ooking for a little inspiration for your gardening pursuits in 2026? For eastern Idaho green-thumbs-in-training, we’ve got a road trip idea you need to consider.
Just a few blocks from the bustle of Brigham Young University-Idaho’s main campus in Rexburg, the Thomas E. Ricks Gardens offer a quiet, colorful retreat that doubles as one of the region’s most practical learning spaces for home gardeners.
The roughly 10-acre botanical garden, established in the late 1970s, functions as a living classroom for students in BYU-Idaho’s plant science and horticulture programs. Nearly everything visitors see — from themed beds and pathways to ornamental displays — has been designed, planted and maintained by students as part of hands-on coursework.
For the public, the gardens serve a simpler purpose: inspiration. Hundreds of plant varieties suited to Eastern Idaho’s climate are showcased in real-world conditions, making it easy for homeowners to see what thrives locally. Seasonal displays rotate throughout the growing season, with peak color typically arriving in late spring and summer.
Together, the gardens and related programs make the site more than a scenic stop. They function as a regional hub for applied gardening knowledge, helping homeowners learn what works — and what does not — in Upper Snake River Valley conditions.
Admission to the gardens is free, and the grounds are open year-round during daylight hours.
