Explore Programs & Events
Due to the generosity of our donors and community partners, most programs and events in the Park are free to attend!
Read below to learn more about the programs and events offered at the Yampa River Botanic Park. For information about specific event and program dates and times, please visit our calendar of events.
Programs
Our recurring programs provide community education opportunities and allow you to have a hands-on experience in our gardens.
Guided Walking Tour
Enjoy a free guided walking tour of the Yampa River Botanic Park led by Board members and Friends of the Botanic Park volunteers. Discover the history of the Botanic Park, explore the plants that flourish in the Yampa Valley and beyond, and learn what makes each garden unique.
Meet inside the main gate on the Botanic Walk.
For dates and times, browse our calendar of upcoming events.
Social Gardening
Are you ready to get your hands dirty? We are looking for gardening volunteers who are ready to spend time outdoors, make new friends, and keep the gardens looking their best!
Social Gardening is on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday during the season. Bring your gloves, sunscreen, and a smile! We’ll provide the dirt, tools, and any training you may need to spend the morning with us in the Botanic Park. Meet at the shed to sign in.
For dates and times, visit our calendar of upcoming events.
Meet the Gardener
Join Yampa River Botanic Park gardeners for Meet the Gardener, a community education series exploring a variety of plant and gardening topics. Participants will gather at the main entrance. From there, a member of the Park’s horticulture team will lead you to explore a new area of the Park and share their personal expertise. No registration is required, just come ready to learn, grow, and connect!
For dates, topics, and times, visit our calendar of upcoming events.
Bird Walks
Join professional wildlife biologist, Jeremiah Psiropoulos, for a free guided bird walk through the Botanic Park! Explore the gardens while learning to identify birds and discover the fascinating species that visit or live in the Yampa Valley. Bring sun protection, water, binoculars, and your camera if you’d like!
Jeremiah Psiropoulos is a professional wildlife biologist with 15 years of experience. After more than a decade with a federal land management agency, he decided to go into business for himself sharing his passion and enthusiasm for wildlife with others. Founded in 2025, Antigone Wildlife Tours offers trips in the Yampa Valley focusing on lekking grouse, Sandhill cranes, and other iconic species of Colorado.
For upcoming dates, visit our calendar of upcoming events.
Events
We host several events throughout the season that benefit the Botanic Park.
Passport Through the Botanic Park
Passport Through the Botanic Park is the Yampa River Botanic Park’s signature summer gala, where guests explore plant collections native to Colorado and similar environments worldwide while savoring global cuisine, fine wines, and captivating entertainment.
For more information on the event, please visit the page below.
Volunteer Orientation
Friends of the Botanic Park is a group of volunteers of the Yampa River Botanic Park who collectively help to sustain the gardens and the association by maintaining world-class display gardens, improve the visitor experience, and raise the funds needed to support the organization through fun and innovative programs and events.
Learn more about Friends of the Botanic Park and meet the staff, Park Board and other volunteers at Volunteer Orientation, which takes place each May. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to learn more about how you can become a Friend of the Botanic Park, please click below.
Spring Plant Sale
Get a start on your summer gardening each year by shopping the Botanic Park’s Spring Plant Sale, featuring perennials for the intermountain west including pollinator-friendly plants, natives, and other favorites!
Fall Bulb Benefit
The Yampa River Botanic Park hosts an annual Fall Bulb Benefit. The Benefit will feature a selection of unique bulbs that thrive in the Yampa Valley and were chosen for their form, color, fragrance, and hardiness. Varieties include daffodils, tulips, allium, fritillaria, colchicum, and more. Specialty varieties for holiday decorations and gifts will also be available!
Wellness
Refresh your body and mind in the serenity of our gardens.
Yoga on the Green
Yoga on the Green is every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 – 10 a.m., weather permitting. Practicing on The Green is unlike any class you’ve ever taken. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, delicate gardens, and a serene pond, you’ll find the peace and stillness is unmatched in the Botanic Park.
