Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the Red Rocks Amphitheatre Seating Chart.

The Row That Suits Most People

At Red Rocks Amphitheatre, aim for the middle rows close to the center aisle. From there you see the entire stage and the lighting rig, you are still near enough to read faces, and the sound comes together well. Because the bowl is steep and narrow, nearly every bench has a clear line to the stage; your real decision is how close you want to be and how much you want to climb.

The venue holds 9,525 people on 70 rows of wooden benches, set in Red Rocks Park near Morrison, Colorado, roughly 10 miles southwest of Denver. One rule changes everything: at a general admission show, arriving early, not buying early, wins the good rows.

Front, Middle and Top Rows Compared

There are no numbered sections here, only one continuous sweep of benches on concrete steps, from Row 1 at the stage to Row 70 at the top. Ship Rock and Creation Rock tower on the two sides, and the smaller Stage Rock stands behind the performers.

• Rows near the front: as close as it gets, but low, so you look up at the stage and usually stand all night.
• Middle rows by the center aisle: the balanced choice for sightline, sound and a full view of the production.
• Upper rows: farther from the band, but this is where the classic picture lives, with the stage set between the rocks and open sky overhead.
• Ends of any row, against the rock walls: the stage sits at an angle, and the space can feel tight.

Expect to stand through most rock and electronic sets wherever you sit. The benches are narrow and shared shoulder to shoulder, so a small stadium cushion helps during quieter shows.

General Admission or Reserved: Read the Listing

The venue states that seating charts vary by event, and in practice shows fall into two types:

• General admission (GA): your ticket admits you, and you take any open bench space you find. The front rows and the center aisle go to the earliest arrivals.
• Reserved: your ticket lists a specific row and seat number on the benches.

Before you buy, check which format your show uses. For a GA night, build your plan around arrival time: aim to reach the lots early, allow for the walk up, and remember that the whole group must arrive together to sit together.

Accessible seating is in Row 1 and Row 70, where the venue provides folding chairs. Every resale order through Reserved Seat is backed by a 100% guarantee.

Parking Lots, Shuttles and the Uphill Walk

For most shows, parking comes with your ticket, a rare perk among big venues. The price you pay is in steps. Lots are scattered around the park, and the venue warns that you may have to hike depending on where attendants send you.

• Closest lots: Top Circle, Upper North, Upper South, Lower South and the Trading Post lot ring the amphitheater.
• Overflow: the Jurassic Lot, about a mile away.
• Shuttles: free shuttles run while fans arrive, and a limited late-night service links the Top Circle and Trading Post lots with the Jurassic Lot.
• Accessible shuttle: it drops off at the Upper South Lot through Entrance 3.
• Rideshare: drop off at the Upper North Lot or where Red Rocks Park Road meets Trading Post Road; after the show, pickups are at the Jurassic Lot.

Wear sturdy shoes and carry water. The stairs from the lots plus the rows themselves add up to a real climb, at an elevation that the venue puts at 6,400 feet (other references say 6,450). Visitors from sea level feel it quickly, so pace yourself. Directions by lot are on the venue's getting here page.

Packing for Sun, Wind and Cold

Nothing covers the seats. The venue itself warns of full sun, strong wind and even heavy rain or snow, and it sends weather texts on show days. If a storm delay clears the bowl, the venue says your car is usually the safest place to wait. Spring and fall nights cool off fast once the sun sets, and summer afternoons heat up the stone.

As of the 2026 season, these items are allowed:

• Bags: one-pocket bags no larger than 13 by 15 by 8 inches, clear bags within that size, and small purses or fanny packs up to 6 by 9 inches. Bags with several pockets are refused.
• Water: empty refillable bottles of 32 ounces or less, and one-pocket hydration packs holding up to 2 liters.
• Comfort: blankets up to 40 by 60 inches and legless stadium seats narrower than 18 inches.
• Snacks: your own food, packed in a clear one-gallon plastic bag.

Alcohol, glass, cans, umbrellas and recording devices are not allowed. Rules change, so review the permitted and prohibited items list before you go.

Season, Daytime Visits and the Trading Post

Concerts run from March through November, booked with touring acts across rock, electronic, country and more. The Film on the Rocks movie series has played here since 2000, and an Easter Sunrise Service is held each year. Early-spring and late-fall dates carry the most risk of cold, wind and snow, so dress for winter even if the afternoon feels mild.

On days with no event, the park and the amphitheater are open to the public, and runners use the steps for training. On show days, the park closes to general visitors at about 2 p.m., so plan sightseeing for the morning. The Trading Post below the amphitheater is home to the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, which moved in during 2015.

How the Amphitheater Came to Be

Burnham F. Hoyt designed Red Rocks, and building started in 1936 with workers and materials from two New Deal programs, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. Soprano Helen Jepson performed at the formal dedication on June 15, 1941. The City and County of Denver owns and runs the venue.

The Beatles played here on August 26, 1964, and U2 recorded its 1983 concert film during a soaking-wet evening at the site. In 2021, it was ranked the top-grossing and most-attended concert venue of any size anywhere in the world.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: FAQ
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Getting Here
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: Permitted and Prohibited Items