Red Rocks Amphitheatre Food, Seating, and Parking Guide
High in the Denver mountains, framed by two giant crimson boulders is a legendary open-air amphitheater unlike any of its kind. Red Rocks Amphitheatre can be found tucked in the foothills of Morrison, Colorado, its natural structure blending seamlessly with the surrounding area. Due to the large outcrops that frame the seating and stage, a show at Red Rocks is an enhanced audiovisual experience, with sounds that echo off the rocky formations and incredible views of geological marvels. This dramatic venue is over a century old with a rich history of hosting some of the biggest names in music, from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.
We’ve created a convenient guide that breaks down everything you need to know about this unique natural amphitheater, from insider tips to historical facts. If you’re a concert enthusiast, we highly recommend making the trip to Red Rocks, which was named the Best Amphitheatre in America by Rolling Stone.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Fast Facts
| Owner: | City and County of Denver |
| Operated By: | City and County of Denver |
| Seating capacity: | 9,525 |
| Size: | 868 acres (Red Rocks Park) |
| Opened: | 1906 |
| Address: | 17598 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465 |
| Hours: | Red Rocks Park and trails open one hour before sunrise and close one hour after sunset on non-show days. |
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Ratings
| Yelp: | 4.5 |
| Trip Advisor: | 5.0 |
| Google: | 4.8 |
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Features:
- Views of the Denver Mountain Parks at an altitude of 6,450 feet
- Ship Rock Grille, a restaurant with a delicious menu that matches the stunning scenery of the deck where guests can sit can eat.
- Trading Post, a historical structure which sells unique Red Rocks souvenirs and offers a breathtaking view of the valley and rock formations of the south.
- Colorado Music Hall of Fame, where visitors can learn about Colorado’s diverse musical legacy before or after concerts.
- Red Rocks Park, which features two hiking/biking trails and a challenging landscape for runners looking for a workout at 6,400 feet.
Directions To Red Rocks Amphitheatre
FROM DOWNTOWN
Take I-70 west, take Exit 259 and turn left at the bottom of the Morrison exit ramp.
Head downhill for 1.5 miles to the Red Rocks Park entrance.
COMING FROM SOUTH DENVER
Take C-470 to the Morrison exit, turn west and follow the signs to the Park entrances.
Here's a tip to avoid some traffic: you can also take Exit C-470 at Highway 285.
Take it west to Highway 8 and then head north to the Amphitheatre!
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Parking
Parking is free with your ticket purchase, and lots open two hours prior to the event start time. On concert nights, traffic tends to pile up quickly, so we suggest arriving early to snag a close spot.
There are four parking lots at the venue that fill up on a first-come, first-served basis. The Upper North Lot offers by far the closest distance from parking to seating and tends to fill up the fastest. The Upper South and Lower North Lots are equidistant from the entrance, with the former taking you up a ramp and the latter to the base of the park stairs. The Lower South 2 is the furthest distance from the amphitheater with the heftiest trek, so bring your running shoes just in case.
If you’re being picked up after a show, plan to have your ride arrive 30 minutes before the end. There are designated areas for patron drop-off and pickup that you can find by following the directional signs:
- The Upper South Lot is for patron requiring Accessible Shuttle seating in rows 1-36. Patrons who require use of a wheelchair must present a Row 1 ticket to gain access to the shuttle.
- The Top Circle Lot is for seating in rows 37-70. Note that the road that leads to this lot turns into a one-way road at the end of the show.
If you’re using a ridesharing service like Uber, Taxi or Lyft, you’ll be dropped off either the Upper South Lot, Top Circle Lot, or Trading Post. At the end of the show, all patrons should go to the Trading Post Road South to be picked up by their ride service.
Make sure you drive carefully since there tend to be guests walking through the roads in trails (this is a park, after all!).
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Security
Security at Red Rocks places emphasis on preserving the venue’s natural formations, asking that visitors respect its unique environment and precious rocks. If you are found negatively impacting the venue in any way you will be asked to leave.
