Betty Ford Alpine Gardens: a free walk through alpine plants at 8,200 feet

Tucked into Ford Park, next to the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens sit at 8,200 feet at the foot of the Gore Range. The garden calls itself the highest-elevation botanical garden in North America, and Discover Vail goes further, describing it as the world’s highest. Either way, it is a rare thing: a place built to show off the small, tough plants that actually thrive this high up.

The outdoor gardens are open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk, and admission is free. There is a suggested $20 donation if you want to leave one, but no gate and no ticket. Winding paths link several areas, including a perennial garden, a meditation garden, a rock garden, and a children’s garden, with more than 3,000 plant species across the collection. It is an easy, low-key stroll rather than a hike, which makes it friendly for families, grandparents, and anyone wanting beauty without a big climb.

It pairs naturally with whatever else is happening in Ford Park, from a show at the amphitheater to a picnic on the grass. Hours for the on-site education center and current programs can shift by season, so check the garden’s official site before you go: bettyfordalpinegardens.org.