Botanical gardens, many of which are public gardens, offer a peaceful and rejuvenating opportunity to spend a day in a nature-filled oasis, and Colorado has no shortage of them. These spaces are full of greenery, endless varieties of plant life and species, and typically include educational experiences and unique conservation projects. They’re full of walking trails, offer holiday events, and are ideal for those in search for some stress relief and fresh air. If you’re in the Colorado region and looking for an immaculate green space, head straight to the Denver Botanic Gardens. It is the most well-known botanical garden in Colorado, hosting rave reviews from visitors and ranking number 1 on Tripadvisor’s list of botanical gardens in Colorado. It’s also ranked as the best thing to do in Denver by U.S. News. If you plan to explore the best of Colorado on a road trip in 2026, don’t miss this wonderful way to take a break.
The gardens have two locations: one in downtown Denver on York Street, the other in Littleton, about a 35-minute drive south of the York Street location. Hours vary by day, but the gardens are typically open in the morning and close between 5 and 8 p.m. It closes for special events or maintenance, so stay tuned with the website’s early closures page. Admission is around $18 for York Street, and $14 for Littleton.
Gardens, gardens, and more gardens
The York Street gardens span 24 acres and provide access to a wide variety of gardens and collections of flora, many showcasing the unique high-altitude plants that thrive in Colorado’s climate and geography. You’ll also see a range of plants from around the globe among the more than 50 unique garden collections. Some 18 gardens specifically showcase plants that thrive in Colorado, like the Cactus and Succulent House that displays 20 different families in a charming glass house. The Gates Montane Garden was the York Street location’s very first garden, and it exhibits Colorado’s high altitude forest. If the timing is right, you’ll catch quaking aspens.
There are international gardens inspired by countries like China, Japan, and the tropics. The Bill Hosokawa Bonsai Pavilion and Tea Garden displays a charming visual of trees kept in a mini size, including Rocky Mountain tree species. There are shady gardens, ornamental gardens, and water gardens, like the Monet Pool, home to gorgeous tropical water lilies…