A Quick Guide to Portland’s Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
With two picturesque bridges, several tranquil waterfalls, a fountain, a lake, rare plants, and tons of birdlife, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in southeast Portland is a great visit throughout the year. In spring, it is nothing short of magical when hundreds of azaleas and rhododendron begin to bloom. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
High Bridge
Know before you go
Admission to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden costs $9 for adults and $6 for students (ages 6-21). These prices are new as of the spring of 2024. Children 5 and under can visit for free.
Crystal Springs is open 7 days a week. Visit from Thursday - Tuesday 10 AM - 5 PM or Wednesday 1 PM - 5 PM. You can stay in the garden until 5:30 PM.
Leashed dogs are welcome at Crystal Springs.
There is a port-a-potty in the parking lot, but look for a better bathroom on the park’s island. There is a restroom building near the meadow and the exhibit hall.
The parking lot at Crystal Springs is small and fills up quickly, even on weekdays. I got the last parking space just after opening on Wednesday afternoon, and I only got it because the space was at an unexpected angle. Several cars in front of me drove past it. If the parking lot is full, look for parking in the neighborhoods nearby.
The 10 and 19 bus lines have stops close to Crystal Springs.
The trails at Crystal Springs are unpaved but are wide, flat, and even. The grades never get very steep. For excellent detailed accessibility information, check out this post from Disabled Hikers.
There are frequent benches along the trails.
Feeding wildlife is not allowed at Crystal Springs.
When to visit
The best time to visit Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is from April to June when the rhododendrons are blooming. Expect peak bloom most years around mid to late May. By the end of June, the blooms will be about over. Even if you miss the rhododendron blossoms, the garden can be a good visit year-round with plenty of picturesque greenery, waterfalls, birds, and bridges to make the trip worthwhile.
A small stream flows under the High Bridge
Trails at Crystal Springs
Distance: 0.8 miles
Elevation gain: Minimal
Difficulty: Easy
Pass required: Paid admission ($9)
Dog friendly: Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trails.
ADA access: Yes, accessible trails, parking, and restrooms.
View of North Lagoon from the High Bridge
On the trail:
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens is laid out in two short loop trails connected by a bridge in the middle of the park called Low Bridge. If you do both loops, the total distance will be about 0.8 miles.
Flat and easy trails lead you to the flowers
When you enter the park, you’ll see High Bridge, which is memorable for the elegant arch that supports it from below. Looking out from the bridge, you can see the duck-filled North Lagoon and the surrounding canopy of trees, including some flowering dogwoods. After High Bridge, descend by ramp or stairs and start exploring the trails below. A small stream flows under High Bridge and ends at a secluded grotto with a small waterfall. Ferns, hostas, and rhododendrons line the banks of the stream.
Mallards swim in the North Lagoon
Follow the trail along the other side of the stream and you’ll reach North Lagoon with its fern wall, waterfall, and stone retaining walls. Many of the stone features at Crystal Springs like the waterfalls are made of rocks sourced from Mt Hood and Mt Adams. There are benches along the trails here if you want to linger while watching the ducks. Across the lagoon, you’ll see rhododendrons galore blooming on the peninsula.
Foxgloves and rhodies blooming on the peninsula
Follow the crushed gravel path around the North Lagoon to start exploring the trails on the peninsula. These trails are lined with rhodies of every color. Look for small plaques at their bases showing their names, which range from the grand-sounding Countess of Derby to the whimsical Grandma’s Hat to the unassuming David. While rhododendrons and azaleas are the stars at Crystal Springs, keep an eye out for other spring flowers like violets, monkeyflower, foxglove, and the ubiquitous yellow irises growing in the marshes. A latticework of connector trails on the peninsula encourages wandering at a relaxed pace.
Low Bridge and fountain
At the end of the peninsula, you’ll reach Low Bridge and the South Lagoon. Low Bridge crosses Crystal Springs Lake and connects the peninsula to the park’s island. Look for ducks swimming around the fountain next to the bridge in the South Lagoon. Just before the bridge, an interpretive sign helps identify the park’s bird species.
Huge rhododendrons shade the trails on the island
On the island, you’ll find tons more rhodies as well as an impressive understory of hostas and ferns. The short loop trail on the island is where you can find the restroom building, as well as the park’s grassy meadow and the exhibit hall. Look for one last waterfall next to the South Lagoon. After exploring the island, cross back over Low Bridge and return the way you came.
Double-crested cormorant at Crystal Springs Lake
Birds of Crystal Springs
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens is one of the best places in Portland for bird-watching. Over 90 species of birds visit the park and you will see them everywhere in the park, particularly mallards. Expects mallards in the lake, in the lagoons, on the trails, and walking up to you as you sit on the benches. Look for ducklings in late spring. There’s also a good chance you’ll see Canada geese. They seem to love the golf course that borders Crystal Springs across the lake.
Wood duck at Crystal Springs Lake
Keep an eye out for a variety of water birds like herons, grebes, buffleheads, wood ducks, lesser scaups, and American coots. The biggest surprise of my last visit was seeing a double-crested cormorant. The park is also a favorite of songbirds like red-winged blackbirds, cedar waxwings, scrub jays, sparrows, and chickadees. Bald eagles nest here frequently and you may hear them calling from the trees.
Animals at Crystal Springs
Although birds are the wildlife highlight of Crystal Springs Rhododendron Gardens, you may also see other animals that visit the park like squirrels, rabbits, coyotes, beavers, and muskrats. The animals I see here all the time are nutrias. These large, water-loving rodents look like a cross between a beaver and a muskrat. Look for them in marshy areas and out swimming in the lake. They are, from what I understand, destructive to wetlands, but I have to admit that they’re still cute.
Nutria swims in Crystal Springs Lake
Getting there
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is located in southeast Portland at 5801 SE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97202. Parking on-site is very limited. Head southeast of Crystal Springs to look for street parking in the neighborhoods if the lot is full.
The closest bus stop is on the 19 bus line, which will get you within a couple of blocks of Crystal Springs. The Max orange line stop on SE Bybee Blvd is about a 15-minute walk away. There are bike racks available at the entrance to Crystal Springs.
Mallards swim in Crystal Springs Lake next the island
Enjoy your trip to Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden!
With love,
Emma
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