Finally visited this hidden gem on 7/10/26 after living 15 minutes driving away in the past 5 years. It's very local, quiet, no crowds, and lesser known in Portland metro area. We came in less than an hour from closing and didn't have enough time to meander through. Definitely planning to come back and take my time with it. I love the fact it has a creek in it though the water is barely moving which means mosquitoes. It'd be a soothing sound strolling or sitting along the banks when the volume of water is higher. There are many colors of the poppy flower that I haven't seen before. Many benches and sitting areas throughout both covered and uncovered. Two parking lots belong to the garden. They offer various discounts for admission and Garden for All as well so no one is turning away which is great! You can become a member and enjoy free year-round admission, 10% off at the Gift Shop, and reciprocal admission to local and national gardens, starting at $50 annual. A few areas along walking paths/trails were overgrown so it was mysterious for us to find out names of flowers, plants, and trees. read more

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Leach Botanical Garden is one of Portland's true hidden gems, tucked away in outer SE Portland along Johnson Creek. It feels like stepping into a quiet, wooded glade that happens to be full of incredible plant collections (and a few curious surprises). It has a peaceful, almost secret-garden quality that makes it feel worlds away from the rest of the city, even though it's just a short drive out. The paths are easy to navigate, it's a great spot for kids with the dedicated children's garden near the Claybourne entrance, and it's simply a lovely place to slow down for an hour or two. The Upper Garden's Aerial Tree Walk is a highlight, giving you a totally different vantage point up among the trees, and is fully accessible. From there, the trails wind down into the lower garden along the creek, past the historic Leach manor house and the stone cabin the Leaches built themselves. The terrazzo floor inside is a beautiful detail worth seeking out. The pollinator garden and the native plant collections are clearly tended with real care, and there's always something in bloom no matter the season. Given the funding challenges the garden has faced recently, I'd also encourage anyone visiting to consider a membership or donation -- it's a genuinely special place and well worth supporting. Highly recommend a visit. read more

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Lovely botanical garden that's very kid friendly. Got to check out the gift shop, stone hut and old kitchen, and walk across the tree bridge and water bridge crossing. They had some kid specific activities such as pinecone collecting and a scavenger hunt which was nice to keep the kid in our group engaged. It was easy for us to find parking in their lot and admission for adults was $8, 4 and under was free. read more

Leach Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Pretty flowers and fun walking trails, but probably worth less than the $12 (optional) admission. read more

Leach Botanical Garden - Field next to Dina the Dino. - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I just recently became aware of this garden's existence and was determined to go soon so we took advantage of a mild but nice day. I loved all the different flowers and plants around of course. They have a bunch in the parking lot even (which there is actually a decent sized lot). Lots of paths to wander around and there's even a little stream, some old buildings, artistic benches, fountain etc to see. It's not a huge place so you can experience it in an hour or two but it would be a nice place to enjoy lunch or something as well. Very affordable compared to most places and the staff were super friendly. It's a great place to get outside and I highly recommend checking it out. read more

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The Leach Botanical Garden is a beautiful hidden gem in Portland area. It was very nice to know the history of the couple who bought the 4.17 acres property for $10 in 1936. Michael was our tour guide and shared more information. It was very peaceful and nice to hear the water running in the creek. Leach Botanical Garden was donated to the city of Portland in 1980. The Garden has been hit by a slashing of funding from the city of Portland, as well as the same inflation that has hit everyone else. They're cutting their staff and services to a bare-bones minimum in an attempt to just survive. Please help if you can by visiting or becoming monthly donor. read more

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This is a really great botanical garden for going along a stroll either solo or with a friend. This is a very spiritually dense area as well and it feels like you're in a different world when you go there. Anytime I come to Leach I'm enamored by the beauty and all the flora that's around this place. My favorite part is the long circular walkway that is surrounded by trees that feel like they are actually listening to you. I really love this garden and it's been one of the most important parts of my journey of healing while I am in Oregon. It's very great place to come and meditate and be at with yourself as well. I could come here and just sit for hours thinking about life, simply beautiful and such a well kept area. They have a little house on their property as well that I believe they host events at such as weddings and etc.. read more

Beautiful, free garden to explore outside of Portland. Lots of different trails at different elevations and plenty of flowering trees and plants. We also saw a Banana Slug, basically the mascot of the Pacific Northwest. read more

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I went on the Honeybee hike and absolutely loved it ! I have gone a couple of times since then and loved everyone who works there. I only wish Honeybee hike had a time slot for smaller honeybees. read more

