A world-class 24-acre urban botanical garden featuring over 45,000 plants from around the world and a special focus on plants of the Rocky Mountain region. The gardens host major summer concerts and art installations, and the York Street location is a Denver cultural gem.
Denver Botanic Gardens, established in 1951 and located on York Street in the Cheesman Park neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, encompasses 24 acres of cultivated garden space featuring over 45,000 plants representing nearly 15,000 species from the world's ecosystems. The gardens' particular strength lies in plants adapted to intermountain and semi-arid western climates — the Rock Alpine Garden and the Water-Smart Garden showcase ornamental species suited to Colorado's distinct growing conditions alongside specimens from analogous environments in Central Asia, the Andean highlands, and South Africa's fynbos biome.
The Japanese Garden, designed by Denver architect David Muran and completed in 1979, occupies a densely planted corner of the grounds featuring a central koi pond, stone lanterns, and carefully arranged plantings of Japanese maples, cherry trees, and irises coordinated for seasonal display. The Monet Garden recreates the essential plantings of Claude Monet's famous garden at Giverny, including the iris-bordered central path and wisteria-draped pergolas. Both gardens are most photogenic in spring when flowering trees and bulbs are at peak.
Tropical conservatories house species from the world's warm zones that cannot survive Denver winters outdoors. The Tropical Conservatory and the Boettcher Memorial Center maintain appropriate temperature and humidity year-round. A seasonal butterfly pavilion operates in summer, housing hundreds of free-flying tropical butterfly species in an enclosed warm environment.
The gardens' Chatfield Farms satellite location, 15 miles south of York Street in Jefferson County, encompasses 700 acres of farm, wetland, and native plant habitat along Chatfield Reservoir. The farm includes heritage livestock, working vegetable gardens, and a separate events schedule.
The York Street campus hosts Concerts in the Gardens on Thursday and Saturday evenings from mid-June through mid-August, with nationally touring artists across folk, jazz, Latin, and world music genres. Concerts routinely sell out; tickets open months in advance through the gardens' official ticketing system. The popular summer concert series has become one of Denver's most beloved warm-weather traditions, drawing visitors who combine a garden stroll with an evening performance.
Good to know
- Hours
- 9AM-5PM daily (9PM on concert nights)
- Best time
- Morning
- Best for
- nature lovers, families, music fans, garden enthusiasts
Location
1007 York St, Denver, CO 80206
39.7316, -104.9614 View on map
Highlights
- Rock Alpine Garden and Water-Smart Garden — North America's leading collection of intermountain and semi-arid climate plants
- Japanese Garden with koi pond, stone lanterns, maples, and cherry trees — peak bloom in late April and early May
- Tropical conservatories with year-round warm-zone plants and a seasonal butterfly pavilion in summer
- Concerts in the Gardens — outdoor summer music series Thursday and Saturday evenings, June through August
- Chatfield Farms satellite — 700 acres of farm, wetland, and native habitat 15 miles south of the main campus
Tips for visiting
- Free admission in December-January winter months
- Summer concert series (Concerts in the Gardens) sells out fast
- Japanese and water-wise Colorado plant collections are highlights
When to visit
Weekday mornings from 9 AM to noon offer the quietest garden experience and the best light for photography before midday. Late April through mid-May brings the Japanese Garden's cherry and maple bloom peak alongside spring bulbs throughout the grounds — the most photographed season. Concert evenings Thursday and Saturday in summer fill the gardens with visitors; arrive well before the 5:30 PM concert opening if combining a garden visit with a performance.
Accessibility
Denver Botanic Gardens is largely accessible with paved paths through most of the main outdoor garden areas. Wheelchair loan is available at the main entrance on York Street at no charge. Some garden sections involve uneven stone or gravel paths. The conservatory buildings are fully accessible. Accessible parking is available in the main lot on York Street; the lot is often full on weekends, with overflow parking several blocks away.
Frequently asked questions
Are there days when admission to Denver Botanic Gardens is free or reduced?
The gardens offer reduced or free admission on select community days throughout the year, including free evening admission during winter holiday lighting displays. Details and specific discount days are published on the gardens' official ticketing page. Members of Denver Botanic Gardens receive unlimited free admission to both the York Street and Chatfield Farms locations.
How long does a visit to the main York Street campus take?
A comfortable walk through the main garden areas takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Visitors who also spend time in the conservatories, Tropical Conservatory, and butterfly pavilion should plan 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Concert-night visits extend the experience into the evening.
When is the best season to visit for peak blooms?
Late April through May offers spring bulbs, cherry blossoms in the Japanese Garden, and iris displays. June and July bring the main perennial and rose garden peak. The gardens maintain significant interest year-round through conservatory plants and winter holiday displays, but spring and early summer are the most visually spectacular outdoor periods.