- Address: 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
- Elevation: 6,450 feet (bring layers, even summer nights get cold)
- Nearest city: Denver, CO,15 miles east via I-70
- Nearest airport: Denver International Airport (DEN), ~50 miles, 60+ min
- Best transport option: Drive via I-70 West (Exit 259) or RTD shuttle from Union Station
- Parking: Included with ticket. Upper lots fill 90 min before showtime.
- Rideshare pickup: Lower South Lot, request return ride before the encore
- Uber/Lyft availability: Yes, but post-show surge is steep. Plan ahead.
Getting to Red Rocks is half the experience and half the stress, if you don’t plan it right.
The venue is about 15 miles west of Denver via I-70, which sounds simple until a sold-out crowd of roughly 9,500 heads up the same foothill roads at the same time. The good news: if you know when to leave and which option fits your group, you can arrive relaxed, find your seats before the opener, and get out without a long wait afterward.
Red Rocks is at 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO. Parking is free, and lots open two hours before doors. There is no RTD concert service, so without a car book a private shuttle ($65 to $70 round trip) from Union Station or Colfax Avenue. After the show, Uber, Lyft and private pickups all happen at the Jurassic Lot, a downhill walk from the amphitheatre. Last verified October 2026.
The fastest option for most people is to drive. Take I-70 West to Exit 259 and follow signs to 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO. Leave Denver well ahead of doors, earlier for sold-out shows. Don’t want to drive? Private shuttles run from downtown Denver and are the most stress-free way to get there and back, especially if you plan to drink. For how this venue compares with other big outdoor stages, see our amphitheater parking and transit comparison.
One thing nobody warns first-timers about: Red Rocks sits at 6,450 feet. If you’re flying in from sea level, you’ll feel the altitude before you feel the bass. Drink a full water bottle before you arrive. Go easy on alcohol the first couple of hours. Bring a layer, because even August nights cool down fast once the sun drops behind the rocks.
Location Basics
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is located in Morrison, Colorado, approximately 15 miles west of downtown Denver. The exact address is:
18300 W Alameda Parkway
Morrison, CO 80465
The amphitheatre sits at an elevation of 6,450 feet, which means even summer evenings can get cool and the air is noticeably thinner for visitors coming from lower elevations.
Driving to Red Rocks
The most popular approach. I-70 West is a straight shot from downtown Denver, and on a clear day the drive through the foothills is worth leaving early just to enjoy it.
Route: I-70 West, then Exit 259 (Morrison Road), then follow the signs for Red Rocks Park to the venue.
Realistic timing:
- Without traffic: about 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Denver
- On show nights: expect much longer, especially in the hour before doors
- From DEN airport: about an hour without traffic, longer on show nights
- From Colorado Springs: roughly 90 minutes via I-25 North to C-470 West
The one mistake most people make: leaving downtown at the last minute. Once the backup starts, it doesn’t clear until well after doors open. Leave by 5 PM for a 7 PM show. If that means grabbing dinner in Morrison first, that’s actually the move, since the town has solid pre-show options right off the exit.
Watch the weather: spring and fall shows can bring snow to the foothills even when Denver is dry, and the approach on Alameda Parkway has steep grades. Check conditions before you leave.
For the drive itself, a few things make it easier:
Parking Information
Parking at Red Rocks is free, and there is nothing to pre-pay or book. Lots fill first come, first served and open two hours before doors. They are named by position on the ridge, including Upper North, Lower South, Top Circle and the Trading Post lot, and where you land changes your night.
Closer lots (the upper lots and Top Circle) mean the shortest walk in. They fill first, so if you arrive soon after the lots open you will almost certainly land here.
Lower lots mean a longer uphill walk to the entrance. They are the backup when the upper lots are full.
Practical parking tips:
- Take a photo of your lot and row before you walk away. The lots look identical after dark.
- Will Call opens four hours before showtime, so you can pick up tickets before the lots get busy.
- Cell service can get spotty when a full house is online, so screenshot your tickets and your route home.
- Electric vehicles: four ChargePoint stations sit in the Trading Post lot and the Upper North lot.
- For the exit, don’t race to your car at the last song. Waiting out the first rush inside the venue is often faster than sitting in a lot.
Rideshare and Taxi Services
Rideshare works well for getting there. Getting home takes a plan.
Drop-off: ask your driver for the Top Circle Lot via Entrance 1, or the intersection of Red Rocks Park Road and Trading Post Road via Entrance 2. Limo and shuttle buses also drop off at Top Circle.
