The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is the world’s highest botanical garden, situated at the foot of Vail Mountain in the Colorado Rockies, in gorgeous Vail Valley. The Garden rests at an altitude of 8,200 feet (2,500 m) and is named in honor of former First Lady Betty, the wife of President Gerald Ford. The Fords had a home in Vail as the President was an avid skier, and both were very active in the Vail community. Ford Park consists of this alpine garden, a fairly large amphitheater complex, a children’s play area and a large grass field for soccer and such. As you’d expect, these attractions are very popular in the warm Rocky Mountain summers.
While it’s currently likely under a blanket of snow, the Alpine Gardens provide brilliant summertime displays of high elevation (alpine and subalpine) mountain flowers. They were founded in 1985, with subsequent expansion to include an Alpine Garden, Meditation Garden, Mountain Perennial Garden and a Rock Garden (which features a 120 ft waterfall). To understand the layout of the garden, please refer to a map of the garden found at this link. The Garden is free to all when it is open from the Memorial to Labor Day holidays.
The Ford Alpine Gardens offers numerous summertime educational programs, especially for children but also adults. There are tours of the garden, mountain hikes, morning bird walks, classes (including painting, drawing, photography, yoga, fly-fishing and gardening lessons) and exhibits. Cooking demonstrations from Vail’s excellent chefs are popular. The gift shop is a charming old one room schoolhouse and is worth visiting.
These photos were taken in early September, before the garden had been touched by frost. My wife and I had a very nice 2 hour visit in the garden.
Does winter arrive early in these gardens ?
Is that due to the elevation?
Does it remain cool in the Summer too ?
I’m thinking of the likes of Mexico City where it should be tropical but its elevation keeps it cool all year.
Lovely photos of the Flora and Gardens.
Was it really that empty ?
Thanks for the comments, Garry. Yes, winter arrives early because of the very high altitude. Over a mile and a half above sea level. Summers are very nice — warm (75-80F) dry pleasant days (no humidity to speak off), and it always cools down nicely at night, so most places don’t even have air conditioning.
It really was that empty. No more than 6 folks in the garden including my wife and I, and of course not counting the hundreds of birds flying about.