We can't wait to welcome you to The Gardens on Spring Creek!
Explore our FAQs to help you plan your visit.
What does it cost to get in?
Admission includes entry to the Butterfly House.
Winter Rates:
Do you offer a group rate?
Yes! Groups of 10 more are eligible for special pricing. Rates include $2 off admission per person. Payment for groups must be made through one method (e.g. one check or one credit card number).
If your group wants to reserve space, is interested in a tour, or is a majority children, please call Guest Services at 970.416.2486 at least one week in advance.
I have recently had a hardship and can no longer afford to visit The Gardens. Can you help?
Yes, our Gardens for All program can help. We do not want any limits to hinder your ability to visit.
Does my membership at another garden get me in free to the Gardens on Spring Creek?
As members of the American Horticultural Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program,The Gardens on Spring Creek extends two free general admission tickets to other AHS participating program members.
What are your hours?
The Gardens on Spring Creek is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the winter months (November through February). The last paid entry to The Gardens is at 3:30 p.m. While walk-in admissions are accepted, we recommend reserving your tickets in advance.
Admission to the Gardens includes entry to our Butterfly House. Timed entry is scheduled approximately every 15 minutes within each hour on a first-come, first-served basis.
What is your holiday schedule?
The Gardens on Spring Creek does not follow the City of Fort Collins holiday schedule in an effort to provide as much access to the community as possible. Our limited holiday closures include:
2024 Early Closures
The Gardens will close at 3 p.m. on the following dates (unless otherwise noted):
Do you have a wheelchair available?
Yes, we have one wheelchair available for use on site on a first-come, first-served basis. The main interior loop in The Gardens is a concrete pathway and is about 0.55 mile. This pathway is wheelchair accessible. All other pathways are graded appropriately for strollers and power mobility equipment. Learn more about site accessibility.
Onsite Parking: Free parking is included in the lot off Centre Avenue. Overflow parking is also available for special events.
Bicycle Transportation: Bike gates are available in front of the Visitor Center for general Gardens admission. During summertime special events, the gate off Spring Creek Trail is open with a larger amount of bike parking.
Is there trail access or bike access through The Gardens?
No, you can not use The Gardens as a bike-thru route for the trail. The Spring Creek Trail is easily accessible to the north of our site, but bicycles, skateboards, roller skates and scooters are not permitted within The Gardens.
Public Transportation: The Gardens on Spring Creek is located just adjacent to a bus stop and the MAX line. The Gardens is also a direct stop off the Spring Creek Trail.
Are dogs allowed at The Gardens?
No, dogs are not allowed in The Gardens. Only service animals are permitted at The Gardens. Service animals must be restrained and must remain with the owner. If a service animal interferes with other guests, corrective action may include rearranging seating or removal of the service animal from the amphitheater. Emotional support animals, comfort animals and therapy dogs are not service animals as defined by the 2010 ADA Guidelines and are not allowed at The Gardens.
Only Service animals are allowed at The Gardens on Spring Creek and inside the Butterfly House.
Non-service and emotional support animals are prohibited from entering.
Service Animal* Definition
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Colorado law define a service animal as a dog that is individually trained to perform tasks or do work for the benefit of a person with a disability. Service-trained miniature horses are the only animals aside from dogs that qualify as service animals.
Upon entering The Gardens, you may be asked these two questions, per ADA and Colorado law:
All animals must be under control and housebroken.**
Emotion Support Animals
Emotional support animals are not considered service animals under the ADA. They may be trained for a specific owner, but they are not trained for specific tasks or duties to aid a person with a disability, and this i the main difference between ESAs and service dogs. Emotional support animals are not allowed at The Gardens on Spring Creek or in the Butterfly House.
Other Support or Therapy Animals
Although emotional support animals or comfort animals are often used as part of a medical treatment plan as therapy animals, they are not considered service animals under the ADA. These support animals provide companionship, relieve loneliness, and sometimes help with depression, anxiety, and certain phobias but do not have special training to perform tasks that assist people with disabilities. Even though some states have laws defining therapy animals, these animals are not limited to working with people with disabilities and, therefore, are not covered by federal laws protecting the use of service animals. Therapy animals provide people with therapeutic contact, usually in a clinical setting, to improve their physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning.
*A Service animal is defined in the US Department of Justice (DOJ) regulations for Titles II (Section 35.104) and III (Section 36.104) of the ADA as "any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including g physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability."
**Service animals exhibiting any of the following behaviors will be denied access or asked to leave:
Food and Drink:
Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in The Gardens for picnics or personal enjoyment. No outside alcohol or grilling is allowed. Please note that this is for daily open hours only. Special events such as concerts have separate guidelines.
Gathering Spaces: Our gardens have a variety of covered shelters available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in renting a shelter for additional fees, you can review the prices and submit a request form here.
Nursing Friendly: A private room is available for nursing. Please ask at the front desk for access.
Map of The Gardens:
Find a map here
Restrooms: The Visitor Center has restrooms for men, women, and all genders, as well as a water fountain and water bottle filling station.
Outside alcohol, smoking, marijuana and use of tobacco products is not allowed at The Gardens. Shirts, bottoms and shoes are required for visitors.
The Gardens on Spring Creek is a place to enjoy beauty, learning, enrichment, escape and respite. To help everyone have a positive experience, the following guidelines are recommended:
Free parking is available in The Gardens' lot off Centre Avenue and along Botanical Lane. Overflow parking is also available for special events.
Coming by bus? Please let us know ahead of time so we can ensure space is available. Please email: gardens@fcgov.com
The Gardens on Spring Creek is a unique and beautiful location for photography.
Outside alcohol, smoking, marijuana and use of tobacco products is not allowed at The Gardens. Shirts, bottoms and shoes are required for all visitors.
Open flame, glitter and balloons are not permitted at The Gardens. Service animals are welcome.