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Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

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 Vail, 81657

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About

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens grows more than 3,000 species of high-altitude plants at 8,200 feet, which the gardens say makes it the highest botanical garden in North America. It sits in Ford Park, about a 10-minute walk east of Vail Village, and the outdoor gardens are open from dawn to dusk every day of the year with no required admission fee.

It works for almost any length of visit: half an hour of photos with the Gore Range behind the Alpine Rock Garden, a morning with children in the Children's Garden, or a guided walk for gardeners who want to know how these plants survive at altitude. Summer brings the blooms; in winter the paths become snowshoe trails.

The gardens

The Vail Alpine Garden Foundation founded the gardens in 1985, and they were named in 1988 for former first lady Betty Ford, beside the amphitheater named for her husband. The collection is laid out in four areas, the Mountain Perennial Garden, Mountain Meditation Garden, Alpine Rock Garden and Children's Garden, and the Passport to the Peaks exhibit, on alpine plants around the world, runs through spring 2027. The gardens are a nonprofit, so a donation keeps them free.

Tours through the year

A map at the entrance kiosks is enough for a self-guided loop. In summer there are small-group guided tours and a short weekly walk to the top ten blooms of the moment; from January to March a naturalist leads snowshoe tours, and snowshoes can be rented for exploring on your own. Times and prices are in the FAQ.

Getting there

Walk east along South Frontage Road or take the path beside Gore Creek from Vail Village. The free in-town bus stops at Golden Peak, from where you cross through the Manor Vail Lodge breezeway into the park. Drivers can use the Vail Village parking structure or the Ford Park lot, both paid. The site slopes: paths run downhill into the gardens and back uphill to the parking, so the flattest way in is along Gore Creek or from Golden Peak. Leashed dogs are allowed on the paths.

Events and private use

The Rooftop Terrace above the Visitor Center, with views of Golden Peak, the Gore Range and Gore Creek, can be rented from June to early October for receptions, welcome parties, luncheons and small ceremonies. The gardens themselves take elopements, proposals and photo sessions by permit, but not full wedding ceremonies.

Shops, snacks and the Education Center

The Schoolhouse Museum and Gift Shop, in a historic schoolhouse in the creekside Children's Garden, opens from Memorial Day to Labor Day with garden art, outdoor goods and light refreshments. The Education Center, west of the gardens beside the Ford Park playground, is open daily and holds the annual exhibit, a shop for books, seeds and children's toys, and the winter snowshoe rentals. A seasonal ice cream cart rounds things out, and shop proceeds support the gardens. The gardens sit right beside the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, so a garden walk pairs well with a summer concert.

Sources: plan your visit, about, tours, facility rentals, gift shops, exhibits. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Company Name
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
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Location
522 S Frontage Rd E
Vail, 81657

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About Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Quick answer: Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is a business at 522 S Frontage Rd E, Vail, CO 81657. North America's highest botanical garden, in Ford Park: 3,000+ alpine plant species, free daily from dawn to dusk, with tours and winter snowshoeing.

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Betty Ford Alpine Gardens grows more than 3,000 species of high-altitude plants at 8,200 feet, which the gardens say makes it the highest botanical garden in North America. It sits in Ford Park, about a 10-minute walk east of Vail Village, and the outdoor gardens are open from dawn to dusk every day of the year with no required admission fee.

It works for almost any length of visit: half an hour of photos with the Gore Range behind the Alpine Rock Garden, a morning with children in the Children's Garden, or a guided walk for gardeners who want to know how these plants survive at altitude. Summer brings the blooms; in winter the paths become snowshoe trails.

The gardens

The Vail Alpine Garden Foundation founded the gardens in 1985, and they were named in 1988 for former first lady Betty Ford, beside the amphitheater named for her husband. The collection is laid out in four areas, the Mountain Perennial Garden, Mountain Meditation Garden, Alpine Rock Garden and Children's Garden, and the Passport to the Peaks exhibit, on alpine plants around the world, runs through spring 2027. The gardens are a nonprofit, so a donation keeps them free.

Tours through the year

A map at the entrance kiosks is enough for a self-guided loop. In summer there are small-group guided tours and a short weekly walk to the top ten blooms of the moment; from January to March a naturalist leads snowshoe tours, and snowshoes can be rented for exploring on your own. Times and prices are in the FAQ.

Getting there

Walk east along South Frontage Road or take the path beside Gore Creek from Vail Village. The free in-town bus stops at Golden Peak, from where you cross through the Manor Vail Lodge breezeway into the park. Drivers can use the Vail Village parking structure or the Ford Park lot, both paid. The site slopes: paths run downhill into the gardens and back uphill to the parking, so the flattest way in is along Gore Creek or from Golden Peak. Leashed dogs are allowed on the paths.

