Parking at Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Red Rocks Guides

🚙 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!)

Find Hotels Near Red Rocks Amphitheatre

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 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!

Red Rocks Parking: Upper North and Lower North Lots

 These two lots are on the North side of Red Rocks,  The Upper North lot is the highest point visitors can park, and has dramatic views.  The Lower North is between the Upper North and the Lower South lots.

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.

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!

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 Parking: Upper South Lot

The mystery lot at Red Rocks.

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 to the Amphitheatre 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 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

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. AlcoholThe 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.
Leftover Salmon at Red Rocks Amphitheatre

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!

Here are a few of our favorite items to bring to a Red Rocks Tailgate:

This Cubix cooler will keep your drinks cold on hot days – and at half the price of the competitors.

VIEW ON AMAZON

 

Crank the tunes in the lot with this JBL Partybox portable Bluetooth speaker.

VIEW ON AMAZON

This Coleman Portable Propane Grill is compact and light, perfect for feeding you and your crew.

VIEW ON AMAZON

Play Beer-Pong anywhere with this portable Beer-Pong table from Versapong.

VIEW ON AMAZON

 

Find Accommodations Near Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre:

Red Rocks Amphitheater Guides

We've put together these Red Rocks Amphitheater Guides so you can go to Red Rocks like a pro!  Everything you need to know, from parking and transportation to lodging, ticketing, eating, and drinking at Red Rocks, and more.  

See you on the Rocks!

Red Rocks Dining Guides

Red Rocks Dining Guide

The best restaurants nearby and convenient to Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Red Rocks Amphitheater Transportation Guide

Red Rocks Transportation Guide

Everything you need to know to get to and from Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado.

Red Rocks Lodging Guide

Red Rocks Lodging Guide

Coming from out of town?  There are plenty of lodging options around Red Rocks Amphitheater, if you know where to look!

Packing Guide for Red Rocks Amphitheater

What can I bring into Red Rocks?

Knowing what you can and cannot bring into Red Rocks Amphitheater will help ensure you get the best out of your Red Rocks visit!

Tips for a Red Rocks Concert

Tips for a Red Rocks Concert

An overview of everything you need to do Red Rocks Amphitheater like a pro, your first time and every time!

Red Rocks Parking Guide

Red Rocks PARKING Guide

There are multiple parking lots at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Where you are seated, where your friends are, and how much walking you want to do are all considerations when parking at Red Rocks.

Red Rocks Calendar 2022

Red Rocks 2023 Concert Calendar

The complete list of every concert (announced so far) at Red Rocks Amphitheater in 2023.

Red Rocks Tailgate Guide

Red Rocks Tailgate Guide

Tailgate like a pro at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Parking, packing, timing, rules, more!

Funky Festival Gear and Clothing

Funky Festival Gear

“Be Your Fest Self” with fun and unique festival gear.

Like Aliens riding T-Rex with rainbow stars shooting out its butt.   Because we can.

Funky Festival Gear and Clothing

About The Author

FestyGoNuts

Festy GoNuts is the ultimate resource for enhancing your music festival experience: the Music, the Culture & the Adventure.

Be Your Fest Self with Funky Festy Attire!

VISIT SHOP

Categories

Festy GoNuts is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

FestyGoNuts logo

Don't miss the latest Festival news!

WhooHoo! Check your email for our Festy Food Guide as thanks!