🚙 Parking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO is one of the most iconic and travelled to live music venues in the world.  With the best talent around gracing the stage, the amazing acoustics, and the unparalleled scenery and location, it’s no wonder people rave about Red Rocks.

Once your Red Rocks tickets are purchased, now it is time to plan your visit to Red Rocks Amphitheatre.  

There are many Transportation Options for Red Rocks, but if you are choosing to drive, you’ll need to learn about parking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. 

And even if you do take a shuttle or party bus to Red Rocks, you’ll want to orient yourself with the different lots.  (Read the Red Rocks Tailgating Guide for more info!)

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Parking: Red Rocks Lots

Red Rocks Amphitheatre has plenty of parking and several different parking lots to choose from.  Upon arrival at Red Rocks, you will see signs for different parking lots.  How do you know which to choose?  They all have their own sets of pros and cons and distinct personalities.  Talk to your friends ahead of time to come up with a parking plan, or you’ll be doing a lot of extra walking!

UPPER NORTH RED ROCKS PARKING LOT

The Red Rocks Upper North Parking Lot is the most coveted spot to park at Red Rocks.  Plan to get to Red Rocks early if you want to park in Upper North.

PROS: 

• Upper North offers the easiest – and many say most beautiful – entry into the Amphitheatre, with the least amount of stairs and climbing!
• There are plenty of port-a-pots, and a set of real toilets in the Upper North Lot.  
• You drive through a really cool iconic tunnel getting there!

CONS:

• It fills up quickly.
• It is smaller than the other lots, so you may not find as big a party scene as you’re looking for.

Entering Red Rocks from Upper North:

There are two options – take the ramp with gorgeous views of Denver and beyond, and you’ll end up at the bottom of the Amphitheatre – Row 1, stage right.

Or climb the stairs at the southwest end of the lot to the Top Circle and Limo Drop Off area, and enter Red Rocks from the top, by the Visitor Center and Ship Rock Grille.

Getting to the Upper North Lot at Red Rocks:

Entrance 1: Stay to the right the whole way up on W. Alameda Parkway (Don’t turn on Trading Post Road)

Entrance 2: Just past the Box Office, turn right on Red Rocks Trail Road, then left on W. Alameda Parkway

LOWER NORTH RED ROCKS PARKING LOT

The Red Rocks Lower North Parking Lot is where you’ll be directed if you aim for Upper North and it is full.  It is much larger than Upper North, and has its own pros and cons.

PROS: 

• Slightly easier to walk to the other lots
• Options for Red Rocks Entry

CONS:

• Fewer port-a-pots.
• Not as convenient as Upper North, and not quite as fun as the South lots.

Entering Red Rocks from Lower North:

There are two options – head downhill on Trading Post Road to the stairs.  You can’t miss it – it’s a massive staircase on your right. This staircase is a hike, for sure, but the most common entry point and a rite of passage for Red Rocks!

Or, take the connector trail/stairs that deliver you to the Upper North Lot.  From their, you can take the ramp to enter the bottom of Red Rocks or the stairs to enter the top.  (See Upper North description above)

Getting to the Lower North Lot at Red Rocks:

Entrance 1: Take W. Alameda Parkway, then turn left on Trading Post Rd.  Lower North will be on your right.

Entrance 2: Just past the Box Office, turn right on Red Rocks Trail Road, then left on W. Alameda Parkway, and left again on Trading Post Rd.

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!

PROS: 

• Big party scene

• Plenty of space to park

CONS: 

• Can be long port-a-pot lines.
• A long, uphill trek into the Amphitheatre

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: 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.

Getting to the Lower South Lots at Red Rocks:

Entrance 2: Stay on Red Rocks Park Rd., when you cross Trading Post Rd., Lower South 1 will be on your right and Lower South 2 on your left.

Entrance 3: Stay on Red Rocks Park Dr.  Lower South 1 will be on your left and Lower South 2 on your right.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Parking: Tailgating

Let’s face it – half the fun of a Red Rocks concert is the parking lot party!  Tailgating at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is among the best in the world – the clean, crisp Colorado air, plentiful sunshine (and the occasional but inevitable storm), amazing vistas in all directions, and the anticipation of seeing a show at one of the best venues around all create the perfect vibe for a tailgate party.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Park opens 2 hours before listed door times on all show days.  Cars will definitely begin to fill in right away to have the maximum amount of time for a full blown tailgate.  

Red Rocks Amphitheatre Tailgating Tips

Nothing beats a good tailgate party, and non compare to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre Tailgates.

Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure you get the most out of your Red Rocks Tailgate:

1. Have a plan – coordinate with your friends to meet in the same lot.  Walking from Lower South to Upper North to meet up with the party is NOT a good idea!
2. Allow plenty of time.  Factor in travel time and allow plenty of extra for getting through the lines of cars all arriving at the same time.
3. Restrooms – there are port-a-pots in each parking lot.  Lines can be long, especially as it gets closer to show time, so plan accordingly.  DO NOT PEE IN PUBLIC – YOU WILL GET A TICKET!
4. Trash – be a good human!  Bring trash and recycle bags and dispose of them propery or pack them out with you!
5. Leaving for the show – Don’t miss the start of the show in line!  The tailgate it fun, but the real reason you are here is for the music.  Allow adequate time for the walk depending on where you are parked, and expect to wait in lines on the stairs and/or ramps.
6. Don’t get arrested! Red Rocks is a not just an Amphitheatre, it is a also a Denver Mountain Park.  There are rules that apply:
   1. Alcohol – The possession and consumption of fermented malt beverages or malt liquor (beer) and vinous liquor (wine or champagne) is permitted in the park. Beer kegs, hard liquor, vending, glass and large quantities of alcohol are still prohibited and State Laws still apply. Violators are subject to ejection and possible citation.  This means you CAN drink in Red Rocks, but NO GLASS!
   2. Marijuana – Openly consuming Marijuana is ILLEGAL in Colorado!  Yes, everyone does it, and Yes, you can still be arrested for it.  Just watch yourself.
   3. Public Urination – see #3 above.
   4.  Trespassing – believe it or not, most citations for public urination are actually given for trespassing.  Observe fence lines, and DO NOT go outside of market territories.  As a protected park, they take this VERY seriously! No rock climbing or off trail use, violators are subject to arrest and prosecution.
   5. Space -Tailgating must be confined to the rear of your vehicle and not interfere with the parking of other vehicles.
   6. Grills – 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.
   7. Just don’t be a dick.