Explore Programs & Events
Thanks 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 specific dates and times, please visit our calendar of events.
Programs
Our recurring programs provide opportunities for education, hands-on experience, and connection.
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.
Social Gardening
Are you ready to get your hands dirty? Spend time outdoors, meet new friends, and play a hands-on role in maintaining the beauty of the gardens.
Social Gardening runs from 9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday during the season, weather dependent. Tools are provided but you are welcome to bring your own. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. Registration is not required, simply meet at the shed to sign in.
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. Registration is not required.
Bird Walks
June 22 and July 20, 2026
Join professional wildlife biologist, Jeremiah Psiropoulos, for a free guided bird walk through the Botanic Park and surrounding areas. Explore the Park 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.
Events
We host several signature events throughout the season that benefit the Botanic Park.
Passport Through the Botanic Park
July 18, 2026
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
May 14, 2026
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.
Find out which role is right for you, meet returning and new volunteers, and get to know Botanic Park staff and board members. For a list of volunteer opportunities and to learn more about becoming a Friend of the Botanic Park, please click below to visit our volunteer page.
Spring Plant Sale
June 12 and 13, 2026
Get a start on your summer gardening each year by shopping the Botanic Park’s annual Spring Plant Sale!
With the Yampa Valley being under Stage 2 water restrictions, we will not be selling new plants at this year’s plant sale to be mindful of water use. Instead, we will offer transplants dug from throughout the Park, including potentilla, lavender, iris, daylilies, and more. These established, proven plants from the Botanic Park will acclimate quickly in your home garden and require less water than newly planted varieties.
Fall Bulb Benefit
September 17 and 18, 2026
The Yampa River Botanic Park’s annual Fall Bulb Benefit features 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. Take a moment to pause in a busy world as you are guided through a meditation in the serene gardens. In this vibrant and nurturing space, you will discover that meditating in community strengthens your own meditation practice.
To make yourself comfortable while we are together, bring something to sit on, a towel, blanket, or mat. If you enjoy writing or drawing, bring a journal to write or draw in at the end of the meditation. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated.
Andrea 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!
Sound Meditation
Relax, Restore, Rebalance. Guided by M.
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. Bring a mat, water bottle, blanket, and a pillow. Come as you are and allow the sounds to do the work.
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. during the summer. 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. This is an outdoor program so please bring sunscreen, your hat, bug spray, 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!
This 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. For ages six and up with a caregiver onsite.
Fairy Garden House Contest
June 12, 2026
Each spring, children create fairy garden houses from all-natural materials to be entered into a contest and placed in Fairy Garden Village for the season. Judging takes place immediately following the first Stories in the Garden. Contest rules, guidelines, and the submission form can be found on the event listing, here.
Entertainment
Enjoy unforgettable music and performances in our lush outdoor spaces.
Music on the Green
Wednesdays, June 24 – August 12, 2026
Yampa River Botanic Park is proud to partner with Strings Music Festival 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.
Stay tuned for this summer’s lineup of artists!