Durango Botanic Gardens creates public gardens for demonstration, education, and inspiration. The Durango Botanic Gardens are an award-winning public garden dedicated to advancing best horticultural practices while also offering a peaceful, beautiful retreat for thousands of people. Located between the heavily used Animas River Trail and around the Durango Public Library, the Gardens are a favorite for both locals and out-of-town visitors.

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized to demonstrate sound horticultural practice and education as well as expand the horticultural palate of gardeners in La Plata County and beyond. Some plants, trees, and flora thrive here and others do not.

We are dedicated to sharing our learnings with the public so they can choose plants and trees that are proven winners and beneficial to our southwest Colorado location, which although beautiful and majestic, can also prove challenging to gardeners.

In 2024, we started building the Community Venue Garden—a vibrant gathering space that is set to be completed in 2025. This garden will feature a beautiful pergola for community events, three flourishing garden beds, and thoughtfully planted trees to add structure. It will also include opportunities for community members to contribute through donations, highlighted by stone benches and inspiring art panels that celebrate creativity and connection.