Denver Colorado Red Rocks Amphitheatre Walking Tour

What your day looks like

First, it was home to dinosaurs, then a settlement for local Indigenous people, and now it’s best known as a temple of live music. Begin your tour at the iconic Red Rocks Trading Post, where you’ll meet your guide and head up the rocky road toward the amphitheatre. Make a stop at the Spirit Statue of a guitar-strapped John Denver – just one of the many music legends who have performed at this iconic venue. Walk a short section of the Trading Post Trail, passing tilted rock formations as your guide shares a geology lesson. Learn about the dinosaurs who roamed the Red Rocks region over 150 million years ago, some of whom left footprints that can still be seen at nearby Dinosaur Ridge. One notable fossil found here was a 90-foot Apatosaurus ajax. The site also holds deep significance for Indigenous Native American communities. Your guide will discuss the Ute people, Colorado’s first residents, who used the area now known as Red Rock Park for ceremonial purposes. Continue walking along the trail, keeping an eye out for the region’s native wildlife and critters, before arriving at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Designed by architect Burnham Hoyt, the amphitheatre was crafted to preserve the natural beauty of the site and maximize its acoustics. Opened in 1941, this stage has hosted artists like The Beatles, U2, Widespread Panic, John Denver, Stevie Nicks, and even early opera stars such as Lily Pons. Music lovers can dive deeper into the venue’s legacy with a visit to the Red Rocks Hall of Fame, showcasing stories of the legends who’ve graced the stage since 1952. Next to the amphitheatre, you’ll find Ship Rock Grill, named after one of the massive rock formations framing the venue. This restaurant serves up local favorites and is a great spot to refuel after your tour. You can also head into Morrison to dine at The Fort, another regional favorite. Ask your guide for personal recommendations on Colorado specialties. Your tour ends here, but your Denver adventure doesn’t have to. Hikers may enjoy nearby Matthews/Winters Park, or explore more trails within Red Rocks Park. Visit Dinosaur Ridge for real dinosaur tracks, drive the Lariat Loop National Scenic Byway, or ask your guide for ideas on things to do in the nearby town of Morrison. Note: Red Rocks is an active music venue. The seating area may close early for sound checks or pre-show preparations. Your guide will notify you of any changes to the tour. Explore a site packed with rock’n’roll history, natural beauty, and local lore. Join a local Colorado guide and travel through time—from the age of dinosaurs to the era of The Beatles and beyond.