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Beautiful and peaceful botanical garden oasis located in SE Portland. I'm so grateful for this gem. The tree walk is worth the visit alone. I love strolling through the pollinator garden. I would recommend taking out of town visitors here for a nature break from the city. Admission to get is very reasonable and we found parking easily. We went on a really hot and sunny day but under the shade it was just fine. There are lots of cool events here. read more

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Believe it or not, I learned about this place on IG. It's a little bit out from where we live but I'm glad we made the trip on a sunny day! It's a beautiful and well-kept garden with lots of space for kids to run around and explore (and find the hidden dinosaur!) The wooden bridge loop is fun to walk around in for a break in the shade and it looks like they have event spaces you can rent for special events. There are little trails by the water and pockets of resting spots. Unfortunately the walking bridge was not open during visit to go to the stone cabin kitchen area but hopefully it will be when we come back next! There was a friendly volunteer who loved to share the history of the garden and they also offer guided tours as well. Come check this place out if you want a nature break or a new fun adventure! read more

Leach Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Hi, can't believe I've never seen this excellent place before! I decided to check it out today and I am so happy I did! Although it is not in full bloom, yet being only the beginning of April, there were plenty of things bursting and coming to life! Full of old growth, trees, and plenty of plants, flowers, and a really nice creek area. This garden was established in the early 1900s by a couple of botanist. Their house is still here and it has become an event space. There is a small gift shop with tons of cool things to look at and purchase. Lots of children's books. The grounds themselves are full of manicured paths. I had the most enjoyable time in the fresh air and the rain forest. So fresh and invigorating I would really enjoy returning in the summer when everything is more in bloom. The staff there is very helpful and they are very nice people. There is plenty of parking and the fee to get in is very reasonable. Seven dollars for a senior :-) I'm definitely going to bring a picnic lunch next time and enjoy this wonderful outdoor space with a friend. read more

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We just had our company party here and it was awesome. The grounds are well kept and peaceful. Service was attentive, professional and engaged. Grounds were clean and well pruned. So much to see and do or a place to relax and breathe, this was just perfect for our company as we really enjoyed our day. This is a must visit if in Portland on a budget or need a place to have a company event or seminar. read more

Went to see some fall colors at the garden on the Veterans Day weekend. The sky was cloudy, the air was chilly, the garden was going to sleep. The evergreens were so tall there was no room for the sky. Slashes of gold and fire red leaves painted the shadows. read more

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Admission is $5/ adult. We walked around on all the paths within 20-30 min. It's nice and quiet and not crowded either. The flowers in the garden were still in bloom. read more

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Im trying to experience every park in the area, so today was botanical garden day! Being completely unfamiliar with Leach I had no expectations, but I really enjoyed my visit. It's quaint...especially small feeling right now as a chunk of the gardens aren't currently accessible and/or are under construction. Nonetheless it's a sweet lil garden for sure. A gorgeous and prominent tree walk provides a stunning perspective of the grand evergreens that make up the park. There are also multiple winding trails throughout the property, taking you through the trees and down to the stream below. I was definitely sad to not get the opportunity to check out the cabin beyond the stream up close, but the bridge is washed out from flooding. I'll look forward to returning to see it and the buildings when renovations are complete. I'm sure spring will be gorgeous, but wintertime is still very pretty. Clearly a lot of pride goes into maintenance, as the grounds were pristine. Every employee we encountered was friendly and helpful. We even got to visit with an especially cute chicken, currently taking up residence within the garden. Leach isn't huge but it's lovely, and with a low $5 entrance fee, it's a fabulous and peaceful way to spend an hour of your time! read more

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I really enjoy visiting Leach Botanical Garden! During COVID at least, it's been free to enter and wander their lovely grounds. A well-maintained garden with native plants and ornamentals alike, it's got a variety of zones - from forested to hillside to riverside. My favorite parts are the sky bridge through the huge pine trees, the creek side, and the adorable buildings for events or cottage core vibes. It took us maybe an hour to wander through everything we wanted to see - you could bring a picnic or book and spend a little longer. The heavy rains of winter 21/22 washed out the bridge across the river. Hopefully they'll be able to restore that soon so guests can access the other side and the miss-covered building! It's a great bonus that they've got plenty of free parking. (Enough to host a Sparrowhawk Native Plant sale, which I've also been to here!) read more

