Red Rock Amphitheater, Colorado

If you’re looking for a photography destination that’s both easily accessible and breathtakingly beautiful, then look no further than Red Rocks Park, located just outside of Denver, Colorado. Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, this park offers stunning views, surreal sandstone rock formations, abundant wildlife, and, of course, the majestic Red Rocks Amphitheater.

As a photographer, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in the three main areas of Red Rocks Park. Let’s take a closer look.

The Amphitheater:

Red Rocks Amphitheater is a one-of-a-kind open-air venue, formed by Mother Nature herself. The acoustics of the amphitheater are said to be perfect for any performance, and the design is simply breathtaking. Two towering monoliths, Ship Rock and Creation Rock, provide the perfect bookends for your photographs.

With a stunning 40+ mile view over Denver and the front range, the stair-casings and natural beauty of the theater provide a wonderful foreground for your photos. Don’t miss the opportunity to capture the amphitheater’s unique beauty and history through your lens at sunrise.

Hiking Trails:

The park is rich with hiking trails that offer excellent photo opportunities throughout the year. The Trading Post Trail, a 1.4 mile hike, winds through spectacular rock formations and a natural meadow that’s full of wildflowers in the spring and early summer. It’s a bit of a rough terrain, so hiking boots are recommended. Along the trail, you’ll also have the opportunity to capture cacti, wildflowers, and often encounter deer herds.

The Red Rocks Trail, on the other hand, offers the best photographic opportunity for large vista landscapes, particularly during the summer thunderstorm season when you can capture long exposure lightning images across the front range. This trail is approximately a three-mile loop, with some very steep hiking involved. However, there are plenty of great photo opportunities along the way, giving you time to rest as you hike. During the spring and early summer, you’ll encounter wildflowers as well as breathtaking views. Since this trail is frequented by hikers and bikers, it’s also an opportunity to practice photographing “sports lifestyle” photography.