Colorado Red Rocks Amphitheatre Walking Tour
Colorado Red Rocks Amphitheatre Walking Tour
Product details
Explore a site packed to the rafters with rock'n'roll history, natural beauty and local lore. Join a local Colorado guide for a tour of the region’s unique history. Make your way from the Red Rock Trading Post to the historic Red Rock Amphitheatre, soaking up the rich musical mountain air. Hear about how this site went from dinosaur inhabitants to that of The Beatles and U2.
First, a home to dinosaurs, then a settlement of local Indigenous people, before it became what it is best known for today: a temple of live music. Get started on your tour at the iconic Red Rocks Trading Post, where you’ll meet your guide and head up through the rocky road to the amphitheatre. Make a stop at the Spirit Statue of a guitar-strapped John Denver – just one of the music greats who have performed here over the years.
Walk along a short section of the Trading Post Trail, passing various tilted rock formations, while your guide gives you a quick geology lesson. Learn about the dinosaurs who roamed Red Rocks over 150 million years ago, some leaving footprints behind which can be seen at the nearby Dinosaur Ridge. One of the excavated fossils found at this site was a 90-foot Apatosaurus ajax.
The next significant point in the region’s history was its importance to the Indigenous Native American people. Your guide will discuss the Ute people, who were Colorado's first residents and used the area now known as Red Rock Park for ceremonial events.
Keep walking along the trail, looking for the region’s critters, which are sometimes seen from the trail, before finally arriving at the amphitheatre. Architect Burnham Hoyt designed the site to maximise the naturally occurring acoustics of the rocky site while preserving the beauty. Finally opening in 1941, the stage has hosted names such as The Beatles, U2, Widespread Panic, John Denver, Stevie Nicks and even early opera stars like Lily Pons. Music lovers can get even more history about the many legends who’ve graced the Red Rocks stage on a visit to the Red Rocks Hall of Fame.
Alongside the amphitheatre lies Ship Rock Grill, named after one of the giant rocks framing the theatre. This restaurant serves up a selection of local favourites. Refuel after your tour with a meal here or further into Morisson at another local joint, The Fort, but ask your guide for their favourite regional specialty.
Your Red Rocks tour will come to an end but if you don’t want your Denver adventure to end, there’s a lot more fun to be had. Hikers may enjoy the views of Matthews/Winters Park or more of the trails within the Red Rocks Park. See dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Ridge, enjoy the scenery on a drive through the Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway or ask your guide about things to do in the nearby town of Morrison.
Red Rocks is an active music venue, and the seating area may close early for sound checks and pre-show preparations. If this affects the full tour experience, your guide will communicate any changes in advance.
Where does the tour end?
Within Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
What if I can't find my guide?
If you have any issues on the day of your tour, please call +1 857 294 0068
- Wander through the Red Rocks Park and learn about the natural phenomena that caused the rock formations from your local guide
- Step into the 10,000-seat amphitheatre that’s been hosting rock’n’roll greats, from The Beatles to Stevie Nicks
- Visit the Red Rocks Hall of Fame for an in-depth look at the legends and icons of Red Rock from as early as 1952
- Look out at the views both from the park and within it as you look out across Creation and Ship rocks
- Search for native Coloradan wildlife and wildflowers as you walk through the park and beyond
- Guided walking tour of Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Trading Post Trail
- Local English-speaking guide
- Food and drink, souvenirs
- Tips and gratuities for the guide
Please note that this tour covers about 2 miles of walking.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity.