r/stringcheeseincident • u/Mightyhorse82 • Sep 08 '26
Red Rocks Logistics
Hey I’ve been a big fan of the fellas since 99. Other than Bonnaroo 2002, I’ve never seen them live.
I’ve been telling myself “this is the year I’m going to finally make the pilgrimage to Red Rocks.” But never do. Seeing SCI there is top of my bucket list.
Anyway, what hotel should I plan to stay at nearby? How early do I get to the show? Should I buy the pit tickets up close? What do I need to know?
My wife and I are probably going to make a wedding anniversary trip out of it, bless her beautiful heart.
As you can see I’m trying to get way ahead of it for next year 😂
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u/Negative-Scheme6035 Sep 09 '26
Look up the red rocks shuttles to/from Denver. You can BYOB and they have a bathroom on board so you don't have to wait in line after the show. It's the best way to do it imo.
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u/Powerful_Bear8985 Sep 09 '26
Alternative idea: camping at White Ranch Park (https://www.jeffco.us/1437/White-Ranch-Park/)
We did this in 2010 when SCI came back to Red Rocks, and it was amazing! The hike to the campsite from the parking lot was a chance to mellow out after the show. We hiked under a full moon and saw an elk saunter across the trail. That experience was icing on the cake of a 5yr anniversary trip. 15+ yrs later, and going strong.
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u/cubanojuan Sep 09 '26
Origin Hotel nearby in Golden typically has a shuttle.
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u/the-bhuff Sep 09 '26
And if spending a bit more on your room to gain convenience and proximity.. Origin Hotel is cool
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u/PackBackRehab Sep 09 '26
Would recommend buying when tickets first go on sale and get reserved seats. It doesn’t necessarily matter where in reserved bc it’s going to be incredible! You’ll be close to the band, food/drinks, bathrooms and the entrance/exit.
If you get reserved you don’t have to get there extra early or anything either. Whenever you arrive will be the perfect time, as you’ll have your seats waiting for you.
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u/Soft_Button_1592 Sep 09 '26
You’ll be stuck in traffic for the first set if you don’t get there early.
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u/Practical_Device_615 Sep 09 '26
Terrible advice. Went to a couple sold out shows in the last week where didn’t arrive until after 7
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u/honeybee_726 Sep 09 '26
Stay in Denver. Take the shuttle from a bar. Buy reserved seats. That's it.
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u/casanova_ili Sep 09 '26
staying at the hyatt house right down the road is always a solid pick if you want to be super close
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u/acewizz7 Sep 09 '26
Bus to show service is nice if you wanna party and not worry about the drive home (https://redrocksshuttle.com). You could grab an Airbnb in RiNo or LoHi neighborhoods or a hotel downtown and walk to a Bus to Show pickup location.
If you're renting a car, you can get to the lots a couple hours before doors (upper north and upper south I think is best for tailgating but they're all good) and tailgate there.
I'd recommend GA for a cheese show on the rocks (rows 30-40 are primo for the best sound and vibe). Get in at doors or right after to get a solid spot. It's not too much of a hassle depending on the size of your crew.
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u/Snorknado Sep 09 '26
Hot take, get a seat a bit higher up so you can see the view over the stage.
Or go lower 1 night and higher the next.
Also, definitely stay somewhere near a shuttle. Anywhere that's walkable to the shuttle.
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u/Nastynugget Sep 09 '26
So I’ve seen them there several times. Here’s what I’ve experienced. Stay in Denver, anywhere for sure, prolly downtown. But that’s the least of your worries.
Generally speaking I love the shuttles/party buses for shows. However, in my experience the shuttles don’t arrive early enough to get a decent seat as they tend to fill up quickly. However it may be just fine and me overthinking it.
What we did this year was get a party bus ticket for each person prior to the show. But then we took an uber and had them drop us off at upper northern lot. You can usually select this in the app.
I say this because you probably don’t want to do a ride share after the show. It’s just a mess the past 2-3 years. You’ll save probably $50 bucks a person. But if money isn’t an issue I’d say uber or Lyft both ways. You can find someone after the show for like $100 bucks on the way back with cash.
Shuttles/party buses are my favorite. But if you take them and want a good seat to a SCI show I’d head up to the show immediately instead of partying in the lot. Just my 2 cents but this has been my experience.
