Red Rocks, Colorado

Ten miles west of Denver and six thousand feet above sea level, an open-air amphitheater sits cradled between several slabs of bright red rocks. The aptly-named concert venue, Red Rocks Amphitheater, has space enough to hold over 9,000 people. It is known internationally as the only naturally-occurring, acoustically-perfect concert venue in the world. Artists such as the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, and Stevie Nicks have graced its stage. Arguably, one of the most famous concerts this site has seen was U2’s 1983 Under the Bloody Red Sky Tour, when Bono belted “Sunday Bloody Sunday” as flames shot out of the rocks behind him.

History

The red sandstone formations that make up Red Rocks today began on the prehistoric ocean floor. (And you may have seen my earlier post about Garden of the Gods, where I talked about its similar formations!) Two hundred fifty million years ago, the gradual shifts and rifts of the earth’s movement forced these formations upwards from the ocean. Fossils in the rocks provide evidence of dinosaurs dating back to the Jurassic Period, including a 40-foot sea serpent and flying reptiles.

Pictured above is “Ship Rock,” one of two rock formations that cradles the amphitheater. Directly opposite Ship Rock sits Creation Rock. Both of these monolithic formations are taller than Niagara Falls. As a result, Red Rocks once appeared on the list of the “Seven Wonders of the World.”

In the early 1900s, publisher-entrepreneur John Brisben Walker envisioned artists performing on a stage in this acoustically-perfect setting. Between 1906 and 1910, he hosted a number of concerts here by erecting a temporary platform on the rocks.

Several years later, George Cranmer, Manager of Denver Parks, convinced the city to purchase Red Rocks from Walker for $54,000.

Designed by Denver architect Burnham Hoyt, Red Rocks Amphitheater officially opened in 1941, after twelve years of construction. Finally, in 2015, Red Rocks achieved the status of a National Historic Landmark, an award that the venue received on its 75th anniversary in 2016.

What to Do

If you’re in Denver, I encourage you to try to catch a show–or do some exercise. During our visit, we saw plenty of people jogging on the stairs, doing yoga, sunbathing, or walking dogs. Combined with the altitude, you’ll be out of breath quickly! But that’s not all! Beyond the amphitheater, take a hike in the surrounding 738 acres of Red Rocks Mountain Park. There are two pedestrian-only trails: Trading Post Trail and Geologic Overlook Trail. Or check out the Colorado Music Hall of Fame inside the Trading Post.

Finally, don’t forget to say hello to the John Denver “Spirit” statue!