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  • Attractions
    • women dances with large fans outside on a city street surrounded by people in colorful dragon costumesView All Attractions
    • Museums
    • Parks & Gardens
    • Family Friendly
    • Shopping
    • On a Budget
    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
  • Culture
    • people sitting at tables eating foodView All Culture
    • Arts
    • Beer
    • Biking
    • Cannabis
    • Cultural Communities
    • Craft Spirits
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    • Makers
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Outdoors
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    • MORE CULTURE
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    • aerial view of downtown area with buildings and roadways, bridges crossing a river to a smaller set of buildings that expand into the distanceView All Neighborhoods
    • Alberta Arts District
    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
    • Division/Clinton
    • Downtown
    • Hawthorne
    • Lloyd
    • Mississippi
    • Northwest / Nob Hill
    • Old Town Chinatown
    • Pearl District
    • St. Johns
    • Sellwood-Moreland
    • Williams
    • ALL NEIGHBORHOODS
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    • RegionView All Region
    • Near the City
    • Columbia River Gorge
    • Mount Hood
    • Oregon Coast
    • Willamette Valley
    • ALL REGIONS
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Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock wrote and edited content for Travel Portland from 2014–2020. Read More

tall bridge with circular bracing above a pond with ducks amid a forested park tall bridge with circular bracing above a pond with ducks amid a forested park
i
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is located in Southeast Portland. Its a botanical garden.
Attractions / Parks & Gardens

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Enjoy an abundance of flowers and waterfowl at this Southeast Portland park.

Updated July 26, 2022 2 min read Southeast Portland
Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock

Tuck Woodstock wrote and edited content for Travel Portland from 2014–2020. Read More

If you’ve visited Portland before, you’ve likely admired the thousands of blooms at the International Rose Test Garden. Perhaps you’ve even wandered the rows of rose bushes at Peninsula Park. Now it’s time to round out your floral explorations with a visit to Southeast Portland’s lush Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

Thanks to the park’s many other plants, animals and water features, you can enjoy Crystal Springs all year.

Flora and Fauna

Tucked between Reed College and the Eastmoreland Golf Course, Crystal Springs was founded in 1950 as a rhododendron test garden. Today, the park boasts more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas and other plants spread across 9.5 acres (4 hectares). Small placards identify the flora for visitors, and self-guided tour booklets are available on-site.

One of Portland’s best waterfowl-watching spots, the garden is home to nearly 100 types of birds and other wildlife. Settle in on a bench by Crystal Lake and enjoy the sight of dozens of ducks and geese. Listen for the trills and squawks of scrub jays, red-winged blackbirds, songs sparrows, green-backed herons and many other bird species.

Wildlife Preserves

Experience nature not far from the city's hustle and bustle at these wildlife preserves.

Read more

Two bits of avian advice before you visit: First, don’t plan on bringing a snack for the birds. (A sign at the entrance declares “No bread, please!”) Secondly, decades of visitors have made these waterfowl rather brave when faced with human guests. So if a gaggle of geese blocks your path, it may be wise to choose a different route.

Visiting the Garden

Rhododendrons typically bloom from late February through July, and peak in late April to early May. But thanks to the park’s many other plants, animals and water features, you can enjoy Crystal Springs all year. The park features a number of benches and ADA-accessible paths, allowing folks of all ages and abilities to enjoy the grounds. Even dogs are allowed, provided that they are leashed.

Tips for Visiting Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

When is the garden open?

Thursday-Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Guests are welcome to enjoy the garden until 4:00 p.m. Gates for the garden and parking lot will lock shortly thereafter.

How much does it cost?

$5 for Adults & Youth
Free for children 10 years and younger

Admission is waived on Mondays, though donations are encouraged.

Details are subject to change; please check Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden’s Website for current information.

What is the best time of year to visit?

Peak rhododendron bloom happens from late April to early May, though rhododendrons are in bloom from late February through July.

Bathrooms and parking are available on-site, and group tours can be arranged with advanced notice.

two people admiring a large blooming rhododendron
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Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
people walking over a bridge above water with trees and shrubs in the background
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Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is located in Southeast Portland. Its a botanical garden.
a path in a rhododendron garden
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Visit Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden from February–July to catch beautiful blooming rhododendrons.
Credit: Rick Dalrymple via Flickr

Events at the Garden

Crystal Springs hosts two annual flower events, presented by the Portland chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. The Early Blooming Rhododendron & Daffodil Show and Sale takes place in early April. The larger Mother’s Day Show and Sale is held during Mother’s Day weekend in mid-May (which is also peak bloom time). Both shows feature a large plant sale and a judged flower show that is open to all competitors.

Crystal Springs is also a popular spot for weddings, photoshoots and other events. Portions of the park may be closed for private celebrations on weekend afternoons in the summer. For more information, visit weddingsatcrystalsprings.com.

Outdoors, Spring

Parks and Gardens

Enjoy verdant paths and beautiful blooms at these outdoor destinations.

Go To Parks & Gardens
A woman holds a camera to her eyes in a traditional Chinese garden with a pond, pavilion and trees.

Lan Su Chinese Garden

This year-round wonder houses an authentic Ming Dynasty-style garden built by Suzhou artisans, offering a peaceful escape in Portland's historic Chinatown.

The International Rose Garden in Washington Park contains thousands of different types of roses and offers great city views.

Washington Park

Beyond picnics and verdant strolls, Washington Park offers up a zoo, two museums, a spectacular rose garden, an arboretum, one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in the world, all lined by one of the largest urban forests, Forest Park.

people look at koi in pond at garden

Portland Japanese Garden

A haven of meticulously maintained, tranquil beauty, proclaimed one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan, the Portland Japanese Garden offers meandering streams, intimate walkways and an unsurpassed view of Mount Hood.

three cyclists ride on a muddy gravel path in Forest Park

Forest Park

Escape the city without leaving Portland; with 70 miles of trails within Portland city limits, 5,156-acre Forest Park is a popular escape for runners, equestrians and hikers alike and supporting more than 112 bird and 62 mammal species.

Someone stands in front of a rock wall.

The Grotto

This serene woodland sanctuary in Northeast Portland features 62 acres (25 hectares) of lush botanical gardens. No matter what time of year you visit, the Grotto offers calm, peace and introspection, transcending boundaries.

an owl with its wings spread

Audubon Society of Portland Nature Sanctuary

The Audubon Society of Portland Nature Sanctuary is a great starting place for hiking Forest Park and (of course) bird-watching.

A boy stands in a field of tulips with oak trees and people in the background

Best Spots for Spring Flowers

Find your favorite blooms, from roses to rhododendrons and tulips to trilliums, with our guide to spring flowers in Portland.

Close-up of wildflowers with Mt. Hood in the background

Spring Hikes Near Portland

There’s something special about the first spring hike of the year. Enjoy wildflowers, bird watching and breathtaking scenery on these springtime rambles.

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