McCrillis Gardens

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

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McCrillis Gardens in Bethesda, Maryland, is a secluded five-acre naturalistic garden nestled in a residential neighborhood, known for its shady woodland walks and bursts of color, particularly in spring.

The property was originally a working farm owned by the McCrillis family before William McCrillis, a passionate gardener, transformed it over 40 years into a wooded garden filled with ornamental trees, azaleas, rhododendrons, bulbs, groundcovers, and shade-loving perennials, many of which are labeled for easy appreciation.

Donated to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 1978, the garden is now managed by Brookside Gardens and offers visitors tranquil walking paths, a pavilion, and benches for rest, creating a feel reminiscent of a secret garden. McCrillis Gardens is open daily from dawn to dusk, providing a peaceful retreat with seasonal blooms and an ambiance of quiet natural beauty tucked away within an urban setting.​