Best Guide to Hiking at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Colorado

Red Rocks is an absolute stunning place to go hiking at. With beautiful views and unique rock formations, the hiking trails here are perfect. Red Rocks is known for various different things including the stunning and iconic theater that is used for concerts and various other events. However, you can hike around the park and enjoy many of the other things that Red Rocks Amphitheater has to offer as well.

Red Rocks Park also has a lot more to offer than just hiking trails. From concerts to movies and even workouts such as yoga and winter fitness. This place truly has a lot to offer.

Where is Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is located about 20 minutes outside of Denver in Morrison, Colorado. The drive out here is beautiful the closer you get to Red Rocks.

Their address is:
18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465

Where to Park While Hiking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Around the park you can find various different parking lots. The parking you choose depends on the trail you will be doing. However, the main parking is located by the Amphitheatre in the Upper North Lot and their overflow parking is the Upper South Lot and Lower North Lot.

Trails for Hiking at Red Rocks Park

There are various Red Rocks hiking trails but here are some of the most recommended and that I’ve done during my trip to Colorado.

You can learn more about Red Rocks Park on the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation Website or on the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater website here.

For hiking it is always important to have a trail map handy. You can view, save, and print the one linked below to keep handy during your hikes.

Trading Post Trail

The Trading Post Trail is an easy hike that is best to do in the early morning. You can park over at the trading post where you can find the trailhead. It is a 1.4 mile loop trail that will take you through some gorgeous scenery of the red rocks and by the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Distance: 1.4 mile loop
Time: 40 minutes to an hour at an easy pace
Difficulty: easy and family friendly

Geological Overlook Trail

The Geological Overlook Trail is located behind the Upper North Lot where I recommend you park at. It’s a bit longer and has a steeper incline that the Trading Post Trail but the views from the overlook makes it worth the hike. However you will take this trail and then take the Red Rocks Connector Trail. At the end of the connector trail you will then walk through the parking lot and up Trading Post Road towards Funicular Trail to make it back to the Upper North Parking Lot.

Distance: 0.8 miles
Time: 20-30 minutes
Difficulty: moderate

Note: Connects with Red Rocks Connector Trail

Red Rocks Connector Trail

Distance: 0.2 mile
Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: easy

Note: Walk through the parking lot and Trading Post Road towards Funicular Trail to get to the Upper North Parking Lot.

Funicular Trail

You will then take Funicular Trail to go up to the Upper North Parking Lot.

Distance: 0.1 mile
Time: 10 minutes (there are a lot of stairs on a portion of this trail)
Difficulty: easy to moderate

Mount Vernon Creek Trail Loop

This is another Red Rocks hiking trail you should add to your list. It is generally considered an easy route and a loop trail of 2.3 miles. It’s one of the more lengthy Red Rocks hikes but worth the trip.

Distance: 2.3 mi
Time: 50 minutes to an hour
Difficulty: easy to moderate

Hiking at Dinosaur Ridge Near Red Rocks Park

Are you looking for another easy hike to do in the morning? You can check out the trail at Dinosaur Ridge right across the entrance to Red Rocks Park. This short paved trail is so fun, especially if you have kiddos. Along the trail you will see dinosaur bones and footprints with signs teaching you about each bone or footprint that you are seeing. You will also learn about the landscape in front of you and the different mountains in the area.

Hiking Packing List for Red Rocks

As always, when hiking it is important to have your essentials and to be prepared. You never know when something can happen and things can take a turn for the worse.

• A hiking day pack
• Hydration – I would bring extra water to be safe. The trails are not shaded and in the summer months and with the incline, you will be thirsty.
• A Kula Cloth for women
• A trail map
• Comfortable clothing and shoes
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• A hat
• First aid kit
• Snacks
• ID and wallet

Always Follow Leave No Trace Principles When Exploring Outdoors

• Always plan ahead and be prepared.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impacts.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors.

Wildlife at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

As you hike through Red Rocks trails you may find some wildlife along the way. During our hikes we saw butterflies, various types of birds, rabbits, and even a fawn. Some of the other animals that you may find along the trails include foxes, lizards, snakes, turtles, and various types of insects.

Visiting Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

There are many other things to do at Red Rocks besides hiking. It is definitely a place to enjoy the beauty of this area. Here are some of the other things you can do during your trip to Red Rocks.

• Visiting the gift shop at Trading Post
• Enjoying a concert at Red Rocks
• Do Yoga at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Go jogging
• Go biking
• Do Yoga on the Rocks
• Have a picnic
• Enjoy a delicious baked good from Trompeau Bakery or your favorite snack at the amphitheater
• Take a picture at The Tunnel
• Do photography

Yoga on the Rocks

Looking for a fun way to get a good workout in? You should try Yoga on the Rocks. Just bring your water bottle and yoga mat and join the fun. This event is usually held Saturday mornings from 7-8am at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. They have different packages to choose from but their sessions start at $19.00 USD (Note: prices may change without notice so please refer to their website so specific prices.)

Film on the Rocks

During the summer, Red Rocks holds a special movie event called Film on the Rocks. You can attend this event and enjoy live music and a fun movie during selected dates throughout the summer.

Snowshape Winter Fitness at Red Rocks

Do you like to go skiing or snowboarding? Then the Snowshape Winter Fitness event at Red Rocks Colorado is the perfect fitness event for you. This 4 week training will help you get fit for the winter skiing and snowboarding trips featuring stability, endurance, strength, and power.

Events at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is always holding all sorts of events, from yoga, fitness, to movies, and best of all, concerts!

Summary of Hiking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is such a beautiful place to go for a hike. The hiking trails here are breathtaking. You can find all sorts of wildlife in the mountains while also taking in the views of the unique red rocks in the area. At the distance you can even see the city of Denver.

Red Rocks has many trails to choose from for all hiking levels and different distances. You can also find various events that you can attend at the Amphitheatre to further enjoy what this place has to offer.