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
2 events,
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 […]
“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 […]
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 […]
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,
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,
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,
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,
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 […]
4 events,
Use Your Garden to Grow Your Garden: seed scouting, collecting, and cleaning
Use Your Garden to Grow Your Garden: seed scouting, collecting, and cleaning
Learn techniques to scout, collect, and clean seeds. Meet at the North entrance of the Gardens. This workshop is sold out.
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,
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 […]
4 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 […]
Evening Speaker Series Webinar: Dr. Chris Ray, CU Boulder, “The American Pika: Climatic Influences on Distribution Throughout Western North America”
Evening Speaker Series Webinar: Dr. Chris Ray, CU Boulder, “The American Pika: Climatic Influences on Distribution Throughout Western North America”
Chris studies and models the dynamics of plant and animal populations, focusing especially on threatened species with fragmented populations. Her long-term project involves research on the American Pika, a species […]
3 events,
Helen Fritch Day
Helen Fritch Day
Join Gardens staff for a day in celebration of Helen Fritch, our founder. This afternoon open house will include free tours and seed cleaning demonstrations. RSVP here!