Echo Amphitheater - A Place of Beauty

Echo Amphitheater from the parking lot

Growing up we went to Northern New Mexico on vacation all the time, by all the time I mean almost every year from the time I was in kindergarten until high school. We almost always drove and the drive is a long journey. We would go from hill country, to desert to high desert and grasslands and at last into the mountains. One of my favorite stretches is an area where the mountains are made with layers of sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, limestone and gypsum and the landscape still is somewhat desert. These combinations make stunning layers of colored rocks. You will find yellow, red, gray, white and brown mountains mixed throughout this area.

Little Bear & I at the top of the stairs

In the midst of these stunning mountains and canyons, you will find Echo Amphitheater. Echo Amphitheater sits at 6683 feet above sea level and is run by the Forest Service. The parks amenities are nothing fancy, but the views are amazing. There is a concrete trail that is easy to walk that takes you up to the amphitheater. The trail is slightly uphill with benches along the way. Once you get the amphitheater there are stairs so you can go up and get a better view.

The park has a campground and restrooms. There are some water faucets near the picnic area. The picnic area has covered tables. These are great for a quick picnic. I have seen artists sitting in the shade of a covered table painting the amphitheater in the distance. The cost to enter the park is per carload. As of June 2016, it was $2 per vehicle per day. The parking lot is large enough for trailers and RVs.

Along the trail, you can find all kinds of plants and animals. Some of the trees and bushes have signs to help you identify them. In the spring and summer, you can find many wildflowers. In the winter there can be snow. Seeing it in the snow gives it an almost majestic feel. There is a large variety of wildlife including snakes, lizards, squirrels, and even things as large as bears and mountain lions, although I have seen nothing larger than a ground squirrel, except human beings. Beware of snakes as you walk, especially if you leave the concrete path to venture out into the wild. Make sure you take plenty of water, especially in the summer. The temperature here can vary greatly. When we visited in mid-June it was 99 degrees. I have also been when I needed a light jacket during the summer.

Left: Indian Paintbrush Right: Ponderosa Pine

Cholla Cactus Flower

I loved stopping here for a bathroom break as a child. As an adult, I still adore this place. It has a sense of peace and calming about it as well as a hint of mystery. Bringing Little Bear has been a fun experience. It reminds me of my childhood excitement about running around shouting.

A few years ago we took a family trip and got to bring Little Bear. At three he loved it. The walk was a little long for his short legs, but the path was easy. Now that he is a second grader, Little Bear had a blast. He loved hearing his voice bounce off the walls and carry out into the surrounding area. The trail is a breeze for him and I kept reminding him to slow down and wait for me. He practically ran up the stairs and when he got to the top he was excitedly yelling "Woohoo! Yippee! Hooray!"

Looking up from the top of the stairs

Little Bear enjoying the echoes

A throwback picture at Echo Amphitheater from 2001 with snow on the ground

On your grand New Mexico adventure, this is a great place to stop. You can find more information about Echo Amphitheater here.







Sources:
National Geographic. "Cañon Retumbido or Echo Amphitheater".
USDA Forest Service. "Echo Amphitheater Picnic Site".