Facility Overview

Situated within the globally renowned Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre complex in the foothills of Jefferson County, Lower South Lot 2 serves as one of the most vital surface parking facilities at the venue. Positioned off Red Rocks Park Road just south of the historic Red Rocks Trading Post, this expansive, open-air surface lot offers generous stall dimensions and paved driving lanes flanked by natural red sandstone scenery. Because it is an open-air venue lot situated directly in nature, there are zero overhead height limitations or clearance bars. This makes Lower South Lot 2 uniquely capable of accommodating standard passenger sedans, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, camper vans, RVs, charter shuttles, and party buses.

In official venue operations, Lower South Lot 2 plays an indispensable role: it is the primary designated area for oversized vehicles (any vehicle exceeding 6 feet 5 inches in width, including recreational vehicles, touring buses, and vehicles with trailers). Whether you are arriving in an oversized group bus or an all-wheel-drive crossover, the lot provides ample breathing room and a lively, welcoming pre-event atmosphere.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Lower South Lot 2 places visitors right at the heart of Colorado's most iconic outdoor entertainment and recreation destination. Key destinations within walking distance or a brief drive include:

• Red Rocks Amphitheatre: The world-famous open-air music venue framed by Ship Rock and Creation Rock. From Lower South Lot 2, concertgoers take a scenic, moderate uphill hike of approximately 15 to 20 minutes (about 0.6 miles) past the Trading Post and up the famous Red Rocks stairways or south ramp to reach venue gates.
• Red Rocks Trading Post & Colorado Music Hall of Fame: Located approximately a 5 to 7-minute walk uphill from the lot, offering regional gifts, historical memorabilia, and panoramic vistas.
• Trading Post Trail & Geologic Overlooks: Direct access to scenic hiking loops that wind through 300-million-year-old Fountain Formation rock towers.
• Town of Morrison: Located just a 5-minute drive south (1.5 miles), offering pre-show dining, craft breweries, and local pubs along Bear Creek Avenue.
• Matthews/Winters Park & Dinosaur Ridge: Located 5 to 8 minutes north along Highway 93 and County Road 93, famous for fossilized dinosaur tracks and expansive mountain biking trails.
• Downtown Golden & Coors Brewery: Situated roughly 15 minutes north via CO-93, providing historic Old West charm and additional dining options.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Navigating to Lower South Lot 2 is straightforward from major regional thoroughfares. Drivers traveling from the Denver metro area can take Interstate 70 West to Exit 259 (Morrison / Morrison Road) or US Highway 6 West to CO-93 South, merging onto West Alameda Parkway before entering via Red Rocks Entrance 2 or Entrance 3 onto Red Rocks Park Road. Alternatively, visitors arriving from the south can take US-285 to CO-8 through downtown Morrison, entering via Entrance 1 or 2.

Following concert dismissals and high-capacity events, traffic control staff direct vehicles into structured exit channels. Lower South Lot 2 benefits from direct routing down Red Rocks Park Road toward CO-8 and US-285 or back toward C-470, often avoiding the bottleneck delays seen around Upper North Lot. Regional transit connections include the RTD Light Rail W Line terminating at the Jeffco Stadium / Golden station (about 12 minutes north by rideshare), as well as numerous private concert shuttle lines (such as Bus Show and regional brewery shuttles) that use Lower South Lot 2 for passenger group loading and unloading.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

• Open-Air Headroom: Complete lack of vertical clearance restrictions, easily accommodating raised trucks, commercial shuttles, RVs, and rooftop gear boxes.
• Dedicated Oversized Parking: Official designated zone for RVs, motorcoaches, party buses, limousines, and trailers.
• Event Restroom Facilities: Equipped with seasonal rows of portable restrooms positioned around the lot perimeter during concert and fitness season.
• Free Parking: Parking fees are included in the ticket admission for amphitheatre events and completely free of charge during non-event daytime park hours.
• On-Site Traffic Marshals: Professional venue parking staff and Jefferson County sheriffs actively direct ingress lanes, manage parking rows, and guide outbound traffic flows.
• Tailgating Culture: One of the premier pre-concert gathering areas at Red Rocks, allowing personal tailgating behind vehicles within your designated stall boundaries.

Ideal For

• Concertgoers & Music Fans: Patrons attending evening shows who prefer a vibrant pre-show tailgating atmosphere and smooth highway access after the encore.
• Group Transportation & Charter Buses: Large groups, party buses, camper vans, and chartered shuttles designated to stage and park together.
• Hikers & Fitness Enthusiasts: Day visitors, trail runners, and outdoor lovers visiting Red Rocks Park for morning stair climbs, Trading Post Trail hikes, and sunrise photography.
• Late Arriving Drivers: While upper lots tend to reach capacity hours before headliner sets, lower lots generally provide the best space availability closer to showtime.

Visitor & Driver Tips

• Prepare for the Uphill Trek: The walk up to the amphitheatre involves significant elevation gain and stair climbing at 6,400 feet above sea level. Wear comfortable athletic shoes and bring an empty, reusable water container to fill inside the gates.
• Mind Overnight Parking Rules: If you utilize rideshares or carpool home after an evening event, your vehicle may remain parked overnight, but it must be retrieved by 10:00 AM the following morning to prevent ticketing or towing.
• Arrive Early for Premier Positioning: Lots generally open two hours prior to event gate times (or early morning for park visitors). Arriving at least 90 to 120 minutes ahead of show doors secures a convenient space closer to the main walking route.
• Tailgating Etiquette: Open fires and charcoal grills are strictly forbidden due to high wildfire risks; only small, self-contained propane grills (under 20 lbs) are permitted within your designated space. Glass containers are strictly banned across Red Rocks Park.