Leland used every single kind of rock he could find. Agates, jasper, petrified wood—he even threw in old glass bottles and pottery shards. The place sparkles when the sun hits it.
Petersen Rock Garden
He didn’t use any blueprints. Just his gut. He’d pile rocks, pour cement, and step back. If it looked good, he kept going.
One tower is shaped like a giant ice cream cone. No, I’m not kidding. It’s a rock cone with a rock scoop on top. Who doesn’t love that?
Why It’s So Fun to Visit
You can walk through the entire garden in about 20 minutes. But you’ll want to stay for an hour because every corner has a new weird surprise.
There are little caves you can peek into. Tiny windows in the castles. And the whole place is surrounded by real Oregon wilderness—trees, deer, and fresh air.
It’s free to enter. They just ask for a small donation. Bring some cash to drop in the box, because this is a true labor of love.
Your phone photos will look amazing. The textures are wild. Every rock is a different color, and the light shifts constantly.
