Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop: A Short Hike Near Denver
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Denver is considered one of the hiking capitals of the United States due to its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and other great trails. But it also offers other great and easy trails that feel like you’re in Sedona. That trail is the Red Rocks and Morrison Slide.
This was the first hike I did when moving to Colorado. It’s short, easy and offers something unique that the other trails don’t.
We went in March and the weather was perfect but other high altitude trails still had snow on them at this point. So this felt like a perfect way to get acclimated to the altitude here in Denver without putting in a ton of effort.
Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop trail is a perfect entry when visiting Denver and it should be on your radar.
Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Hike Overview
Why this is one of the best hikes near Red Rocks and Denver
If time permits, the Morrison Slide trail to view the red rocks is an easy hike that is a short drive away from downtown Denver.
You get a little bit of elevation with excellent views of the pristine red rocks surrounding this area.
Who this Trail is Best for
If you’re like me and have a fascination with the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, then this hike will give you a bigger appreciation for the beauty of that venue.
This trail is best for those looking to get acclimated to the higher altitude, while also not over exerting yourself for future hikes.
It only took us around 1.5 hours to complete this hike and that gave us ample time to go get lunch afterwards or do anything else we had planned for the day.
This hike reminds me a lot of Sedona and the stunning rock formations there.
Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Trail Details
| Hike Detail | Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop |
|---|---|
| Location | Morrison, Colorado |
| Park Area | Matthews / Winters Park |
| Trail Type | Loop |
| Distance | 3.2 miles |
| Elevation Gain | 692 feet |
| Estimated Time | 1.5–2 hours |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Trail Use | Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, running |
| Trail Features | Views, wildflowers, wildlife, rocky terrain, forest sections |
| Dog Friendly | Yes, dogs allowed on leash |
| Kid Friendly | Yes |
| Best Time to Go | Open year-round |
| Crowd Level | Very popular / usually busy |
Things You Need to Know: Logistics
Below, I’ll go over everything you need to know if you’re planning to do this hike.
How to Get There
From where we were located, we took US-6 West for 12 miles. We then got off exit 259 to get on I-70 W.
After that, we took County Road 93 south until we took a right turn right before the Dinosaur Ridge trail.
Parking
Parking is limited at this trailhead because you have to park on the side of the road if you want to start where we did.
I’d suggest getting there early to make sure you have a spot, especially if it’s peak season. You can find the place where you need to park here.
What to Pack
This is a short hike, so there isn’t much needed for it. Depending on the time of year you go, you might need more or fewer layers.
On this day, for us, it was 90 degrees, so sunscreen was important.
Clockwise vs Counterclockwise
The beginning of the Red Rocks trail is a straight path to where you’ll meet at the junction.
This is where you have to decide if you should go clockwise or counterclockwise comes into play.
We decided to follow AllTrails and take a right on Red Rocks trail, which leads to Morrison Slide on the other side.
Going counterclockwise will have a few more breaks in the elevation gain until you reach the top.
If you go clockwise, it’s a steady increase in elevation until you reach the top.
My Experience
This was the perfect hike to get us back into the routine and get that blood flowing. The sun is stronger in Denver than in other places in the United States where we’ve hiked and we could feel it.
Parking Next to the Trailhead
We got lucky when we arrived at the trailhead that there were a decent number of spots left to park on the street.
Parking right next to a trailhead is always nice, so we made sure to get there early enough that we wouldn’t be able to find a spot.
Red Rocks Trail to Morrison Slide Trail Junction
After hiking the beginning of the trail for half a mile, we reached the junction where the two trails meet.
We decided to go counterclockwise as this would potentially have the better views. Taking this route had us going on stints of elevation gain, elevation loss, and some flat sections as well.
This was the path that most people took and I can see why. It offered stunning views on both sides of the loop but especially when getting towards the end.
The red rocks were out and the pictures here were breathtaking.
This had us going on Red Rocks trail for another 0.8 miles until we reached Morrison Slide.
Best Photo Spots Throughout
My favorite photo spots along this trail were in the switchback portions along Morrison Slide trail, at the peak, and coming back down the trail at the end, with the big red rock formations to our left.
Stopping at the top is a perfect time for a break and to enjoy the views.
Other Things to Know
Is This Trail Difficult?
I would rate this hike between easy and moderate. It’s short enough that it’s easy to complete and there are only a few sections that might get you out of breath.
Bike Path
This hike is also very popular for biking on and I can see why. We moved off to the side a few times to let the bikers pass us.
It looked hard and but rewarding at the same time.
How Close is the Red Rocks Amphitheater?
The Red Rocks Amphitheater is only a couple of minutes away from the trailhead. We went there after our hike to check it out and see what all the hype was about.
Reasons You Might Skip This Trail
This hike might not be for you if you’re looking for those Rocky Mountain peaks or want something more challenging.
If you’re short on time and came to Denver for those reasons, then maybe skip this trail but it’s a great warmup hike that offers beautiful scenery.
Added Section with Cherry Gulch Trail
One of the ways to add onto this hike is by continuing on the Red Rocks trail to the north and not going up the switchbacks to the Morrison Slide trail.
This trail can loop around and turn into the Cherry Gulch trail, which will take you back on the same trail you started.
It’s not a lot of mileage added but it’s something that might be worth doing.
Where to Stay in Denver, Colorado
- Hyatt Place Denver Downtown: This is a nice hotel located in Downtown Denver that has all the amenities you’re looking for and all at a reasonable price.
- Sentral Union Station: If you’re looking for a bigger room and something of higher quality, then this is the place for you.
FAQs
How long is the Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop?
The Red Rocks and Morrison Slide Loop trail will take around 1.5 to 2 hours and is 3.2 miles long.
Is Red Rocks and Morrison Slide trail good for beginners?
Absolutely! There’s nothing hard about this hike besides there being no cover from the sun and a handful of spots with elevation gain.
Are dogs allowed on Red Rocks and Morrison Slide?
Dogs are allowed on this trail but they must be kept on leash.
Final Thoughts
This is a perfect trail to get started hiking in this area of the country. It’s short, not too hard, and offers amazing views that you can’t see in many other places. Even if you have a short itinerary, I’d find some way to fit this hike in.
