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Garden
enthusiasts who visit the Steamboat Springs area should be sure to drop by
the Yampa River Botanic Park. This
lush six-acre site features ponds, colorful annuals and perennials,
numerous evergreen and deciduous trees and delightful sculptures.
Typical of botanic gardens, the park consists of several garden
areas, each with a unique theme. You’ll
find a Butterfly Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Rock Garden, Rose Garden,
Pioneer Garden, Edible Native Plants Garden, Water-Wise Garden and many
more. Emphasis is given to
native plants of the Yampa River Basin.
Plants are identified with informative, color-coded labels that dot
the grounds without being a distraction.
Nestled
beside the Yampa River in a valley, the botanic park’s altitude is 6,800
feet. Cold air that flows
onto the floor of the valley limits the frost-free season to only 60 days
annually on average. Additional
challenges to plants include the dry summers, intense sunlight and cold,
snowy winters. In spite of these conditions, this beautiful mountain garden thrives.
Yampa
River Botanic Park is open free of charge from dawn to dusk May 1 through
Oct. 31. It is located off US 40 in Steamboat Springs.
Turn west onto Tralfager Lane.
Turn left onto Pamela Lane and drive to the far end of the parking
lot. You will find a pathway
that leads to the entrance of the garden.
Phone:
970-879-4300
Website:
http://steamboatsprings.net/departments/parks_recreation/parks/botanical_park
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