20 Attractions to Explore Near Vail Village

The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens are the world's highest botanical garden, located at 183 Gore Creek Drive, Vail, Colorado, United States, at an 8,200 feet altitude in the Rocky Mountains. Other gardens include the Children's Garden and Schoolhouse Garden. Together these gardens contain about 2,000 varieties of plants, including over 500 different varieties of wildflowers and alpine plants. The Gardens are open to the public year-round.

Vail Mountain rises from 8,120 feet to 11,570 feet , giving a vertical rise of 3,450 feet . It has a 5,289 acres skiable area, 33 ski lifts, 193 marked skiing trails on three faces: the front side, the back bowls, and Blue Sky Basin. The seven back bowls are Sun Down Bowl, Sun Up Bowl, Teacup Bowl, China Bowl, Siberia Bowl, Inner Mongolia Bowl, and Outer Mongolia Bowl. Blue Sky Basin includes Pete's Bowl and Earl's Bowl—to commemorate Pete Seibert and Earl Eaton.

Vail Ski Resort is a ski resort in the western United States. It is the third-largest single-mountain ski resort in the U.S., behind Big Sky and Park City, featuring seven bowls and intermediate gladed terrain in Blue Sky Basin.

Beautiful paved path popular for walking and biking with great mountain, aspen trees, and stream views. The entire trail is 12 miles long and spans from East Valley Trail on the western end and the Val Pass Trail on the eastern end.

This is a modest 18.5 mile-long river with lots to offer outdoor recreation visitors. The river is situated in Eagle County and drains part of the Rocky Mountains at the south end of Gore Range via Gore Valley.

Blue Sky Basin is the most recent expansion to Vail Ski Resort in Colorado in the United States. It is the most debated and controversial ski area expansion in Colorado history. It opened to skiers in 2000 despite conflict about whether the expansion would endanger the lynx, a mountain cat re-introduced into the Colorado wilds.

Pitkin Lake is located 4.45 miles north of Vail in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area. It fills a large cirque just above treeline at the head of a broad, glacier-carved valley. The Pitkin Lake Trail climbs 2,886' in several steep stages into the upper valley, where the landscape opens to rolling alpine meadows on the approach to Pitkin Lake

Cross Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Minturn, Colorado. The trail begins following a ridge and then drops down to Cross Creek. There is a bridge crossing at 1 mile in a meadow that is usually filled with wildflowers. This, or a view of Mount of the Holy Cross from a rock outcropping a bit further, make nice destinations for a short day hike.

Beaver Creek Resort is a major ski resort in the western United States, near Avon, Colorado. The resort comprises three villages, the main Beaver Creek Village, Bachelor Gulch, and Arrowhead to the west. The resort is owned and operated by Vail Resorts which operates multiple additional resorts. Beaver Creek is a regular host of World Cup events, usually in early December.

The Beaver Lake Trail begins at the base of the Beaver Creek Ski Area and continues past Beaver Lake at 3.3 miles, ending at Turquoise Lakes: This trail follows Beaver Creek as you hike through aspens and thimbleberry on an old wagon trail then onto singletrack up through coniferous forest to the Holy Cross Wilderness boundary at mile 3. From here you are only 0.3 miles from Beaver Lake.

The Eagles Nest Wilderness is a true wilderness experience, situated in the Summit County area of Colorado. The area is characterized by its high mountain peaks, forests, and rivers. There are several different trails to explore, each offering its own unique scenery and challenges. Whether you're looking for a short day hike or a longer backpacking trip, the Eagles Nest Wilderness has something to offer. Wildlife is abundant in the area, and you might even see some eagles nesting in the cliffs.

This is a beautiful place to spend a summer or winter day. The lake is great for fishing and paddle-boating in the summer and ice skating and ice fishing in the winter. You can stroll along the waters edge on recreation paths or set up a picnic with the family.

Mount Powell is a mountain in Summit County. The mountain has an elevation of 14,028 feet and is the highest point in Summit County. Mount Powell is part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and is one of the most popular climbing destinations in Colorado. The mountain was named after John Wesley Powell, who was the first person to climb it. Mount Powell is home to many different wildlife species, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and eagles.

A majestic mountain pass in the Sawatch Range of central Colorado. The pass is located at the northern end of the Sawatch Range, along the border of Eagle and Summit counties west of Frisco and 2 miles northwest of Vail Pass. The pass offers scenic view of wildflower meadows and pine woodlands during the summer and autumn months, as well as distant view of Mount of the Holy Cross to the north. It is especially popular as a sightseeing route during the autumn months.

Eccles Pass is a popular summit in Summit County. The pass is located on the Continental Divide, making it a popular destination for hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Eccles Pass is named for John Eccles, who was the first person to successfully climb the pass in 1867. The pass is accessible from both sides of the Divide, and there are several hiking trails that lead to the summit. From the top of Eccles Pass, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Vail Pass is one of the highest mountain passes in Colorado. The pass is located in Summit County, just west of the Continental Divide. It provides a scenic route for drivers and is also popular with hikers, cyclists and skiers. In winter, the pass is often covered in snow and ice, making it inaccessible to vehicles. However, in summer the pass is open to car traffic and is a popular destination for scenic drives.

Rock Creek Trailhead is located in Summit County, Colorado and provides access to the Rock Creek and Belleayre Mountain Trails. The trailhead is situated at an elevation of 9,200 feet and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Visitors can hike or bike along the Rock Creek Trail to reach the summit of Belleayre Mountain, where they will find a variety of trails to explore. The Rock Creek Trailhead is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and nature enthusiasts.

Mount of the Holy Cross is a high and prominent mountain summit in the northern Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains of North America. Mount of the Holy Cross has a history of endangering the lives of many hikers. Although the summit on Mount of the Holy Cross is frequently reached on a long day hike, hikers have become stranded or lost through missing the right turn down the ridgeline, heading straight down and into the wilderness.

Lower Cataract Lake is a secluded alpine lake which is accessible via a short hike from the nearby trailhead, and it offer stunning views of the surrounding mountain scenery. One of the most popular activities at Lower Cataract Lake is fishing, and the lake is stocked with trout on a regular basis. The lake is also a great place to enjoy a picnic lunch or take a dip on a hot day. With its tranquil atmosphere and breathtaking views, Lower Cataract Lake is an ideal spot for a summertime adventure.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Wheeler Lake is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and fishermen alike. The lake is surrounded by towering peaks and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. In addition to its natural beauty, Wheeler Lake is also home to a variety of wildlife, including trout, beaver, and bald eagles. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and picnicking in the park. Wheeler Lake is an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors.