There were numerous hiking trails to choose from near our RV Park in Golden, Colorado, yet we kept going back to Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater – not once but three times! The first time was with John and Pam, then with Al and Ingrid and finally Steve and I took a last hike there before moving on.
Our inclination toward Red Rocks Park had a lot to do with its scenic trails, geologic features and its music venue like no other. We learned that a lot of big-name bands have returned repeatedly to this beautiful amphitheater set into the towering rocks and offering amazing acoustics for their music.
The top of the outdoor amphitheater is a perfect place to take in the 200-mile panorama of Denver and the distant plains.
The amphitheater is open to the public for viewing and exercise activities when events aren’t scheduled.
We also saw several people capturing the beauty of the area with strokes of a brush.
We were happy to see abundant wildlife and wildflowers during several hikes through and around the park.
We marveled at the open air amphitheater built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the National Park Service – without any help from machinery – between 1931-1941.
We discovered a great music museum within the amphitheater. It had nice displays showing the hundreds of acts that had performed here during the past decades.
Our hiking muscles were quickly whipped back into shape as we explored several of the many hiking trails surrounding the geological formations. On one day we met with avid hikers John and Pam to tackle the Red Rocks Trail, a 6-mile loop that lead out of the Park and connected with the Dakota Ridge Trail. We also traversed the Matthew Winters Open Space area that day on the way back to our cars.
Hans and Lisa had already hiked these trails several days before, so we mostly followed their path. Rather than rehashing the details of these scenic trails, I invite you to check the accounts of Metamorphis Road and Oh the Places They Go for more information about them.
When Al and Ingrid arrived in town a few days later we hiked the Trading Post Trail, a 1.4-mile loop that wound through spectacular formations, valleys and a natural meadow.
Steve and I went back on another day to climb the Funicular Trail to the north entrance of the amphitheater.
Before audiences are amazed by a performance here, they can choose to get a good workout by walking up from one of the parking lots to the amphitheater. There are plenty of steps up to and around the seating area to get the blood pumping.
Another place we kept going back to, this time for authentic and fresh mexican food, was La Casa Alba in Golden. Lisa found this hole-in-the-wall restaurant, and by the time we left town we had been there for lunch with special people four times!
And that’s how we spent ten days with friend bloggers in and around Golden after my return from the Philippines. Till we meet again, my friends, see you somewhere out west this fall and winter!
Lowes Travels 
How neat you found a music museum at the amphitheater! Can you imagine how fit we’d be if we exercised on those bleachers every day?! La Casa Alba was special, wasn’t it!
Just can’t get enough of those beautiful rocks…no wonder you visited every chance you got! Great photos MonaLisa…
Fun times! I love hiking at Red Rocks. Daughter will be working out on the stairs this Saturday with her club. I think we’ll “watch” while I stick with the Trading Post Trail 🙂
I hope you are now feeling better to retrace our steps at Trading Post Trail.
Wow! That amphitheatre is colossal. Love the red rock formations, and of course i searched each pic for faces in those rocks, and wasn’t disappointed. 🙂
You saw some profiles!
It is a great place to hike, I agree:) We are heading back to redo the big loop hike again with Jessica. I’m sure she’ll enjoy all the beautiful views. So glad we got to do this hike with the two of you:)
I can see more hiking in the future, Pam, come spring time.
We were very excited to get Steve’s email!! How great would it be to visit some spots in southern Utah together!!
How fun that you got to spend such quality time with RVing friends. We love Red Rocks and were fortunate to see Norah Jones there several years ago. We loved doing the stairs at the amphitheater.
Wow, Norah Jones, that must have been an amazing concert.
It was fabulous!
Really wonderful pictures Mona Liza. Such a beautiful amphitheater. I’d never heard of it and had no idea the CCC constructed it. What a feat. Those boys were amazing! I’d have gone back 3 times too. Lucky you and with friends no less. Can’t beat that.
I was pleasantly surprised too that the CCC was involved in the constructions, those boys are amazing and we are enjoying their legacy.
Looks like such a fun time with friends! You certainly got the most out of the amphitheater and the surrounding trails. It’s long been on our list to see a concert there — now we’re inspired to go just for the scenic beauty and trails, too.
IF and when you are heading up to the mountains, you might want to check out if your favorite performers will be playing here and that would be double fun, concert and hike at the Red Rocks.