Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado, sits at about 8,200 feet in the Rocky Mountains and is recognized as one of the world’s highest botanical gardens. Founded in 1985 by horticulturists from Vail and Denver, it was developed in stages with specialized garden areas added from 1987 through 1999 and named for former first lady Betty Ford in 1988. Its mission centers on protecting the alpine environment through education, conservation, and living plant collections. With about 2,000 plant varieties, including more than 500 kinds of wildflowers and alpine species, it also serves the public year-round through exhibits, programs, and alpine plant conservation work.

Vail, Colorado · United States