Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Ultimate Guide to Hidden Red Rocks: 10 Secret Passageways, Artifacts, and Ghost Stories

There’s the version of Red Rocks most people know: the iconic open-air concert venue flanked by soaring sandstone fins. And then, there’s the version that even the amphitheater’s biggest fans sometimes overlook. Behind its impressive facade, you’ll find that the Denver-area venue has a hidden side—a quirky streak that it just might reveal to you if you know where to look. To see Red Rocks at its most pensive, go at first light. Mule deer and lynx sometimes roam the trails surrounding the amphitheater, and the sun’s first rays gild the rock until it seems to glow. Book a sunrise yoga session on the steps, or join the runners on dawn patrol: jogging the stone bleachers is a local rite of passage (and a serious workout). History buffs would be remiss not to stop into the Red Rocks Hall of Fame—a curving corridor lined with guitars and other rare artifacts—or visit the nearby Civilian Conservation Corps building that housed Red Rocks’ creators. Want to go even deeper? Singletrack trails wind through the ancient sandstone passages, unfurling a 300-million-year geology lesson one stratum at a time. That’s just a taste of what Red Rocks has in store for those willing to ferret out its secrets. Here are ten ways to uncover the whimsical, gritty, spooky, and mysterious sides of Colorado’s most iconic stage.