Betty Ford Alpine Gardens

Vail, Colorado, United States

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The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado, founded in 1985 and named in honor of former First Lady Betty Ford in 1988, is the highest elevation botanical garden in North America, situated at 8,200 feet in the Rocky Mountains.

It was created through the collaboration of local horticulturists and residents who wanted to showcase alpine plants adapted to high altitudes. The gardens cover four distinct sections including the Mountain Perennial Garden, Mountain Meditation Garden, Alpine Rock Garden featuring a 120-foot waterfall, and the Children's Garden.

Home to over 3,000 species, many native to the Rocky Mountains and other alpine regions worldwide, the gardens emphasize alpine horticulture, conservation, and education. The site hosts educational workshops, guided tours, seasonal exhibits, and special programs like butterfly releases for local school children.

Betty Ford's personal connection to gardening is reflected in the mission and character of the gardens, which attract over 120,000 visitors annually and serve as both a sanctuary for alpine plants and a community resource fostering environmental awareness.