Visit - Bloedel Reserve

Visit
Bloedel Reserve

Whether you are a first-time visitor, or know the grounds like the back of your hand, a walk through Bloedel Reserve doesn’t disappoint. The New York Times called us “one of this country’s most original and ambitious gardens.”

Bloedel’s twelve distinct gardens range from a bird marsh teeming with life, to a velvety-soft moss garden, to an award-winning Japanese garden and guest house. It’s an ever-changing landscape, and each visit brings surprises as you witness nature unfolding right before your eyes.

At Bloedel, you won’t find plant identification tags or directional signage. A walk through Bloedel is an experience. Immerse yourself in nature and for a moment, let the rest of the world fade away.

Open year round
To fully enjoy your visit, plan to spend at least two hours on the grounds.

Please note:
last admission one hour before closing

WINTER HOURS
September 4, 2017 – May 25, 2018
Tuesday – Sunday | 10 AM – 4 PM

SUMMER HOURS:
May 27, 2017 – September 3, 2017
Tuesday – Wednesday | 10 AM – 4 PM
Thursday – Sunday | 10 AM – 6 PM

Also open
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day
Christmas Eve
New Year’s Eve

Closed
Every Monday (except indicated holidays)
First Thursday of August | Garden Party
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day

Adults:	$17
Seniors (65+) and Military:	$12
Students 13 – 18 (or with I.D.):	$10
Children 5 – 12:	$6
Children 4 & under	FREE

Membership

Consider becoming a member! Our members enjoy free admission, discounts and other great benefits. Ask our staff how you can turn your daily admission into a membership.

Become a member ›

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Bloedel is a living museum so please use museum-like etiquette when visiting. Just like you wouldn’t touch the Mona Lisa, please don’t climb trees or pick flowers.
Service animals welcome. Please leave pets at home. Animals are not allowed to stay in vehicles.
Keep the crows and the flies away. Please no eating on the grounds.
Inhale deeply. Bloedel’s buildings and 150 acres are smoke-free (including e-cigarettes).
Enjoy the silence. Please refrain from talking on cell phones. Please be respectful and use quiet voices.
Tread lightly. Please stay on the groomed trails. You are welcome to walk on lawns. Please no jogging.
Keep wheels, flying machines, and sporting activities at parks. Please no drones, bicycles, roller skates, balls or Frisbees.

For a complete list of regulations, please read this document:

GARDEN ETIQUETTE

Bloedel Reserve is located at the north end of Bainbridge Island, about 6 miles from the ferry terminal on 305. Local bus service is also available.

Address
7571 NE Dolphin Drive
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

(206) 842-7631

Note: In the summer, we are open later than bus service runs. Please be sure to check the bus schedule when planning your visit.

Arriving by Ferry

Bainbridge Island is a short 35 minute ferry ride from Seattle. Ferries sail approximately every 50-60 minutes. Learn more | Washington State Ferries ›

Bus Service | Call BI-RIDE

Kitsap Transit operates BI-RIDE, a shared-ride service operating Tuesday – Saturday on Bainbridge Island by rider request and at scheduled stops. Bloedel Reserve is a scheduled stop. Fare is $2.00, cash or ORCA card.

To catch the bus somewhere other than at a scheduled stop, call at least two hours in advance. Call 1-844-4BI-RIDE for more information or to schedule a ride.

Guided Tours

A guided tour of Bloedel is a refreshing outdoor activity for groups. Led by trained docents, tours can be tailored to various interests and physical abilities.

Guided tours are available for groups of seven or more adults and need to be arranged with at least three weeks notice.
The minimum length for a guided tour is 1.5 hours and a complete guided tour of Bloedel takes 2.5 hours.
There is no additional charge for tour guides and groups pay the regular per person admission. Full payment is due two weeks before the date of the guided tour and there are no refunds. If you book within two weeks of the scheduled tour, payment is due upon scheduling.

Field Trips

Bloedel welcomes school children, youth groups, and college students for guided tours. Many of our tour guides are retired teachers who love leading tours for students of all ages.

School children from preschool through 6th grade are $3 each and students in 7th grade through college are $6 each. Teachers and chaperones pay the same reduced rates as the students they accompany.

To arrange for a guided tour or field trip, please call 206.842.7631 x14, or email Director of Volunteer & Guest Services.

Do I need a reservation to visit?

No. Just come and visit anytime during regular hours.

Is picnicking allowed?

Food and picnicking are not allowed on the grounds. Guests may bring bottled water. Drinking water also is available at the Gate House and in the Visitor Center. Small children and those with medical conditions requiring snacks may eat in the Visitor Center.

Can I bring my dog or other pet to Bloedel?

Pets are not allowed on the grounds and must not be left in cars in the parking lot. Service animals are welcome.

When is the best time to visit Bloedel?

Bloedel is open year-round. Every season and every visit invites new discoveries.

How much time should I allow for my visit?

Plan on two hours to enjoy the landscape.

Is Bloedel wheelchair/stroller-accessible?

Our trails are well-maintained bark or paved roadways, so most of Bloedel’s gardens are accessible to persons with limited mobility. Due to stairs or steep terrain a few areas might be difficult to navigate. Our Guest Relations staff will provide maps and suggest routes through the garden that are accessible to wheelchairs and require the least amount of walking. Sturdy wheelchairs are available for visitors to borrow at no charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Can I get engaged or married at Bloedel Reserve?

Yes! Bloedel Reserve is more than a place a beauty; it’s a living expression of a beautiful love story that unfolded during Prentice and Virginia Bloedel’s life on Bainbridge Island. Married more than 65 years, many of the features of the Reserve were created as loving gestures, on a grand scale, by Prentice for Virginia.

We welcome engagements (no need to ask permission if you pop the question while privately walking the grounds.)

To preserve our natural treasure for future generations, Bloedel opens the Reserve to only two weddings a year.

To learn more this rare and unique opportunity to celebrate your love story at the Reserve, contact Shayla Miles at 206.842.7631 x16.

Can I take photos at Bloedel?

We welcome amateur photographers and artists in the gardens but portrait and commercial photography are not allowed. Guests are permitted to use folding tripod stands or monopod stands that can fit inside a standard backpack. Please use caution when using and do not block trails or damage plants or landscaping.

Professional portrait photography is not permitted.

Members of the press should call in advance to arrange for admission to Bloedel or to schedule a press event at 206.842.7631 x19.

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All ages enjoy exploring Bloedel and to further enhance the experience, we collaborated with Bainbridge Island-based Kids Discovery Museum to create educational and entertaining activities. When you arrive, check out an activity or two. (Included with admission.)

BLOEDEL RESERVE’S EYE SPY: Four pages of close-up photos shed a different perspective on Bloedel. The game follows the trail and players keep their eyes open for the highlighted details.

BLOEDEL BINGO: With six different versions of the bingo board, families can challenge each other to be the first one to call, “Bingo!”

PHOTO SAFARI: Using a smartphone or camera, kids are given a list of items to photograph and try to capture items in all categories. This a particularly great activity for preteens and teens.

Bloedel also offers family programs throughout the year like summer’s Out(side)rageous Family Day, fall’s Super Squash Scavenger Hunt and winter’s Holiday Village. Check our event page for more details.

Peace and serenity, nature at its finest. Do yourself a favor and visit Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island. Don't be in a hurry, take your time. Visitor