Red Rocks
Towering red sandstone monoliths and a world-famous amphitheater, 30 minutes from downtown Denver.
About Red Rocks
Red Rocks Park lies in the foothills above Morrison in Jefferson County, part of the Denver Mountain Parks system. Its giant tilted slabs of red sandstone — some up to 300 feet tall — frame the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the park's 868 acres include hiker-only trails that weave between the formations.
The Trading Post Trail, a 1.4-mile loop starting at the historic Trading Post, is the best way to see the rocks up close. The amphitheater itself is open to the public when there is no event, and from the top rows you look east over the plains and toward Denver.
Few places near the city glow like this at sunrise. When low sun hits the Fountain Formation, the rock goes from rust to flaming orange in minutes.
There's a lot more to Red Rocks Park than the amphitheater — 738 acres of deer, pine, prairie, and genuinely striking geology, sitting at 6,450 feet where the plains meet the mountains. The amphitheater itself is a real geological phenomenon, one of the only naturally acoustically perfect venues anywhere, which is why everyone from Sting to U2 has made a point of playing there. Sunrise between the towering rock formations, with nobody else around, is a completely different experience than shooting it during a concert.
History
The red rock here is the Fountain Formation, sediments shed from an ancestral mountain range about 290 to 296 million years ago and later tilted upward during the Laramide uplift. John Brisben Walker bought the property in 1906, called the concert area the Garden of the Titans and held performances on a temporary stage.
Denver bought the land from Walker in 1928. Civilian Conservation Corps crews built roads and the amphitheater, which was designed by architect Burnham Hoyt and opened in 1941; the Trading Post dates to 1931. The park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2015.
Photographing Red Rocks
Best light: Sunrise is the prime time: the east-facing sides of the monoliths light up first and glow intensely, and the amphitheater looks out toward the rising sun over the plains. Fresh snow on red rock in winter is a special treat, and early mornings avoid both crowds and event setups.
Shots to look for
- The rising sun from the top rows of the amphitheater, with Ship Rock and Creation Rock framing the stage and Denver on the horizon
- Red sandstone fins along the Trading Post Trail lit by first light, with a wide angle and junipers as foreground
- Telephoto details of rock texture and patterns in warm side light
- Snow-dusted rocks against a deep blue winter sky with a polarizer
- Night shots of the amphitheater lit up during a show from public areas outside the venue
Photo tips
- On concert days, parts of the park and the amphitheater close early for sound checks; call ahead or check the event calendar
- Commercial or organized photo shoots may need a permit from the City of Denver — check before planning a session
- Stay on designated trails; climbing on the rocks is prohibited in most areas
- Arrive before sunrise on weekends — fitness crowds use the amphitheater steps early
- Watch for rattlesnakes on the trails in warm months
Know before you go
- The park and amphitheater are free to visit outside of ticketed events
- Event-day closures are common in summer; verify before you drive
- Rock climbing on the formations is prohibited
- The Visitor Center has exhibits and a restaurant and is the best stop for current rules
Prints from Red Rocks
Every photo is available as a print on metal, canvas, wood or fine art paper.
Frequently asked questions
Is Red Rocks Park free?
Yes. The park and amphitheater are free to visit when there is no event. Concerts and some events are ticketed.
Can you visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre during the day?
Yes, the park is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., but on show days parts may close early for sound checks. Check before you go.
How long is the Trading Post Trail?
It is a 1.4-mile loop that starts and ends at the Trading Post.
Featured in: Best Sunrise Photography Spots in Colorado · Winter Photography Spots in Colorado · Photography Spots Near Denver
Combine it with
Dinosaur Ridge · Morrison · Mount Falcon Park · Matthews/Winters Park
More Colorado spots
Sources & further reading: en.wikipedia.org · mountainparksfoundation.org. Conditions, fees and rules change; check with the managing agency before you go.