Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Southeast Portland (…deep Southeast…) is another one of this quirky city’s best kept secrets…well, at least from us over the past year we’ve lived here.
Casual visitors to Portland don’t often make it down to this corner of the city. But if you do make the trip, it’s well worth the time and effort.
Here’s our trip report, plus helpful tips and what to expect from your own visit!
Ever since Lori first caught wind of the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in deep Southeast Portland (across the street from Reed College), she’s been wanting us to visit.
I have to admit, it’s been a bit challenging to get excited about rhododendrons, especially considering that we already visited the 22-acre Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden in Federal Way, WA last year (though nothing was in bloom…). And, of course, the town of Rhododendron, Oregon. Why would I ever need to visit yet another rhododendron garden?
Heck, typing (and let’s be honest, even saying) the word Rhododendronmultiple times is enough to dissuade me from a visit to yet another Rho-ron garden.
And then, we finally went. And it was amazing. And we’re already planning a return trip.
Crystal Springs is a unique and striking green space in Portland and reminded us of other “hidden” gems we’ve encountered across this amazing city, like Leach Botanical Garden, Lan Su Chinese Garden, and the Grotto, just to name a very few.
You may or may not see Lori holding what appears to be a cup full of Guinness in some of these shots.
First of all, it’s mine. And second, it’s not Guinness, but the delicious nectar of the gods known as Stumptown Cold Brew Nitro. It’s essentially cold coffee infused with nitrogen off a tap.
Some people love it, some people don’t care for it. I suppose I’m in the first camp.
It isn’t cheap though, so I only get it every so often. As you can see, today was one of those special days.
The botanical garden covers about 10 acres and is named for Crystal Springs Creek, which runs alongside it.
The garden is home to over 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas and other plant species, as well as 94 species of waterfowl.
Best of all, the Crystal Springs garden is free to visitors on Tuesdays, which is when we visited.
Lori’s 33 weeks now, so the countdown has begun!
We’re doing our best to balance savoring these last few weeks and just wanting June (and healthy baby) to hurry up and get here, already.
Also, we’ll likely have some big news to report (in addition to baby news, of course) in the coming weeks and/or months, so look for that in the future.
Is Crystal Springs Worth a Visit?
Heck yes!
Depending on where you live in the Portland area or whether you’re just passing through town, Crystal Springs is definitely worth the time and effort, particularly in spring and early summer when everything is in bloom.