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I have been meaning to go here for so many years but always felt like I needed to experience it with another person. Have some lunch after or before....something. I live in Beaverton so the location is a commitment that just feels more like a non drop in for me. The last few years have also been more of a challenge with mobility for me. I have ruptured tendons that are very slow to heal but I get nervous checking out new places since I usually can figure it out but some places are not ADA friendly. I found the most wonderful excuse to grab a friend and visit. Renegade Opera did a Birdsong event where some incredible opera singers were wandering around singing some of the mo5re popular arias from various operas in the garden. It was the perfect sized group and at a lovely leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities to sit down. I will be very honest and say that this may not be the best garden to visit if you struggle with mobility because the walking paths are up and down with some stairs and gravel. I loved it for all the shade throughout the walk through and it is stunningly beautiful. There was a family having a picnic in a very nice grass area which is a great idea! They had quite the tale later probably since suddenly there was opera and a group gathering with their picnic. I was impressed and genuinely surprised just pulling up to the front of the garden. I was expecting something completely different but this was beautifully paved, groomed and looked so new. I did hear that they may have recently made improvements. All I know is this is a really great place to spend an afternoon or take a friend to have a slow stroll throughout some beautiful nature. read more

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Leach Botanical Gardens is small, very small. It is a perfect example of native plants used in landscaping. It is immaculately tended like the Bloedel Reserve. https://www.yelp.com/biz/bloedel-reserve-bainbridge-island. They added a curved bridge over their hill down to the original manor. If I were them, I would not bring the bridge as close as they did to mature firs. I think they over hype that bridge in comparison to world tree walks. I heard a concert at the gardens, so I would recommend events there. They do weddings. They have legit bathrooms, clean, though inelegant stainless fixtures. Once free, they have made capital improvements requiring an admission fee. It is very modest and explained on their website. I did not explore the Eastern third off the map. They are getting national recognition: https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/16057-land-morphology-creates-a-horticultural-and-architectural-dreamscape-for-portlands-leach-botanical-garden https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2022/11/02/explorers-at-home/ Leach Botanical Gardens is a family friendly outing in quiet. It would be a good plant ID opportunity. They are monetizing the garden with events like concerts and it is popular for weddings. read more

What a lovely spot! I was looking for something else in the area and spotted this. One could literally spend hours here wandering and probably not see everything. So many local trees and plants, and the arial tree walk is just amazing. I would love to come here for an event. I look forward to coming back time and time again. read more

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I'd never heard of this place until recently and I've lived in Portland almost my entire life. So glad I found it! This place is a great place to come and walk around and relax. It is kept up beautifully and the staff I met are very friendly. I wish we had more places like this, thanks for keeping this place going! Just a heads up, I don't know if I would call this place completely accessible and be aware that they have quite a few stairs here. read more

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Wow, the improvements made are so awesome! Installed a tree canopy walk, pollinator meadow, meditative spaces, Low mow grassy area, an arbor group space... The old home and the river walk are still intact and lovely, but most people will probably miss them as the entrance has moved closer to Foster Road. More parking, easier access to restrooms, beautiful new plantings. We had so much fun at the Nature Fair this weekend. Thank you for bringing people into greater connection with plants! read more

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We are constantly looking for fun things to do with our toddler and Leach Botanical Gardens a beautiful option to run some energy out of our kiddo. We had the opportunity to visit last winter and really enjoyed walking around the trails and looking at the trees. Last night Leach Botanical Gardens hosted a children's concert featuring Tallulahs Daddy and we had a fantastic time. They provided fun colorful ribbons for the kids to dance with and arts and crafts in one of the open fields. We had an absolute blast on a perfect sunny evening. We look forward to visiting again soon. read more

Leach Botanical Garden - We were excited to stumble upon this hidden dinosaur, and even saw a bunny hopping around this area! - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We have been looking for some urban "strolls" while my spouse is recovering from a broken wrist while hiking up on Mt Hood. What a find!!! I didn't even know that this place existed until I came to Yelp to find some walks to go on, and I am so glad I found the reviews on this place. It is so beautiful there. As luck would have it, both the house and cabin were open for tours. What an amazing place and back story. We will definitely be back soon! read more

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It's hard to beat a free walk through some nice greenery on a sunny day. We'd heard about Leach and had some free time so we headed over there. No admittance fee at this time, parking was easy. It's not a huge area but there is a bit of up and down. The big bonus was a volunteer who walked us over to the original residence and gave us some "in-depth" stories that we might not have gotten otherwise. Really a pleasant experience. read more

Leach Botanical Garden - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Portland, Oregon

