Yampa River Botanic Park

Botanic Park Map - Click to enlarge

Penstemons, lilies and daisies grow well at 6800 ft

Music on the Green

The Yampa River Botanic Park has released their new website at http://www.yampariverbotanicpark.org !

At the Botanic Park you can see the great variety of plants, trees and shrubs that grow at altitude in the mountains. Admission is free. Flowering comes to a peak in June and July, but there’s always something interesting to see. Proximity to the River brings many birds that have flown North to nest.

Find the latest information in our Fall 2011 YRBP Newsletter!

Hours of Operation:

The Park is open dawn to dusk every day from May 1 to October 30.email us!

Contacts:

• Supervisor's cell phone (970) 846-5172 (Gayle Lehman)
• Office (Parks & Recreation Dept) (970) 879-4300
• Email botanicpark@resortbroadband.com

How to Find Us:
(click on map to see larger view)

By Car: on US 40, between Old Town Hot Springs and Sundance Plaza, turn West at the traffic signal onto Trafalger Drive and follow the signs.

On foot or bike: On the Yampa River Trail, between Emerald Park ballfields and the mobile home park a gate leads into the Park.

The Park is 5 acres and has over 40 gardens, many of them sponsored by the public. The grounds are ‘sculpted’ with earthen berms and rocks to provide different exposures to the elements and varied conditions. Some 500 trees are now maturing. Sculptures are scattered through the gardens. Off the main circular path, smaller trails wander through and between the gardens. “Trillium House” contains restrooms, an office and public space for meetings and a library. The Park was built with private funds and opened to the public in 1997.

The Environment. The Park sits at an altitude of 6,800 ft in the valley of the Yampa River. It experiences 6 months of winter, 20 feet of snow that stays all winter and temperatures that drop below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation averages a little over 20 inches and almost all of it occurs in the form of winter snow. High altitude gardening in these conditions is a challenge.

Events. “Social Gardening” is at 9am Wednesdays and is open to all who want to meet others or participate in gardening. The Park hosts ‘Music on the Green’, presented by Strings Music Festival, a classical and popular music series from 12:15 to 1pm Thursdays from late June to mid-August. Other events are advertised locally. Weddings are on the Green many weekends. The Green, Trillium House and the log-seat amphitheater are available for parties, meetings, weddings and classes. Call 970-879-4300 or email us.

Management. The Park is operated by the Yampa River Botanic Park Association, a volunteer body that funds the Park by public subscriptions and manages it for the City. The Park is on 5 acres donated to the City for the purpose. The Park is managed by the Board through a Supervisor and seasonal staff, with help from many volunteer workers.

Denver Botanic Gardens

For information on rentals see our Facilities Rental Page