If you follow my blog, you know I can’t be close to a bucket list spot without dragging my family on another adventure! When we found ourselves in Denver, I knew I had to see Red Rocks. Obviously, you need to see a show in the famous amphitheatre and that is still on the bucket list. However, without the tickets or time during our visit, I chose to experience all the other things that Red Rocks Denver offers. Red Rocks opens early for sunrise viewing because of its perfectly eastward view of Downtown Denver. After taking in your sunrise view, spend some time enjoying the hiking trails, spectacular scenery and even have a breakfast picnic. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t get into a show when visiting Denver. You should still make a point to explore Red Rocks Park.
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HOW TO GET TO RED ROCKS DENVER
Red Rocks is located about 25-minutes west of Denver in Morrison, CO. The park is home to the famous open-air Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a spectacular musical venue. I dream of the day I am watching an incredible show as the sun goes down, but until then, exploring the park’s natural red rock formations is a do-not-miss experience.
Below will give you all the information you need to plan a perfect morning in Red Rocks Park. Spend time enjoying the sunrise, hiking some epic trails, and wrapping it up with a fantastic breakfast picnic with views that will leave you wanting more time in this beautiful park. If you are craving stunning views and scenery, you will not be disappointed.
WHAT TIME SHOULD I ARRIVE AT RED ROCKS FOR SUNRISE?
Red Rocks opens one hour before sunset and closes as early as 2:30 pm on event days. Definitely check the Red Rocks event calendar to plan the best day for your Red Rocks Denver visit. You should also check current sunrise times here. Depending on the crowd, parking can be a short walk away when viewing the sunrise from the amphitheatre. So make sure to set aside adequate time to get to Red Rocks Denver for your sunrise, hiking, and breakfast adventure.
We stayed in Parker, CO, and left our hotel around 4:30 am for a 5:24 am sunrise. As hard as rallying the family feels for adventures like these, we have NEVER been disappointed. I put my clothes on the night before and had our bags packed by the door the night before. This way, we could wake up, throw the kids in the car with our hotel pillows, and charge to Red Rocks. You won’t be disappointed. The sky glows long before sunrise, so arriving at least 20 minutes early is ideal.
WHERE TO PARK FOR SUNRISE
Red Rocks Park has several parking lots, but head as high as you can towards the amphitheatre when going for sunrise. You will drive under a red rock arch-turned-tunnel as you get closer, which is fun for the kids to see! We could park in the small Top Circle Lot, but it filled quickly. However, the Upper North Lot is not too far of a walk and has plenty of parking at sunrise.
MORNING EVENTS AT RED ROCKS
Always check the Red Rocks amphitheatre schedule for events before heading out, especially at sunrise. We visited during a popular Yoga on the Rocks Sunday and watched many visitors leave disappointed that they could not stay. We did not need a ticket to the Yoga on the Rocks event to watch the sunrise. However, shortly after sunrise, we did have to clear the amphitheatre. Many people arrived late, hoping to relax with the post-sunrise view, and were left disappointed as the yoga crowd rolled in. Don’t be these people! Make sure you know what is happening before you drive out so early.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING FOR SUNRISE AT RED ROCKS?
Entry to Red Rocks is free, so you can spend the day enjoying the scenery and not spending a dollar. Due to lower temperatures before sunrise, layers are essential here. There was a chill in the morning air during our late June visit. We loved the quiet moments watching the sun come up. Do not forget your camera, as the color-changing sky is incredible. If only heading for sunrise, I suggest a warm coffee and blanket to snuggle up with! However, you should consider exploring the park more after sunrise. I also recommend a delicious breakfast picnic to enjoy after sunrise and your hike!
HIKING RED ROCKS DENVER
Red Rocks Park sits between the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains, so animal and plant life are abundant and diverse throughout the park. As you set out on your hike, remember your sunscreen now that the sun is up. A sun hat is excellent too, especially for the kids. This post covers the things we pack for our kids when hiking. Always keep your kids close to ensure their safety!
Bring plenty of water, but the park does have water bottle refill stations you can use if combining longer hikes. Comfortable walking shoes are ideal, and do not forget your camera. The scenery is stunning, and you are bound to run into a few mule deer, rabbits, prairie dogs, and/or red foxes on your hike. Leashed dogs are also welcome on the hiking trails. Just be mindful of temperatures on the ground to protect their paws.
RED ROCKS DENVER HIKING OPTIONS
There are five main hiking trails in Red Rocks Denver. We opted for the Funicular Trail and Trading Post Trail and were not disappointed. When exploring Red Rocks Denver, please remember that rock climbing is prohibited.
