Once considered one of the seven wonders of the world, Red Rocks Park, owned by the city of Denver and opened in 1941, contains over 640 acres of geological wonders and offers a panoramic view of Denver. It’s no wonder that people travel from all over to see this park.
There is plenty to do and plenty of hiking at Red Rocks in Colorado. In fact, it’s often touted as one of the must-see sites and best places to visit in Colorado, with its centerpiece being Red Rocks Amphitheater, where countless concerts are held each year to excited crowds.
The park is filled with miles of Red Rocks hiking trails and amazing natural red rock formations. It also claims to be the only naturally made outdoor amphitheater in the world with perfect acoustics. The trails are plentiful, making hiking near Red Rocks Park an excellent choice for your outdoor Denver itinerary and all your adventures in Colorado.
Getting to the Park
Red Rocks is a bit outside of Denver and is really accessible by car.
If you don’t want to go to Red Rocks Amphitheatre on your own, you can opt for a tour instead. One of these tours includes sightseeing at Red Rocks Colorado to appreciate this massive amphitheater and all the hiking trails near Red Rocks Amphitheatre surrounding it!
If you’re driving yourself, there are several parking lots on the lower level and one at the top of the amphitheater. I suggest driving through the red rock arch and parking at the top for overall views and pictures of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre and then moving down to the lower lots to get photos from the bottom. Some of the Red Rocks hikes begin on the lower levels.
Hiking at Red Rocks Park
The park is open all year from dawn to dusk, and tourists can enjoy it for free, though concerts require a ticket. Many of these Red Rocks Park itinerary suggestions are also things you can do in Red Rocks in winter. The red rocks are a sharp contrast to the white snow in the winter or the deep green shrubbery in the summer, making it a beautiful place to visit any time of year.
No matter what time of year you visit, I recommend getting in some hiking at the park. My daughter and I really enjoyed our Red Rocks hike. It was a winter day, but the temperature was mild. We didn’t even need warm coats!
There are two main Red Rocks trails in Red Rocks Colorado that provide access to the beautiful landscape and breathtaking views of the sandstone red rocks that surround the amphitheater. To the delight of the animal-lover, the trails at Red Rocks boast rabbits, prairie dogs, fox, and mule deer, so walk quietly and keep alert for the wildlife.
Trading Post Trail at Red Rocks, Colorado, is a 1.4-mile circular trail that takes tourists close and personal with the park’s notable rock formations. It’s a moderate trail that travels across sandstone and jumbled rock bits. Hiking this red rock trail will take approximately 1 – 1 1/2 hours.
The Red Rocks Trail at Red Rocks Park is another moderate trail and one of the best hikes near Red Rocks Amphitheater. It is a dramatic 6-mile hiking trail that takes about three hours to hike, connecting with Dakota Ridge Trail and Mathew Winters Park.
If hiking is the main goal of your trip, Denver is a great destination for outdoor adventurers since there are many hikes near Denver.
Visiting Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The amphitheater is enclosed on each side by gigantic sandstone rock formations that frame each side of the seating area and rise to a height that is higher than Niagara Falls. These 300-foot mega-rocks, called Creation Rock and Ship Rock (or previously called Titanic Rock), form the outdoor amphitheater, making Red Rocks the most unique natural stage setting in the world and attracting many visitors filled with curiosity and awe.
After you finish hiking Red Rocks Colorado, make a stop to enjoy the beautiful amphitheater!
Exercise at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
In addition to all the Red Rocks Amphitheater trails, a “Stair Master” contained in a beautiful natural setting can elevate your exercise routine to a new level. Hike to Red Rocks Amphitheater by starting your hike down at the bottom with 380 steps from the lower level to the top level of the amphitheater.
Save your breath and breathe slowly on the stairs! The elevation of nearly 6,000 feet makes “doing the stairs” even tougher.
Sports teams and exercise enthusiasts flock to the amphitheater to take advantage of the seats and hundreds of steps. They walk, run, and race up and down the stairs to improve their endurance and strength. As for myself, I was happy to just plop down on a seat to enjoy the view after I walked up half of the stairs from the lower level.
Yoga on the Rocks 2024
Those seeking a more relaxed muscle workout can opt for “Yoga on the Rocks.” This option is only available in the summertime when the sun warms the air around the Red Rocks amphitheater.
During normal times, there are 2,000 participants. It is such a spiritual journey to assume the yoga body positions with controlled breathing in such a beautiful setting among the Red Rocks in Colorado!
Film on the Rocks
Another summer event is Film on the Rocks at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. This event began in 2000 to the delight of the locals and tourists alike.
It starts with a concert or a comedian in the early evening daylight and ends with a showing of a popular movie by the time the sun sets to create an eerie movie atmosphere in the natural red rocks amphitheater. Previous shows included Grease and Deadpool, so there is definitely a chance that your favorite genre will be playing soon. Make sure to look for the new schedule of films coming out at the start of the summer to see what will be showing on your trip.
Located at the top level of the Red Rocks Park Amphitheatre, the Visitor Center is also made of red rock to complement its natural surroundings. It details the park’s history and highlights performances from the various performers who have taken the stage since it opened in 1941.
There are retail stores, a small restaurant, and restrooms located at the top level of the amphitheater in the Visitor Center. The only restroom facilities were port-o-potties installed in the lower parking lots.
Concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
The open-air Red Rocks amphitheater has perfect acoustics and is an ultimate accomplishment for any performance act. Thousands of musicians from every genre have graced the Red Rock Colorado stage.
Attending one of the concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado is an ultimate bucket list item.
One interesting part of Red Rock history is that after a rowdy Jethro Tull concert that included tear gas and police control, the mayor banned all future rock-n-roll concerts at that location. Now, that must have been an exciting event!
Luckily, the ban was eventually lifted, and further concerts by famous legends like the Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and many, many others could jam on the sandstone amphitheater stage surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and gigantic red rocks landscape.