Red Rocks Amphitheatre stands as one of Colorado’s premier landmarks and is widely known for combining breathtaking natural views with an unforgettable acoustic experience. Mother Nature sculpted towering sandstone monoliths into an environment which has become a bucket-list destination for music fans and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Red Rocks concerts offer an unforgettable concert-going experience for audiences of all types, whether close to the stage or high up in the balcony.
The History
Red Rocks Park was formed over millions of years by geologic forces acting upon its giant sandstone monoliths, while music performances first took place here during its initial use as a music venue in the early 1900s when Renaissance man John Brisben Walker set up a temporary stage amongst them for performers to perform among.
Not long after it opened its doors to artists, word quickly spread about Red Rocks as a premier venue with exceptional acoustics and breathtaking natural surroundings that provided concerts at Red Rocks with an ethereal feel.
In 1936, Denver Parks Manager convinced city leaders to purchase and transform a site into an amphitheater. Workers from Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration constructed this landmark venue which integrated natural features with structured designs in an elegant fashion; today it stands as a National Historic Landmark.
The Venue
Ship Rock and Creation Rock rock formations provide an atmosphere that’s unparalleled to other concert venues, giving guests panoramic views of surrounding natural landscapes for miles in every direction and gorgeous open skies that simply can’t be beat.
Red Rocks has long been a favorite venue of musicians, who enjoy performing there and choosing it as the site for video shoots and live albums. Red Rocks has seen performances by the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Jethro Tull (whose concert caused a seven-year ban of rock music at Red Rocks park in 1971) and Grateful Dead among many others who have graced its stage over its history – and no shortage of musical legends who have graced its stage!
Make sure to arrive early so you can park and navigate through the crowds; exiting can take an hour on windy nights! The venue also hosts movies, yoga classes and an Easter sunrise service each year.
The Seating
Red Rocks Amphitheatre features stunning views of Colorado countryside from its seating capacity of over 9,000 music fans, and 400ft-high red sandstone rocks create a unique setting. Artists who perform there often record live albums that show off its incredible acoustics.
The park features a tunnel beneath the stage where artists and crew members can travel from backstage to front of house quickly and efficiently. Walking through this passageway after an exciting show is an especially thrilling experience as artists who participated often sign their names to walls throughout.
Bring a cooler full of cold beverages, food, and plenty of water with you for your visit to the National Monuments! As it will likely rain at least once during your trip, bring jacket, hat, sunglasses and any necessary protective wear such as jacket, cap and sunglasses to protect yourself against the elements – don’t forget your camera too as there will be plenty of photo opps! You will want to take plenty of pictures too!
The Views
No venue can beat Red Rocks when it comes to live music performances; its iconic acoustics make this outdoor venue a must for music fans and performers alike.
Cliff-side venue The Cliff-side Venue is an unforgettable spectacle at any time, but particularly during evening when lights illuminate its landscape. A visit to its visitor’s center should also be on your agenda; its walls contain every act that has ever performed there and make an amazing backdrop against which an evening of music unfolds – Yelp Reviewer
The Accessibility
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre offer something special for fans of music, nature, history or all three! However, visitors with limited mobility should remember some factors when planning their visit.
Westword contributor Kalyn Heffernan has attended many concerts at Red Rocks over the years, and understands the limited seating options wheelchair users have at Red Rocks. Therefore, she always endeavors to secure front-row tickets.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, venues cannot charge higher ticket prices for wheelchair-accessible seating than for non-accessible ones. Red Rocks currently has 121 accessible seats that primarily lie in its first and last rows; under a new project Red Rocks will rework its South Ramp, add more paved parking, construct a small shelter at its shuttle shop, as well as improve slopes from Upper South Lot to Visitor Center/Row 70.
