crystal springs rhododendron garden

I have been a few times, the last time it was not Rhoddy season but the park is laid out beautifully and you can wander and encounter many serene and pleasant places.

So beautiful, and it smells like rich earth, especially after a rain. There is a bridge over a pond with ducks. A path is laid out for a modest walk, very peaceful.

What a lovely setting to see Rhododendrons and water fowl. Spring is best for the flowers but you can see lots of ducks and herons in Spring and Fall. Gently rolling paths take you through the gardens and to a small island. Free.

Photographer's paradise. Ducks, flowers, trails, ponds, fountains, outstanding vistas. I often go here to photograph senior portraits. It is close to Reed College which also has nice pathways and it's own gorge for wildlife. Go around Mother's Day to see the rhody's at their peak. I think it's free on Tuesdays.

A cross between Butchart Gardens and Ducks Unlimited! Located near the famous Reed College, this place is a magical mixture of flowers, waterfalls, lakes, ponds and waterfowl. Bring cracked corn to feed the ducks and a digital camera with LOTS of memory.

I come here every year for their Mothers Day Rhody sale. Then i walk around and visit the ducks, swans, waterfalls, ponds, and soak in the natural beauty of blooming rhodys in every color. A respite vacation in the city. If you want to relax and get away, all you have to do is go to CSRG and walk around. It will calm you and relax you...just look around, walk around, and breathe in the views. we are so fortunate to have such a lovely park in PDX.

The gardens are spectacular in spring. We took friends from Argentina to see the gardens and they were overwhelmed by the beauty and variety of plants, the overall design of the gardens and the nearby ponds.Highly recommended for visitor to Portland, especially in the late spring when the rhodies are at their best. Strolling through nearby Reed College is also a treat. After a long day at the gardens, stop off at HUB brewery on Powell for extraordinary brews.

Did a photo shoot in the gardens during their off season. Still a calm/ quite/ beautiful spot to walk around and take pictures. There is no fee during certain hours. Gotta check their website for that info.

We visited in late January and only a few rhododendrons were beginning to bloom but the paths, ponds, shrubs and trees were lovely - and free this time of year.

Crystal Springs is a great place to stroll on pathways winding around the creek and the lake. Stop to read the plant identification tags and appreciate the wide variety of shrubs, trees, ferns, and perennials (not just Rhododendrons). During fall and spring migrations, the lake is a popular stopover for Canada Geese heading south or north. Note the considerable size difference between the resident Canada Geese (who would have difficulty lifting off let alone fly anywhere) and the sleek transient geese resting before the next leg of their journey. No entrance fees in the winter months.

It's amazing how many folks don't know that this gem exists. It's like walking through the Wardrobe...enter thru the gate and it's a world you didn't expect. Beautiful paths lined with old rhodies and azaleas, ducks for kids to feed, little lake, very picturesque and peaceful.

If the Rhodies are in bloom, it's really worth going out of your way, if not, it's just a park. We do like bringing a picnic and hanging out on a park bench to eat it in the sunshine, while watching the ducks on the pond. Not a big park, but again, pretty.

This is one of my favorite parks in Portland, although I do have quite a few. Great paths, awesome bridges, birds, water and benches. The paths meander around several ponds, some quite large and through a variety of trees and bushes. There are benches by the water that are great spots to sit and picnic. The park is beautiful any time of year for the landscaping and water features. Canadian geese flock here. The rhododendrons are beautiful when in bloom. Great place for photography, bird watching and sometimes solitude.

All the Rhodies you can bear to see, winding paths, peaceful quiet and to top it off ponds filled with geese and ducks,

I love this place. If you love birds, you'll love it, too. You can walk here and enjoy the greenery and flowers, but the water is what makes this place special. There are so many species of birds, I see something new each time. A lovely place. Quiet beauty.