One Hour at Beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado.
If we didn’t drive past Vail, Colorado, on our way to Moab, Utah, we probably never made it to beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. Not to mention we have never heard about the garden before.
But let me tell you something. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens may be small, but it is the highest-elevation botanical garden in the world situated at 8,200 feet (2,700m) in the central Rocky Mountains.
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There is no required admission fee to the gardens. But you can always donate $20 when visiting Betty Ford Gardens.
If you haven’t been to Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, I recommend you to stop whenever you are in Vail or just passing by like us. It won’t take a lot of your time, and you will not regret it.
Or, you can always visit the garden through On the Roof of the Rocky Mountains book by Sarah Chase Shaw.
One Hour at Beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado.
With so many places to visit in beautiful Colorado, Vail is one of the places that we haven’t traveled to yet. Whenever the city’s name came into my mind, all I could think of was skiing. We don’t ski and have never visited Colorado in the wintertime. So, I put Vail at the back of my mind.
But one summer, it all changed after we decided to stop there on our way to Moab, Utah, from Denver. When we were approaching Vail, we decided to make a quick stop. We went straight to the Visitor Center, looking for information on free things to do or see while in the city for about one hour.
Fortunately, the guy who greeted us at the Visitor Center was helpful. He suggested we stroll around Vail Village and visit Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.
He showed us a parking area where we could hike to the garden. It sounded nice, but I didn’t think we had enough time for the hike.
After securing the map in my purse, I made a quick walk to the back of the building, and I was surprised. The Village looks very pretty. It feels like somewhere in Europe. I have never seen a town like that before.
A Short History of Vail, Colorado.
From the beginning, they designed Vail to resemble an Alpine village. It’s different from many Colorado ski towns, which grew out of former mining towns and still reflect the Old West style.
It all started when Pete Siebert and fellow 10th Mountain Division soldiers returned home from Europe after World War II. They sought mountain locations where they could build ski areas and towns reminiscent of those they found so beautiful in the Alps.
In 1957 Siebert climbed to the top of Vail Mountain (11,570 feet). He looked over the expansive backside into the wilderness and knew his search was over.
Not just Vail, ski towns like Aspen, Arapahoe Basin, and Keystone were born from the 10th Mountain Division soldiers’ passion for skiing. Most developed during their founders’ Army training in Colorado and wartime service in the Alps.
At Vail, in particular, people can see the village’s ties to Bavaria. Stroll along the cobblestone streets of Vail Village, crossed the timbered bridges, and view Bavarian-styled buildings without even having to bring your passports.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: a Beautiful Place to Stop in Vail, Colorado.
Located west of the Visitor Center on Frontage Rd., you can drive or take the in-town bus to the beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. But we drove our car because we didn’t want to waste our time waiting for the bus.
From the parking area (it’s free), we walked on Betty Ford Way to the Main Garden Entrance. Beautiful flowers covered the edge of the path to the right, and when we looked past the fences to the left, we saw a creek flowing through pine trees. It looks pretty and soothing.
Then we continued walking past Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater on the right. It is where they conduct events in the gardens.
Immediately after that, a small beautiful entrance gate welcomed us to the right while the Schoolhouse Gift Shop awaited us ahead. We decided to walk through the garden first.
Walking through the main entrance gate brought a pleasant feeling. Greens and colors surrounded every step we took while children’s laughter and screaming echoed from the middle of the garden. Happy summer feeling.
As I mentioned above, this garden is small. Within two to three steps, we moved to a different-themed garden. We started visiting the themed-gardens on the right of the entrance, then walked to the Visitor Center at the other end before returning to the Gift Shop.
There are at least 30 themed gardens in this place, from Silk Road Garden and Himalayan Garden to Meditation Garden, and Alps of Western Europe to Rocky Mountain Alpine Garden, to name a few. All connected, making this small garden a beautiful getaway for the whole family.
Let’s Walked the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens With Us.
From the entrance, we visited the Silk road garden on the right. Next, we continued to the Roof of the World and Alpine Plants of the World. These are the Alpine Plants of the Worlds region.
Then we continued to Rocky Mountain Ecosystems region. There are ponds, stairs, and bridges, which makes this region very beautiful. Part of the themed gardens here is on the elevated area. It makes a beautiful picture with mountains in the distance as the background. The North Garden Entrance is at the end of this region.
In the Rocky Mountain Ecosystems region, we learned about pine, Colorado Alpines, ancient conifers, and many more.
