My first memories of rhododendrons are also of bees. On sunny summer days, I’d hover around the big rhododendron bush on the corner of my parents’ house, staring at the bees buzzing among the enormous bloom clusters. I’d been told the bees would sting if I touched them, but I wondered if that was true.
One day, I reached out and grabbed a bee between my cupped hands. The shock of the sting came almost instantly. I opened my hands and ran into the house.
It’s been a long time since my experiential education on bee stings, but rhododendrons always remind me of summers at home.
Here in Portland, rhododendrons abound in the neighborhoods in the late spring and early summer, and there’s a fabulous public rhododendron garden: the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
In today’s post, I’ll share the highlights of this beloved Portland rhododendron garden and tips for your visit. To experience the rhododendron garden virtually, check out our video at the end of this post.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in a Nutshell
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is more of a park than a garden. A lake anchors it, and footpaths wind along the edges of the lake and through the extensive understory of rhododendrons and azaleas. A bridge crosses the corner of the lake at one point, offering views of the many water birds that call it home.
Like rhododendron flowers, May is the season for ducklings in Portland…and Crystal Springs is a perfect place to see both.
The whole walk through this Portland rhododendron garden clocks in at just under a mile. For a great garden trail map and recent bloom reports, check out the Crystal Springs AllTrails entry.
Rhododendron Bloom Season in Portland
Peak rhododendron season in Portland is typically April and May, which makes the Portland rhododendron garden a popular option for a Mothers’ Day outing. While Mothers’ Day itself is a peak day, you’ll likely still find a crowd on other late spring weekends. If your schedule is flexible, you’ll likely find more tranquility during the week. Plus, garden admission is free on Mondays!
The photos in this post were taken in mid-May 2022. We went on a weekend, and it was busy, but the garden is large enough that it’s still possible to spread out and find peace among the rhododendron blooms. Definitely still worth a visit if weekends are your only option!
How to Find the Portland Rhododendron Garden
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is in Portland’s southeast quadrant. It’s right next to Reed College, which I’d recommend exploring once you’ve gotten your fill of rhododendrons.
If you go during a weekend in the bloom season, the rhododendron garden parking lot will probably be full. Last time we went, we saw signs posted at Reed that warned garden visitors not to ooze across the street into the college’s parking lot. That said, nearby neighborhoods have plenty of street parking, so you should be able to find a spot and walk a few blocks to the garden entrance.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden Admission
Per my note above, the best day of the week to visit this Portland rhododendron garden is Monday, when admission is free. On other days, tickets are $5/person (in 2022) unless you’re 10 or under. Kids under 10 are free anytime.
Volunteering at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
If you’d like to get involved in the rhododendron garden, check out the volunteer crew information on the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden website here.
Across the Street from the Rhododendron Garden
Since the trails through the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden are relatively short, you’ll likely have time to cross the street and explore the Reed College campus. It’s a quaint campus of old brick buildings nestled among wide green lawns.
A wooded canyon cuts through the middle of the campus, and footpaths follow along the edge of Reed Lake at the bottom of the canyon. In the early spring, the cherry blossoms on the Reed College campus are fabulous.
Video Tour of the Rhododendron Garden
To experience the Portland Rhododendron Garden virtually, check out our video tour below.
Other Adventures in the Pacific Northwest
Thanks for joining us at this fabulous Portland rhododendron garden! 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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