Guests have stated that security and staff are very friendly and eager to help. They try to be quick and efficient, but the lines can get long before a show. Pat downs, bag searches and wands are all part of the security process.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Prohibited Items:
- Alcohol, illegal drugs (and marijuana)
- Laser pointers
- Glass bottles, cans, liquids in non-factory containers
- Weapons
- Audio/visual recording devices, selfie sticks
- Totems
- Bullhorns, noisemakers
- Strollers
- Tarps, umbrellas
- Animals
- Masks
- Hula hoops, sticks, rope, balls
- Skates, skateboards
- Hard coolers
- Cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes restricted to smoking areas away from seating
BackPack and Food Policy At RedRocks
You can bring your own food, blankets, binoculars, backpack (10”x 7”x 7”), soft-sided coolers, non-alcoholic beverages (sealed, 32 ounces or less), empty reusable bottles (32 ounces or less), and seat cushions.
Re-entering the amphitheater isn’t generally permitted unless there are weather or medical related circumstances.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Tailgating
If you’re looking to do some partying before the show, Red Rocks invites guests to tailgate in the parking lots surrounded by its geological wonders and spectacular vistas.
A popular option of getting there is a party bus like Bus To Show, which costs about $30-$45 and has pickup locations in Fort Collins, Boulder and Denver. Party busses park in the Lower South Lot.
The fan favorite for tailgating is the Lower South Lot, whose larger size and wilder partiers make up for it being the furthest from the venue entrance. Just make sure you take a beer for the road!
We suggest eating before arriving at Red Rocks to help counter the amount of alcohol that will be consumed. Food options are available inside the venue but are limited.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre Seating
The seats at Red Rocks are tiered bleacher style without backs. We recommend bringing a seat cushion to protect your bottom, although most people tend to be on their feet the entire time anyway. There is plenty of room underneath the seats for your belongings.
If you’re afraid of heights, easily get vertigo, or have trouble climbing stairs, avoid getting seat at the top – which admittedly has some of the best views in the entire venue. If you want a more intimate experience and view of the stage, we wouldn't recommend going past row 15.
The Red Rocks Amphitheatre Experience
The sound quality at Red Rocks is reportedly one of the best, largely thanks to the rocks that frame it which amplify the music.
The venue has plenty of restrooms and the lines move very quickly. As already mentioned, we advise that you eat before you arrive. The concessions options once inside have been reported to be of low quality and high price.
Make sure you dress appropriately. In Colorado, it’s always smart to plan for rain. Sunscreen and a hat are also recommended to protect yourself from the sun. For the evening, bring a light rain jacket or something to keep you warm when the sun goes down. Since Red Rocks sits at 6,000 feet, higher elevation means cooler temperatures and lots of stairs – so wear comfortable shoes!
Visitors have stated that the venue itself is drop dead gorgeous, and there is no better backdrop to listen to music than Red Rocks. Music lovers should come to a show here if only to cross it off their bucket list.
10 Closest Hotels Near Red Rocks
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Golden
17140 West Colfax Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
4.0 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreHampton Inn Golden
17150 West Colfax Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
4.0 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreCourtyard by Marriott Hotel Golden
14700 West 6th Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
4.6 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreResidence Inn by Marriott Golden
14600 West 6th Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
4.7 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreDays Inn & Suites Golden
15059 West Colfax Avenue, I-70, Exit 262, Golden, CO 80401
5 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreHomewood Suites by Hilton Lakewood West
139 Union Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80228
5 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreHampton Inn Federal Center Lakewood
137 Union Blvd, Lakewood, CO 80228
5 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreHome2 Suites West Denver
50 Van Gordon Street, Lakewood, CO 80228
5 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreMarriott Hotel Golden
1717 Denver West Boulevard, I-70, Exit 263, Golden, CO 80401
6 miles from Red Rocks AmphitheatreBaymont Inn & Suites Golden
11909 West 6th Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
6 miles from Red Rocks Amphitheatre
