Bloedel Reserve is a 140-acre public garden on the north end of Bainbridge Island, Washington, about six miles from the ferry dock. Book timed tickets in advance, allow at least two hours for the two-mile loop, and don’t be surprised if you want more time. It’s one of the most beautiful gardens in the Pacific Northwest.

Some places look better in photos than in person. Bloedel is the opposite. The pictures show you a moss garden or the reflecting pool; they can’t show how the garden seamlessly changes from meadow to forest during your stroll. Planning a Bloedel Reserve weekend? Explore our guest rooms and townhomes, then book your stay today.

What Is Bloedel Reserve?

Bloedel Reserve started as a private home. Virginia and Prentice Bloedel bought the property in 1951 and lived there for more than 30 years, spending much of that time exploring how people relate to the natural world. Prentice rose through his family’s timber business, and he devoted his retirement to sculpting the land, walking the grounds almost daily with some of the best landscape designers of his era, including Thomas Church and Richard Haag.

The house itself went up in 1931 and 1932, designed by Seattle architect J. Lister Holmes for the Collins family, who owned the land before the Bloedels. The property became a public garden in 1988.

What makes Bloedel different from most public gardens is its intentional design. You don’t wander a grid of beds reading labels; you move through a series of distinct spaces, each with its own mood, created to foster a connection with nature. A sunny meadow gives way to a dark second-growth forest, which opens onto a pond, which leads to a formal house with a view of Puget Sound.

Is Bloedel Reserve Worth Visiting?

Yes, for most people. You’ll love it if you enjoy walking in nature and want a peaceful outing. It’s also a great rainy-day plan. The forest paths are at their moodiest when wet.

The Reserve is designed for quiet contemplation. It might not be for you if you’re hoping for a picnic, a run, or a place for kids to play ball. None of those are allowed at Bloedel. Fay Bainbridge Park or the Winslow waterfront are better suited to more lively, active outings. Kids are welcome, though. The trails are mostly flat and easy to follow, and older children often love the boardwalk, the bridges, and the wildlife sightings.

Bloedel Reserve Tickets, Hours and Admission

Bloedel uses a timed-entry system, and buying online ahead of time is the only way to guarantee your spot. If your time slot hasn’t sold out, you can buy at the gate for a small surcharge, but a sold-out day means no tickets at all. Spring and summer weekends do sell out, so book as soon as your dates are firm.

A few other ticket details worth knowing:

• Adults are $22 per person October through April, up to $26 May through September.
• You don’t need to bring your confirmation email. A staff member at the gate will simply ask your name.
• Tickets bought from third-party or private sellers won’t be honored for entry.
• Plans changed? Your whole party can reschedule to another available time within a month of the original booking, as long as you contact Guest Services within 48 hours of your original slot. Cancellations and no-shows aren’t refunded.
• Book directly through the official Bloedel Reserve ticket page.
• Dynamic pricing applies from May 1 through September 30.
• Bloedel Reserve members get in free year-round, which pays for itself quickly if you’re local or plan to return another season.
• The first Wednesday of every month is Welcome Wednesday, a pay-what-you-wish community day. Reserve a timed ticket online ahead of time, since these days get busy. See our guide to Bloedel Reserve’s special events for more.

How to Get to Bloedel Reserve From the Ferry

Most visitors arrive on the Seattle to Bainbridge ferry. The crossing from downtown Seattle takes about 35 minutes, with boats leaving Colman Dock roughly every 50 to 60 minutes for both cars and walk-on passengers. From there, you have the following options:

By Car
It’s an easy 14- to 20-minute drive north on SR 305, then a short hop through a quiet residential neighborhood. Parking in the Reserve’s guest lots is free, but there’s no street or off-site parking, so don’t plan to park nearby and walk in.

By Bus
This is where many visitors get tripped up. Kitsap Transit’s BI Ride runs scheduled trips Tuesday through Saturday connecting downtown Winslow, the ferry terminal, and Bloedel Reserve, and you can also request on-demand rides through the Ride Pingo app or by phone.

On Sundays, BI Ride is on-demand only from 8 AM to 4 PM, plus a handful of scheduled trips between Bloedel and the ferry terminal. On weekdays, the #394 Agate Point fixed-route bus also serves the Reserve. Check Kitsap Transit‘s schedules the day before, and book your Bloedel entry time with a little buffer for the ride.

By Bike
Bike racks are next to the Gatehouse, and cycling up is a lovely warm-up if you’re comfortable riding. Be honest with yourself about the route, though. SR 305 carries steady traffic, and Bainbridge is hillier than it looks from the ferry. Our guide to biking on Bainbridge covers rentals and quieter roads. Bikes stay at the racks; they aren’t allowed on the grounds.

From the Eagle Harbor Inn
This is the easiest car-free Bloedel option on the island: walk off the ferry, drop your bags at the Inn, and let BI Ride drive you.

