Facility Overview

The Lower North Lot is a premier open-air surface parking facility nestled within the world-renowned Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre in Golden, Colorado. Positioned along Trading Post Road just south of West Alameda Parkway, the lot sits against the foothills of the Front Range and is enveloped by ancient, dramatic red sandstone monoliths. As an expansive, paved surface lot, it offers an organized parking layout with clearly painted stalls and unobstructed, wide-open mountain sky overhead. Because there are no overhead structures, parking decks, or low-hanging clearance bars, standard passenger cars, lifted pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, and standard passenger vans fit with complete ease. Visitors should note, however, that venue regulations direct oversized commercial vehicles, campers, RVs, and towed trailers (any vehicle measuring wider than 6 feet 5 inches) to park in Lower South Lot 2 rather than the standard north surface lots.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lower North Lot is arguably one of the most sought-after parking areas for patrons attending concerts and events at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Located only 0.2 to 0.3 miles north of the stage entry, it allows direct access into the lower reserved and general admission seating tiers (rows 1 through 40). Beyond concert nights, the lot serves as an outdoor recreation gateway and cultural trailhead:

• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: The world-famous naturally occurring outdoor concert venue, reached via a steep trail and iconic hillside staircase climb.
• Red Rocks Trail & Geologic Overlook Trailhead: Located right at the northeastern edge of the lot, connecting hikers, runners, and mountain bikers to Matthews/Winters Park and Dakota Ridge.
• Colorado Music Hall of Fame & Red Rocks Trading Post: Situated approximately 0.3 miles south, showcasing historic music memorabilia alongside local souvenirs and visitor information.
• Red Rocks Visitor Center & Ship Rock Grille: Perched near the top of the amphitheatre bowl (roughly 0.4 miles uphill), housing interactive geology displays, venue history, and full-service dining.
• Historic Downtown Morrison: Just 2 miles south, featuring beloved post-show and pre-concert dining spots such as the Morrison Holiday Bar, Red Rocks Grill, and The Fort.
• Dinosaur Ridge: Located just over 2 miles east, offering world-class prehistoric fossil tracks and family-friendly paleontological exhibits.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Reaching the Lower North Lot is straightforward via regional arterial corridors. Drivers arriving from the Denver metropolitan area typically take Interstate 70 West to Exit 259 (US-40 / Morrison), continuing onto Colorado State Highway 93/Hogback Road and turning into Entrance 1 onto West Alameda Parkway, then proceeding directly to Trading Post Road. Alternatively, visitors arriving from the south via C-470 or US-285 can use Entrance 2 near the Morrison box office. On high-volume concert days, Denver Arts & Venues traffic control staff actively direct motorists into available spaces; arriving early ensures a smooth flow into the Lower North Lot before venue attendants divert arriving traffic to further lower lots. Post-show egress is carefully routed out toward Highway 93 and I-70/C-470, generally requiring 25 to 45 minutes of patience during sellout departures.

For non-drivers, numerous charter party buses, private limos, and commercial van shuttles operate from downtown Denver and Lakewood. Regional Transportation District (RTD) light rail service terminates at the Jeffco Government Center Station on the W Line in Golden (about 6 miles north), where rideshare connections can be hailed. Please note that after major events, rideshare pickups (Uber/Lyft) and private vehicle pickups are strictly restricted to the designated Jurassic Lot at Entrance 2.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Surface Parking: Level asphalt surface with designated lane markings and wide turnaround aprons.
• No Height Clearance Restrictions: Open-sky layout accommodates tall trucks, roof racks, ski carriers, and high-clearance sport utility vehicles.
• Direct Trailhead Access: Immediate step-off access to the multi-use Red Rocks Trail system and scenic hiking routes.
• On-Site Event Management: Professional traffic marshals and parking staff oversee ingress, space assignment, and pedestrian crosswalks on show days.
• Accessible Parking: Designated ADA parking spaces positioned closest to pedestrian egress pathways.
• Convenient Overnight Vehicle Policy: Concertgoers who utilize a designated driver, rideshare, or shuttle can safely leave their unoccupied vehicle overnight without ticketing, provided it is collected before 10:00 AM the following morning.
• Spectacular Scenic Views: 360-degree vistas of towering sandstone monoliths and panoramic views facing the Denver skyline.

Ideal For

• Concertgoers: Fans holding tickets in lower-tier rows who want the closest walking route to the north stage gates.
• Fitness Enthusiasts & Runners: Athletes arriving for morning stair workouts in the amphitheatre bowl or loop runs along the Red Rocks trail system.
• Hikers & Nature Lovers: Visitors exploring the Dakota Ridge Trail, Geologic Overlook, and Morrison formation red rocks.
• Photographers: Early birds capturing golden hour sunrise lighting illuminating Creation Rock, Ship Rock, and the eastern plains.
• Day Tourists: Out-of-town travelers visiting the Colorado Music Hall of Fame and the iconic park grounds during daytime non-event hours.

Visitor & Driver Tips

To maximize your visit to Lower North Lot, keep these practical recommendations in mind:

• Check the Event Calendar: On ticketed concert evenings, the park and amphitheatre close to general daytime visitors around 2:00 PM, and parking lots reopen two hours before event door times. On non-event days, parking is open from dawn to dusk.
• Parking Is Included / Free: Day visits to Red Rocks Park are entirely free of charge. On concert dates, standard parking is included with your event admission ticket—be wary of unauthorized roadside vendors charging for unauthorized off-site spaces.
• Prepare for the Elevation & Climb: The lot sits above 6,200 feet elevation. The route into the amphitheatre features an intensive uphill climb with dozens of stairs. Wear supportive, broken-in walking shoes and carry a reusable water bottle.
• Arrive Early: On sold-out concert nights, the north lots are among the first to fill. Plan to arrive within the first 30 to 45 minutes of the lots opening to secure a spot here before traffic controllers divert vehicles to the lower south fields.
• Mark Your Parking Spot: Pin your vehicle’s GPS location on your smartphone map application before hiking up to the gates so you can effortlessly locate your car in the dark after the show.