Red Rocks Amphitheater: A Practical Guide to Visiting

👉 Jump to: Visiting Information | Things to Do | Where to Eat & Drink | History | Fun Facts | Where to Stay | Tips | FAQs

I’m a Denver-area local who has been to the Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre many times. It’s easily one of the top things to do in Denver!

In this guide, I’m going to dish all you need to know to have a successful visit, including the hours, costs, and transportation options. I’ll also share tips for attending a concert at Red Rocks, the park’s hiking trails, what to bring, and more.

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Visiting Information

Cost, Hours, and Transportation Info

💰 Admission – It’s free to visit Red Rocks during the day for hiking and sightseeing. Concert ticket prices vary, depending on the concert. Film on the Rocks costs $20 per person, Yoga on the Rocks is $18 per session, and SnowShape Winter Fitness is $17 per session.

🕧 Red Rocks Hours – On non-event days, the amphitheater and trails are open from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. On event days, the amphitheater is open from one hour before sunrise until approximately 2 pm. However, closure times are not decided until the week of an event and may change. 

A phone recording at (720) 865-2494 reports the latest house closure times.

The Visitor Center is open from 7 am – 7 pm March through October and from 8 am – 4 pm from November through March. It’s closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  

The Trading Post is open daily from 10 am – 5 pm and is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

🚗  How to Get There –

• Driving: Red Rocks is a 15-minute drive from downtown Denver and there are several parking lots. Parking in the upper lots requires less uphill walking to get to the amphitheater. If you’re headed to Red Rocks for a concert, parking lots open two hours before the show. Traffic Control will steer you to a parking space. There are four charging stations for electric vehicles at the Trading Post parking lot.
• Rideshare: A rideshare is one of the most hassle-free ways to get to Red Rocks for a concert. There are drop-off zones at the Trading Post and the Upper North and South Lots. 
• Shuttle: Shuttles to Red Rocks offer roundtrip rides. They pick up from Illegal Pete’s on Colfax and the Thirty Lion Gastropub & Grill at Union Station. They also stop at the Hotel Monaco in downtown Denver, and the Origin Hotel in Golden. 
• Bus to Show: If you’re attending a concert, Bus to Show is a fun (and responsible) way to go from downtown Denver with other attendees.
• Tour: Don’t have a car and short on time? You can visit via the Denver Foothills Explorer tour, a popular half-day tour that also takes you to several other Denver “must-sees.”

Things to Do at Red Rocks Amphitheater

Hiking Trails

The hiking trails at Red Rocks are some of the best hiking trails near Denver. Get to the park early during warmer months so you can hike while it’s pleasant. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring water.

Here are the best hiking trails:

• 🥾 Trading Post Trail: The Trading Post Trail is the most popular trail at Red Rocks. It gives you a good view of red rock formations, you’ll get a mix of shade and sun, and depending on the time of year, you’ll even cross a creek. The loop trail is 1.5 miles long with an elevation gain of 357 feet.
• ⛰️ Geological Overlook Trail: The Geological Overlook Trail is a 0.8-mile trail that most people finish in under an hour. It has an elevation gain of 236 feet with a few steep sections. You’ll get views of the red rocks and the city in the distance.
• 🌵 Mount Vernon Creek Trail Loop: This trail is mostly flat, with a small amount of uphill hiking. It’s a narrow trail, so you can’t walk side-by-side with a friend. You’ll see lots of greenery and cacti along the route (although, ironically, you won’t really see any mountains).

Concerts and Events

Red Rocks is best known for being an amazing concert venue. It’s a sublime experience to listen to a great band as the sun goes down behind the striking rocks and the world turns lovely sunset colors. 

• 🎤 Concert info: The Red Rocks Amphitheatre has seating for up to 9,525 people. You can find concert information on the official park website (be careful, there are several sites that look like the real thing but aren’t). The Red Rocks concert season is generally from early spring through fall, but there are occasionally winter shows for the very brave.
• 🎒What you can bring: You’ll find a full list of permitted and prohibited items for concerts on the Red Rocks website. The big thing to know is that only single-pocket-only bags, no larger than 13” by 15” by 8”, are allowed. You can bring empty water bottles and non-alcoholic drinks in factory-sealed containers. You can also bring food in clear plastic bags.
• 🚗 Parking: The most hassle-free way to get to a concert is a rideshare or shuttle. If you do drive, wear good shoes, be ready to carry your stuff up a few hills and get set for a walk.
• 🧘 Yoga on the Rocks: Yoga on the Rocks is a popular summer workout! You can buy a series of passes or pay per visit. There are yoga sessions on most Saturdays from June through August. Grab your mat and some water and get ready for sun salutations from a spectacular location!
• 🎥 Film on the Rocks: Film on the Rocks is another popular summer Red Rocks series. Show up before sunset to watch a local band perform. As the sun goes down, get ready for a blockbuster movie under the stars. 

