Ask a regular at Red Rocks Park about “Trail 2” and they will point you past the paved, tourist-heavy Trading Post loop and out to the Red Rocks Trail — the multi-use path that runs the east side of the park, connects into Jefferson County’s Matthews/Winters Park, and turns into a genuine 6-mile loop for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. This Red Rocks Trail 2 hiking guide covers the route, what to expect underfoot, and how to actually get there without burning your whole afternoon looking for parking.
What Makes This Trail Different From the Amphitheatre Walk
Red Rocks Trail 2 Hiking Guide – Most first-time visitors only ever see the paved paths near the visitor center and the Trading Post. The Red Rocks Trail is a completely different experience — a genuine multi-use trail for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking that starts at the park’s Lower North Lot and heads out across open meadowland east of the towering red sandstone formations the park is named for. Where the Trading Post loop is about 1.4 miles of paved, gentle walking, the Red Rocks Trail stretches into a real hike, connecting to the Dakota Ridge Trail and Matthews/Winters Park to form loops ranging from roughly 6 to 6.2 miles depending on which connector trails you take.
The Route, Turn by Turn
From the Lower North Lot, the trail crosses a large meadowed hillside with the red rock formations rising to your right. Around the one-mile mark, the trail leaves Red Rocks Park proper and enters Matthews/Winters Park, part of Jefferson County Open Space. From there, the path meets a junction with the Cherry Gulch Trail and, later, the Village Walk and Village Ride trails, where hikers can loop back toward the Matthews/Winters trailhead while mountain bikers stay on the designated bike trail. Along the way, you’ll pass a junction with the Morrison Slide Trail — worth the detour if you want a steeper climb and better views, adding roughly 0.4 miles and some real elevation gain to the day.
What to Expect Underfoot
The terrain shifts throughout the loop. Expect about a mile of rock-strewn path early on, followed by a smoother, wider stretch once you’re deeper into Matthews/Winters Park. Good hiking shoes matter here — this is not the flat, paved Trading Post experience. The trail is well maintained and heavily used by hikers, runners, and bikers alike, so expect company, especially on weekend mornings.
The Parking Reality
Because this trail spans two separate park systems — Red Rocks Park itself and Matthews/Winters Park — there are multiple possible starting points, and each one has its own limited lot. The Lower North Lot at Red Rocks fills quickly on weekends, and the Matthews/Winters lot off CO-93 does the same. Add anyone stacking a hike with an evening concert at the amphitheatre, and parking pressure around the whole area compounds fast.
Why a Car Service Makes This Trail Easier
Booking red rocks transportation for a hiking day removes the parking guesswork entirely. Instead of hoping the Lower North Lot has room or scouting a second lot at Matthews/Winters, a private driver drops you exactly where your hike starts and picks you up wherever it ends — which matters on a point-to-point or loop trail like this one where your start and finish may not be the same lot depending on the route you choose. Full vehicle details are on our Red Rocks Transportation page.
Combining a Hike With a Show
The Red Rocks Trail sits close enough to the amphitheatre that plenty of visitors turn it into a full day — hike in the morning while it’s cool, head home or grab lunch in Morrison, then return that evening for a concert. Booking one red rocks car service for both legs avoids the hassle of finding two separate parking spots in the same general area on the same day.
Weather on an Exposed Meadow Trail
Much of this route crosses open meadow with limited shade, so afternoon heat and sudden Front Range thunderstorms are real considerations. Check the National Weather Service forecast before heading out, and review current road conditions through CDOT for the drive itself, particularly in summer when storms can build quickly in the afternoon.
Tips for Hiking Trail 2 at Red Rocks
- Start early to beat both the crowds and the summer heat on exposed sections
- Wear real hiking shoes — the early rocky stretch is more technical than the paved paths near the visitor center
- Book red rocks transportation if you’re combining the hike with an evening show, so parking is a non-issue for either stop
- Check pricing for combined hike-and-concert bookings
- Review the FAQs page for questions about multi-stop trips
Book Your Trail 2 Hike and Red Rocks Day
Skip the parking scramble at two different lots in one day. Book red rocks transportation for your Trail 2 hike and let Red Rocks Voyager handle the drop-off, the pickup, and the drive to whatever comes next.
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