Getting from Estes Park to Morrison
Alright, so you’re trading the epic views of Rocky Mountain National Park for the legendary acoustics of Morrison. Most people making this trip have one thing on their mind: a concert at Red Rocks. It’s a classic Colorado combo – mountains by day, music by night. Let’s get you there.
This guide is specifically for the trip from Estes Park to Morrison. We’ll have a seperate page for the return journey so we can keep the info clean and simple.
The Route at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Distance | Approx. 75 miles |
| Average Drive Time | 1.5 - 2.5 hours (traffic can be rough) |
| Best Option | Private Car Service |
| Cheapest Option | Rental Car (if you already have one) |
| Primary Route | US-36 E to CO-470 W |
Best Travel Options: Estes Park to Morrison
This is a popular route, but there are surprisingly few direct public options. Your choices really come down to driving yourself or hiring someone to do it.
Comparison of Your Options
| Travel Method | Avg. Cost (Est.) | Avg. Time | Convenience | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private Car (Estes Direct) | $300 - $450 | 1.5 - 2 hrs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Perfect for concert-goers. No parking stress. |
| Rental Car | $60 - $120 / day | 1.5 - 2 hrs | ⭐⭐⭐ | Flexible, but you’ll deal with Red Rocks traffic/parking. |
| Uber / Lyft | $180 - $250+ | 1.5 - 2 hrs | ⭐⭐ | Expensive & hard to find a driver. Getting back is a nightmare. |
| Shared Shuttle | N/A | N/A | N/A | No direct shared shuttles operate this specific route. |
| Bus | N/A | N/A | N/A | There is no direct bus service available for this trip. |
Private Car Service
For a trip to Red Rocks, this is the way to go. Seriously. Companies like Estes Direct can take all the hassle out of the equation.
- Pricing: You should budget between $300 and $450 for a private vehicle. Split between a few friends, it’s totally worth it.
- Why it’s the best: You get picked up in Estes and dropped off right at the venue. After the show, you dont have to worry about driving or sitting in the parking lot for an hour. Your driver will be waiting. It’s safe, easy, and lets you enjoy your night.
Car Rental
If you already have a rental for your Colorado trip, this is your most economical option.
- Pricing: Just the cost of your daily rental, probably $60 to $120 per day, plus gas.
- The Downside: Driving to and from a Red Rocks show can be a major headache. The traffic getting in is bad, and getting out of the parking lots after the show can take forever. You also have to have a designated driver.
Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)
We strongly advise against trying to use Uber or Lyft for a Red Rocks show, especially from Estes Park.
- Pricing: The upfront cost will be high, likely $180-$250 or more.
- The Real Problem: First, finding a driver in Estes willing to take you is tough. But the biggest issue is getting home. After a show, thousands of people are trying to get an Uber. Surge pricing is insane (we’ve seen fares over $400 for shorter trips) and wait times can be over an hour, if you can even get a car at all.
Airport Information
Both Estes Park and Morrison are served by the same major airport, so things are pretty simple here.
Denver International Airport (DEN)
DEN is the main gateway to Colorado. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Estes Park and about 45 minutes from Morrison. It’s one of the biggest airports in the US by land area. The iconic tented roof is designed to look like the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, which is a pretty cool touch. If you’re flying in for your trip, you’ll be coming through DEN.
Popular Reasons for This Trip
Let’s be honest, there’s one main reason people make this exact trip.
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre: This is number one, two, and three. Travelers spend a few days hiking in RMNP, then drive down to Morrison for a show at the best music venue on the planet.
- Exploring the Foothills: Morrison is a cool little town at the base of the foothills, with nearby attractions like Dinosaur Ridge.
- Connecting to I-70: Some people might use this route to get from Estes to the I-70 mountain corridor to continue a trip west to ski resorts.
Common Events in the Areas
The event calendars for these two towns are pretty different.
- In Morrison: It’s all about the Red Rocks concert schedule, which runs from April to October. There’s a show almost every night in the summer. The town also hosts some small local events and car shows.
- In Estes Park: You might be leaving town after enjoying events like the Elk Fest, the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, or the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival.