Alternate Routes – How to Get to Red Rocks: Main Roads, Scenic Drives, and Lesser-Known Ways

Driving on Colorado roads, you need to reorganize your route sometimes. Repair closures, unfavorable weather conditions, or too busy traffic – none of these can spoil your trip to Red Rocks if you know alternate ways of getting there. Here’s an ultimate guide to take you to Red Rocks timely and safely even if the main road is closed.

Primary Route: The Classic Approach via I-70 and Highway 93

Most travelers plan their route from downtown Denver, heading west on I-70, towards the mountains. This route is relatively safe, direct, and the fastest – it takes around 25-30 minutes to arrive at the famous Amphitheatre.

From Denver, take I-70 West to Exit 259 (Morrison/Red Rocks).
Follow Morrison Road/Highway 93 South straight to the park.

Formerly Popular Route: US-285 Through Morrison

Before the era of GPS and travel apps, many travelers used US Highway 285. While such a route is a bit more time-consuming, it offers scenic views and allows seeing extra road ‘gems’ while traveling. The road passes through Morrison, a small mountain town with lots of fascinating eateries and the Morrison Natural History Museum. It’s a good choice if you want to explore local sights before the Red Rock concert and avoid the I-70 traffic jam.

Take US-285 South from Denver.
Exit onto CO-8 West toward Morrison.
Follow the signs into Red Rocks Park.

Alternative Routes: Avoid the Congestion

C-470 to Morrison Road

How to get to Red Rocks in the days of big events and popular concerts? These days, the main road is especially busy, and traffic jams occur often. Yet, waiting hours on the road is not the only solution. You can choose one of several alternative routes – not as fast as the main road, yet time-saving in times of extremely busy traffic.

Take C-470 (Denver’s southwest beltway) toward Morrison.
Exit onto Morrison Road / CO-8 West and follow signs to Red Rocks.

This alternative route is the best if you are heading from the south metro areas like Littleton, Highlands Ranch, or looping around Denver from the East.

Highway 74 (Bear Creek Canyon) from Evergreen

Devoted travelers who prefer longer trips with several stop points often choose this alternate route. It’s more time-consuming, yet it takes you through Evergreen Lake and offers many picturesque, walkable locations for hiking and taking fascinating photos. It’s especially recommended to take this route if you drive early morning or later in the afternoon – at these times, the natural views are especially magical.

From I-70, exit toward Evergreen on Highway 74.
Drive through Bear Creek Canyon to Morrison, then head into Red Rocks.

Red Rocks is an incredible place that everyone should see at least once. Yet choosing the correct way to the famous Amphitheater helps to make your trip smoother, safer, and arrive on time, without missing a single minute of the awaited concert or local event. Don’t hesitate to use alternate routes to Red Rock; besides being a bit longer, they may give you some beautiful opportunities to explore nearby rocks, lakes, and cities.