From here, we walked past the Pollinator Garden to the Visitor Center.
In the middle of the garden are a playground and a green area where they put the outdoor exhibits.
The Betty Ford Way we took in the beginning passed the Visitor Center. We didn’t take that way to the Gift Shop. The walkway around the playground and green areas are better. Besides, we wanted to see the exhibits during our visit.
Before we got to the Museum Gift Shop, we explored the Taming the Mountain West region. It’s on the left side of the Entrance Gate.
Our tour ended at the Schoolhouse Museum and Gift Shop. In front of the museum is the Children’s Garden.
Other things to see and to do at beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.
On the west end of the garden is the Education Center, which opened in July 2015. This facility provides visitors with several hands-on learning activities, an Alpine House, and the library.
Throughout the year, the garden hosts traveling exhibits displayed in the Education Center. During our visit, we saw the famous Patrick Dougherty’s Stickwork. We didn’t only get to see a photo collection of his stick sculptures and how he built them, but we could walk around and inside his “Summer Palace.” It was cool!
At the gardens, families and children can spend time together discovering the natural world through the self-guided activities themed to match the exhibits. They can work on a veggie garden and do a treasure hunt around the Gardens. Adults can do yoga, paint, and cook in the gardens.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens internship is also available. For more information on it, go to their website.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Gift Shop.
What’s unique about Schoolhouse Museum and Gift Shop is it is an original one-room schoolhouse built in 1922 and utilized until 1938. It was the third schoolhouse used in Vail Valley. Therefore it is also a small museum where visitors can see original relics like desks, chairs, chalkboards, and wood stoves.
You can find birdhouses, ceramic planter pots, candles, reed diffusers (handmade in Denver), toiletries, small garden tools, t-shirts, and many more at the gift shop. It is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day.
If you don’t have time to visit Betty Ford Alpine Garden Museum & Gift Shop, you can always stop at Betty Ford Alpine Treasures Village Gift Shop in downtown Vail. Its location is on International Bridge. All proceeds go directly back to supporting Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Winter.
Betty Ford Botanical Gardens is open every day from dawn to dusk. It means you can explore the gardens in the winter, too. Bring your snowshoes or rent them from the Education Center for $5.
You can do the self-guided tour or join the guided snowshoe tour. Discover the adaptations of plants and animals that survive in Vail’s freezing temperature and snow.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Parking.
- Ford Park Parking Lot – Parking and follow the stone path down to the Gardens. Fees may apply during events. There are 2 hours of free parking in the winter.
- Vail Village Parking Structure – Exit 176, head east on South Frontage Road (resort side.) Free in summer, fees apply after one hour in winter.
ADA Accessibility.
The Gardens is ADA accessible, but they do not have wheelchairs in the Gardens. ADA parking is available in Ford Park Parking Lot or across from the Ford Amphitheater on Betty Ford Way. Your placard in the car must be visible.
What to Wear.
Because of the topography of the gardens, you need to wear comfy footwear. We did a lot of hiking during this trip, so I only brought a pair of hiking shoes. I found it helpful.
Don’t let the nice weather fools you. The Gardens is on a high elevation where the sun shines brightly. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen, and wear a hat and sunglasses.
Last but not least, don’t forget your drinking water. You may find light refreshments and ice cream at the Schoolhouse Museum & Gift Shop during summertime.
For a winter visit, you can add snowshoes and proper outdoor winter clothing.
If only we had extra time to spend at this beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. We didn’t even get to stroll around town because the parking was full. A reason to come back, right?
Have you been to beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens? What do you think about it? Let me know by leaving your comments below.
If you haven’t been there, make sure you make a stop when in the area. A trip to the garden won’t take a lot of your time. The one-hour visit will turn into memorable happy times at the beautiful Betty Ford Alpine Gardens.
Address: 522 S. Frontage Rd. E, Vail, CO 81657
Hours: Open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year (snowshoes available in winter).
What a charming little garden. I’ve never been to Vail, but this garden looks like you are in a small village in Europe 🙂 I’ll have to stop by if I’m ever in the area.
Well, Vail village is built like a Bavarian village. So, I guess the gardens was built into it also.
Beautiful garden, ideal place to escape to from all this pandemic worries. I wish I could deep breathe in the atmosphere there now. Appreciate the concept of Education Center there that offers hands-on learning activities.
Wow, these gardens are just gorgeous! I actually really like the idea of it’s smaller size and being able to literally step from one theme to another so quickly. I think that would hold kids attention really well too. The stick art looked great and all the different activities on offer make it a worthwhile visit.
