Plan Your Visit
522 S Frontage Road East
Vail, CO 81657
ADA Accessibility:
The Gardens is ADA accessible; we do not have wheelchairs available. ADA parking is available in Ford Park Parking Lot or across from the Ford Amphitheater on Betty Ford Way with placard visible.
Directions:
The Gardens | located in Ford Park, next to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, below Ford Park soccer and softball fields and across the creek from Manor Vail Lodge.
Education Center | located to the west of the Gardens, past the Ford Park playground
From Vail Village parking structure, it is a 5-10 minute walk or bus ride east.
Walk: along South Frontage Road to Ford Park, just past The Wren. OR take the path along Gore Creek
Bus stops: Golden Peak, walk across street, through Manor Vail Lodge to Ford Park
Ford Park, walk down into the park
Parking:
Vail Village Parking Structure: Exit 176 on South Frontage Road. Free in summer, fees apply after two hours in winter. The Gardens are located to the east of here.
Ford Park Parking Lot: SUMMER ONLY. Park and follow the stone path down to the Gardens. Fees may apply
In-town bus information
Regional Eagle County bus information
WHAT TO BRING
Wear Comfy Footwear
Bring a
Hat
Wear
Sunglasses
Don’t Forget
Sunscreen (SPF)
Bring Drinking
Water
REFRESHMENTS?
In the summer, light refreshments and ice cream are available at the
Schoolhouse Museum & Gift Shop.
The Gardens are also located within walking distance to local restaurants.
Gardens Calendar
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
1 event,
Colorado Botanist Explorers outdoor exhibit
2020 is the 200th anniversary of the Long Expedition, the first scientific exploration of Colorado that included botanist Edwin James. He, and those that followed, opened up the stunning world […]
3 events,
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through four-acres of beautiful gardens . You’ll learn about alpine flora and mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your […]
3 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
2 events,
3 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
2 events,
Family Guided Activities
Family Guided Activities
Children and families will get to do hands-on learning and discover the great outdoors around us! Tickets are $10 per child & up to four family members can participate. Activities […]
3 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
2 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
3 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
2 events,
Family Guided Activities
Family Guided Activities
Children and families will get to do hands-on learning and discover the great outdoors around us! Up to four family members can participate. Activities are best suited to children ages […]
2 events,
Family Guided Activities
Family Guided Activities
Children and families will get to do hands-on learning and discover the great outdoors around us! Up to four family members can participate. Activities are best suited to children ages […]
4 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Chefs in the Gardens: Chef Paul Ferzacca
Chefs in the Gardens: Chef Paul Ferzacca
Chef Paul Ferzacca of La Tour in Vail will Kick off our four-part series of cooking demonstrations featuring some of the valley's most celebrated chefs, designed to inform and delight […]
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
2 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
3 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
3 events,
“Alpines: Conquerors of the Cold” Visitor Center Exhibit
The harsh alpine ecosystem is too brutal for trees to live. Explore intimate photographic portraits of survivors, from lichens to pikas, that have evolved strategies to endure in the world's […]
Family Guided Activities
Family Guided Activities
Children and families will get to do hands-on learning and discover the great outdoors around us! Up to four family members can participate. Activities are best suited to children ages […]
3 events,
Family Guided Activities
Family Guided Activities
Children and families will get to do hands-on learning and discover the great outdoors around us! Up to four family members can participate. Activities are best suited to children ages […]
6 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Chefs in the Garden: Chef Simone Riatti of La Nonna
Chefs in the Garden: Chef Simone Riatti of La Nonna
Chef Simone of La Nonna will be our guest as part of the four-part series of cooking demonstrations featuring some of the valley's most celebrated chefs, designed to inform and […]
3 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
4 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Volunteer Gardening
Volunteer Gardening
Join us in the Gardens for an informal work session and to help us keep the Gardens blooming. Tools, gloves and instruction provided. Bring water, hat and dress appropriately. Gardeners […]
3 events,
Family Guided Activities
Family Guided Activities
Children and families will get to do hands-on learning and discover the great outdoors around us! Up to four family members can participate. Activities are best suited to children ages […]
3 events,
Family Guided Activities
Family Guided Activities
Children and families will get to do hands-on learning and discover the great outdoors around us! Up to four family members can participate. Activities are best suited to children ages […]
5 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]
Chefs in the Garden: Chef Richard Bailey
Chefs in the Garden: Chef Richard Bailey
Chef Richard Bailey will be our guest in the four-part series of cooking demonstrations featuring some of the valley's most celebrated chefs, designed to inform and delight audiences. Space is […]
3 events,
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
The tour winds through the four-acres of beautiful gardens. You’ll learn about alpine flora, mountain environments, identification, and the history of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and Vail. Meet your Garden […]