The park's Cannon Mountain ski slopes rise directly to the southwest of the lake.

Interstate 93 (the Franconia Notch Parkway) runs along the lake's eastern shore, and New Hampshire Route 18 passes the lake's northern shore, where a state park swimming beach is located.

The lake is classified as a coldwater fishery, with observed species including brook trout.

[2] Echo Lake is called Drown Pond in a 1796 map and was listed as 25 acres, located in the 12th lots in the 8th and 9th ranges in Franconia.

[3] A deed to Moses Howland from Alexander Jesseman in 1866 refer to the junction of the Gale River and Pond Brook.