McKelligon Canyon facts for kids
McKelligon Canyon is a really cool spot in El Paso, Texas, United States. It's home to a large outdoor theater called an amphitheater, which can hold over 1,500 people! This theater is famous for showing the play Viva El Paso!, which tells stories about the area's history. It's also used for fun concerts, school graduation ceremonies, and other special events. Right next to it is a smaller building, the McKelligon Canyon Pavilion, which can seat 300 people.
As you enter the canyon, you'll see a mountain called Sugarloaf Mountain. It's a well-known landmark and a great way to know you've arrived!
Exploring McKelligon Canyon
McKelligon Canyon is located on the southeast side of the Franklin Mountains. It's surrounded by tall canyon walls, making it a beautiful and unique place. This canyon is super popular for outdoor activities. You can go rock climbing, hiking, running, walking, and even biking here!
If you love rock climbing, you'll find many different paths to try. The rocks have lots of natural cracks and crevices, perfect for climbers. All the hiking trails, including the famous Ron Coleman Trail, start at the very end of McKelligon Canyon. These trails are open all year, so you can visit any time.
McKelligon Canyon is part of the Franklin Mountains State Park. This means that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department helps manage the area. Sometimes there are small fees to enter, and certain rules are in place to keep the park safe and clean for everyone.
A Look at the Canyon's Past
The land where McKelligon Canyon is located used to be a bit of a mystery. No one was sure who owned it for a while. Finally, in 1931, El Paso County bought the land.
The canyon was named after a man named M.J. McKelligon. He was a realtor who used to let his cattle graze in this area. The long road that leads into the canyon was built with special government money. It also included a dam and cost about $150,000 to build back then.
In the 1950s, there was a rumor that a valuable mineral called uranium could be found in the canyon. People got excited, but it turned out the rumors were not true.
