Leach Botanical Garden, Portland

Leach Botanical Garden is a 16-acre botanical garden located in southeast Portland, Oregon with over 2,000 varieties of native and non-native plants along winding trails throughout the property. The elevated tree walk is a new feature opened in the spring of 2021 with stunning aerial views of the gardens.

Leach Botanical Garden, Portland, Oregon

The garden was originally the home of John and Lilla Leach who lived in the cottage-style manor located on the property. In their wills, the Leachs donated the property to the City of Portland as a botanical garden and museum with the condition that the property would go to the YMCA if the City of Portland did not take action within 10 years. To preserve the legacy of the gardens, the Leach Garden Friends grassroots organization was formed.

If you enjoyed urban hiking and forest bathing, I highly recommend a visit to the Leach Botanical Garden. It’s such a peaceful gem, tucked away off Foster Road in southeast Portland. I never would have guessed that there’s a botanical garden in that area. Admission is currently free, but contributions are encouraged to help maintain the gardens.

The Garden is small enough that you probably won’t spend more than an hour or two wandering along the walkways. It feels very intimate and peaceful; we didn’t cross paths with many people while we were there in the late August. There’s a mix of paved walkways that feel like a city park and dirt trails that feel like you’re deep in the forest. Along the way, you’ll come across the charming Manor House and Johnson Creek. Unfortunately, the footbridge across the creek was closed, so we didn’t get to visit the Stone Cabin. Leach Botanical Garden’s aerial tree walk is the newest addition to the property with amazing views of the lush gardens.

Have you visited Leach Botanical Garden?