What You’ll See: A Garden-by-Garden Walk Along the Loop

The full trail loop runs about two miles and takes most people around two hours. Here’s what you’ll pass, roughly in order. Pick up a paper map at the Gatehouse to help you navigate the grounds. Side paths and shortcuts may be worth exploring.

Visitors begin with a gentle start through tall grasses on the Meadow Trail. The weathered Sheep Sheds once housed a flock of sheep. It’s the Bloedel Reserve version of a deep breath.

The trail drops into wetland habitat devoted to birds and native plants. Slow down in Buxton Bird Marsh and Pollinator Meadow. Mornings are usually the busiest for birdsong. And it’s not uncommon to see a bald eagle swoop down.

A tall wooden Trestle Bridge and Boardwalk carries you over a forest stream across a bog without muddying your shoes. Look down along the edges for carnivorous plants, and listen for the frogs that live among them.

The forest opens up, and suddenly there’s the house across a broad lawn and pond. Mid Pond is one of the most photographed views at Bloedel.

The newest area, the Jurassic Gardens, showcases massive Gunnera, prehistoric dinosaur plants.

The Residence, once the Bloedels’ home, is open on the first floor and still holds many of the original furnishings. Roughly halfway through the walk, it’s a place along the trail with restrooms. Don’t miss the back lawn: the view out over Puget Sound is the best on the property.

The most storybook stretch of the whole walk, the Birch Garden, is a stand of slender white birches with dappled light filtering down to the ground plants below. The path curves toward the Christmas Pond and its small waterfall.

Past the pond, the trail climbs into the Rhododendron Glen. In spring, the color explodes here. The rest of the year it’s a green, sheltered corridor that smells faintly of damp earth after rain.

Swan Pond and Orchid Trail, with its stunning fall foliage in the maple trees, leads to the Japanese Garden. It was built around a traditional guest house of forest wood and recycled teak; people tend to sit on the deck and watch the beauty below. Look for the Wishing Bench overlooking the pond near the guest house.

The Moss Garden is remarkable in any season, though especially vibrant after a rain. A forest floor carpeted edge to edge in moss, soft and deep green, with tree trunks rising out of it like columns.

The Reflection Pool is a favorite spot in the Reserve for many people. The pool is about 200 feet long, fed by a natural spring, and enclosed by a formal hedge that makes it feel secluded. On a still day, the water mirrors the trees.

How Long Does It Take to Walk Bloedel Reserve?

Two hours covers the full 2-mile loop at an easy stroll, with time to stop. Shortcuts can trim the route, and Bloedel suggests arriving no later than an hour before closing, though once you’re inside you can stay until closing.

For anyone with limited mobility, a paved route of under a mile reaches the Reserve’s highlights, with one short hill at a 9% grade: downhill on the way to the Residence, uphill on the return. Complimentary wheelchairs are available, and staff can give you a golf-cart ride from the Residence back to the parking lot. The rest of the trail is bark and gravel, which most strollers can handle.

The Best Time to Visit Bloedel Reserve, Season by Season

Short answer: late spring into early summer is the most colorful, but there’s really no bad season. Bloedel was designed to change through the year, and each season offers something unique.

Spring at Bloedel offers peak color. The rhododendrons in the Glen bloom roughly from April into May, and bulbs and wildflowers fill in the meadows. Spring hours start March 31, and extended hours begin May 19, when Friday through Sunday visits run until 6 PM. Weekends book up fast, so reserve early.

Summer hours, starting June 30, run 9 AM to 6 PM Tuesday through Sunday, which gives you the most flexibility of the year. It’s also the busiest season, and summer ticket prices run higher. Book the first slot of the day for cooler air and fewer visitors.

Fall is our favorite season. The crowds thin, admission drops back to standard pricing on October 1, and the maples around the Japanese Garden turn brilliant shades of orange and red. Fall also brings the annual Squash Hunt, which runs September 29 through November 1 this year. Fall hours are 10 AM through 5 PM.

Keep an eye on Bloedel’s special events calendar for fall walks and programs, and see our guide to fall on Bainbridge Island for more great things to do while you are here.

Winter is the quietest season, and an underrated one. Winter hours start November 3 and run 10 AM to 4 PM, with a suggested last entry of 2:30 PM. The payoff for the shorter days is solitude, and the Moss Garden is at its greenest in the wet months. Bring a good rain layer, and you may have whole stretches of trail to yourself.

Best time of Day and Week to Visit the Bloedel Reserve

Weekday mornings, any time of year. Tuesday through Thursday first-entry slots are the calmest, and the early light is striking on the ponds and the Reflection Pool.

