Known to music fans the world over as one of the top outdoor concert venues, Red Rocks Amphitheater is also home to an array of hiking trails and natural wonders that many music fans never see. Be it a day hike, or pre concert activity, take the time to explore where rocks and Rock go hand in hand.
A mere fifteen miles from the bustling city of Denver, Colorado you will find an environment far different than the staggering peaks of the Rocky Mountains. Red Rocks is much more akin to the deserts of Arizona than the ski resorts of Mile High City.
Trading Post Trail
Taking a walk on the Trading Post Trail, you will immediately discover that, appearances aside, this is no desert flatland by any means. At an elevation of 6,200 feet above sea level, you’ll get a great workout on this relatively short 1.4 mile trek. The stunning views, however, are a terrific payoff for your efforts. Wildlife is not the draw here so much as the landscape. Winding through valleys and the eponymous rock formations, the hiking trail is challenging but not off limits to the beginner. Watch your footing and keep an eye on the little ones. Portions of the trail are a mere 30 inches wide, and there are sections with steep drops and grades.
Red Rocks Trail
For the mountain bike enthusiast, give the Red Rocks Trail a spin. Also open to horseback riders and foot traffic, this trail is a six mile loop with spectacular views of the surrounding Colorado landscape. It is suggested you start at the Lower North Lot. A few minutes down the trail from this point, you’ll come to a junction at the Dakota Ridge Hogback. Veterans of this trail recommend you take a right here and go up the Dakota. This will get the more difficult portions of the trail out of the way early, and also provide a visual reference of your return route.
Red Rocks Amphitheater
Of course, Red Rocks Amphitheater has featured some of the world’s top performers. The arena itself is a naturally formed, open-air concert stage unlike any other. The soaring 300-foot stone monoliths provide a unique acoustical effect, enhancing the sound of the music to a spectacular degree. For the music fan and nature lover, this spot is too beautiful to miss.
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Featured Image from Nicholas Ceglia/Unsplash
