At 8200’ the Betty Ford Alpine Garden is the highest public botanic garden in North America, and perhaps the world.  Construction of the large Alpine Rock Garden began in 1998 and the garden was dedicated in 2000. 

It was designed by Marty Jones of Colorado Alpines in Edwards, CO, and 1200 tons of rock was brought in to build the garden, including large granite and sandstone boulders from Colorado.  Approximately 3000 alpine and native plants are found in the various areas which emphasize diverse ecosystems, including the Rocky Mountain Alpine Garden, Bog Garden, Saxifrage Garden, Dry Montane Garden, International Alpine Crevice Garden, Mountain Conifer Borders, Alpine Pools, and Aspen Grove.  

Throughout the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens there are four water features, including 3 waterfalls with ponds and streams, the largest waterfall cascading down through the center of the Alpine Rock Garden.  The Alpine Rock Garden is the most dramatic of the gardens at Betty Ford, with the International Crevice Garden having the best concentration of alpine and rock garden plants.  The Alpine Rock Garden holds the National Colorado Alpine Collection through the North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC), as well as nationally significant collections of gentian and Penstemon. The garden is overseen by Nicola Ripley, Executive Director.