How to Get from Denver to Red Rocks: A Visitor’s Complete Guide

Planning to catch a show at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre during your Denver visit? Congratulations, because you’re in for a real treat.

Located about 30-45 minutes west of downtown Denver, Red Rocks isn’t just a concert venue—it’s a Colorado icon carved into stunning red sandstone formations.

It’s also one of my favorite spots in Colorado.

Getting to Red Rocks, though, it requires some planning and strategy. 

This guide breaks down every transportation option from shuttles to rideshares to rental cars, with honest pros and cons for each, plus essential tips to make your Red Rocks experience unforgettable.

Where to Stay in Denver: Downtown is Your Sweet Spot

I highly recommend staying in downtown Denver when visiting for a Red Rocks show. Here’s why this makes your life so much easier:

Convenience factors:

• Transportation hub: Most Red Rocks shuttles and tour options depart from downtown
• Central location: Easy access to Denver’s best restaurants, bars, and attractions
• Walkable area: You can explore the city on foot before and after your show
• Multiple accommodation options: From boutique hotels to major chains in LoDo, RiNo, and the Theater District

The alternative: Some visitors consider staying near Red Rocks in Morrison or Golden, but these areas offer limited dining and entertainment options. You’ll end up driving into Denver anyway for meals and activities.

I recommend browsing downtown Denver hotels on Expedia here.

Your Transportation Options: The Complete Breakdown

Option 1: RRX Shuttles (The Smart Choice for Most People)

Best for: Visitors who want a hassle-free experience and don’t mind arriving early to soak in the full Red Rocks atmosphere.

RRX Shuttles provides direct service from downtown Denver to Red Rocks and is honestly the best way to get there for most visitors.

How it works:

• Multiple downtown pickup locations (check their website for current stops)
• Shuttles depart downtown 30 minutes before doors open, arriving at Red Rocks just after doors open
• Round-trip service returns you to downtown after the show ends
• Advance booking recommended, especially for popular shows

The upside:

• Zero stress: No navigation, parking, or traffic concerns
• Drink freely: Enjoy beverages at the show without driving worries
• Built-in experience: Meet other concert-goers and build excitement during the ride
• Cost-effective: Much cheaper than surge-priced rideshares or parking fees
• Guaranteed return: No waiting around for rides after the show

The trade-off:

• You’ll see all acts: Arriving just after doors open means you’ll be there for the full show including openers
• Fixed schedule: Less flexibility than driving yourself

Visitor tip: Even if you typically skip openers at home, this is a great opportunity to discover new music while enjoying the stunning Red Rocks setting. Grab a drink, take photos with the incredible backdrop, and soak in the pre-headliner atmosphere.

Option 2: Rental Car (For Maximum Flexibility)

Best for: Visitors who want complete control over timing, plan to explore other Colorado attractions, or are arriving close to showtime.

The process:

1. Pick up your rental car (airport or downtown locations available)
2. Drive to Red Rocks (30-45 minutes from downtown Denver)
3. Navigate post-show logistics

Why it works:

• Total flexibility: Leave when you want, arrive when you want
• Explore more: Perfect if you’re also visiting Boulder, Golden, or other Colorado destinations
• Tight timing solution: If you’re flying in and cutting it close to showtime, you can drive straight from the airport with your luggage
• Group economics: Can be cost-effective for larger groups

The reality check:

• Parking challenge: Expect a 15-20 minute walk from your parking spot to the venue entrance
• Traffic nightmare: Plan for 30+ minutes of stop-and-go traffic leaving the venue after popular shows
• No drinking: If you want to enjoy drinks at the show, you’ll need a designated driver
• Navigation: GPS can be unreliable in the foothills; download offline maps

Option 3: Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) – Proceed with Caution

The honest truth: Every time I’ve used rideshare for Red Rocks, it starts as a great idea but ends in regret.

Getting there: This part actually works well:

• 30-45 minute ride from downtown Denver
• Driver drops you right at the venue entrance
• Higher-than-normal prices due to distance, but usually reasonable

Getting back: This is where I kick myself every single time:

• Extreme wait times: I’ve personally waited over an hour for a ride after shows, watching my phone refresh with “finding driver…” messages
• Surge pricing: Expect 3-5x normal rates after popular concerts (I’ve seen $150+ rides back to downtown)
• Long walk: The designated rideshare pickup area requires a significant walk from the venue through crowds of other frustrated people doing the same thing
• The early-exit dilemma: To get a ride quickly, you’ll need to leave 10+ minutes before the show ends – and honestly, who wants to miss the encore at Red Rocks?

