Betty Ford Alpine GardensBetty Ford Alpine GardensBetty Ford Alpine Gardens
Located next to the Gardens & Gore Creek in Ford Park, the Education Center is the best place to start your visit. Discover & learn about the alpine environment and its tough plants through informational displays, drop-in activities and a state-of-the-art alpine house featuring plants from around the world.
Open year round and provides an educational experience for guests of all ages. Spanish translation available.
From the tiniest ant to the tallest tree, every living thing plays a role, and this exhibit helps highlight the delicate balance of nature and how it’s threatened by deforestation, pollution, and climate change. Ideal for young explorers, families, and curious minds of all ages, “Habitat” offers an unforgettable opportunity to connect with nature and learn how we can all become better stewards of the environment.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens invites families and nature lovers of all ages to experience the beauty and importance of the natural world in the engaging exhibition “Habitat,” on display from June 2025 through April 2026. Developed by Smithsonian Gardens and presented by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), this nationally recognized exhibit explores the powerful message: protecting habitats protects life. Through interactive and family-friendly displays, and art, visitors will discover how plants, animals, fungi, insects, and even dead wood work together to create healthy ecosystems—and what we can do to protect them.
Visit the Gardens and the Education Center throughout the summer for the Habitat exhibition, family scavenger hunt, educational activities, and expert speaker events.
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is pleased to present this exhibit courtesy of member donations and DiscoverVail, one of our sponsors.
The Alpine House is a cold greenhouse which mimics our alpine environment. The House is monitored and regulated through highly sensitive temperature control and allows Betty Ford Alpine Gardens to house some of the rarest plants 365 days a year.
Please join us in the Education Center to discover the mountain ecosystem in winter.
Freezing temperatures and deep snow make winters in Vail challenging. Discover how animals have adapted to survive by following the clues! Children who complete the scavenger hunt get a special prize. The Scavenger Hunt starts at the Education Center, available every day from 10am to 3pm.
Visit our calendar of events for ways to explore and experience our gardens and participate in learning programs.