Denver Botanic Gardens official parking lot
The Denver Botanic Gardens York Street location has a paid surface parking lot directly adjacent to the main entrance on York Street. This is the most convenient option and where most visitors park:
- Location: On York Street, directly adjacent to the main entrance at 1007 York Street
- Cost: Approximately $10–$15 per day on busy summer weekends and holiday events; weekday rates may be lower
- Payment: Both cash and card accepted at the lot
- Availability: Fills quickly during summer weekends (by 10am on Saturdays), special exhibitions, and the Blossoms of Light event (November–January)
- Tip: Arrive before 9am on summer weekends to guarantee a spot in the official lot
When the official lot is full, attendants typically direct visitors to overflow parking in the surrounding neighborhood — but those spots can also fill on the busiest days. Having a backup plan is worth it.
Street parking near Denver Botanic Gardens
Free street parking exists within a short walk of the Botanic Gardens, but it requires arriving early on weekends:
- 10th Avenue: Free 2-hour street parking on 10th Ave east and west of York — one of the closest free options to the main entrance
- Josephine Street: Residential street parallel to York with free 2-hour parking; short 3–5 minute walk to the entrance
- Detroit Street: A few blocks west of the Gardens; free 2-hr spots typically available before 10am on weekends
- Cheesman Park neighborhood: Streets surrounding Cheesman Park (about a 10-minute walk) are free and less competitive — a good overflow option when the neighborhood streets fill up
- Enforcement hours: Meters enforced Monday–Saturday 8am–8pm; all Denver meters free on Sundays
- Non-peak days: On quieter weekdays, some nearby streets have 4-hour limits instead of 2-hour — check signage
Blossoms of Light parking
Blossoms of Light is Denver Botanic Gardens' premier holiday event, running from mid-November through early January. It draws massive crowds on weekend evenings — and the parking situation reflects that:
- Official lot sells out: On peak nights (Friday/Saturday in December), the York Street lot often reaches capacity before the event opens at 5pm
- Transit strongly recommended: Denver Botanic Gardens officially recommends taking transit or rideshare to Blossoms of Light — and it's genuinely good advice
- Rideshare from downtown: Approximately $12–18 one-way; very practical for couples or small groups
- Cheesman Park overflow: On extremely busy nights, the Gardens and City of Denver sometimes coordinate overflow parking at Cheesman Park with a shuttle — check the Botanic Gardens website before attending
- Book timed entry in advance: Blossoms of Light tickets must be booked online with a timed entry window — plan your parking and arrival around your entry time
Getting to Denver Botanic Gardens by bus
No Light Rail serves the Botanic Gardens directly, but RTD bus service makes it reachable from downtown without a car:
- RTD Route 10 (Colfax): The Colfax bus stops at York Street, approximately 1 block from the main entrance — this is the most direct bus option from downtown Denver
- RTD Route 24: Has stops in the neighborhood and is another option from central Denver
- Travel time: Approximately 20 minutes from downtown Denver on the Route 10
- No Light Rail direct service: The nearest light rail is at 10th & Osage (roughly 1.5 miles away) — the bus is a better transit option
- Best transit option for events: For Blossoms of Light, taking the Route 10 from downtown and walking 1 block is often faster than driving and circling for parking
Parking tips for the Botanic Gardens
Practical strategies to make your Botanic Gardens visit stress-free:
| Option | Distance to Entrance | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official York St Lot | Adjacent (0 min) | $10–$15/day | Fills fast on weekends & events |
| 10th Ave street parking | 2–4 min walk | Free (2-hr limit) | Arrive before 9am on weekends |
| Josephine St street parking | 3–5 min walk | Free (2-hr limit) | Residential, less competitive |
| Cheesman Park area | 10 min walk | Free | Good overflow on busy days |
| Lyft/Uber from downtown | Drop at entrance | $12–$18 one-way | Best for Blossoms of Light |
| RTD Route 10 bus | 1 block from entrance | $3.00 fare | ~20 min from downtown |
Flying into Denver? The RTD A Line runs from Denver International Airport to Union Station in 37 minutes for $10.50. From Union Station, take a rideshare or the Route 10 bus to the Botanic Gardens.
Frequently asked questions
Is there free parking at Denver Botanic Gardens?
There is no free on-site parking at Denver Botanic Gardens. The official surface lot on York Street charges $10–15 on busy days. However, free 2-hour street parking is available on surrounding streets including 10th Avenue, Josephine Street, and Detroit Street. All Denver street meters are free on Sundays.
How much does Denver Botanic Gardens parking cost?
The official Denver Botanic Gardens parking lot on York Street charges approximately $10–15 per day on busy days such as summer weekends and during the Blossoms of Light holiday event. The lot accepts both cash and card. On slower weekdays, rates may be lower. Free 2-hour street parking is available nearby if you arrive early.
Where should I park for Blossoms of Light?
During Blossoms of Light (November through January), the official York Street parking lot fills up quickly — often before the event opens on peak nights. Denver Botanic Gardens recommends taking transit or rideshare. RTD Bus Routes 10 and 24 serve the area. Rideshare from downtown runs approximately $12–18 one-way and is the most stress-free option for peak evenings.
Can I take the bus to Denver Botanic Gardens?
Yes. RTD Bus Route 10 (the Colfax bus) stops at York Street near the Botanic Gardens entrance. Route 24 also has stops nearby. The bus takes approximately 20 minutes from downtown Denver and is a reliable option — especially for Blossoms of Light events when parking is extremely limited. There is no direct Light Rail service to the Botanic Gardens.
When does Denver Botanic Gardens parking fill up?
The Denver Botanic Gardens parking lot fills up quickest during summer weekend mornings (by 10am on Saturdays and Sundays in June–August), during special exhibitions, and throughout the Blossoms of Light holiday event (November–January). If you plan to arrive at or after 10am on a summer weekend, budget extra time or plan to park on nearby streets. Arriving before 9am almost guarantees a spot.