Red Rocks Park

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Parks

Colorado

Nearby: Bear Creek Canyon Park Mount Falcon Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Red Rocks Park is a beautiful 640-acre natural park located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just 15 miles west of Denver, Colorado.

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Summary

It is famous for its majestic red sandstone rock formations, which have been used as a natural amphitheater for concerts and events since 1906.

Some good reasons to visit Red Rocks Park include hiking, biking, picnicking, and attending concerts or movies at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The park offers a variety of trails of varying difficulty levels, ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also enjoy a picnic at one of the many picnic areas, or attend a concert or movie at the famous amphitheater, which has hosted many top performers over the years.

Some specific points of interest to see in Red Rocks Park include the Trading Post Trail, which is an easy 1.4-mile loop that takes visitors past the park's famous rock formations, and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which is a stunning outdoor venue that seats over 9,000 people. Other attractions in the park include the Red Rocks Visitor Center, the Red Rocks Trailhead, and the Red Rocks Trading Post, which offers souvenirs, gifts, and snacks.

Interesting facts about Red Rocks Park include that it was formed over 290 million years ago, and has been used as a Native American spiritual site for over 10,000 years. The park was also designated a National Natural Landmark in 2015, and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including mule deer, red foxes, and coyotes.

The best time of year to visit Red Rocks Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and sunny, and many events and concerts are scheduled. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and other activities during the cooler months as well. It is important to note that the park is a popular destination, and can be crowded during peak times, so visitors should plan accordingly.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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