Denver Red Rocks & Foothills Tour: Lariat Loop, Golden, Buffalo Bill

Summary

Red Rocks amphitheatre mornings, Golden town stories, foothill drives

You’ll feel Colorado’s wild side on this half-day Red Rocks & Denver Foothills tour: stand under towering red rock formations, stroll Evergreen’s quirky streets, and look out over Denver from Buffalo Bill’s grave. With a local guide sharing stories (and bottled water in hand), you’ll get a real taste of mountain life before lunch back in the city.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I signed up for the Red Rocks & Denver Foothills Scenic Tour mostly because I’d seen those crazy red slabs in concert photos and thought — well, why not? But standing there early in the day, the rocks somehow looked even bigger than I expected. Our guide, Mike (born and raised in Denver), pointed out grooves in the stone where water used to run millions of years ago. The air smelled like wet earth and pine needles — kind of sharp and sweet at the same time. There was a runner blasting music from his phone as he sprinted up the steps; I just watched him and laughed quietly to myself. No way I could keep up.

After Red Rocks we drove through these winding roads — Mike called it the Lariat Loop — with sunlight flickering through the trees. He told us stories about old mining towns and pointed out a herd of deer grazing near Evergreen Lake. We stopped for coffee in Evergreen’s main street, which is tiny but packed with little shops and galleries. I bought a weird postcard with a bear on it that made me smile for no real reason. The smell of fresh bread from one of the bakeries kind of lingered as we walked back to the van.

The last stop was Lookout Mountain, where Buffalo Bill is buried. There’s this museum full of Wild West stuff — spurs, posters, even his old hat (or maybe it was just “a” hat). The view over Denver from up there is wild; you can see how close the city is to all this open space. Mike told us about Buffalo Bill’s funeral and how people still argue if he should’ve been buried somewhere else. It felt strangely peaceful up there, wind tugging at my jacket while everyone got quiet for a second or two. I still think about that view sometimes when I’m stuck in city traffic.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Scenic tour of Denver foothills

• Meet guide in downtown Denver
• Visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre
• Explore Evergreen Lake views
• Pass by Evergreen’s historic Main Street
• Visit Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave
• Drive historic Lariat Loop
• Stop in Golden city
• Pass by Coors Brewery

Top questions

How long is the Red Rocks & Denver Foothills tour?

The tour lasts approximately 4 hours in the morning.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is at the Colorado Convention Center by the Blue Bear sculpture in downtown Denver.

Is transportation included?

Yes, transportation throughout the tour is included with pickup at the meeting location.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Guests ages 8 and up are welcome; younger children require special authorization from the operator.

What happens if Red Rocks Amphitheatre access is restricted?

If access is limited due to events or filming, your guide will show other scenic spots within Red Rocks Park instead.

Is food provided during the tour?

No meals are included but bottled water is provided; there are stops where you can buy snacks or coffee.

What attractions are included on this day trip?

You’ll visit Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Evergreen Lake and Main Street, Lookout Mountain (Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave), drive along Lariat Loop, and pass through Golden including Coors Brewery.

Is this suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; walking distances are short and manageable.

What’s included

Your morning includes small group transportation from downtown Denver (Colorado Convention Center), a friendly local driver-guide sharing stories along every stop, bottled water to keep you refreshed, plus time to explore places like Red Rocks Amphitheatre (when open), Evergreen Lake and Main Street shops, Lookout Mountain with Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave, scenic drives along Lariat Loop past Golden and Coors Brewery—all before lunchtime so you’re free to enjoy your afternoon back in Denver.