The Durango Botanic Gardens consist of a series of public gardens, free and open to the public, that include the Library Demonstration Garden, The Crevice Gardens Along the Trail, and the Arboreta Along the Trail. The Arboreta includes the Miniature Conifer and Wind Garden, the Cindy Smart Miniature Tree Garden, and the Arboretum (larger tree specimens). Also note the contributions of two allied organizations, the Mountain Thyme Herb Society’s Working Sundial and Thyme Garden as well as the Rosie the Riveter Rose Garden.

Our gardens are designed, developed, and maintained by the Durango Botanic Gardens, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized for the purpose of demonstrating sound horticultural practice and education as well as expanding 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 gardening.

We are continually evolving. We dedicated the Literary Garden in 2023 and have begun design and planning work on our new big garden project, the Community Venue Garden, to the northwest of the library.