Fitness buffs use the seats at Red Rocks Amphitheatre for working out on non-concert days.
BOUNDARIES: W. Alameda Pkwy., Ship Rock Rd., Trading Post Rd.
DISTANCE: Approx. 2.5 miles
DIFFICULTY: Moderate to difficult
PARKING: Free parking is available in all parking lots.
PUBLIC TRANSIT: None
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is famous worldwide. Well, maybe just the amphitheatre is famous. And for good reason—U2, the Grateful Dead, the Beatles, Sting, Jimi Hendrix, and just about every great rock musician has not only performed here but also raved about doing so. It is a one-of-a-kind acoustically perfect natural amphitheatre in a spectacular setting. Of the 868 acres that make up Red Rocks Park, the amphitheatre is just one part. There are hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, which also afford views of the slanted and towering red rocks.
Trading Post Trail is a 1.4-mile loop that is easy enough for children to do. This walk combines the Trading Post Trail with a walk through the amphitheatre, which has a lot of stairs, and at an altitude of 6,450 feet above sea level it can be quite strenuous.
Note: Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is closed on concert dates while the stage is set up. Always check their calendar or call first to make sure you have access. Also, use caution when crossing roads, as cars share the roads with pedestrians and cyclists within Red Rocks Park. Check the weather, as you don’t want to be here during a thunderstorm.
Walk Description
Start this walk in the Upper North Lot—you’ll be doing a lot of stair climbing and trail walking, so you don’t need to park any farther away than necessary. There is little to no shade on this walk, so bring water, sunscreen, and a hat.
Walk south on the path leading to the amphitheatre. The terrace at the top of the amphitheatre is the roof of the visitor center and 
Ship Rock Grille, but these places are not subterranean, and like everyplace at Red Rocks there is gorgeous scenery to see. Inside the 
Red Rocks Visitor Center is the 
Colorado Music Hall of Fame, showing off the many big-name musicians who have played at Red Rocks Amphitheatre over the decades. It’s a very impressive lineup that makes you want to see a show here. Or you can just see a sample of all that history by watching a documentary about Red Rocks with concert footage in the Southwest Heart of the Rock Theatre. In addition, there are exhibits about the unique geology of Red Rocks and the surrounding area, where many dinosaur bones and other fossils have been discovered.
As you are crossing the terrace to the south side of the 
amphitheatre, stop and take in the natural beauty that inspired this concert venue. It’s a terrific view of Denver to the east right over Dinosaur Ridge (see Walk 28). The bench seats are framed by Creation Rock to the left (as you are facing the stage) and Ship Rock to the right. Each of these red sandstone rocks is taller than Niagara Falls. Signs all over Red Rocks remind people not to climb on the rocks; they can be very slippery.
Remember John Brisben Walker from Walk 7 and his former castle by the South Platte River? Walker was a dreamer, and one of his visions was to make Red Rocks a world-class outdoor music hall. Back then he called it “Garden of the Titans.” Walker owned this land and between 1906 and 1910 produced concerts in this natural acoustic setting on a temporary stage. In the 1920s, another visionary convinced Denver city leaders to buy Walker’s land and turn it into a real concert venue. Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre is owned and operated by the city of Denver to this day.
Come see a show at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. photographed by Steve Crecelius/Visit Denver
Architect Burnham Hoyt (whose residential work was highlighted in Walk 18) was hired in the 1930s to design the amphitheatre, and in 1947 it was opened for an Easter Sunrise Service (the Easter service still takes place, depending on the fickle Colorado spring weather). The beauty of Hoyt’s design is how natural it looks. In fact, the rows of benches were once a boulder field that had to be dynamited and moved piece by piece. Manpower from the federally sponsored Civilian Conservation Corps and the Work Projects Administration were brought on to make the project affordable. From planning to completion, it took 12 years to finish building the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The roof over the stage was added later and is not part of the original design.
Kid Tip: If you’re interested in music and/or beautifully natural geological formations, then Red Rocks is a jackpot for you. With an extensive history of amazing bands and artists, the outdoor concert hall is framed by large (slanting) red rocks that gave Red Rocks its name, and fame. I love the Beatles, and they played here—see if your favorite band has too.
Descend the stairs. Chances are you will have a lot of company on the stairs because Red Rocks is also a very popular (unofficial) outdoor gym. At 6,400 feet above sea level, this is one intense StairMaster workout!
Turn right for the south ramp/South Parking Lot, which is a long elevated ramp and stairs down to Ship Rock Road.
Cross Ship Rock Road and walk a few feet south from the stairs you just descended and up to Nine Parks Rock and the Trading Post.
Turn right and follow the trail as it curves and winds through more glorious jutting red rocks. Kind of like looking at clouds drifting by, you can stop and ponder the names assigned to each rock formation. On your right, in this order, will be Iceberg Rock, Sinking Titanic Rock, Sphinx Rock, Gog Rock, Magog Rock, and, after the trail turns right, on your left will be Frog Rock.
When you come to a slight hilltop overlooking Picnic Rock and several trails leading downhill to it, resist temptation and turn right at the concrete barricade. It is safe and pretty to look at down there, but it is not the Trading Post Trail.
As the trail continues south through an open meadow you will notice cactus and yucca plants mixed in with the grasses—a reminder of being on the arid plains. You’ll certainly hear birds on this walk and maybe even see some deer or snakes.
Go left as the trail turns and begins to loop back. If it’s a weekday during the school year, you might hear children playing at recess at the elementary school nearby.
By now you have probably seen a few signs marking a closed trail. This can be confusing—and you will see a lot more of these up ahead, accompanied by repeated requests to not climb on the rocks—but rest assured that Trading Post Trail itself is not closed. Those well-worn paths that are now closed are not part of this trail.
After you pass Park Cave Rock and Frog Rock on your left (by the way, the names for these rock formations are not actually on or near the rocks but only on maps), cross the road and continue walking north.
Just around Picnic Rock on your left is the 
Trading Post, where you can get snacks, water, T-shirts, shot glasses, CDs, and other Red Rocks souvenirs. There is also a Colorado Welcome Center inside with walls of brochures and trail maps for all over the state. The Trading Post actually predates the amphitheatre and was built here in 1931. The back porch has incredible views and places to sit and rest. During one walk here we stumbled on a Broncos-themed wedding on the green out back (as in the Denver Broncos football team).
Walk north on Trading Post Road past Stage Rock and up the ramp and stairs on the north side of the amphitheatre.
Climb the amphitheatre steps back up to the terrace.
Veer right to take the path back to the Upper North Lot and complete this walk—maybe with lunch at the Ship Rock Grille.
Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre
Points of Interest
Ship Rock Grille 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., 303-697-4939 ext. 111, redrocksonline.com
Red Rocks Visitor Center 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., 303-697-4939, redrocksonline.com
Colorado Music Hall of Fame 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., 303-697-4939, redrocksonline.com
Red Rocks Amphitheatre 18300 W. Alameda Pkwy., 720-865-2494, redrocksonline.com
Red Rocks Trading Post 17900 Trading Post Rd., 303-697-6910, redrocksonline.com