Red Rocks Amphitheatre visitor guide: everything you need to know

Located about ten miles west of Denver, Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre has been a scenic spot for entertainment since as early as 1906. Since its early beginnings, the stadium has seen performances from the likes of the Blues Brothers, John Denver, The Lumineers, Depeche Mode, and too many others to name.

Lucky music fans who get to attend a performance here should make sure that they don’t fall foul of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre bag policy. There are many items that are not permitted in the venue, from certain sizes and styles of bags, umbrellas, and noisemakers to alcohol. If you’re carrying any of these items with you, there is no official Red Rocks Amphitheatre luggage storage available, so head to a Bounce luggage storage facility in Denver before you make your way to the park.

Here are the specifics you need to know when planning a visit to this historic open-air amphitheatre:

Red Rocks Amphitheatre bag policy

For the 2023 season, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre bag policy has been updated to allow only clear and single pocket bags no bigger than 13” wide by 15” long by 8” deep. Single pocket bags means that a bag can only have one additional pocket to the main bag compartment. Common examples are purses and tote bags with one interior or exterior pocket and backpacks with a single front pocket.

Small purses and items like fanny packs that are 6” by 9” or smaller are exempt from the single pocket rule, and since there are no Red Rocks Amphitheatre lockers for you to use, you’ll be glad you visited a Bounce luggage storage in advance as many larger bags tend to have multiple pockets, especially backpacks. Bounce has no size limit, so whatever you have with you, you know we can help you store it while you watch your favorite artist at the amphitheatre.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre food policy

It’s safe to say that you won’t go hungry when you attend a show here. The Red Rocks Amphitheatre food options are seemingly endless, with choices like gourmet hot dogs at Biker Jim’s, tasty barbecue fare at Rolling Smoke BBQ, and typical fair foods like funnel cakes and corn dogs at Wyly’s Fried Foods. You’ll basically get to sample some of the best street food in the Denver area here.

If you have special dietary requirements or the food at Red Rocks Amphitheatre doesn’t appeal to you, you have the option to bring your own with certain limitations. Food is permitted as long as it is for your personal consumption only and is packed in a clear plastic bag smaller than one gallon. You are only allowed to use plastic utensils, and if you’re bringing fruit or vegetables, make sure they are pre-sliced. Otherwise, they can become projectiles. 

The Red Rocks Amphitheatre food policy also limits your drinks. You can’t bring alcohol into the venue, but factory-sealed non-alcoholic drinks in plastic bottles or containers are generally permitted as long as they are less than 32 ounces in size. This same size restriction also applies to empty reusable water bottles (plastic and aluminum are ok), and if you’re planning to bring a larger hydration pack, you can - as long as it is less than two liters, empty, and adheres to the single-pocket bag guideline.

Luckily, you can also bring your refreshments in a soft-sided cooler (hard-sided is not permitted) that’s the standard six-pack size or smaller (10” by 7” by 7”).

Red Rocks Amphitheatre transportation

Getting around the Denver city center and the greater Denver area is relatively easy. The park is located in Morrison and can be reached in various ways. By car, Red Rocks Park is easily accessible via I-70, and there is quite a bit of parking. In all, there are five parking lots available that open two hours before the events start. You won’t have much choice of where you park, as the traffic control staff will direct you to your spot. Wear suitable shoes, as it’s possible that your parking spot might be a good distance from the amphitheatre.

Another way to get to Red Rocks Amphitheatre is by using rideshare services like Lyft or Uber. The drop-off points are found in the Upper North Lot, Upper South Lot, and at the Trading Post, which is also where the taxi stand is located.

As for Red Rocks Amphitheatre public transportation, it really doesn’t exist out to the venue from Denver, but private companies offer shuttle services that will pick up and drop off at a set location in either Denver or Boulder. Just keep in mind that you’ll be dropped off at the Lower South Lot 2 since this is the only one that accommodates oversized vehicles.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre camera policy

Unless specifically prohibited by the show you’re attending, small cameras and phones are permitted here. The Red Rocks Amphitheatre camera policy does not allow any recording devices (audio or video), tablets, GoPros, 360-degree cameras, or any camera with a removable lens. But if you’re planning to stick to a small point-and-shoot camera or your cell phone, you won’t be in violation of their camera policy. Plus, you’ll have lots of new pics for your Instagram reels.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre rules

There are a few other Red Rocks Amphitheatre policies that are worth mentioning to make sure your visit here is smooth. First, be aware that strollers of any kind are not permitted, so storing these in advance with Bounce is your best bet. You are allowed to bring binoculars for a better viewing experience, and blankets no bigger than 40” by 60” can be used, provided they are not placed in walkways or stairs. For added comfort, seat cushions or stadium seats can be taken into the amphitheatre as long as they don’t have legs and are less than 18” wide.

When there is an event on, the park usually closes to the public around 2 pm to provide time for artists to rehearse and do soundchecks. Keep this in mind if you were planning to hang out in the park before your show.

Currently, there are no Red Rocks Amphitheatre covid rules in place. Spectators who wear a face mask for medical reasons (whether covid-related or other) can do so as long as it only covers their nose and mouth. Full-face coverings that obscure your identity are completely banned.

Conclusion

Seeing a show at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the best things to do in or near Denver at night. Count yourself lucky to be having the experience, and just prepare ahead of time by dropping off unneeded bags with Bounce, packing the appropriate food, and measuring your blankets, stadium seats, and other comfort items. Then, sit back and enjoy the show!