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- Why The Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre Remains Undefeated
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Summary
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, is a stunning concert venue surrounded by red rocks, offering exceptional views and acoustics.
- Visitors can tour Red Rocks Amphitheatre without a concert ticket, enjoying the spectacular scenery and taking part in activities like yoga classes or workouts.
- The best time to visit Morrison, Colorado, is in the summer, fall, or spring, as winter weather can lead to road closures and limited access to the park and theater.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado, is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver. It is one of the most famous venues on the planet for its extraordinary atmosphere, not to mention it's surrounded by and made from its namesake red rock. Quite literally carved into the enormous red rocks for which this part of the state is world-renowned, this concert venue's gargantuan rocky structures flank both sites of the amphitheater and rise over 300 feet tall. Originally completed in 1941, the venue is very high up on the map at around 6,450 feet above sea level - a total of around 1,000 feet higher than Denver - and anyone touring the place can feel its altitude, which of course, makes for some exceptionally stunning views.
Whether visitors are live music fans or not, the sheer beauty of Red Rocks Amphitheatre alone is a reason to check it out. Still, those who are will relish witnessing the best bands on earth playing heart-stopping shows, thanks to its incredible acoustics courtesy of this unique outdoor venue blended into nature. However, visitors can enjoy Red Rocks without a concert; anyone wondering how to tour Red Rocks Amphitheatre without a live music event ticket can still tour its majesty. First and foremost, the landmark is a venue, but when no famous names are rocking out and entertaining the crowds, it's a space of spectacular splendor superb for soaking up the scenery and sampling sublime strolls.
UPDATE: 2023/09/29 16:44 EST BY NOAH STAATS
Why The Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre Remains Undefeated
This article has been refreshed with new information on traveling to the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre and tips for potential visitors. With its natural splendor and picture-perfect backdrop, nothing beats this Morrison icon.
Where Is Red Rocks Amphitheatre Located?
- This famous Ampitheatre is located in Morrison, Colorado, near the town of Golden.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre is found in Morrison, Colorado, right near the characterful town of Golden - another fun and charming dot on the state's map worthy of a visit. Morrison is a delight for visitors and home to a great array of restaurants and shops, which are perfect for dining and shopping for a couple of hours as part of a day out in the town before heading for the short drive out of town to Red Rocks.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Visit Morrison, Colorado?
- The best times to see Morrison, Colorado, are in the summer, fall, and spring.
- Winter weather is harsh here, leading to road closures.
Regarding the best time to check out Morrison, Colorado, peak tourism happens in the summer and fall, specifically from June to August. From there, the 'off-season' will be October through February, when the temperatures drop and snow starts to hit the ground. Visiting the Red Rocks Park and Ampitheatre may be limited during inclement conditions, which is worth noting for people hoping to tour them. If the roads are filled with ice and snow, there likely will NOT be entrance to the park and theater. Make sure and check the official website for any updates as your trip nears.
Spring is a great alternative as well because there shouldn't be much snow, and the park will be less crowded than in the summer. That is also when most plants and animals will be roaming the two properties. Make sure and stay away from any wild animals, as not all of them will be friendly.
Can You Tour Red Rocks Amphitheatre?
- There are daily tours offered of the Red Rocks Ampitheatre held throughout the year.
- The park and theater are open to the public.
Touring Red Rocks really depends on the time of year. Throughout the concert season, the venue closes earlier in the day in order to prepare for the night's show. Outside this season, visitors are normally free to spend as long as they wish enjoying the attraction from early morning until nightfall. On a night without any live music events, it's not uncommon to see people hanging out and exploring Red Rocks after dusk.
Plus, while many visitors like to saunter around the venue to take photos and absorb the sensational scenery, a lot of others enjoy using the space as a workout spot. On any given day, visitors are likely to see energetic folks utilizing the amphitheater's unique surroundings to pump up their routine, running up and down the concert seats and taking advantage of the elevation to work up a good sweat. Even yoga classes at Red Rocks are a popular pastime.
When Is Red Rocks Concert Season?
The concert season at Red Rocks Amphitheatre takes place in accordance with the weather due to its placement up in the mountains. As such, the period of live events runs from April to October when artists, both up-and-coming and those considered coveted globally famed headliners, put on breathtaking shows at the Mars planet-like outdoor venue. During the off-season, however, exploration of the amphitheater is still possible through self-guided tours.
Can You Visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre For Free?
Fortunately for those who miss the concert season, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre are open all year round for free self-guided tours, which commence one hour before sunrise and continue until one hour after sunset. Self-guided tours of Red Rocks are a wonderful way to get to know the attraction outside the lively event roster and still provide an educational and beautiful experience for visitors.
- There are free tours of the Red Rocks Ampitheatre throughout the year.
People can enjoy walking through the Visitor Center and view interactive educational displays that showcase both the geological and musical history of Red Rocks, visit the incredible Performers Hall of Fame display, and catch a free screening of Oscar-winner Donna Dewey’s documentary and the 'best of' Red Rocks concert footage. Also on the self-guided tour is the chance to check out the Colorado Music Hall of Fame inside the Trading Post and the fantastic opportunity to stroll one of the numerous short hikes in the unearthly, mesmerizingly gorgeous Red Rocks environment. The Red Rocks trail and its numerous others are definitely among the most scenic hiking routes near Denver, with a number of them being fairly easy feats for less fit folks.
Remember, though, the Amphitheatre and Visitor Center close early every day in preparation for the night’s event during note that during the Summer Concert Season from April to October. Closing times can sometimes vary by event, but the venue is usually closed by 2:30 pm - and often earlier.
To find out the exact closing time of each day during the concert period, guests are advised to visit the day's event page and check the designated ‘Visitors Welcome Until’ time on that date, or alternatively call 720-865-2494, which tells the daily closing time through an automated recording.
Guided Tours Of Red Rocks Amphitheatre
- Groups of 15+ guests can enjoy guided tours here.
- The maximum number of people PER tour is 50.
Groups of 15 or more people (and up to a maximum of 50) can enjoy guided tours at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in the mornings. The guided Red Rocks walking tours take groups of visitors through the whole Amphitheatre while teaching them about the magnificent geological wonders that are the 'walls' of Red Rocks and how they were formed. Additionally, tour-goers get to learn about the earliest inhabitants of the area, along with the many music artists over the decades that have graced the legendary stage between Ship Rock and Creation Rock.
Red Rocks Guided Tour Prices During The Concert Season (April to October):
- $8 for adults
- $4 for children 12 and under
Red Rocks Guided Tour Prices During The Off-Season (November to March):
The off-season guided tour of Red Rocks Amphitheatre includes backstage access as well, so long as the weather permits.
- $12 for adults
- $6 for children 12 and under
Discover more information on Red Rocks Amphitheatre guided and self-guided tours and operator contact details on the Red Rocks Online website's tours page.