Echo Amphitheater — Attraction in Los Alamos

Located among the sandstone cliffs of New Mexico in Georgia O'Keeffe Country, the Echo Amphitheater is now known for its unique echoing auditory properties, but also supposedly carries the stains of wild west killings. According to the legends, the high curved sandstone cliff wall was the site where a group of Navajo executed a family of settlers. As the story goes, the victims were brought to the top of the cliff and killed, their blood running down the cliff wall and permanently staining it. Possibly in response to this legend, another story says that years later a number of Navajo were in turn murdered in the same spot, once again staining the cliff wall with their draining blood. Now the natural echoing caused by the site’s geography is often ascribed to the voices of the unquiet dead. There seems to be little to no truth to the tales, but the colorful sandstone itself may have inspired the myths. Running in red vertical stripes down the otherwise horizontally stratified cliff wall, are streaks of mineral varnish that resemble blood. Today, the Echo Amphitheater sees a steady stream of campers, hikers, and picnicers coming to enjoy this quiet shady area. It is no longer maintained so please respect it. The entrance is about 17-miles west of Abiquiú. There are camping and restroom facilities. Pets on a...

You can't really give such a lovely place any less than five stars. You can feel the ancient soul of this huge amphitheater, from near or far. Some would give get stars only because there apparently are funding challenges for maintenance. The most recent visit (3 weeks ago) disappointed me in that the bathrooms were closed and there was a lack of maintenance of the public areas. They need funding and all visitors should step up to that responsibility. Please, everyone, $upport all the wonderful parks, monuments, museums, etc. to your best ability and also... Leave No Trace. Do stop at this beautiful geological gem and pay the paltry entrance fee (less than a bottle of water) and spend some time soaking in the silence and admiring the...

Pack a picnic, load up the car, and head toward Abiquiu to the Echo Amphitheater for an afternoon that is both enjoyable and relaxing. It’s a short walk into the amphitheater from the parking lot, and if you can take your eyes off the scenery, try to spy some of the native wildlife. Be careful not to step on a tarantula!

Covered picnic tables are situated so that you can enjoy food and take in the most amazing views. Some tables have grills.

You will find a toilet facility in the area that is an up-grade over what you would expect from a wilderness area.

Echo Amphitheater is about an hour’s drive from Santa Fe, and the scenery along the route is worth the...