Tecopa Hot Springs - Tecopa, California
Photo Courtesy of @ryuichir0
For over a century, Inyo County in California has been known to be one of the best California hot springs, thanks to its plentiful, naturally heated geothermal mineral springs. Scattered across this high desert landscape, small resorts and primitive pools provide places to soak in the acclaimed therapeutic waters.
Before I dive into the best hot springs experiences in the charming town of Tecopa, it is worth understanding this region's storied bathing history. Tecopa lies south of Death Valley, where numerous springs bubble up underground with temperatures ranging from 116°F to 118°F. These primary hot springs were once used in ceremonies by Native Americans who revered their healing properties.
Since the early 1900s, travelers have flocked to soak in the Tecopa Hot Mineral Springs. Small bathhouses and resorts opened to provide access to the restorative waters thought to remedy various ailments. With its secluded desert locale far from major cities, Tecopa became a sanctuary of wellness and healing.
Discover some of the best places to experience the acclaimed Tecopa Hot Springs flowing across this high desert oasis. All 6 spots I visited are linked to Google Maps for directions and more Information.
There are several hot springs in Tecopa. Here’s the complete list:
Tecopa Mud Springs
Delight’s Hot Springs Resort
Tecopa Hot Springs Resort
Tecopa Hot Springs Campground
Tecopa Hot Springs Tub
1. Tecopa Mud Springs: Wild California Soak at its finest
Photo Courtesy of @tinratinasnit
Before exploring various hot spring destinations in Tecopa, let's begin with the purest and most natural experience this charming town offers. At the northern end of Tecopa Hot Springs, visitors can immerse themselves in the shallow pools of warm, soothing mud naturally supplied by artesian springs. This mud is imbued with essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and lithium, absorbed through underground mineral deposits.
This practice, called Pelotherapy, involves applying mud for detoxification, covering your body. A cautionary note: I saw a warning sign regarding mud mites at the hot springs, so proceed at your discretion. The best part? This hot springs experience is absolutely free.
After luxuriating in the warm embrace of the mud, with temperatures ranging between 103-100 degrees, cleanse yourself with refreshing spring water showers. The stunning landscape is particularly enchanting at sunset.
For accommodations, consider nearby cabins or campgrounds in the vicinity. It's important to note that clothing is optional at these springs.
Website: http://tecopamudbaths.com
2. Delight's Hot Springs Resort: Delightful Vacation Getaway
In the high desert of Inyo County, you'll see a quiet oasis celebrated for its therapeutic hot springs. Delight's Hot Springs Resort in Tecopa offers an environment where you can effortlessly melt away stress in two pools fed by local mineral springs. These hot springs have a magnetic charm that keeps me coming back time and again.
Pools
Photo Courtesy of @deathvalleyhotsprings
Photo Courtesy of @delightshotspringsresort
The resort boasts a collection of private indoor tubs, perfect for intimate relaxation. However, the newly expanded communal pool is a favorite among many, featuring soothing massage jets and sweeping views of the desert mountains.
These sparkling waters, infused with healing minerals like dissolved sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, maintain a comfortably warm temperature ranging from 98°F to 104°F. After a soak, visitors often marvel at how incredibly soft and smooth their skin feels.
True to its name, Delight's offers an exquisite opportunity to shed stress and soak in tranquility. One pool caters to leisure with designated areas and massage jets, while the second offers lanes for those who prefer swimming laps in crystal-clear spring waters.
Accommodation
While the lodging rooms are no-frills and lack modern amenities like WiFi, this simplicity encourages guests to fully unplug and unwind. (Being an author, I have a pretty tough time with this). Devotees seeking an escape from the chaos of modern life find solace in the vintage architecture and the resort's remote desert location. Many visitors sing praises of the caring and attentive staff, often considering them the resort's greatest asset.
The resort's stylish modern cabins and hotel rooms with patio hot tubs encircle the spring-fed pools. Dining is a delight, with an onsite clubhouse restaurant and a full bar.
Other Activities
Beyond the springs, many activities exist, from hiking through nearby canyons to spot birds and wildlife to exploring the extinct Tecopa soda springs. The resort offers stargazing opportunities, a clubhouse restaurant, and a neighboring brewery to satisfy your food and entertainment needs onsite.
If you plan to indulge in one of the private tubs, it's wise to make reservations in advance as they are limited and in high demand. While the larger pool sees more weekend activity, weekdays offer a more laid-back pace for soaking in the sublime waters of the springs.
Address: 368 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd, Tecopa
3. Tecopa Hot Springs Resort: Vintage Charm and Lively Community
Photo Courtesy of @slowroamer
Escape to the vintage architecture of Tecopa Hot Springs Resort's cozy trailer cabins nestled amid swaying palms.