When to consider it anyway:

• Small groups willing to pay premium prices
• Shows that end early or on weeknights (less demand)
• You’re comfortable leaving before the encore to beat the rush

Option 4: Cab/Taxi (The Expensive Backup Plan)

Best for: When you’ve exhausted other options and need to get back to Denver no matter the cost.

Here’s the reality of Red Rocks taxi service: Several cabs position themselves just outside the rideshare pickup area after shows, and they know they have you over a barrel.

What to expect:

• Price gouging: Expect around $120 one-way back to downtown Denver (yes, you read that right)
• Limited availability: Once they’re gone, they’re gone – and I’ve learned this the hard way
• No negotiation: They set the price knowing desperate concert-goers will pay it
• Cash preferred: Many prefer cash transactions

My hard-learned lesson: I once asked a cab driver for his price, thought it was ridiculous, and decided to wait for an Uber instead. By the time I realized rideshare wasn’t working out, all the cabs had left with other passengers. Don’t be me – if you see cabs available and you need to get back, make a decision quickly.

When it makes sense:

• You absolutely must get back to downtown and other options have failed
• You’re splitting the cost among a larger group
• You have an early flight or important commitment the next morning

Pro tip: If you’re even considering the taxi option, ask them for their price early in the process while they’re still available. You can always decline and try rideshare, but once the cabs leave, that option is off the table.

Making Your Choice: Decision Framework

Go with RRX Shuttles if:

• You’re visiting Denver primarily for the Red Rocks show
• You want to drink at the venue
• You prefer stress-free transportation
• You don’t mind experiencing the full concert (including openers)
• You’re staying downtown

Choose a rental car if:

• You’re exploring multiple Colorado destinations
• You need maximum schedule flexibility
• You’re in a larger group (4+ people)
• You don’t plan to drink at the show
• You’re comfortable with post-show traffic delays

Consider rideshare only if:

• You’re willing to pay surge prices (often $80-150+ from Red Rocks to downtown)
• You’re comfortable leaving the show early
• You’re attending a less popular show with smaller crowds

Use taxis as a last resort if:

• Other transportation options have failed
• You absolutely must get back to downtown
• You’re willing to pay around $120 one-way
• You can make a quick decision (they leave fast once they’re gone)

Essential Visitor Tips

Timing and logistics:

• Allow extra time: First-time visitors often underestimate the journey and venue size
• Weather is unpredictable: You can check the forecast, but honestly, it usually doesn’t matter. Red Rocks weather changes in minutes – I’ve been to shows that started sunny and ended in hail
• Why Red Rocks weather is so crazy: Red Rocks sits at 6,450 feet elevation (about 1,100 feet higher than Denver) in the Colorado foothills where elevations rise abruptly from 5,000 feet to 9,000 feet, creating dramatic climate changes. The venue experiences sudden “Chinook Winds” (warming) and “Bora Winds” (cooling) as air moves down mountain slopes, plus frequent thunderstorms and turbulent winds from the nearby Rocky Mountains.
• Bring a poncho: Seriously, pack a lightweight poncho regardless of what the weather app says. I recommend bringing an easily packable one like this.
• Bring layers: Temperatures can drop significantly after sunset. I have this packable jacket that can be stuffed into a purse.

Making the most of your visit:

• Arrive early: Even with shuttles, give yourself time to explore the venue and take photos
• Post-show Chick-fil-A: One of the best parts about Red Rocks is that Chick-fil-A sets up near multiple exits after shows. They only have the classic chicken sandwich, but it’s hot and probably the best Chick-fil-A you’ll ever have – perfect fuel for the journey back to Denver
• Explore the area before the show: Consider visiting nearby Morrison or Golden earlier in the day (most things shut down after shows, so plan this for beforehand)
• Stay hydrated: The altitude and dry climate affect visitors differently

Planning ahead:

• Book transportation early: Popular shows sell out shuttle spots quickly
• Download offline maps: Cell service can be spotty in the foothills
• Have a backup plan: Know your options if your primary transportation falls through

The Bottom Line

Red Rocks is one of the world’s most spectacular concert venues, and getting there should enhance, not stress, your Denver visit. For most visitors, the RRX shuttle system offers the perfect balance of convenience, cost, and experience. You’ll arrive relaxed, leave satisfied, and have stories to tell about both the journey and the destination.

The key is matching your transportation choice to your priorities: maximum flexibility (rental car), maximum convenience (shuttle), or maximum spontaneity (rideshare with realistic expectations). Whatever you choose, the moment you walk into that amphitheater carved into ancient red rocks with the Colorado landscape stretching endlessly before you, you’ll understand why Red Rocks is on every music lover’s bucket list.