Betty Ford Alpine Gardens
located in Vail, Colorado
The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens claim to fame is being the highest public botanic garden in North America, at 8200 feet. It is located in the Gore Range area of the Rockies in Colorado and was originally founded by horticultural experts in the Denver and Vail area in 1985 as the Vail Alpine Garden Foundation. The public opening of the newly named garden was inaugerated by President and Mrs. Ford in 2000.
The garden areas include the children's garden (which simulates climbing from Gore Creek to the summit of the Gore Range at 13,000 feet) Schoolhouse Garden (which holds Horticultural Therapy Programs), an Alpine Tundra Garden where the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater is located, a wonderful mountain perennial garden with 1,000 varieties of both traditional and unusual perennials, trees and shrubs, a primula garden with 50 different Primula species, a Saxifrage Garden, a Mountain Meditation garden, a Rocky Mountain Alpine Garden and a bog garden.The gardens do make the grounds available on a limited basis for garden weddings, though it is limited to two private events per day, so reservations are absolutely necessary. For ceremonies, they allow the Rock Garden Terrace for weddings of up to 100 guests, and the small amphitheater in the Children's Garden for weddings under 50 guests. For greater than 100 guests, they suggest the Lower Lawn area. Other areas may be available on request, please check with them.
Address:
530 South Frontage Road
Near Ford Park
Vail, CO 81657
Hours & Times:
Daily: Dawn-Dusk
(usually Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Admission:
Free (Donations welcomed)
Phone:
(970) 476-0103 Fax: (970) 476-1685
Visit the Official Website
530 South Frontage Road
Near Ford Park
Vail, CO 81657
Hours & Times:
Daily: Dawn-Dusk
(usually Memorial Day - Labor Day)
Admission:
Free (Donations welcomed)
Phone:
(970) 476-0103 Fax: (970) 476-1685
Visit the Official Website
Gardens To See provides the latest travel and tourist information for public and private gardens around the world, but it is subject to change and difficult to maintain. If you have further information or pictures you would like to add, contact us.
Please make sure to call the garden in advance to check for changes in times and availablity. Some gardens have seasonal hours only.
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