Colorado Public Rock Gardens - RMC NARGS - Rocky Mountain Chapter

Rocky Mountain Chapter - NARGS

Rock Gardens to Visit

There are many beautiful public rock gardens to visit in the Rocky Mountain region, some found in larger botanical gardens. Many are free to visit, other charge an entrance fee. Most gardens have volunteer opportunities where you can meet botanists and other rock garden experts. Volunteering is an excellent way to learn and make a contribution to the community.

The “Rock Gardens You Can Visit” content is provided from a flyer created during the North American Rock Garden Society(NARGS) — Steamboat Springs, CO 2016 conference. Information and photographs are compiled by Ann Frazier and Mike Kintgen along with support from NARGS and the staff / supporters of individual gardens.

Garden Name

City

Overview

1)Denver Botanic Gardens - Rock Alpine Garden

Denver

Size: Approximately 1 acre

Date Built: 1980 – 1981

Elevation: 5,300 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: Yes

2) Betty Ford Alpine Garden

Vail

Size: Approximately 1 acre

Date Built: 1998-1999

Elevation: 8200 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: Yes, Mondays and Thursdays from 9 am to 12 pm

3) The Gardens at Spring Creek

Fort Collins

Size: Approximately 1/2 acre

Date Built: 2009-2011

Elevation: 4,980 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: Yes

4) Colorado Springs Utilities Demonstration Garden

Colorado Springs

Size: Approximately 3000 sq. ft. among 3 rock gardens

Date Built: 2004 and 2011

Elevation: 6,440 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: Yes

5) Durango Botanic Gardens

Durango

Size: 280 ft. x 60 ft.

Date Built: 2011 (some ongoing projects)

Elevation: 6,510 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: Yes

6) Xeric Garden at the Mesa County Fairgrounds

Grand Junction

Size: 3,500 square feet
Date Built: 2000

Elevation: 4,800 feet

Volunteer opportunities: Yes, through the Chinle Cactus and Succulent Club.

7) Xeric Garden at the Western Colorado Botanic Gardens

Grand Junction

Size: 2,500 sq. ft.

Date Built: 2002

Elevation: 4,700 feet

Volunteer opportunities: Yes, through the Chinle Cactus and Succulent Club.

8) Rock Garden in the Montrose Botanic Garden

Montrose

Size: Xeric garden is 20,000 sq. ft., with a 7000 sq. ft. rock garden berm

Date Built: 2004-2005

Elevation: 5800 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: Yes, on Wednesdays from March through October.

9) The Gardens at Kendrick Lake

Lakewood

Size: Approx. 1 acre

Date Built: Phased development of beds in 2002, 2005, 2008

Elevation: 5700 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: No

10) Yampa River Botanic Park

Steamboat Springs

Size: 7800 sq. ft. over 4 rock gardens

Date Built: Phased development of gardens, starting in 1997 and continuing today

Elevation: 6800 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: Yes, on Wednesday mornings

11) Apex Crevice Garden

Arvada

Size: Approximately 1000 sq. ft.

Date Built: 2014-2015

Elevation: 5654 ft.

Volunteer opportunities: yes