Red Rocks Guide to Gates, Entrances, & Security Lines

Arriving at the Venue: Security and Lines

Once you arrive and make your way to the gates of the venue, you can expect standard security checks. You will simply make your way through metal detectors and standard bag checks. Any prohibited items will need to be either discarded or taken back to your vehicle. Once you're through security, they will just scan your ticket on the Red Rocks App or the AXS app, and it's as simple as that. Lines to get in are almost always short. It usually doesn't take any longer than 5 minutes to get into the venue once you arrive at the gate.

However, for general admission events, or events with general admission sections, this varies. At door time, lines will be long. People will start lining up 30 minutes or more before the doors open. If getting a good spot in the general admission sections is important to you, you'll want to get in line 30-45 minutes before door time.

For shows with a cult-like following (i.e. Widespread Panic), It would be wise to get to the gates even an hour before door time to ensure you get a great spot in GA seating.

The best gate to enter usually depends on where you're sitting and where you parked. There are three main entrances (with 2 paths to get to one of them), the Top Circle Entrance,

Top Circle Gate

On the maps, this is marked with a green dot. For attendees who parked in the Top Circle Lot, this will be the entrance to use. The entrance is very close, and is usually the busiest entrance. However, it usually takes only a few minutes to get in, even at door time. Many attendees who parked in the Upper North Lot and sometimes the Lower North Lot will enter via this gate if their seats are in Row 35 or higher. It's slightly downhill into the venue, so once you reach the gate it's a very easy walk into the venue.

South Gate

On the map, this is marked with a red dot. For attendees who parked in the Upper South Lot, Lower South Lots, or the Trading Post Lot, this is the gate to enter the venue. Once you get to the base of the ramp, located on the north side of the Upper South Lot, it's a long and very uphill climb to get to the entrance, which is at the base of the venue. Once you're in the venue, you still have an uphill climb to get to your seats. This is the most beautiful entrance though. You'll see panoramic views of Denver, Morrison, and the Rocky Mountains all the way to Pike's Peak. Plus, it's all downhill to exit the venue at the end of the night. The security at this entrance tends to move very quickly due to multiple security lines and far fewer patrons than the other entrances.

North Ramp

On these maps, the North Ramp is marked with a yellow dot. The start of this ramp is located on the south side of the Upper North Lot (marked with an orange dot). Patrons that are parked in the Upper North Lot and whose seats are in Row 34 or lower will enter the North Entrance via the Upper North Lot Entrance. It's mostly downhill and pretty scenic, so it's a fun trek to the gate. However, this line is usually the longest, because attendees parked in both north lots will use this gate, and there is only one metal detector, so the line moves slowly.

North Stairs

On these maps, the North Stairs entrance is marked with a blue dot. For patrons who parked in the Half Moon Lot, Small Parking Lot, or Lower North Lot, they will enter via the Trading Post Road Path (marked with a pink dot). This is a fairly short, but extremely uphill hike, so make sure to wear proper footwear. The path is embedded in nature so be sure to keep an eye out for wildlife. This entrance usually has the shortest lines, and spits you out right at the base of the venue by concessions and merch. Plus, it's all downhill at the end of the show. Many attendees will mistake the Furnicular trail for this entrance. So, if you park in the Lower North Lot, you don't want to take the Furnicular trail, as it adds a lot of exercise to your evening.

Red Rocks Tickets

There's so much that goes into a positive Red Rocks experience. Waiting in long lines can put a damper on things before the show even starts. Now that you know all the secrets to which entrances are the best, you can plan your experience around that. You can browse Red Rocks events and buy tickets that suit your needs the best, right here at Event Tickets Center on our Red Rocks ticketing page.