Events and private use

The Rooftop Terrace above the Visitor Center, with views of Golden Peak, the Gore Range and Gore Creek, can be rented from June to early October for receptions, welcome parties, luncheons and small ceremonies. The gardens themselves take elopements, proposals and photo sessions by permit, but not full wedding ceremonies.

Shops, snacks and the Education Center

The Schoolhouse Museum and Gift Shop, in a historic schoolhouse in the creekside Children's Garden, opens from Memorial Day to Labor Day with garden art, outdoor goods and light refreshments. The Education Center, west of the gardens beside the Ford Park playground, is open daily and holds the annual exhibit, a shop for books, seeds and children's toys, and the winter snowshoe rentals. A seasonal ice cream cart rounds things out, and shop proceeds support the gardens. The gardens sit right beside the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, so a garden walk pairs well with a summer concert.

Sources: plan your visit, about, tours, facility rentals, gift shops, exhibits. Checked September 23, 2026.

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Business Hours

Open 24 hours

Amenities at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

  • Free admission
  • Guided tours
  • Snowshoe rental
  • Gift shops
  • Education center
  • Dogs on leash
  • ADA parking
  • Event rental
  • Exhibits

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens?
In Ford Park at 522 S Frontage Rd E, Vail, CO 81657, east of Vail Village, next to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, below the Ford Park athletic fields and across Gore Creek from Manor Vail Lodge and Golden Peak. It is about a 10-minute walk from Vail Village along South Frontage Road or the Gore Creek path, via I-70 exit 176.
Does it cost anything to visit?
No. There is no required admission fee and no ticket is needed for the gardens, admission is free year-round. The gardens are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and suggest a $20 donation per person, which can be made online before you arrive. Paid extras are tours, snowshoe rental and programs.
What are the opening hours?
The outdoor gardens are open every day of the year, 365 days, from dawn to dusk. The Education Center is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The Schoolhouse Museum and Gift Shop is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Where do I park?
Use the Vail Village parking structure ($2 an hour, first hour free, free after 3 p.m., 7-10-minute walk) or the Ford Park lot ($2 an hour, first hour free, 3-5-minute walk; $20 during summer events in Ford Park; 2 hours free in winter). ADA parking is on Betty Ford Way across from the amphitheater. You can also walk in or take the free in-town bus to Golden Peak or the Ford Park stop (Orange, Blue and Yellow routes).
Are there guided tours?
Yes, booked through the gardens' website. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, public tours run Mondays and Saturdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for $25 per person, maximum 15 guests, buy your ticket beforehand. The Ten at Ten walk to the week's top blooms runs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. for $10 per family. Private tours for up to 50 people (June to early September) start at $300 for up to 10 guests plus $30 per extra person and need two weeks' notice. Self-guided visits are free, with a map at the entrance kiosks.
What is there to do in winter?
From January to March, a naturalist leads guided snowshoe tours (Winter Tree Trail & Vail Tales) on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. for $25 including snowshoe rental, sign up online. You can also rent snowshoes and poles at the Education Center for $10, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., for ages 5 and up, snow permitting. The outdoor gardens themselves stay open dawn to dusk all winter.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. Dogs are permitted in the gardens if they stay leashed and on the paths.
Is the garden accessible?
Mostly. The gardens are on sloped terrain with natural, uneven rock paths, and no wheelchairs are available to lend, so use caution. The flattest routes in are from Betty Ford Way along Gore Creek, or through the Golden Peak and Manor Vail Lodge breezeway. ADA parking is on Betty Ford Way across from the amphitheater.
Can I rent the gardens for an event?
Yes, with limits. The Rooftop Terrace above the Visitor Center holds 95 guests for cocktails or up to 50 seated and is available June 1 to October 3, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., booked via the request form on the gardens' website. The gardens do not host full wedding ceremonies. Elopements in the gardens cost $300, and photography or proposal permits cost $125. Call (970) 476-0103 for rental questions.
Is there a gift shop?
Yes, two. The Schoolhouse Museum and Gift Shop, in the historic schoolhouse in the Children's Garden, is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Memorial Day to Labor Day with garden art, outdoor goods, light refreshments and a seasonal ice cream cart nearby. The Education Center shop (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) sells books, seeds and children's toys. Shop proceeds support the nonprofit gardens. The closest full restaurants are at Manor Vail Lodge and Avanti at Golden Peak.

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