Pickup after the show: Uber, Lyft, taxis and private vehicles all use the Jurassic Lot, just inside Entrance 2 off Highway 93. The venue’s recommended walk is the Will Call Trail across from the Trading Post, then down Red Rocks Park Road. A limited free shuttle runs from the Top Circle Lot and the Trading Post to Jurassic, but Red Rocks itself warns of delays and encourages people to walk.
What to expect: when thousands of people request rides at the same moment, surge pricing and long waits are common. If you can, build in a little time. Walk to the Jurassic Lot before you request, and consider a pre-booked shuttle if you would rather not gamble on the app.
Shuttles from Denver (Best Option if You’re Drinking)
There is no RTD concert shuttle to Red Rocks. What does exist are private shuttle services that leave from downtown Denver and take the driving, parking and exit traffic off your plate.
Who runs them: On Location sells a Shuttles to Red Rocks pass through the same ticket sellers as the shows, at about $70 round trip in the listings we checked. Local press has put the price closer to $65. The pass does not include show admission.
Pickup points and timing: the Thirsty Lion at Union Station departs about 30 minutes before doors. Illegal Pete’s on Colfax Avenue departs about 45 minutes before doors. Check-in opens 1.5 hours before doors, and you must check in at the stop printed on your pass.
Return: shuttles leave Red Rocks about 30 minutes after the show ends, which is your window to get to the pickup area.
What to know: shuttle passes are non-refundable, and you can only change your pickup stop within 48 hours of buying. Not every show has a shuttle offer, so look for the shuttle add-on on your event’s ticket page. Groups can also charter a bus. A bus for 20 people has been quoted around $1,100, which works out to roughly $55 each.
Public Transportation Options
For years, there was simply no bus or train to Red Rocks. Here is where that stands.
- RTD W Line to Golden Station: trains run from Denver Union Station to the Jefferson County Government Center, also called Golden Station. That still leaves you about 5 miles from the amphitheatre entrance.
- Westracks shuttle: in summer 2026, Jefferson County launched a free pilot shuttle from the Jefferson County Government Center and Golden Station to the Red Rocks Trading Post. It ran on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays between Memorial Day and Labor Day, starting around 9 a.m. and running about every 15 minutes.
- The catch: Westracks had no evening service, so it could get you to Red Rocks in the daytime but not home from a concert. Jefferson County is evaluating the pilot, with extended hours and more concert access among the ideas, so check for changes before the 2027 season.
Until evening service exists, treat public transit as a daytime option for visiting the park, and plan show nights around driving or a private shuttle.
Cycling to Red Rocks
For the athletically inclined, cycling to Red Rocks is possible. The Bear Creek Trail connects the Denver area toward Morrison, but the final approach to the venue is a steep climb and the ride home is in the dark, so plan your route carefully and check it before you go.
Remember that riding back after dark requires proper lighting and reflective gear. A few products you can get from Amazon for cycling:
Tips for Different Types of Shows
Our transportation travel tips apply to any concert trip, and a few adjustments help at Red Rocks depending on the show.
- Sold-out major artists: arrive as soon as lots open, and book a shuttle early if you want one.
- Weekday shows: factor evening rush hour on I-70 into your departure time, or eat in Morrison first.
- Multi-night runs: traffic patterns change by night, so don’t assume night two will look like night one.
Accessibility Information
Red Rocks offers accessible parking and designated accessible seating. Arrival options and shuttle service for guests with mobility needs can change from show to show, so contact the venue before your visit to confirm what is available for your date.
Weather Considerations
Colorado’s climate can affect your transportation plans:
- Summer thunderstorms: common in late afternoons, and they can make roads slick.
- Early and late season shows: snow is possible in the foothills, especially after dark.
- Temperature drops: evenings cool off quickly even after a hot day, so bring a layer.
Check the forecast before departing and dress in layers.
Combining with Denver Activities
Many visitors combine a Red Rocks concert with a few days in Denver. Twist & Shout Records is a classic stop for music fans, and the Colorado Music Hall of Fame is at Red Rocks itself. For a full itinerary, see our guide to things to do near Red Rocks, and our Colorado concert city guide for more.
