippee!!). We counted types of animals: ducks, 2 kinds of geese, bald eagle, a plastic horse toy, ummm I think there were more!! Ask the 3 year old; she'll know! Just because the rhododendron were not in bloom doesn't mean there were no flowers! There were lots of beautiful and sweet fall flowers in various colors. Also there are great lawns, ponds/pools of water, a waterfall, bridges to cross, benches to sit.. a great place to spend a sunny morning!

I am so glad that I ordered a Portland Tourist Guide even though I've been to Portland more times than I can count. I had no idea this place existed! I was here in September which unfortunately isn't the best time to see the Rhododendrons bloom. In fact, I only saw a few of them. That being said, I loved my visit and there were a few flowers here and there. It's an easy place to find in a beautiful area of Portland. Parking is free and the admission is only $5. That is a bargain! There are a lot of paths and some of them have a sharp incline but nothing too strenuous. Great for walking. I was given a map of the garden but it was kind of small so it was a little hard to follow. However I had no trouble finding my way around. There is a lake behind the gardens with ducks and a golf course behind it. I admit that I did more sitting on the benches and just taking in nature than actual walking but it was so calming and relaxing that I didn't mind at all. The gardens (despite the lack of blooms) are absolutely beautiful and the staff I encountered were really nice. I ended up buying a mask from the gift shop (which isn't really a gift shop; the items for sale (t-shirts, masks) are at the admission booth). I hope to come back in the spring when the flowers bloom, but even so this is a beautiful spot any time of year.

I have a special affinity for rhododendrons because my folks did as well, and their yards were landscaped with a lot of "rhodies," so coming here to Crystal Springs was a sentimental journey. Located in between Reed College's beautiful campus and Eastmoreland Golf Course's carefully-manicured course, we looked forward to an afternoon of beauty. Ron and I were very glad that we had taken the bus over here because the parking was tricky, and it looked like Reed College was hosting an event. Once we were on the grounds, we paid $5 admission and had a bit of a hike to try and see all the sights. Trails and bridges were all well constructed and handicapped accessible for which Ron was grateful because he could use his small motorized cart to get around. I was also grateful for all the benches on which to be seated when my knees tired out and I just wanted to go Zen by enjoying the flowers and waterfalls. It was fun to get a look at the birds, a beaver, and my favorite of all the dragonflies. We are so lucky to have a place like this in Portland City Limits. I hope you will take time to visit this remarkable oasis soon

This is a city park? Yes with a fee during high season but it's an absolutely gorgeous alternative during spring when all the rhodies are blooming. The water features attract a large number of water fowl. There's a boardwalk. And the bridge! The bridge is my favorite, with a very photogenic arch, babbling brook and lush greenery all around. I always see people taking school portraits, wedding photos and general photography here. It's right next to a golf course but that doesn't detract from the beauty here. From the website: Admission is free to all from September 1, through February 28.  A $5 admission fee is charged between 10:00am-6:00pm, Wednesday through Sunday, March 1, through August 31. No admission fee on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission proceeds go toward garden maintenance and enhancements.

Simply breathtakingly beautiful. Pictures just cannot do the beauty of this place justice. A small inner city park which completely ignores that fact. The outside world shut out, for those few minutes one is lucky enough to escape. Admisson fee $5 per person goes towards maintenance of the park. Fee is waived on Mondays and Tuesdays and months between September through February. Flowers best blooms between March through August.

I came across this online and realized it's not too far from our house. I thought it would be a nice excuse to get outside and do something on a decent weather day. It was more than I expected. I had no idea it was this big. There was some beautiful scenery to enjoy. Even better was the wildlife. I was most excited to see baby ducks! It doesn't take much to make me happy. We were able to walk around for a while and just enjoy being outside. They also do weddings here and there happened to be one that day. I was glad I came across this spot.

Wow. This place is an incredible Portland treasure. My husband and I took a little kid free adventure here and it was gorgeous. So many different species and colors of Rhododendron to see, such a beautiful place to stroll, have a picnic, feed ducks, enjoy a sunny Portland day. For $5 per person, (but FREE on Mondays,) we more than got our money worth. The gardens are meticulously maintained and kept pristine. You can bring kids AND dogs (well behaved on leash of course,) and enjoy this beautiful little treasure. It's a lovely couple of hours to waste away in the glorious sunshine.

Lovely and peaceful garden of easy to stroll trails with lots of wildlife and beautiful flowers. Saw ducks, squirrels, an otter and a pair of bald eagles. It was the day after our record breaking heat wave of 117° and the poor rhododendron flowers had all turned brown. Hopefully the remaining buds will spring back once it cools. Will definitely be returning to enjoy some peace and nature.

