To those who live in Denver and attend this event every year, I am supremely jealous! About five or six years ago, I saw an Instagram post from someone who attended Sunrise Yoga at the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, CO, and it immediately went onto my bucket list. This past month, I finally got to check it off, and I was so happy that I almost started crying when I took my seat. Today, I’m excited to share this post on Everything You Need to Know: Yoga On the Rocks – Denver, CO.

I’m not generally one to tell long, elaborate stories, so let’s jump into this guide. If you think I’ve missed anything, feel free to leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to answer!

Everything I used and recommend for Yoga On the Rocks is linked in my ShopMy store – affiliate links are used throughout this post at no extra cost to you! 💕

Everything You Need to Know: Yoga On the Rocks - Denver, CO

Table of Contents

What to Bring

Let me break this down into sections because having the right gear makes a huge difference – especially if you’re traveling to get here like I did. I’d like to note that this tends to be an all level yoga class so you can bring your yoga props but, as a traveller, I found that I did not need them.

Your Mat

This is the one thing you truly can’t skip. I packed my most affordable mat in my carry-on, but honestly? If I were doing it again I’d bring something more practical for travel. Here’s what I’d recommend depending on your situation:

ProLite Yoga Mat – if you’re serious about your practice, want the best grip, but also travel-friendly
Natural Cork Yoga Mat – grippable, natural, sustainable, and plant-based – use code TripSide10 for 10% off!
Lightweight Travel Yoga Mat – foldable and fits in every carry-on easily
All Natural Cotton Yoga Rug – beautiful, foldable, packable, and great for a sunrise class
Affordable Outdoor Yoga Mat – when all else fails, bring something you don’t mind getting dirty on the amphitheater stone (this is what I brought)

What to Wear

Denver mornings at Red Rocks start off cool even in summer but quickly warm up with the sun. You can bring all of your stuff and leave it next to you under the amphitheater stone seating. I felt very comfortable with my bag and gear but for wear, be practical and comfortable for yoga.

Zella Yoga Leggings – these have been my favorite for years
Favorite Yoga Tops – easy flowy and comfortable
Yoga Sports Bra – not to tight but holds you close
Throw On & Go Sweatshirt – easy to pair with anything

Hydration & Sun Protection

I live at sea level in Seattle so altitude was a big concern for me. Hydration saved me. They did provide electrolyte popsicles and refreshments after class but you’ll want some before to be safe. Pack pain meds too, just in case you get a headache.

Water Bottle – make sure to fill it up before you go
Electrolyte Tablets – this are so great
Natural Sunscreen – class runs into full sun so reach for something clean

My best advice

Sign up for the Red Rock Amphitheater email so you know exactly when tickets will go on sale.
Put the date and time of the sale in your phone calendar with an alert.
Buy tickets as soon as possible.
Get there early.

Get there early—don’t be like me. Tickets sold out in less than 24 hours. Luckily, I was able to get a ticket via resale on StubHub. The ticket was transferred to my AXS app a few weeks before my class.

Tickets were originally priced at $25, but I got mine for $37 with fees. For context, the night before, they were reselling for $100 so it’s best to get your ticket asap. Please also note, this was 2023 and with inflation, I wouldn’t be surprised if tickets have gone up astronomically.

Where to Stay and How to Get There

If you’re coming from out of town, like I did, flying into Denver was a breeze. I chose to stay in Centennial, CO, which is between Denver and Morrison, CO, where the Red Rock Amphitheater is located. We stayed at the Hilton Hampton Inn Denver Tech Center for a number of reasons but the biggest reason was because Taylor Swift was playing the same weekend and the majority of hotels were already booked in downtown Denver.

It ended up being the perfect location for our trip! So, if you’re only going for yoga, you might want to stay outside of Morrison.

I also highly recommend renting a car. The earlier, the better to ensure you get a great rate. I booked about four months in advance and got mine for less than $90 a day. There is no public transportation to the amphitheater.

Thankfully, most people have Google or Apple Maps on their phones. 😉 It’s a straight shot to the amphitheater early in the morning, and it’s only a 30-minute drive. You won’t be the only one going, so just follow your map and all the other cars.

Parking

There are two parking lots. They are both a bit of a walk to the main gate/check-in area, but it’s not bad! I parked in the lower level, and it was a 10-minute walk to the gate from my car. Either parking lot works well, but I will say there were construction machines and trucks in the closest parking lot because they were doing repairs. Almost everyone parked in the lower lot.

Arriving and Setting Up

I mentioned getting there early to avoid as much stress as possible. When I arrived, I had 10 minutes until the class started. I had enough time to scope out a good spot and take in the atmosphere before it started.

However, I did leave later than expected. Even though I lucked out by being able to snag a spot between a few people, I would have felt better getting there 20 minutes before class.

The Best Spot

There’s no such thing! The entire amphitheater has a stunning view. That said, if I go again, I would go up about six to eight more rows so I could see the Denver skyline in the distance.

I had a great view of the stage which made it easy to keep up with the instructor. So at the end of the day, it was still a great session. I’m really happy I snagged the spot I got.

Yoga Level

Level one! Super accessible to everyone.

It was mostly sun salutations and stretching, which was perfect for the elevation and what I wanted for early morning energy. The instructor was wonderful and allowed time for those at a higher level to practice their advanced asanas. .

If you’re brand new to yoga, please do not be intimidated. This is the perfect class to try. No one is looking at you, everyone was minding their own mat.

The Altitude

Again, I live at sea level, so this was a big concern of mine. I tend to get migraines every time I’m at a high elevation. My advice?
Arrive a few days early just to acclimate. We arrived on Thursday afternoon and to no surprise, I got a migraine. I drank about 80 ounces of water, and went to bed early. The same thing happened on Friday evening. By Saturday morning’s class? I was right as rain.

So just a fair warning, there were a few people who did not prepare and got woozy. They laid Savasana for the rest of the class. It would be wise to pack electrolytes and extra pain meds, just in case. They also provide electrolyte refreshments after the class, including in popsicle form!

The View

Be prepared to be in awe. I didn’t know or think Colorado could be that beautiful. I felt like I was in another country. You will be amazed!

Thank you so much for reading my guide! I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this solo adventure while traveling with my friend. I loved it so much, I would LOVE to make this an annual event. Maybe someday, right?

All my gear recommendations are linked in my ShopMy collection. 💕

Hope you’re all staying happy and healthy.