What a lovely hidden gem, tucked back in a residential neighborhood! It's quite inexpensive to enter, only $5 per adult, which is a small fraction of the cost of what you'd spend to go to the Japanese Garden in Portland - and you won't have to deal with the crowds or downtown traffic & parking. At the entrance they have free laminated guides to identify the trees you can use while there (there are also small placards to identify many of the plants/trees throughout the park), along with a laminated children's scavenger hunt sheet to entertain the kiddos. We spent a couple hours wandering around this garden park in the Autumn, and it was so beautiful. I can't wait to visit during other seasons to see how the garden transforms and blooms at various times of year. There is a restroom near the entrance and numerous unique and delightfully designed benches throughout the park if you need to have a rest or just want to sit and take in the scenery. The trails in the upper section are wheelchair accessible and there's a small grassy meadow in one section with a cute tiny children's playhouse (not a playground type of thing though). There's also a really cool, and ADA accessible, catwalk in the upper section that walks you through the canopy of the trees in the lower section. In the lower section is the main house the original owner of the property built, which has a huge patio and interesting landscaping, along with winding trails to further explore the gardens along the creek that runs through the grounds. Be sure to look up to see the Sleepy Hollow weather vane on the main house. The main house also has a gift shop (which wasn't open when we were there) and another restroom. The far side of the grounds on the other side of the creek wasn't open because a few years ago the footbridge to access it was washed away in a flood. The original small stone house the original owner lived in is located on that far side of the creek in the section that's currently inaccessible. I highly recommend a visit here. It's wonderful for all ages. read more

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Loved my visit with the family to the botanical gardens. I've been meaning to go here for a few years now and finally paid it a visit. I am glad I did, it is very beautiful. My son loved the elevated tree walk and looking at the view. Tons of amazing plants and trees. Highly recommend. Great place to get your steps in and enjoy a beautiful garden and learn about some PNW history. read more

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The city was hemming me in and I needed to hang with some trees and fresh air, enter the Leach Botanical Garden. After making my online ticket, I was on my way while it wasn't raining -- yet. The staff at the entry point came outside to show me the way: how lovely and helpful (I am directionally challenged). I enjoy learning the names of various plants, shrubs, bushes, trees, and the Latin part is fun to understand the families. The Garden was gorgeous, clean and well-kept paths everywhere and such a cute cabin Mr. And Dr. Leach built together! I feel fortunate they decided to leave it to the City and that Portland Parks accepted the challenge. The Leach Botanical Garden looks like it has enjoyed an upgrade lately. The wooden benches alone had punched my curiosity buttons. Most of them were comfy, just not the Rooted one, my favorite design, too bad. My new favorite was the Twist: very well made a fun to look at. The extended walkway puts you halfway up the level of the tall pine trees and it's an amazing experience, definitely centering me and helping me access my inner quietude. Today there was plenty of parking and they have added an overflow, free of charge. Epic place, I will go again! read more

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Ah nature is the best medicine. Took a mini stop to check out the newly renovated park. There's ample parking near the entrance. As of recent they now charge an admission fee. Allow time to wander through the woods. I was wow'd by the new bridge wrapped between the trees. This is a must stop if you're in the neighborhood, looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city! read more

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Not much this garden could do to be better. Beautifully situated in a hilly area along a stream, they take advantage of both to optimize the beauty of the gardens. Highly recommend. read more

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A quaint little garden that has plenty of walking paths and is tucked away in Clackamas, this used to be the former residence of John and Lilla Leach. Although when we went, the gift shop and their home were not open to the public, it was still a very enjoyable little walk that brought us into a beautiful forest. Right now, admission is currently free, and I would definitely take advantage of the opportunity as days get sunnier. There also many cute benches and a walk around tree "boardwalk", and the design overall was just really well thought out. There are many walking paths, as mentioned before, and they lead you down to a small river with a torn down bridge, and across, a small cottage like structure. It was very clear that most things were undergoing renovation at the time, but overall it was a fun little walk and weekend activity. read more

I've heard about Leach Botanical Garden from my wife and a variety of friends, but had somehow missed seeing this gem for myself until recently. Changes in the past couple of years will make this a partly new experience for those who have been before. All the new stuff comes at the beginning. The parking lots appear to be recently paved, and as you enter the grounds, there is a small lawn (perhaps for events) and pollinator garden that you pass before reaching the trees that dominate the rest of the property. Another new item is an accessible, circular elevated walkway that extends above a hillside. The paths farther into the garden are well maintained, and easy to walk, but there are occasional rustic stairways that would present a challenge to folks with disabilities. At the moment (late 2021), the pedestrian bridge over Johnson Creek has collapsed, so the grounds on the south side of the creek (and the stone cottage) cannot be visited. Leach Garden is not huge, but the twisting, intersecting pathways invite a leisurely pace and the enjoyment of a calm, peaceful haven. The city continues to benefit from this land that the original owners left to their fellow citizens. read more