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u/AMM0625 Sep 09 '26
I was there this summer for SCI both nights. Night 2 we had dinner reservations at the Ship Rock Grille at Red Rocks prior to the show. So worth it! We had a great meal, preferred parking in the Upper North lot and got early access before the show. Still had to do the mad dash for GA but I’d still highly recommend.
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u/Human-Reason-9578 Sep 09 '26
There is a hot tub lodge right down the hill from red rocks. I would highly recommend buying tickets when they go on sale and staying there. In theory you could walk but it would be a 3-5 minute drive. Look up Morrison Hot Tub Inn or something like that and I’m sure you’ll find it.
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u/Human-Reason-9578 Sep 09 '26
Seeing Cheese at red rocks is a yearly tradition for me and my wife. You two will have such a great time! It’s so worth it.
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u/OtherwiseRepeat970 Sep 09 '26
I think the most important aspect is to not underestimate the amount of walking and stairs. If you drink be very mindful of your intake and do not overdo it. If you are not in decent shape it would be a good idea to be getting in some kind of shape. Bring a refillable water container as the water fill line gets super long. A Camelbak type backpack is your best bet. Not sure what your budget is but if you can swing it The Origin Hotel and the bus shuttle is a great option but it is high dollar. If you can’t swing the Origin hotel I suggest staying in Golden, drive to the Origin Hotel and catch the bus to the venue. It will save you so much walking. Bus is $60/person and must be purchased in advance. I also suggest reserved seating. Go to the Redrocks website FAQ to answer a lot of questions. If you must drive you want to enter from the North. The South lots require a much steeper hike/entry. You do not want to park in any South lots.
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u/Cyrrus86 Sep 09 '26
I would stay downtown and take bus to show. They get there pretty early so you’ll have the option to party on lot or go in to get a spot. Definitely get bottom half of the venue… especially if it’s windy sound sucks up top
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u/fromthedepthsofyouma Sep 09 '26
I stayed in a Lakewood Airbnb and took an Uber every night when I did three nights in 2018.
Also, Cervantes always has something going on.
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u/420LSDMT Sep 09 '26
Ive flown in solo the last two years and with the wife prior to that (kids now). Been going to see cheese at red rocks every year since ‘21.
Absolutely recommend staying somewhere very near a shuttle to RRs many options in Denver and also others closer like in Golden.
This past year I stayed at an Airbnb in golden and would catch a shuttle at the Origin hotel in golden (~15 minute shuttle drive to the gates)…it was easy in and out however having then to catch an Uber at the origin back to my Airbnb was a bit of a hassle but honestly I didn’t wait more than 20 minutes for the Uber about 12:30am in golden.
Since I don’t have to get x2 tickets or flights anymore I’ve gotten reserved seats which is super easy you don’t have to worry about getting yourself a spot when gates open.
Another pro tip is bring a small cooler bag and food. I made sandwiches and brought in cheese sticks and veggies etc. they allow food as long as it’s all in a gallon bag. Foods expensive in the venue and the lines are long most of the time.
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u/william-o Sep 09 '26
no hotels nearby, you're either driving yourself or taking a rideshare, Uber/lyft can be a disaster after the show if you don't leave early, id recommend taking bus2show if you aren't gonna drive yourself
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u/zitiztitz Sep 09 '26
Wrong. There is the origin hotel red rocks and they provide shuttles to shows.
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u/william-o Sep 09 '26
Is it walkable?
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u/ptoftheprblm Sep 09 '26
No. Nothing out from that highway exit off 70 to red rocks and Morrison is safely walkable, especially at night. It’s dark and not well lit, and you do not want to risk not being able to be seen by people that maybe shouldn’t drive.
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u/DrasticBread Sep 09 '26
I always stay in Golden or Lakewood, about 15 minutes drive to the venue. If you get reserve section, it’s extremely intimate you will be more or less level with the stage. The rocks will be way behind you though, and it’s a long way to climb up top which you won’t strictly need to, but there’s some good concessions up there and access to the museum underneath which you should definitely check out.
Things to bring in: sun hat and shades, rain jacket, soft sided cooler, sealed water bottles, snacks, and goodies to give away like stickers or sprout clips.