This map shows the location of the following hiking options:
- The Funicular Trail
- The Trading Post Trail
- Geologic Overlook Trail – this trail is located in the Northwest corner of the park. Although short, the hike leads to beautiful views.
- Red Rocks Trail – this popular trail can be combined into a 6-mile loop and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. This trail lacks shade and has an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, so we did not attempt this with our kids.
- Mt. Vernon Creek Trail – this short 1-mile trail follows a creek into a meadow and has great views of the ampitheater.
THE FUNICULAR TRAIL
The Funicular trail is a short, less than 1/4-mile staircase that connects the upper North Parking Lot (by the amphitheater) to the lower parking area that leads to the Trading Post and Colorado Music Hall of Fame. A funicular is a cable railroad that heads up and down a mountain. This trail is named after the old funicular that used to take tourists to sightsee at the top of Mt. Morrison. Although short, we loved the views from this trail and used it to connect our sunrise viewing at the amphitheatre to our favorite hike, the Trading Post Trail.
THE TRADING POST TRAIL – OUR PICK FOR BEST RED ROCKS HIKING
The Trading Post Trail is a popular, 1.4-mile loop that gives you great views of the park’s red rock formations, meadows, and valleys. There is an elevation gain of 500 feet, but we never felt like we were on a massive uphill climb. At times the trail would narrow or turn into a rocky staircase that was a bit slippery due to gravel and morning dew, but we all did fine in our sneakers.
The Trading Post Trail was a highlight of our visit to Red Rocks Park. We immediately passed a deer grazing in the bushes as we hiked along the massive rock formations opposite the amphitheatre. We saw several more deer and bunnies (which our kids loved) during our hike. We even saw a mama and her babies crossing the trail through the meadow. Our son loved stopping at the interpretive panel to learn how the large sandstone red rocks were named. The Trading Post Trail is an excellent option for hiking in Red Rocks Park with kids.
FINISH YOUR RED ROCKS HIKING ADVENTURE WITH A BREAKFAST PICNIC
If you plan to stay and explore Red Rocks Park after sunrise, I highly recommend a picnic breakfast. The Trading Post, built in 1931, is a National Historic Landmark and has a lawn that makes for a perfect end to your sunrise adventure at Red Rocks. The views of the valley and rock formations from the lawn make it an ideal spot for a breakfast picnic. In addition, the clean restrooms and water bottle refill station make it a comfortable stop after your hike, especially when hiking with kids.
The actual Trading Post building is fun to check out; however, it usually opens around 10 am and we were visiting far earlier due to sunrise. It is now a gift shop and home to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Our son was hungry after our post-sunrise hike, so we were pumped to have a beautiful picnic in this picturesque spot!
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS IN RED ROCKS PARK
Remember that Red Rocks Park is located 6,450 feet above sea level. This higher elevation makes it important to take your time hiking and exploring. It is also important to stay hydrated due to the sun and elevation. Sunscreen is a must, especially when sitting or hiking without any shade. When hiking with kids, keep them close as trails can have drops, road crossings, and rattlesnakes. Monitor weather conditions as they can change quickly.
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO
EXERCISE IN ALL DIFFERENT WAYS
Due to the setup of the amphitheatre, exercise enthusiasts love this spot in the mornings for staircase runs. At over 6,000 feet, the 380-stairs are an incredible accomplishment to climb. It makes for great people-watching, or jump in and run the stairs yourself. You may find yourself training next to a local professional athlete.
Summer offers the popular weekend “Yoga on the Rocks,” a unique experience for any yoga lover. If you would like to downward dog at 6,450 feet, make sure to grab a $17 ticket before you go! Fall brings the Red Rocks “Snow Shape” pre-season weekend conditioning classes for skiers, snowboarders, and winter sports enthusiasts.
WATCH LIVE MUSIC IN AN EPIC SETTING
The open-air amphitheatre at Red Rocks is a once-in-a-lifetime music venue. The acoustics from the towering red rock “walls” make it world-famous—the list of famous performers that have played the venue with blow your mind. So monitor the concert calendar, and if you can get out for a show, I highly recommend doing so. It is on my bucket list, so until then, I will check out the live cam during my favorite performers.
LOOK FOR DINOSAUR FOSSILS IN THE PREHISTORIC WALLS
The towering 300-foot monoliths, known as “Ship Rock” and “Creation Rock,” that surround the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre are massive slabs filled with historic fossils that tell a pre-historic story. However, although I read about the dinosaur tracks and fossils in the rocks from a 40-foot sea serpent, this proved false. If your child is a dinosaur buff, I suggest visiting the neighboring Dinosaur Ridge as this area is rich in dinosaur history that is sure to please a dino-loving child!
Have you watched the sunrise from Red Rocks? What did you think?
