Take a Walk on the Wild Side: Native Plant Walk

Join a Staff member at the Education Center and discover the diverse native plants along Gore Creek and throughout the Gardens. Be prepared to walk off pavement.

Sign up here to reserve your spot in advance, tours can sell out. Please allow time to arrive.

How to get here: Parking is available at Ford Park parking lot or Vail Village parking structure. If traveling by free in-town bus; Golden Peak bus stop, walk across the street, through Manor Vail Lodge breezeway into Ford Park. Or take the Orange, Blue or Yellow routes to Ford Park bus stop and walk past tennis courts into the Gardens. To walk from the Village, take South Frontage Road to Ford Park, just east of The Wren condominiums or take the path alongside Gore Creek to Ford Park called Betty Ford Way. Click HERE for more information on directions and your visit.

Guided Garden Tour

Begining at the Education Center, this tour winds through the beautiful gardens ending at the quaint Schoolhouse Gift Shop in the Children’s Garden. Learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, rare collections, identification, and the history of the Gardens and Vail.

Sign up here to reserve your spot in advance, tours can sell out. Please allow time to arrive.

How to get here: Parking is available at Ford Park parking lot or Vail Village parking structure. If traveling by free in-town bus; Golden Peak bus stop, walk across the street, through Manor Vail Lodge breezeway into Ford Park. Or take the Orange, Blue or Yellow routes to Ford Park bus stop and walk past tennis courts into the Gardens. To walk from the Village, take South Frontage Road to Ford Park, just east of The Wren condominiums or take the path alongside Gore Creek to Ford Park called Betty Ford Way. Click HERE for more information on directions and your visit.

Self-Guided Snowshoe

Explore the winter wonderland of the Gardens at your own pace and discover the adaptations of plants and animals that allow them to survive in Vail’s freezing temperatures and snow.

Bring your own snowshoes or rent a pair with poles from the Education Center for $5.

Guided Snowshoe: Tree Trail

Snowshoe on garden trails with a naturalist from Betty Ford Alpine Gardens. This beginner guided tour turns your eyes up to the trees and their importance in the mountain ecosystem. Explore the local environment and discover alpine plant and animal adaptations. Warm up afterward in the Education Center and enjoy our permanent and rotating exhibits. Advance registration required to guarantee your spot. Includes snowshoe and pole rental.

Tour groups will be limited to 10 people. Meet your guide at the Education Center.

Parking:
Ford Park Parking Lot -2 hours free
Vail Village Parking Structure -1 hour free
In-town bus: Orange, Blue or Yellow to Ford Park or Golden Peak bus stops

Tips to prepare for your snowshoe:

  • Check the weather report and wear appropriate clothing for the conditions
  • Consider wearing base layers, warm socks, waterproof insulated boots, gloves, hat, snow or weatherproof pants
  • Bring a water bottle
  • Plan where you are going to park or which bus you will take. Allow time to walk to the Education Center in Ford Park.
  • No need to print out your ticket, we have a list of RSVP’s

Ticket Policy:
All ticket sales are final
No refunds
No exchanges

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