I was amazed by this garden. Small but lots to offer.
One of my favourite things to do while travelling is to seek out gardens or parks. It’s such a relaxing way to spend a few hours. This one is certainly what I would seek out if I ever get the chance to visit Colorado.
You will love this garden very much!
We do love to visit gardens when we are travelling. It certainly looks like the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens would be worth visiting if we are in Vail. Love that they have themed gardens. We would certainly check out the traveling exhibits.
Yes! You must visit Betty Ford Alpine Gardens when you are in Vail. It’s really beautiful! I thought we could stop there again last summer, but I think I have to wait until next summer.
As I get older I appreciate visiting gardens more and more. They’re nice little oases in cities, and a great way to break up a harried trip. From your photos, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are gorgeous and sound like a great way to while away an hour in Vail.
Yes, this garden is so pretty! We got to see flowers and plants that we don’t have here in Texas.
Love all the flowers and the little green museum!
Aren’t they beautiful?
Beautiful and fun. I wonder what this looks like in the winter. We try to head out that way every other year. I’ll check this lovely place out during our next visit.
I wonder how it looks like in the winter, too. Hey, maybe you can check it out during winter!
Oh my goodness!! This place is absolutely stunning! I am hoping to visit Colorado soon!
Isn’t it? I wish to stay longer, but I guess I have to visit Vail again. I hope you will make it to Colorado soon!
Such a beautiful place filled with color!
Thank you!
A botanical garden at an elevation of 8000+ ft is something incredible in itself. So nice that they have kept the entrance free. I love mountain blossoms so this defnitely interests me a lot. I love all the colorful blossoms in your pictures, and also the beautiful creek.
Thank you. I still want to go back and explore more of Vail in the summer.
How beautiful! I love visiting botanical gardens in different cities and I look forward to visiting this one at Colorado
I hope one day you will make it. It’s so pretty!
Never visited this place. Looks beautiful. Will definitely add it to my travel list. Thanks for sharing!!
You are welcome!
I love botanical gardens and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens must be quite a sight being that it is in the mountains of Vail. Colorado has much to discover, so thank you for introducing this place to me.
I’m glad you came across this post.
This garden and museum look very beautiful. Your pictures are gorgeous. Reminded me of the botanical garden that we visited recently.
Thank you.
I didn’t get to spend much time in Colorado when I went because it was one of the stops at the end of a road trip and I was exhausted. Hopefully I can go and spend several days there to really explore because this looks awesome!
I know that I will be back to Vail!
Those are some breathtaking pictures. Nature stuns us with its beauty only if we have the eyes to admire it. Loved your post about this garden you went to. I am yet to visit this part of the world which looks so mesmerizing.
Do come to USA! There are so much to see here.
I love Colorado, but I’ve never heard of this place! It sounds like an awesome adventure. Would love to visit one day
Seems like not too many people heard about this place. I guess because what came to people’s mind is Vail for skiing. So, it’s a winter destination.
The diversity of the flora here looks amazing. So many beautiful colours! Really enjoyed this article – I hope we can visit these gardens when we’re in the area.
I hope so, too. There are other things and activities to do in this area as well.
I’ll surely visit it once I am in Colorado. Tha ms for sharing this info.
I had a co-teacher who was from Colorado and she said it’s gorgeous. Looking at your pictures made me believe it is indeed gorgeous! I can’t wait to visit. 🙂
How neat! I hope you’ll get there soon!
Wow beautiful! I have only been to Vail during the winter for of course: skiing. This makes me wish I had gone this past summer to enjoy another reason! Looks completely breathtaking!
It was! They also open in winter but I don’t know what to expect. They do provided snow shoe for that time though.
Hi Umiko! I really enjoy your post. I love nature, and reading through your blog post just make me relax. It’s such a great view.
Aww.. thank you so much!
I love Colorado, but I’ve never heard of this place! It sounds like a delightful activity though. I love that they have different themes, with plants from all over the world!
I’ve never heard about this place before either. I’m glad we decided to make a stop in Vail.
I love the flowers. so many variety of flora all around. Its a dreamland
I’ve never been to Colorado, let alone the gardens, but they look really beautiful. We have gardens like this back in England but I guess I never really appreciated them until living amongst so much concrete here in Beijing!
It happens all the time. People don’t appreciated things around themselves until they moved somewhere and realized how they missed those things. I like nature, so I like seeing things like this.