Technology Aids
- Waze: real-time traffic updates and alternate routes on the way up
- Offline maps: download your route before you leave, since coverage drops when the venue is full
- Your ticket and shuttle pass: screenshot both so you are not hunting for a signal at the gate
How to Get to Red Rocks Amphitheatre – in short
Transportation options for Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO: driving, private shuttles, rideshare, and parking.
- Best option: Drive from Denver via I-70
Take I-70 West from Denver to Exit 259 (Morrison Road), then follow the signs for Red Rocks Park to 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465. Parking is free and lots open two hours before doors. Leave early on show nights.
- Private shuttle from Denver (skip the traffic)
RTD does not run concert shuttles to Red Rocks. Private shuttles leave from the Thirsty Lion at Union Station and Illegal Pete’s on Colfax, cost about $65 to $70 round trip, and leave Red Rocks about 30 minutes after the show ends. The pass does not include show admission.
- Rideshare (Uber or Lyft)
Drop-off is at Top Circle via Entrance 1 or the Trading Post Road intersection via Entrance 2. After the show, all rideshare pickups use the Jurassic Lot, just inside Entrance 2 off Highway 93. Walk down the Will Call Trail and Red Rocks Park Road to reach it, and expect surge pricing and waits.
- Parking at Red Rocks
Parking is free and first come, first served, with no pre-payment needed. Upper lots and Top Circle are closest to the entrance and fill first. Lower lots mean a longer uphill walk. Take a photo of your lot and row, because they look the same after dark.
- From Denver International Airport (DEN)
DEN is roughly 50 miles from Red Rocks, about an hour without traffic. No public transit connects the airport to the venue, so rent a car, take a rideshare, or stay downtown and use a private shuttle on show night. Take I-70 West to Exit 259.
Plan the Rest of Your Red Rocks Trip
Getting there is just the start. Here’s what else we cover for Red Rocks:
- Restaurants Near Red Rocks, where to eat before the show (and what’s open after)
- Bars Near Red Rocks, best options in Morrison and the Denver foothills
- Places to Stay Near Red Rocks, hotels in Morrison, Golden, and Denver
- Things to Do Near Red Rocks, make a full trip out of the show
- Amphitheater Parking and Transit Compared, how Red Rocks stacks up against the Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia and the Gorge
→ Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Complete Venue Guide
Key Takeaways for Getting to Red Rocks
Planning transportation to Red Rocks is as essential as securing your tickets. The venue’s setting comes with real access challenges: free parking that fills first come, first served, no public transit home after dark, and a single pickup lot for rideshare. Build in extra time, decide your route home before the show starts, and consider a private shuttle if you want the evening to be about the music.
Remember that getting to and from the venue is part of the overall Red Rocks experience. With proper planning, the drive up becomes a worthwhile part of the trip rather than a hurdle before it.
FAQ
For most people, driving is the best option. Take I-70 West from Denver to Exit 259 and follow signs to 18300 W Alameda Pkwy. Parking is free. If you want to skip parking and exit traffic, a private shuttle from Union Station or Colfax Avenue is the next best choice.
Yes, but not from RTD. Private shuttles, sold through the same ticket sellers as the shows, run from the Thirsty Lion at Union Station and Illegal Pete’s on Colfax Avenue. They cost about $65 to $70 round trip and leave Red Rocks about 30 minutes after the show ends. The pass does not include show admission.
Only partly. RTD’s W Line runs from Union Station to Golden Station, about 5 miles from the venue. In summer 2026 a free Westracks shuttle connected Golden Station to the Red Rocks Trading Post on weekend and holiday daytimes, but it had no evening service and could not get you home from a concert.
Yes, and it is free. Lots are first come, first served and open two hours before doors. Upper lots and Top Circle are closest to the entrance and fill first, while lower lots mean a longer uphill walk. Take a photo of your lot and row before you walk away.
All rideshare, taxi and private pickups after the show use the Jurassic Lot, just inside Entrance 2 off Highway 93. The venue recommends walking there via the Will Call Trail and Red Rocks Park Road. Drop-off is at the Top Circle Lot via Entrance 1 or the Trading Post Road intersection via Entrance 2.
Red Rocks is about 15 miles west of downtown Denver, roughly 25 to 30 minutes without traffic. On show nights, allow much longer. From Denver International Airport it is roughly 50 miles and about an hour without traffic.
I love live music and the feeling of discovering a new city through a concert. Over time I realized that planning these trips can be more complicated than it should be. Live Music Getaways was created to fix that. It brings together practical travel advice and real concert experience so fans can focus on the music instead of the logistics.