Visitor Center

• 🎟️ Admission info: Admission to the Visitor Center is free.
• 🗺️ Location info: The Red Rocks Visitor Center is at the top of the amphitheater, between the Upper Lot and the amphitheater seats.
• 👓 What you’ll see: You’ll get hands-on exhibits about the area’s history, from the time of the dinosaurs until today. You can also visit the Red Rocks Hall of Fame to see some of the most notable acts. Watch a documentary on the park and see concert footage in the movie screening room.

Colorado Music Hall of Fame

The Colorado Music Hall of Fame is located in the Trading Post, a souvenir shop southeast of the amphitheater near Lower South Lot 1. You’ll see displays of musicians from Colorado and musicians like John Denver, who may not be from the state but who loved it immensely. 

Admission to the Hall of Fame is free and it’s open during regular Trading Post hours from 10 am – 5 pm each day. It’s one of the best free things to do around Denver.

Where to Eat & Drink

The restaurants in downtown Morrison require parking in paid lots. Keep this in mind when weighing whether to drive or rideshare. 

Morrison is also a small town, so restaurants can get crowded before a popular show. Ship Rock Grille is a nice place to dine right at Red Rocks, but is closed for renovations until further notice. 

Morrison Inn

The Morrison Inn has Mexican food, plus burgers and fries, but they’re known for their margaritas. It’s a popular place for bikers, hikers, and people eating before a Red Rocks show. The restaurant also has its own live music, making it a fun spot even if you’re not headed anywhere else. 

Red Rocks Grill

The Red Rocks Grill serves up Black Angus beef burgers, sandwiches (they’re known for their Monte Cristo), salads, and hearty breakfasts. The grill is at the end of Morrison’s main street, making it a convenient spot to grab a bite before a show. 

Hungry Goat Scratch Kitchen & Wine Bar

The Hungry Goat has interesting appetizers, soups and salads, and main dishes, including burgers, steak, and paella. They’re also known for great cocktails. 

Red Rocks Amphitheater History

Dinosaurs

250,000,000 – 65,000,000 B.C.

The dinosaurs roam. You can see evidence from Diplodocus and Tyrannosaurus Rex dinosaurs at Dinosaur Ridge, near Red Rocks.  

Indigenous Peoples

1000-1800

Ute bands live in the Rocky Mountains and Colorado foothills, including the Red Rocks area. 

Dinosaur Discovery

1877

Colorado School of Mines professor Arthur Lakes excavates a 90-foot long Apatosaurus ajax fossil. It’s the first of many dinosaurs discovered in the Red Rocks area.

Development

1905

John Brisben Walker begins buying up Red Rocks and the surrounding area. He uses proceeds from the money he makes selling Cosmopolitan magazine to William Randolph Hearst. 

1906

Walker teams up with his son to make the “Garden of the Titans” amusement park for $150,000.

A Concert

1911

World-renowned soprano Mary Garden performs the first solo concert. She says the park’s acoustic properties are better than any she’s experienced in an opera house.

More Development

1927

The city of Denver buys Red Rocks for $50,000.

1930

Denver builds a scenic auto road through the park. 

1935

The Civilian Conservation Corps begins work on Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. 

1941

Work is complete. The Red Rocks Amphitheatre dedication includes a Native American ceremony and musical performances. Governor Ralph Carr and Denver Mayor Benjamin F. Stapleton attend the ceremony.

Notable Concerts

1964-2019

Some of the most memorable performances at Red Rocks include the Beatles in 1964, Johnny Cash in 1965, Jimi Hendrix in 1968, and John Denver in 1974. The Grateful Dead performed in 1978, U2 in 1983, and Diana Ross in 2019 – 50 years after she sang there with the Supremes.

