Red Rocks Amphitheatre parking lots
Red Rocks has two main parking areas for amphitheatre visitors, plus overflow lots for large shows:
- Ship Rock Grille lot (top/main lot): $15/car on concert nights — the primary general admission parking area, closest to the north entrance of the amphitheatre. This is where most concertgoers end up. It fills 60–90 minutes before big shows.
- Trading Post lot (lower lot): Reserved primarily for accessible and mobility-impaired parking on concert nights. During non-concert hours, it's free and serves hikers visiting the Trading Post area.
- No RVs in show lots: RVs and oversized vehicles are not permitted in the main amphitheatre lots on concert nights. Plan accordingly.
- Lots open 2 hours before showtime: Plan to arrive shortly after lots open. Bear Creek Road backs up significantly as showtime approaches, and the single-lane access road can add 30–60 minutes to your arrival time on sold-out shows.
Red Rocks parking prices
Red Rocks keeps its parking pricing simple:
- Concert nights: $15 per car in the main amphitheatre lots. Accessible parking requires a valid placard. Some premium lots may charge more for premium placement on major festival events.
- Daytime / non-concert access: Free. Red Rocks Park itself is always free to enter, and parking in the lots for hiking, the Visitor Center, or the Trading Post is free during non-concert operating hours.
- Season pass holders: Denver Parks & Recreation season pass holders may qualify for discounted parking access — check the current season's pass benefits before the concert season begins.
Is Red Rocks parking free?
It depends on whether there's a concert:
- Free during non-concert hours: If you're visiting Red Rocks Park for hiking, the amphitheatre tours, or the Visitor Center on a non-show day, parking is completely free. The park and its lots are open to the public daily.
- $15 on concert nights: The parking fee kicks in on any evening with a ticketed amphitheatre event. This applies to everyone entering the main lots — even if you're just there to hike and not attending the show.
- Pro tip: If you want to hike Red Rocks on a concert day, arrive in the morning before the venue gates open. Early arrivals often access the hiking trails for free before event parking operations begin.
How to get to Red Rocks without driving
Red Rocks is 15 miles southwest of Denver in the foothills — there's no fixed-route bus service, which makes it harder to reach without a car. But options exist:
- RTD FlexRide concert shuttle: RTD operates a seasonal FlexRide service from Union Station and select RTD park-and-ride locations on select show nights. It's not available for every concert — check the RTD website for your specific show date. Reservations may be required.
- Lyft / Uber: Available, but surge pricing is extreme on concert nights. Expect $40–$80 each way from downtown Denver. Post-show surges can be even worse as thousands of people request rides simultaneously. Factor this into your cost comparison versus parking.
- Biking the Bear Creek Trail: A popular summer option. The Bear Creek Trail from Lakewood is approximately 12 miles and a beautiful ride through foothills terrain. Bike parking is available at Red Rocks. Bring lights for the post-show ride back — it gets dark.
- Organize a designated driver: The most reliable option for groups. One person stays sober, you all split the $15 parking, and you avoid surge pricing entirely.
Coming from the airport for a Red Rocks show?
Flying into Denver for a Red Rocks concert is very doable — here are your realistic options:
- DIA → A Line → Union Station → Lyft to Red Rocks: Take the RTD A Line from DIA to Union Station in 37 minutes for $10.50, then grab a Lyft or Uber to Red Rocks (~$25 from downtown, less than the post-show surge). Plan to arrive early enough to beat the concert-night surge pricing on the way in.
- Rent a car at DIA: The most flexible option. Red Rocks is 26 miles from DIA — approximately a 35-minute drive via I-70 west and Morrison Road. Easy to navigate.
- If you're driving from DIA and staying multiple nights: Compare off-airport DIA parking from $9/day versus the DIA garage. Off-airport lots are significantly cheaper for multi-day trips — and you still drive yourself to the show.
Best Red Rocks parking tips
Experienced Red Rocks concertgoers live by these rules:
- Pre-purchase parking with your ticket if the venue offers it — guaranteed spots are worth the peace of mind on sold-out shows.
- Arrive right when lots open (2 hours before showtime). Bear Creek Road — the only road in — backs up severely as showtime approaches. Being in the lot early means zero road stress.
- Morrison has almost no street parking. The small town of Morrison at the base of the road has very limited public parking, and it fills early. Don't count on it as a backup plan.
- Lyft is sometimes worth it for big shows where post-game traffic jams can trap you in the parking lot for 45–90 minutes. Being dropped off and picked up eliminates that wait entirely.
- Bring layers. Red Rocks sits at 6,450 feet elevation — it can be 30°F cooler than downtown Denver at night. The walk from the parking lot to your seat is uphill and long enough that cold catches people off guard.
| Lot | Distance to Stage | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ship Rock Grille lot (main) | 5–8 min walk | $15 (concerts) / Free | General admission, fills fastest |
| Trading Post lot (lower) | 10–12 min walk | Free (non-concert) | Accessible/mobility parking on show nights |
| RTD FlexRide shuttle | Drops at venue | Varies | Select shows only — check RTD site |
| Lyft / Uber | Door to door | $25–$80 each way | Surge post-show; no parking stress |
Prices are estimates for 2026. Concert parking rates are set by Red Rocks/Denver Parks & Recreation and may adjust seasonally.