Parking, bag policy, transit and history are on the main Red Rocks Amphitheatre guide.
How the Red Rocks seat map works
The Red Rocks Amphitheatre seating chart is a single sweep of rows, numbered from Row 1 at the foot of the stage to Row 70 at the top, with no upper deck, club tier or suites in between. The best all-around seats are the middle rows near the center of the bowl. Every seat is a spot on a wooden bench set on concrete walkways, and the venue states that seating charts vary by event.
Because there are no levels, the questions on any Red Rocks listing are different from an arena's:
- Which row: the row number is the single best guide to distance and height.
- Reserved or general admission: some shows assign a row and seat, some let you sit anywhere, and some split the bowl between the two.
- How far from center: seats toward the ends of a row, near the rock walls, view the stage at an angle.
The venue page covers the amphitheater's history, parking and bag rules. This page goes row by row.
Front, middle and upper rows
The bowl is steep and narrow, so sightlines are clear from almost every row. The choice is about distance, sound and how much you want to climb.
Front rows
The first rows put you close enough to see faces without the screens. You look up at the stage, the sound is loud (fan reviews suggest earplugs), and most of the crowd stands for the whole show. The venue designates Rows 1–4 as non-transferable: the original purchaser must attend, and a promoter can extend that rule beyond Row 4 for a given show. Read the listing terms closely before buying a front-row seat on the resale market.
Middle rows
The middle of the bowl near the center line is the sweet spot. You are high enough to see the whole stage and the light show, close enough to read the performers, and centered for sound. Fan reviews consistently rate the center seats roughly halfway up as the best in the venue.
Upper rows
The upper rows trade closeness for the view the venue is known for: the stage framed by Ship Rock and Creation Rock, with open sky above. Fan reviews note it can be windy and colder at the top and that sound can lose some definition, so bring a layer.
Reserved shows: reading your row and seat
At a reserved show, the ticket names a row and a seat number on a bench. Bench seats have no armrests or seat backs, so the space you get depends on the people beside you. Expect to sit shoulder to shoulder at a sellout.
- Section labels: reserved listings often divide the bowl into left, center and right areas, with labels such as Center Left and Center Right. Labels vary by show and seller, so use the map on your listing.
- Seat numbers: the venue's accessibility guide refers to specific seat ranges within Rows 2 and 3, which shows that seats are numbered across each row. The numbering direction is not published, so check the listing's map to see where your seat sits relative to center.
- Aisle seats: worth a premium for anyone who expects to leave during the show, because squeezing past a full bench on a steep row is slow.
A center-area seat in a middle row is the safest reserved purchase. An end-of-row seat in the front rows can look close on a map but sits at a sharp angle to the stage.
General admission shows: arrival decides the seat
At a general admission show, the ticket admits you to the amphitheater and you choose any open bench space. Your seat depends on when you arrive, not on when you bought.
- For the front: arrive early and expect to stand all night.
- For the middle and center: these fill next, because they offer the best view while still allowing a seat between sets.
- For the top: late arrivals usually find room in the upper rows, where the view of the setting is at its best.
Some shows split the bowl, with reserved seating in the lower rows and general admission higher up. A listing that says GA at such a show admits you only to the general admission rows, so check the event's seating chart before you buy. Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee.
Angles, weather and seats to think twice about
Red Rocks has no overhangs, pillars or roof, so obstructions are rare. The trade-offs are angle and exposure:
- Row ends near the rock walls: the angle to the stage is sharper, and space can feel tight.
- The very front at a production-heavy show: close, but you may miss lighting and video effects designed to be seen from a distance.
- The top rows on a cold or windy night: the venue is fully exposed to sun, wind, rain and snow, and the top of the bowl feels it most.
- Low rows on a hot afternoon: the stone holds heat, and there is no shade in the seating area.
For anyone who struggles with stairs or altitude, a lower row avoids most of the climb inside the bowl, and Row 70 sits close to the Top Circle lot. The steps between rows are steep, so pick a seat near an aisle if you will be getting up.
Accessible seating at Red Rocks
The venue publishes specific accessible seat locations, which is unusual detail for any venue:
- Wheelchair-accessible seating: Row 1 and Row 70. The venue provides folding chairs in these rows, and these seats must be selected at the point of purchase.
- Limited-mobility seating: Rows 2 and 3, seats 6–13.
- Low vision, Deaf and hard-of-hearing seating: Rows 2 and 3, seats 14–21.
- Companions: one accessible seat plus up to three adjacent companion seats, four tickets in all, subject to availability.
The accessible shuttle from the Upper South Lot drops guests about 275 feet from Row 1, and the accessible parking at Top Circle is about 500 feet from Row 70. That makes the choice between the two wheelchair rows largely a choice between arrival points: Row 1 for the closest view, Row 70 for the full view of the bowl. Staff in accessible seating can help with food and drink purchases. Details and on-site contacts are on the venue's accessibility page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats at Red Rocks Amphitheatre?
The middle rows near the center of the bowl give the best mix of view, sound and closeness. The front rows are closest but loud and usually standing, while the upper rows offer the full view of the rocks and sky.
How many rows are at Red Rocks?
There are 70 rows, from Row 1 at the stage to Row 70 at the top. There are no separate levels, suites or club tier in the seating bowl the venue describes.
Is Red Rocks general admission or reserved seating?
It varies by show. Some concerts are fully reserved, some are general admission, and some mix reserved lower rows with general admission higher up, so check your event's seating chart.
Can I buy resale tickets in the front rows at Red Rocks?
The venue designates Rows 1–4 as non-transferable, meaning the original purchaser must attend, and promoters can extend that rule to more rows for some shows. Read the listing terms before buying front-row seats.
Are there obstructed views at Red Rocks?
Rarely, since there is no roof or pillars. Seats at the far ends of rows near the rock walls view the stage at an angle, and the top rows can feel windy and lose some sound definition.
Where is accessible seating at Red Rocks?
Wheelchair seating is in Row 1 and Row 70 with folding chairs, limited-mobility seating is in Rows 2 and 3, seats 6–13, and low vision, Deaf and hard-of-hearing seating is in Rows 2 and 3, seats 14–21.