National Landmark

2015

Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is designated a National Historic Landmark. 

Red Rocks Fun Facts

Red Rocks is Home to the Coolest Commencements

Local high schools hold graduation ceremonies at the Red Rocks Amphitheater every spring. Two of my own kids have graduated here, and it’s an only-in-Colorado experience. 

Students get to walk through the hallway where numerous artists have scrawled their signatures. They then stroll across the famed stage to get their diplomas. 

The First Rock Show Was the Beatles

…and they didn’t even sell out the venue. They did break the record for the most tickets sold at an open-air venue, however. The Beatles were also the first performers to need oxygen tanks on stage – the 6,450-foot elevation is no joke. 

There’s an Easter Sunrise Service

You’ll want to leave frilly Easter dresses at home for this service! Gates usually open around 4:45 am Easter Sunday morning, and it’s still cold! 

The service is Red Rocks’ oldest annual event and it usually goes from 5:30 am until 7:30 am. The service is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis for both parking and seating. 

The Rocks Are Named

Ship Rock is on the north side of the amphitheater, while Creation Rock is to the south. Stage Rock is probably self-explanatory. Several other rocks throughout the park have names as well. 

Red Rocks is A Denver Park

The park is a 20-minute drive from downtown Denver, and while it’s in Jefferson County, it’s owned and maintained by the city of Denver. Denver has a mountain parks system, which means the city owns several parks that are well outside city limits. 

Where to Stay Near Red Rocks

Origin Red Rocks is the official hotel of Red Rocks and one of the closest hotels to the park. It has a shuttle there and back. It also has a beer garden, a restaurant, and free bike rentals. It’s the best choice for a Red Rocks show, but you’ll also find more hotel possibilities in nearby Golden. 

Just worried about getting home after a show responsibly? Another option is to stay in downtown Denver (we recommend The Maven for its central location) and take the Bus to Show party bus to and from your show.

Tips for Visiting

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

You’ll want lots of extra time if you’re heading to Red Rocks for a concert. Parking lots open two hours before concert time, and gates open 90 minutes before the concert. Red Rocks is a steep, hilly venue (with awesome views!) that sits above 6,000 feet. 

Wear comfy shoes and allow plenty of time for rest as you walk from the parking lot to the amphitheater. 

Book a Shuttle

Skip the parking drama altogether and take a shuttle to and from the park. A rideshare is another option. But while it’s easy to get a rideshare to the amphitheater (especially if you arrive early), it’s a challenge to get one out of there after the show is over. 

Be Ready for Weather

Red Rocks concerts are rarely canceled for weather, although they can be delayed (I’ve waited out a thunderstorm and sat through pouring rain for a concert!) Bring a raincoat and something waterproof to sit on. 

Red Rocks announced last summer that they’re putting in more signage. They’re also communicating evacuation procedures better after a hailstorm that hospitalized at least seven people.

Get the App

Download the Red Rocks app so you can order drinks from your seat. Choose Express Pickup, and you can avoid waiting in the drink lines during the show. The app can also manage your tickets and give you general park info. 

Bring a Water Bottle

You can bring an empty, reusable water bottle into the amphitheater. You’ll want this whether you’re headed to Red Rocks to explore or to go to a concert. There are water fountains near several of the restrooms where you can refill.

FAQs About Red Rocks Amphitheatre

What is special about the Red Rocks Amphitheatre?

The acoustics at Red Rocks make it a special venue, and one that many bands say is their favorite. The views of Denver beyond the red rocks framing the stage also make the park a special, striking place to watch a concert or exercise. 

Is it worth it?

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is worth the drive from downtown Denver to visit. It’s free to visit the park during the day. Many music fans put seeing a concert at Red Rocks on their bucket list, thanks to the amazing sound and the views. 

Is it free to visit?

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is free to visit during the day. Visitors can hike, check out the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, and explore the Visitor Center. Concerts and other special events at Red Rocks may charge a fee. 

What band has the most sold-out shows at Red Rocks?

Widespread Panic has the most sold-out shows at Red Rocks. As of June 2022, the band had 66 sold-out shows at the venue. 

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Hopefully, this guide to Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre helps as you plan a visit there! If you have questions, leave them in the comments.

Next up, check out my guide to visiting Meow Wolf, another essential Denver attraction.