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A tranquil oasis to get away from the nearby grind. They just expanded the paths and garden that have been here since the early 1980s. So pretty. The land bridge and gift shop were closed when I visited. It's great that kids have a first hand opportunity to learn about botany. Yet, there were simply too many that place lost a bit of its peacefulness. Quiet hours and/or days would be a big plus. read more

This peaceful little escape in SE Portland is so unexpected. There's a beautiful creek that runs through the property, so you can see a riparian habitat as well as a typical forest garden. There are plenty of native and foreign plants to explore. read more

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This is another walk we did on our own, during the pandemic. It was during their improvement. They have plenty of parking. Beautiful natural area. A stream runs through the garden. Some trails were closed, because of the construction. There are lots of ups and downs in the trail. It's small, but it's unique! Relaxing! Many of the plants were labeled with signs. I remember escorting my son's school here, many moons ago, but I don't remember visiting what we saw that day. read more

One of the first locations I explored when i moved to Portland since it's so close to my place. It's so so gorgeous and has the friendliest staff whether you're purchasing trinkets or just your admission. If you enjoy honey, I highly recommend their botanical honey; it is out of this world and just an added benefit of getting to visit this place. read more

I didn't know this existed until a friend visiting from out of state mentioned it. 1. It's free so definitely check it out if you don't mind a bit of a drive (if you're not coming from SE) 2. It's smaller but lovely. There are a number of different intersecting paths to take with a creek running though the property. There are also signs to direct traffic one way during COVID. On weekends there is also a little garden shop to check out, which I'm sure would be cute. read more

I have been coming here since I was a little kid, I took my husband on a little detour here as we live close but he had never seen it. I was so excited to take him in there but found out that it's now basically a gated area, there is a fee to enter that will be in force shortly, and with the renovations it has become increasingly active And there are many kids running and screaming throughout the gardens. It used to be a place that I would almost consider to have the essence of a sanctuary but now it's a playground. The bridge was out, it said it was due to storms and hopefully they do restore the bridge because the stone house and fire pit are the highlight of these gardens in my opinion. With the bridge being out I was very disappointed in the entire outing, the people at the gate advising that there would be an upcoming charge were unbelievably awkward like they were expecting us to pay to come in even though there was no charge. Overall it was a very weird and disappointing experience, it's still pretty but it's not anything I would pay to see especially without access to the home in fire pit on the opposite side of the creek. read more

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Wonderful tour guide Jill. Beautiful gardens and story about the gardens. All the staff were very friendly and helpful.

Short Answer: Definitely want to check this place out, walking downhill then walking uphill, small parking area, bathrooms at top of the hill and bottom of the hill at white House. Great photo opportunities! Long Answer: When I first arrived I wasn't really blown away. I was just like, okay a wide-open field with some playhouse and garden; not exactly what I was think. Start walking down the pathway. I literally was blown away of how beautiful this park was! It seemed like a fairy garden. All this greenery, beautiful clovers; that were covering the ground. I mean probably stayed at those clovers for a while just trying to find a four-leaf one. You're walking around this trail splits of to all these different trails every way, you just don't know which direction you want to go. All leading to the same place all different viewpoints of this gigantic forest. You can hear this waterfall as you're going downwards towards the white House /Gift shop. As you hit the main house you're literally blown away with this long river that flows below. Side of the house they have a brick patio area that has these lights buckle up towards the house that I can only imagine how beautiful might look during the evening. As you venture even further down, there's a bridge that helps you cross to another side of this Forest. Where you'll see a little cottage covered in Moss. Looking at the river that flows beneath it. You continue along your journey above the cottage through the forest to get even more paths they will lead you directly the cottage again we get a different viewpoint. if you haven't been here go it's a great area to take your friends your family maybe go on a date, I don't know whatever your thing is. oh and I did see a lady walking a dog so I'm assuming it's dog friendly but please if you take your pets pick up after them! I did see that they had a donation box to leave some money if you would like to. I didnt have cash, but I definitely would put something in there the next time I go! read more

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