Know Before You Go

A few rules keep Bloedel quiet and protect the wildlife that lives there:
• No pets. Not on the grounds and not in the parking lot, either. Registered service animals are allowed; just let the Gatehouse staff know.
• No picnics. Picnicking isn’t permitted anywhere on the grounds, so plan to eat before or after.
• No running, drones, or wheeled sports gear. That includes bikes, scooters, and skateboards, though wheelchairs and strollers are welcome.
• Wear sensible shoes. You don’t need hiking boots, but sturdy closed-toe walking shoes are recommended, and a rain layer is never a bad idea here.
• Photographers: personal cameras and folding tripods or monopods that fit inside a standard backpack are welcome. Professional shoots require a permit.
• Restrooms are found at the Gatehouse and at the Residence, about halfway through the walk.
• Maps are available at the Gatehouse in six languages.

Make a Day of It

Since picnicking isn’t allowed at Bloedel, most visitors head back to downtown Winslow for lunch, where you can walk between cafés, bakeries, and sit-down restaurants in a few blocks. Our guide to where to eat in Winslow has our current favorites.

If you’ve got a car and a full day, go the other direction instead. Cross the Agate Pass Bridge to Suquamish, then continue on to Poulsbo for coffee and explore our favorite things to do in Poulsbo. Garden lovers can keep going to Heronswood Garden in Kingston, owned by the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, for a second, very different kind of garden.

Staying closer to town? Pair your Bloedel morning with an afternoon at the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, or end the day with Bainbridge wine tasting. For more ideas, here are more things to do on Bainbridge Island.

Where to Stay for a Bloedel Reserve Trip

Bloedel is an easy day trip from Seattle, but it’s better as the centerpiece of a getaway. Stay overnight, and you can take the first entry slot of the morning, before the day-trip crowds come off the midday boats.

The Eagle Harbor Inn is the only luxury hotel on Bainbridge Island, located in downtown Winslow, a short walk from the ferry and steps from the island’s restaurants and shops. We have five individually designed guest rooms and two 1,800-square-foot townhomes, all set around a garden courtyard that perfectly bookends a day at Bloedel.

A simple two-day plan:
• Day 1: Take an afternoon ferry, walk to the Inn, and settle in. Dinner in Winslow.
• Day 2: Make the 14- to 20-minute trip north for a first-entry slot at Bloedel. Come back to town for lunch, then spend the afternoon on the Eagle Harbor waterfront, at the art museum, or in the courtyard with a book.

Start planning your next island getaway, and book the Eagle Harbor Inn today!

Bloedel Reserve at a Glance
7571 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, WA
Open Tuesday to Sunday year-round, rain or shine.
Closed Mondays.

 

Bloedel Reserve FAQ

Is Bloedel Reserve worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like gardens designed for walking and thinking rather than display. The 2-mile loop moves through a dozen very different landscapes, from a bird marsh to a moss garden to a reflection pool. Skip it if you want a picnic spot or a place to bring the dog, since neither is allowed.

Do you need tickets for Bloedel Reserve?

Yes. Bloedel uses timed-entry tickets, and booking online ahead of time is the only way to guarantee a spot. If a time slot isn’t sold out, you can buy at the gate for a small surcharge. Third-party tickets aren’t honored.

How long is the Bloedel Reserve trail?

The main loop is about 2 miles and takes most people around two hours. You can shorten it with cut-through paths, and a paved route of under a mile reaches the highlights for anyone with limited mobility. Plan to arrive at least an hour before closing.

What’s special about Bloedel Reserve?

It was built as a sequence of experiences rather than a plant collection. Prentice and Virginia Bloedel spent more than 30 years turning logged land into 140 acres of forest and gardens, working with landscape architects like Thomas Church and Richard Haag.

How much do Bloedel Reserve tickets cost?

Adult admission is $22 from October through April and up to $26 from May through September, when dynamic pricing applies. Seniors, military, students, and kids pay less; children 4 and under are free.

Is there a free or discount day at Bloedel Reserve?

Yes. The first Wednesday of every month is Welcome Wednesday, a pay-what-you-wish community day. Book a timed ticket online in advance, since these days are popular.

Can you get to Bloedel Reserve without a car?

Yes. From the Bainbridge ferry terminal, Kitsap Transit’s BI Ride runs scheduled trips to Bloedel Reserve Tuesday through Saturday and takes on-demand requests through the Ride Pingo app, including Sundays. On weekdays, the #394 Agate Point bus also serves the area. Cyclists can use the bike racks at the Gatehouse.

When is the best time to visit Bloedel Reserve?

Late spring is the most colorful, when the rhododendrons bloom from about April into May. Summer brings the longest hours and the biggest crowds, fall adds maple color in October, and winter is the quietest season, when the moss is at its greenest. For fewer people any time of year, book a weekday morning.

Can you picnic at Bloedel Reserve?

No, picnicking isn’t allowed anywhere on the grounds. Most visitors eat before or after in downtown Winslow, about 6 miles south, or head north over the Agate Pass Bridge toward Suquamish and Poulsbo.

Is Bloedel Reserve wheelchair accessible?

Partly. A paved route with one short hill reaches the main highlights, including the Residence. Complimentary wheelchairs are available at the Gatehouse, and staff can give you a golf-cart ride from the Residence back to the parking lot. Some bark and gravel trail sections are harder to navigate.