McKelligon Canyon is basically a picnic area with several hiking trails and is nestled in the Franklin Mountains, immediately adjacent to El Paso and within a 20-minute drive from the airport. The best feature of the Canyon is the Amphitheater and the production VIVA EL PASO. The production takes place in open-air theatre with the mountains on three sides.
VIVA EL PASO tells the story of El Paso through song, dance and drama under the stars. Rated one of the six best-attended outdoor dramas in the country, Viva El Paso legendary performances showcase 400 years of Native American, Spanish, Mexican and Western American peoples through traditional dance, original song, brilliant costumes and stunning special effects. VIVA can be seen from May 31 thru August 25, 2001. The facility is handicapped accessible and offers transportation from designated hotels in the El Paso area. The audience’s vantage point in unobstructed regardless of where seated.
Viva also offers a Combo Dinner & Show ticket for an additional $8.00 per adult and $5.00 for children. Bar-b-que dinner is served at 6:30. in a beautiful and picturesque outdoor setting prior to the performance. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster; however, you can avoid the services charges by purchasing directly from Viva by calling (915) 544-8444 or on its website www.viva-ep.org.
From McKelligon Canyon it’s just a hop, skip and a jump to Scenic Drive. It is a short drive but offers fantastic views of the City of El Paso.