Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is a botanical garden in Vail containing thousands of plant species, including wildflowers and alpine varieties. The space is organized into multiple sections, each displaying different plants and ecosystems adapted to mountain conditions.

The gardens were established in the 1980s to showcase the plant diversity of the Rocky Mountains. The site received its current name to honor a prominent American public figure.

The gardens showcase how mountain plants support life in high-altitude environments, with seasonal programs that help visitors understand alpine ecosystems. People come here to learn why these species matter to the Rocky Mountain region and how they adapt to harsh conditions.

The gardens are easy to reach and open from sunrise to sunset without requiring an entrance fee. Visitors should bring layers for mountain weather and allow enough time to explore all sections comfortably.

The gardens sit at an extreme elevation where most plants cannot normally survive, yet they thrive here. This makes it a remarkable place to see how hardy alpine plants truly are.