This garden exhibit is breathtaking, stunning, peaceful, and a great event space. My friends and I have gone on walks around the neighborhood and would visit the garden to relax and reflect. During the day it's 5 bucks to go in to enjoy the pond, the birds and ducks walking by, and to simply experience the outdoor life. The bridge area has a great view of the lake and can easily spend some time just gazing at the birds and ducks nearby. I was invited to a wedding recently and they had it past the bridge area. It was a little walk to arrive, but it was well worth it. They had a tarp area since we weren't sure if it was going to rain or not. Luckily the sun came out and it made the ceremony even more magical. The area can definitely hold quite a few people if people have quite a few guests for weddings. There were plenty of tables for the mini reception they had afterwards. For anyone visiting, this should be a spot to check out besides the usual "tourist traps" that unfortunately we have in town!

I wanted to love this place as I saw numerous pictures of beautiful flowers and lots of color and there was none of that on my visit. I come from out of state (Hawai'i) and we don't have seasons, so I get that the flowers may not be in season at the moment. Maybe post that somewhere on your website or social media so those that come from out of state know. Saying you're open from June-mid November doesn't help because I'm still expecting these gorgeous flowers. I was highly disappointed overall, but that fully there were cute ducks and a cool bridge to make up for some of that disappointment.

I have been here a couple of times now and it has always been a pleasant visit. During this visit, the weather was better and the timing was great. Its definitely a peaceful place to enjoy a nice stroll along the path and also enjoy a seat at one of the many benches situated in the park. There is a $5 admission (I think its only during the weekends), but its worth it to enjoy the views and atmosphere. Overall, I recommend people visiting this place if in the area.

Perfect day for a visit today. Even though the weather was super warm, there are trees everywhere to beat the heat and beautiful views of the birds and flowers along the way. It was $5/person to get in. There isn't a lot of parking but if Reed college across the street isn't having a private event, there ya go. We parked a few blocks down the street and ended up walking. Free parking is free parking. This place is family friendly and has benches everywhere and large areas of grass in certain spots if you want to do a picnic. Really a great spot if you want to see some beautiful rhododendrons, ducks, geese and even squirrels.

We went @ the best time of year! The rhodies were fully in bloom. Many people there and saw an old friend while there!

I've heard about this place via Facebook and I've had it pinned and Yelp for a while. Will today just ended up being the perfect day to go! Parking: There is a very small parking lot. If you're seeking a spot I would recommend the college across the street. Please note to look out for pedestrians trying to either cross either way. Fee: There's a small $5 fee to get into the garden. Is about as much as you spend on coffee go, you love it! The Garden: What do I say as I entered into the garden area. I see this beautiful bridge that goes straight across and then to my right I see a little Pond left hand side the ramp that takes you down to the beautiful bridge. To my excitement once I got to the bridge I heard the babbling Brook to my left hand side. I quickly ran to it and found out you could step across these rocks to get to the other side that made it magical! But beware these rocks are slippery but beautiful. There was a lovely artist painting the fall in the picture she was painting she captured the moment. There are some great photo opportunities so many stunning views I mean I was not expecting this garden to be so big! I stayed for an hour and a half probably taking pictures soaking in the sun and enjoying nature. There wasn't a lot of people when I went it was a beautiful March day in Portland. I will say there was one very big duck that I definitely got frightened of and I felt like the other ducks could probably feel my fear. I'm assuming this place has to be gorgeous during the fall and I cannot wait to go back and see it again and take more pictures and just soak in the autumn. If you're looking for something fun to do with your girlfriend's, family outing or just some me time go and check out these gardens and relax and enjoy what they've done to the place.

This is a great park to stroll through, especially in the spring when all the rhododendrons are blooming. The peak is around Mother's Day in May. We went on Mother's Day last year and the place was packed, and parking was nuts (all parked up down the street for about 1/2 mile, no joke). But they also had their annual flower show and sale that day, and we ended up with a free rhodie to take home. This year, we went before Mother's Day, and before 10am, and the park was much less crowded. Still a bunch of families with small kids and strollers, but it was much more enjoyable this way. There are a few paths that meander through the park, and many places to stop and sit and look at the lake or the flowers. Last year, we saw a bald eagle in one of the trees on the lake. Bring a sweater as there's both shade and sun. The rhodies in bloom are spectacular - so many different varieties and colors to see! No admission fees on Mondays, and they don't charge a fee before 10am on the other days. Just a lovely place to walk and relax. Highly recommended!