The Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Park, Colorado hosts concerts and outdoor recreation.
The Red Rocks hiking trails are located in Red Rocks Park, Colorado about 15 miles out of Denver. The Park is widely known for its open-air amphitheatre formed by two 300-foot monoliths of red rock, and at one time was listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Many concert goers and locals enjoy the two hiking trails here: Red Rocks Trail and Trading Post Trail.
Red Rocks Trail
Step back in time on the Red Rocks Trail, which can be hiked to the Hogback's Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center. Here visitors view dinosaur tracks and fossil fragments dating back 160 million years to the Jurassic Period.
The Red Rocks Trail takes hikers through the section of Red Rocks Park near the northern and eastern boundaries. Hikers share the trail with equestrians and mountain bikers.
A 6-mile loop can be completed by veering to the north at the trail's fork, and then hiking to where the trail connects to the Matthews-Winters Park in Jefferson County. Alternatively, hikers can take the east fork to connect to Dakota Ridge Trail, a trail popular with runners.
Trading Post Trail
The Trading Post Trail is a very scenic hike that traverses among beautiful red and rosy pink sandstone formations, meanders through meadows and provides a glimpse of the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It is 1.4 miles long and takes about 2 hours to complete.
Parents are advised to supervise children on this rough and narrow trail (mostly under 30 inches wide) that is flanked at times by drop-offs, inclines steeply in places and crosses some trafficked roads.
Red Rocks Overview
Red Rocks Park, owned by the City of Denver, is about a 30-minute drive from Denver via 1-70. The Red Rocks Amphitheater seats 9,450 people between Ship Rock and Creation Rock, two sandstone monoliths that approximate Niagra Falls in height. The Amphitheatre, known for its beauty and superior acoustics, has hosted many well known music acts, including the Beatles and John Denver. Locals and tourists use the stairs of the Amphitheater for exercise and the trails for hiking, mountain biking, running and horseback riding.
The Park is set in a transitional zone where the high plains meet the Rockies. From the Park's summit, visitors have views of the amphitheater, the Hogback Valley, the Table Mountains, and the high plains. The Park also offers picnic areas, a Visitor Center and a restaurant.
Red Rocks is located at 6,280 feet above sea level, so those with health problems planning to hike the Red Rocks trails are advised to consult their physicians. Also be aware weather can change abruptly. To decrease the odds of being caught in a lightning storm, a general rule of thumb is to hike in the morning, while also checking weather updates. Flora and fauna in this area includes poison ivy, rattlesnakes and mountain lions.
Tags: Rocks Trail, Post Trail, Rocks Park, Trading Post, Trading Post Trail
