Portland Oregon's International Rose Test Garden

Believe me when I say that this is one of the BEST flower gardens to visit in Oregon:

Have you had the opportunity yet to go to the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, OR? While there are tons of flower gardens in the area, and even several rose gardens, this is one of the best. Keep reading to learn more about this beautiful location! I will tell you all about the parking and entrance fees, blooming months, and more in this photo- and flower-filled blog post.

And hi, my name is Emma! I am a lifestyle and wedding photographer based on the West Coast, and I love to travel! I love that Oregon is my home base because of its versatility - there are so many options when it comes to nature, backgrounds and more - making it a photographer's dream! If you read through this post because you want to visit the rose gardens, consider investing in a photographer to capture your experience in the gardens! I call myself a "lifestyle" photographer because I love all forms of portrait photography, including senior photos, couples and engagements, maternity and family sessions, and so much more. Click on the Menu bar above to learn more about hiring me to be your personal paparazzi, content creator, and professional rose-smeller (I don't know if that's a thing... but that would be lovely).

General Information

Address: 400 SW Kingston Ave, Portland OR 97205

Hours: (generally) sunrise to sunset

Amenities: bathrooms, some accessibility (paved walkways and a few wheelchair ramps), snacks and gift shop open occasionally, a large open amphitheater perfect for picnics, guided tours, tennis courts

Website: Washington Park - International Rose Test Garden | Portland.gov

Parking / Entrance Fees

This is a FREE rose garden! What a blessing!

However, there are small parking fees. There is limited parking that sometimes may fill up on sunny weekends, so consider carpooling or taking the bus / a shuttle! Parking fees for 2023 are currently $2 per hour, with a maximum of $8 per day, and you pay the fee by parking in an open space, then submitting your car's license number and expected stay time into a meter.

Blooming Season

The bloom season is typically May through September. As all blooming seasons go, the flowers will barely start popping up in May, be more filled by June, and then fade away in September. The best times to go would be in July to see the fullest bloom! There are TONS of colors (and I still have July 2023 availability!!!)

NOTE: The sunset will always be covered by a large hill and trees, so I'd recommend coming at sunrise to catch a glimpse of the soft, "golden hour" light!