Hiking the incredible Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop Trail near Golden Colorado
Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.
One of the coolest places to visit in Colorado is Red Rocks, just outside of the small town Morrison. If you’re able to catch a concert at the venue it is a pretty cool experience (highly recommend looking up shows in advance). Not far the venue are a number of hiking and biking trails that are a great way to spend a morning, afternoon or evening in this part of Colorado.
I’ve always wanted to explore this area for a day trip, so I decided to hop in the car and make the drive for the day from Breckenridge. Part of the Mathews/Winters Park, what’s cool about this loop trail is it isn’t too difficult. It would be a great way to spend some time with your family, friends, or a significant other outdoors. Dogs are also welcome too, they just have to be on a leash. In this post I’ll be going over trail details, parking, what to know, and best time to visit. Coool lets get into it
How to get there and where to park
To get to this trail you’ll take I-70 to the Golden/Morrison exit. Turn onto Alameda Pkwy (Red Rocks Amphitheater Entrance 1) and park either in the small parking lot on the left or on the road at the base of the trailhead. That’s the nice thing about Red Rocks, is there is plenty of parking on the side of the road because of the concert venue.
Trail Stats
Download the trail ahead of time on AllTrails for help with navigation. Although there is signage throughout the trail, it’s always nice to have a map with you.
3.2 mile loop
692 Feet of Elevation Gain
Open 1 hour before sunrise and 1 hour after sunset
Dogs allowed, but must be on a leash
What to Pack
Plenty of water and sunscreen as this area can get pretty hot during the day, depending on the time of year. I would also make sure to have a good pair of hiking boots, a hat, sunglasses, lightweight outdoor clothing, as well as a rain jacket. Some of my favorite brands for outdoor gear include Patagonia, Fjallraven, Black Diamond, Hydroflask, and LaSportiva.
Best time of Year to Hike
May-October weather depending. During the winter there could be road closures due to snow, so check Jefferson County’s alerts and updates if you plan on hiking it during winter months. June is an awesome time because the temps aren’t too high yet and there’s also wildflowers along the trail.
If you want to avoid the heat I think the best time of day would be late afternoon-evening, catching a sunset as you hike back to the car. If you’re a morning person and can wake up early to catch a sunrise this hike would also be a great way to start the day!
What to Expect
The nice part about this area of Colorado is how different it is from the mountains such as Breck or Vail. It almost feels like a desert as the dirt and rocks are all red. Considered to be the foothills, which is in between the city and mountains, expect some elevation gain and rockier parts throughout your hike, hence the need for good hiking footwear. If you’re wondering about time, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to hike the loop depending on speed.
Trail Details
You’ll want to start at the trailhead for Red Rocks trail, across from the small parking lot. The first part of the hike is where you’ll see most of the Red Rocks. I wouldn’t say it’s a canyon, but it’s more enclosed then most of the hike. As you make your way up the first part of the trail, you’ll see the sign for Red Rocks Trail and Morrison Slide. Take the Red Rocks Trail!
This is where the trail starts to open up and you can see a lot of the foothills and part of I70. This portion also levels out and is a good spot to take a breather if needed. Notice the connecting trails down below!
If you have time, the Red Rocks trail will continue further off this loop. You’ll see signs for the this about halfway through the hike. Check the photo below for details. I ended up continuing on the Red Rocks trail by accident before hiking back up to continue on the Morrison Slide trail. Definitely worth taking a wrong turn, you kind of feel like you’re in the valley of the foothills, cool experience during golden hour!
As you make your way back up the Morrison Slide part of the Loop, be prepared for the last bit of elevation gain before the trail levels off.
Once level, you’ll notice a pretty awesome view of Golden, a smaller city outside of Denver. I live in the mountains and hikes with these kinds of views don’t exist, so it’s always nice to hike something different, that still provides that unique outdoor experience.
The last part of the hike is essentially hiking down where you first started, back on the Red Rocks trail. If it’s later in the day, the red color of the rocks is best for photography!
That’s it for the Red Rocks Trail Morrison Slide Loop. Leave a question or comment about his trail below and if you are looking for more adventures in Colorado, check out one of my favorite towns, Buena Vista.
