There is no concert venue like Red Rocks. The stage sits between two giant slabs of red sandstone in the foothills west of Denver, at about 6,400 feet, with the city lights spread out beyond the last row. Seeing a show here is one of the great Colorado experiences. Getting home afterward is where most people's night goes sideways, so this guide covers both.
The basics
Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre is at 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, about 16.5 miles from Denver Union Station, roughly half an hour by car without traffic. The City and County of Denver owns and runs it, and concert tickets are sold through AXS.
The park itself opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset. On show days it's open to the public only until about 2 pm, and the box office opens four hours before showtime. The Visitor Center keeps 7 am to 7 pm from March through October and 8 am to 4 pm from November through February.
Arriving on show day
Red Rocks parking lots open two hours before doors, and Traffic Control directs you to a spot. The main lots are Top Circle, Upper North, Upper South, Lower South 2, Jurassic and Trading Post. Upper North is reserved for large vehicles carrying 24 or more passengers that are booked 48 hours ahead, and oversized vehicles such as party buses must use Lower South Lot 2. No vehicle can enter after 8:30 pm.
Drop-off is at the Top Circle Lot (Entrance 1) or at the intersection of Red Rocks Park Road and Trading Post Road (Entrance 2). Top Circle puts you closest to the top of the amphitheater, which saves a long climb at altitude.
Leaving after the show: the Jurassic Lot rule
This is the part that catches visitors out. Red Rocks sends every private car, taxi and Uber or Lyft pickup to the Jurassic Lot, just inside Entrance 2 off Highway 93. When the show ends, thousands of people walk down the Will Call Trail and Red Rocks Park Road toward that one lot, and every rideshare in the area tries to get in at the same time, so the wait can be long.
A limited shuttle runs inside the park after the show, from Top Circle and the Trading Post down to Jurassic, but Red Rocks itself says walking down is often faster. Wear shoes you can walk downhill in, at night, on a slope.
Planning the ride home
Settle the plan before the encore. Agree on a meeting point with your group, since phones can struggle in a crowd this size, and decide whether to walk down early or wait out the first rush. Rideshare apps show long pickup times right after the show, so a few minutes of patience at the top can mean a shorter wait at Jurassic.
Groups on a charter or party bus follow their own rules: vehicles carrying 24 or more passengers park in Upper North when booked 48 hours ahead, and oversized vehicles use Lower South Lot 2. Every vehicle must be in before the 8:30 pm entry cutoff.
What to bring, and what to leave
- Bags must fit under your seat (18 by 12 inches) and are checked at the gate.
- No re-entry, except for weather or medical emergencies.
- No smoking or vaping in the seating area, and no marijuana anywhere in the park. It's banned at Red Rocks even though it's legal in Colorado.
- Layers. Evenings can turn cool in the foothills after the sun drops behind the rocks.
- Water and sunscreen for early arrivals. You're higher than downtown Denver, and the climb to the upper rows is steep.
Cars left in the lots overnight must be gone by 10 am the next day.
Beyond concerts
Red Rocks isn't only for shows. The park's trails and viewpoints are open on non-show days, and an early-morning visit, climbing the rows as the sun comes up, is one of the most beautiful free things to do near Denver. The season also brings Film on the Rocks and Yoga on the Rocks in summer and an Easter Sunrise Service; check the Denver events calendar for dates.
Dinosaur Ridge, with real dinosaur tracks in the rock, is a short drive away, and the historic town of Golden is close too. Make a day of it with our day trips from Denver, and see more ideas in things to do in Denver.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Ubers pick up at Red Rocks?
At the Jurassic Lot, just inside Entrance 2 off Highway 93. Red Rocks sends all private cars, taxis and rideshare pickups there, so expect a walk downhill and a crowd after the show.
How far is Red Rocks from downtown Denver?
About 16.5 miles from Union Station, roughly 30 minutes by car without traffic. Show-day traffic on the way in can add time, so leave early.
When do the Red Rocks parking lots open?
Two hours before doors on show days. No vehicle can enter after 8:30 pm.
What size bag can I bring to Red Rocks?
A bag that fits under your seat, up to 18 by 12 inches. All bags are inspected at the gate, and there's no re-entry.
Is marijuana allowed at Red Rocks?
No. Red Rocks bans all marijuana products anywhere in the park, and smoking or vaping is not allowed in the seating area.