Red Rocks natural amphitheatre offers extraordinary acoustics, which has attracted world-class musicians to record albums at this popular concert venue and recording site. Locals and tourists also visit Red Rocks frequently for concerts held here.
Ship Rock is a striking feature in this amphitheatre-shaped park that stands as its southern monolith, while Creation Rock stands as its northern monolith, creating its signature look. Open daily for visitors, the park also includes a museum.
It’s a National Historic Landmark
Red Rocks was declared a National Historic Landmark after a lengthy designation process, becoming one of the best-known outdoor concert venues worldwide with acoustics rivaling those found inside arenas.
Hikers and visitors from all over visit this area regularly, while locals enjoy working out on its steps during non-concert days to take in the sights. Yoga teachers or exercisers might practice on them or be seen running, jumping and (gasp!) burpeeing up and down the steps!
Between 1936 and 1941, an amphitheater was constructed largely with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps who provided both funds and labor. Denver architect Burnham Hoyt designed it with preservation in mind – blasting away tons of stone while leveling ground levelers leveled off terrain levelers built access roads – construction took approximately one year for completion.
It’s a Music Hall of Fame
Ship Rock and Creation Rock are two enormous rock formations which surround the stage and enhance most sounds, providing a memorable musical experience like no other.
Red Rocks has long been a gathering spot where people gather to create memories. Dinosaurs, ancient tribesmen, settlers, industrial businessmen, government officials, architects, preservationists, nonprofit organizations musicians and pop-culture icons alike have found refuge at this iconic landscape over time.
Red Rocks is home to many artists looking to break out, including Jackson Browne who performed here during his Running on Empty tour in 1977, which launched him onto the charts. More recently, Widespread Panic have sold out shows here for years at end, becoming mainstays at Red Rocks.
It’s a Recreational Area
Red Rocks offers more than just concert experiences – hiking the trails and taking in stunning views of the Front Range are both rewarding experiences. Picnicking on the amphitheater steps when there isn’t an event happening is also popular.
The park was constructed during the Great Depression by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), an army-like organization of young men enlisted by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to work on projects throughout America. Denver Parks Director George Cranmer hired architect Burnham Hoyt as project supervisor; Hoyt recognized and sought to preserve its impressive acoustics by overseeing construction meticulously.
Amphitheaters are typically built around two massive stone formations known as Ship and Creation Rock. Crafted of sandstone, these impressive monoliths have been weathered over time by natural forces – becoming visible even from Denver‘s downtown and boasting 16 million-year histories! These incredible rocks even house dinosaur fossils.
It’s a Venue
Red Rocks Amphitheatre boasts unparalleled natural acoustics that make every concert here an unforgettable experience, be it 25-piece brass bands blasting out dense soundscapes or solo singers singing their hearts out through its craggy funnel. Watching your favorite artist perform at this iconic venue truly brings its own rewards!
Big-name musicians flock to Red Rocks for good reason: this iconic venue is known for filming music videos and recording live albums – the first three volumes of Blues Traveler’s Carved in Stone were even recorded at this iconic site!
Concertgoers can appreciate the beauty and acoustics of this legendary venue even outside performances. Visitors can walk nearby trails and visit the free-entry visitor center and museum during the day; here, walls lined with signatures of artists who have graced this legendary stage can be seen.