Bring a mat or towel, water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Please walk, bike, or carpool to yoga whenever possible as we have limited parking. If you drive, you must park in designated Botanic Park parking spaces. Overflow parking exists on Ski Town Way.
Guided Meditation
A unique opportunity to experience meditation in the garden with Andrea Abrahamson, Certified Instinctive Meditation® teacher, amongst the flowers and trees, listening to birds and experiencing the beauty of the outdoors. Come take a moment to pause in a busy world as you are guided through a meditation in the serene gardens.
Bring something comfortable to sit on, water, sunscreen and bug spray. If you enjoy writing or drawing bring a journal to write or draw in at the end of the meditation. Weather permitting. Donations appreciated.
Andrea Abrahamson is a certified Instinctive Meditation® teacher. She leads guided meditations as well as teaching one on one. She has found that meditation has helped her through difficult times. Mediation has let her get back to not only a balanced life but has led to an enhanced life. She loves to share how meditation can benefit everyone’s life whether you are a student, athlete, professional, parent or anyone else! For more information go to Meditation | Yarmony Mountain Art & Meditation
Sound Meditation
Relax, Restore, Rebalance.
Immerse yourself in the healing frequencies of crystal singing bowls, chimes, and other sacred instruments designed to calm the nervous system, release tension, and restore balance. No experience needed, just bring a mat, water bottle, blanket, and a pillow. Come as you are and allow the sounds to do the work.
Whether you’re seeking stress relief, better sleep, or deep relaxation, join us on The Green on Saturday evenings to reset your mind and body.
For more information and to meet your instructor, please visit The Land of M.
Qigong
Qigong is an ancient practice originating in China and is the foundation of the more widely known practice of Tai Chi. Qigong is often referred to as a moving meditation. Encompassing slow-flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and a calm meditative state of mind.
Qi (“vital energy”) and Gong (“skill cultivation”) opens the flow of energy in the meridians of the body as used in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Qigong enhances our ability to feel with the Life Force (Qi) underlying the physical world and to deepen our connection with it.
Qigong is best experienced outside in nature. It is primarily a standing practice yet can be done seated in a chair as well. No special props or special clothing required. You will practice under the guidance of Cheri Trousil.
Children & Families
Spark curiosity and joy with family-friendly activities.
Stories in the Garden
Stories in the Garden is every Friday at 10:30 a.m. Children ages 0 to 7, accompanied by a parent or caregiver, are invited to enjoy a fun and exciting story and activity. Storytime will feature a storyteller from the Bud Werner Memorial Library.
Each week will feature a different theme and a fun activity. Storytime will take place in the Children’s Garden featuring the Fairy House Garden Village. This is an outdoor program so please bring sunscreen, your hat, bug stray, and be prepared for a lot of fun!
Lulie Crawford’s Wildflowers and Watercolors
As a tribute to local pioneer artist Lulie Crawford, the Tread of Pioneers Museum shares the story of Lulie and her pioneering family, followed by watercolor instruction with professional artist Dona Steele of the Steamboat Art Museum. Then program participants paint their own wildflower watercolor masterpieces, just like Lulie!
The program is free and takes place at the Yampa River Botanic Park. Participants should meet at the large umbrella in the center of the park. All painting supplies are provided by the museum, and reservations are not required. Ages six and up with a caregiver onsite. No reservations required.
Fairy Garden House Contest
Each spring, children create fairy garden houses from all-natural materials to be entered into a contest and placed in the Fairy Garden for the season. Judging takes place immediately following the first Stories in the Garden of the season.
Entertainment
Enjoy unforgettable music and performances in our lush outdoor spaces.
Music on The Green
Yampa River Botanic Park is proud to partner with Strings once again to offer this free outdoor concert series. Music lovers of all ages are invited! With concerts lasting just 45 minutes, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a summer morning.
Check our calendar to see this summer’s lineup of artists!
Piknik Theatre
Piknik Theatre returns to the Yampa River Botanic Park this summer for performances on The Green. Bring your chairs, picnic baskets, and the entire family for this fun and free evening of lively entertainment!