These gardens look incredibly beautiful! Your pictures really bring the post to life, thank you for sharing
You are welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I didn’t know Vail was this beautiful! I don’t live far so I’ll have to visit and experience this for myself 🙂
You must since you don’t live that far.
The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens looks like a tranquil and beautiful place to enjoy a nice picnic! Definitely worth spending time here if ever in Vail!
You got it right! I even want to come back.
Betty Ford Alpine garden looks stunning beautiful filled with such colourful flora! It looks like it has its own charm and as you mentioned kind of soothing too to walk around such a place. I cant stop imagining how it would like during different seasons, must be a wonder to watch it…
Yes, I think they have their own charm every season. I want to experience it, too.
The garden looks incredibly beautiful. The perfect stop in a long road trip. Good to know itsbopen 365 days a weelk and they also provide snow boots. The mountain views, creeks & colorful flowers are just breathtaking!
You are right. A perfect stop in a long road trip.
Dear, this place is stunning! I can’t imagine the works of their gardeners, they are really good! Which of these flowers are your favorite?
I know, right? I like that purple pinkish one called fuchsia and there’s a blue one that I don’t recall the name of it, but I think it looks like a ballerina.
I love gardens. My father and I used to visit them when I was young, so they are always a special place to visit for me. This one looks simply beautiful, especially with the mountains surround. Thanks for the recommendation!
Aww… I used to visit gardens with our son, but now he’s 11 and we don’t really do it as often. I’m glad we found this garden on our way to Moab, Utah. I hope you will make it here one day with your children.
How lovely! We love to visit botanical gardens, and I would love to see the Summer Palace exhibit! We are always intrigued by places named after Betty Ford. She and her husband are both from my hometown.
That is so cool! Is there a museum, boyhood home, or something like that there?
I imagine this would be such a peaceful, and nourishing place to visit. Those alpine gardens are spectacular! So beautifully manicured and cared for too – especially the different themed gardens. I find being right amongst nature like this incredibly nourishing for the soul. I had never heard of these beautiful gardens before! They are stunning. Very pleasing to the eye! There’s an amazing pink and purple flower in one of your photos – what is this plant? It’s amazing!
That is fuchsia! Isn’t it amazing?
Although I’m not well versed with sights in and around Colorado this surely seems a winner. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Is filled with colours and wide variety of flora and fauna. There is a lot to learn as well have a great outing. Hope I can visit this place e some day. Thanks for sharing
I hope you can come here. Colorado is a beautiful state. Lots of things to do and see all around.
The Betty Ford Botanical Gardens in Vail look terrific! I really like the ability to walk through the palace – sounds awesome! I also tend to think as Vail as only a skiing destination but I’m glad to hear there’s more to do.
I know, right? Someone said she and her family like to explore ski town during summertime. I think that’s what I’m going to put in my list now.
Oh I loooove the sound of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, I am a huge huge fan of botanical gardens and love the idea of visiting the most elevated one in the world. What a great USP! I love the sound of the different garden areas and some lovely lovely planting!
I think it was our lucky day. I want to go back and stay longer, as well as visiting in the other seasons.
I love gardens and this looks like a great one to visit 🙂
It has been a long time since our last visit to a garden. I’m glad we decided to make a quick stop in Vail and found this gardens.
These gardens are so colourful and verdant! Just beautiful.
I know, right? It made visitors smile and happy to be there.
We plan to spend quite a bit of time in Colorado next summer. I can’t wait to check out Vail!
Do it! I want to go back again.
The flowers are stunning! I’ve always liked visiting ski resort towns during the summer–there’s often so much to do and it’s hopefully not as busy. This looks like a great place to stop!
I think because lots of places to see in the area so people didn’t gathered in one place. But not sure if it’s like that at other ski towns during summer.
I have never heard of the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens until I read this post. While you observed it is quite small, from everything you described here, as well as the lovely photos – it is clear it is well worth the time to visit. I particularly loved the care and detail to have created so many different themes within the garden. Aside from being so pleasing to look at, visitors would no doubt learn quite a lot about different species and habitats based from the various themes. What a neat find on the way through Vail.
Yeah, I just couldn’t believe it. I think that’s one good thing when ‘someone’ up there cares/cared about something and made/make it her/his mission to give back to the people. Like this gardens by the late Betty Ford.
I love Vail in the summertime! We haven’t been to the gardens, but maybe next visit!
I couldn’t believe myself for not going there earlier. I’ll be back. 🙂