Parking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre: The Basics

Parking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre can be tricky if you don’t know what you are getting into, but just a little bit of know-how and you’ll be parking like a pro at your next Red Rocks show.

Red Rocks Parking Lot Times: Red Rocks parking lots open 2 hours prior to door times.  Check your ticket for door and show times.  You’ll usually have time between door time and show time, so you can squeeze in more than a few hours of Red Rocks Tailgating!

Leaving your car at Red Rocks: Vehicles may be parked until 10 AM the day following a Red Rocks show.  This means you can safely leave your car at Red Rocks if you’ve had too much to drink, and you definitely should if that happens!  Explore other Red Rocks Transportation options.

Dropping off and picking up at Red Rocks: According to Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Vehicles used for patron pickup should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the end of the show. A phone recording with the approximate event end time is updated daily at 720-865-2494. You may also speak with Traffic Control on-site to find out the best time to return for patron pickup. Patrons who are dropped off prior to an event will need to walk to their respective rides for pickup at the end of the night.

Red Rocks Parking: Upper North and Lower North Lots

The Upper North Lot fills up fast, so plan to get to Red Rocks super early if you want to park here.  Why does it fill up so fast?  It is the Red Rocks lot with by far the shortest hike into the venue, with the least amount of climbing! 

There is a nice new set of real toilets in the Upper North Lot.  You also get to drive through a really cool tunnel getting there!

Getting into Red Rocks: Enter Red Rocks from the Upper North Lot via the Upper North entrance ramp. This is the least strenuous option for entering Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The Lower North Lot is where you will be directed if attempting Upper North after it has filled. 

Getting into Red Rocks Amphiteatre: From the Lower North Lot, there are 2 options for entering Red Rocks Amphitheater: 

1) Walk down a bit on Trading Post Road until you encounter the base of the large staircase on the right.  This staircase is a hike, for sure, but the most common entry point and a rite-of-passage for Red Rocks!

2) Walk up to the Upper North Lot.  From there, enter via the Upper North entrance ramp.

Use Entrance 1 off Highway 93 for Upper North and Lower North Lots.

Red Rocks Parking: Lower South Lots

The Lower South Lots at Red Rocks consist of Lower South Lot 1 & Lower South Lot 2.  These lots are close to one another, and you can easily walk between the two.

Lower South Lot 1: This is the party lot at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  Lower South Lot 1 is where you will find Shakedown if there is one.  Get your heady grilled cheese and overpriced lot beers here!

Getting into Red Rocks: Walk up Trading Post Road, pass the Trading Post on your left, until you reach the base of a large staircase on your left. Take a deep breath and head up the stairs! This is the most strenuous option for entering Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  Bring a beer and water, and give yourself plenty of time.

The Lower South Lot 2: This is where all party busses and large limos will park, and is also one of the biggest tailgate areas at Red Rocks. 

Getting into Red Rocks Amphiteatre:  Walk up through Lower South Lot 1.  Walk up Trading Post Road, pass the Trading Post on your left, until you reach the base of a large staircase on your left. Take a deep breath and head up the stairs! This is the most strenuous option for entering Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  Bring a beer and water, and give yourself plenty of time.

Red Share drivers have begun to offer rides up Trading Post Road for those who want to avoid the strenuous uphill walk and the large set of stairs.  

Use Entrance 2 off Highway 93 or Entrance 3 off Highway 74 for the Lower South Lots.

Red Rocks Parking: Upper South Lot

The Lower South Lots at Red Rocks consist is accessed via Highway 74.  It tends to fill up early.

Upper South Lot: This is the unknown lot at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  We say this because we never seem to park here, but it offers easy access into the venue, and has the least amount of traffic when leaving the venue, however most travelers will have to drive through the town of Morrison on their way home. 

Getting into Red Rocks: A raised walkway wraps around the venue and enters at the lower level on the North side.  It is an easy walk on a ramp.

Use Entrance 4 off Highway 74  for the Upper South Lot.

Red Rocks Tailgate Packing List

Make sure you have everything you need for a Red Rocks Tailgate before you leave the house!  A properly prepared tailgate party is a successful tailgate party!

1. Cold Beverages – It can be HOT in Colorado in the summertime.  Bring a cooler, ice and beverages.  Just make sure to bring cans and NO GLASS!
2. Food – We can’t stress this enough.  You may arrive at your Red Rocks Tailgate as early as 4 pm for some shows, and be in the venue until after midnight, consuming all kinds of things.  You need to eat! If you are not planning a cookout, be sure to bring a prepared meal or sandwich that you can consume in the lot.  But, that brings us to…
3. Grill – it’s not a tailgate without a cookout!  According to Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Due to the risk of fire, open flame fires and charcoal grills are prohibited. Small gas-controlled grills are allowed unless there are temporary fire bans in effect.
4. Shade – never underestimate the power of the Colorado sun!  Bring some sort of shade canopy if you can.
5. Chairs – It’s a long night.  Sit while you can!
6. WATER!  – Dehydration is real, and so is altitude sickness.  Bring plenty of water and make sure you drink it!