Pools and Accommodation
Guests consistently praise the resort for its warm sense of community, with lively Saturday nights featuring live bands, barbecue dinners, and friendly patrons mingling around the pools.
Three mineral pools provide relaxing soaks through sodium bicarbonate waters flowing from local springs heated up to 104°F.
The bathhouse features private indoor tubs. Treat yourself to a soothing massage in a resort's open-air massage room. They felt amazing on my skin.
Dating back to the 1930s, the resort offers hotel rooms and campsites for overnight stays. With lower rates than other local spots, it provides a peaceful oasis accessible to all budgets. Visitors particularly laud the private outdoor hot springs tubs for relaxation under the vast Mojave skies.
Other Activities
Photo Courtesy of @erinndaniels
Beyond the springs, the resort's stargazing, nearby restaurants like Death Valley Brewing, and even a meditative onsite labyrinth satisfy various interests. Visitors often mention it as "a sacred place" where they find tranquility and escape from modern superficiality.
From new-age spiritual retreats to community music gatherings, Tecopa Hot Springs Resort promises homespun hospitality in this serene desert enclave.
Photo Courtesy of @wptseuss
Website: http://tecopahotsprings.org
4. Tecopa Hot Springs Campground: Rustic Relaxation and Adventures
Escape to the high desert landscape surrounding Tecopa Hot Springs Campground & Pools. Away from city lights, you can soak under dazzling night skies in their enclosed springs-fed pools.
Pools
Photo Courtesy of @tecopahotsprings
The campground's main draw is the separate men's and women's soaking pools ranging from 99°F-104°F, directly filled with cleansing and detoxifying minerals absorbed from local artesian springs said to nourish skin and muscles.
For more seclusion, book their private bathing tub. I’ll be honest - it isn’t the most beautiful bathing tub you’ve ever seen in pictures, but in person, it’s pretty cool. Visitors describe skin feeling silky smooth after a mineral soak. The smaller pools are ideal for couples, while the spacious pool features areas for swimming laps. Services like massage and facials are available poolside to complete your relaxation. With stunning desert scenery, it's a blissful, affordable getaway.
Accommodation
The campground's sites have electric hookups amid native desert vegetation and nearby hiking trails. Also, cozy cabins step from hot spring-fed pools. While amenities are simple, with no running potable water, the natural beauty and dark skies satisfy those seeking an escape from modern life. The lack of cell service allows you to disconnect and de-stress.
Activities
Miles of scenic hiking trails surround the campground, leading to spots like a hidden canyon view. Don't miss the fresh local date farm products and weekend live music in town. Some locals told me that they often have big-name singers come in and perform. Nearby China Ranch Date Farm sells baked goods and natural spring water - an oasis in the desert.
Address: 400 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd, Tecopa
Phone: 760-852-4420
5. Tecopa Hot Springs Tub: A Secluded Natural Soak
Just 2 miles outside Tecopa lies a one-of-a-kind hot springs experience. The Tecopa Hot Springs Tub provides a secluded soak amidst raw desert scenery south of town along the Amargosa River wash.
The Tub
Crafted from concrete, the spacious circular basin accommodates up to six people, ideal for a shared relaxing escape. A towering palm tree overhead supplies occasional shade from the blazing Mojave sun.
Guests can immerse themselves directly in the untamed environment as the tub is seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape. The waters range from 95°F-100°F, although the extreme summer heat pushes temperatures even higher.
Booking a Session
The tub is available by reservation only, booked in 2-hour increments to allow private group soaks. Sessions run from sunrise to sunset.
As the tub's website states, soaking here encapsulates "the essence of the Mojave Desert, where temperatures can reach their zenith." Far from crowds, pretense, and manmade luxuries, the Tecopa Hot Springs Tub promises a raw experience amid California's harshest yet captivating landscapes.
6. Tecopa Palms Therapeutic Hot Springs Resort: Healing Waters Meet Holistic Wellness
Tecopa Palms Therapeutic Hot Springs Resort specializes in relaxation and healing through holistic therapy in a calm, high desert environment. Their mission focuses on restoring health through the area's acclaimed mineral waters and healthy living practices.
Pools
The resort's three mineral pools pipe in geothermally heated spring water from hundreds of miles underground. Containing an array of absorbed minerals, the 450-gallon tubs maintain temperatures perfect for therapeutic soaking and relief from pain or tension. Nude bathing and pre-showering are required to protect the endangered pupfish living in the area's dry lakebeds. So if you’re like me, some days you’ll be fine with that, and others you won’t.
Accommodation
Lodging choices include campsites for RVs or tents and private rooms and suites. Onsite amenities like strong WiFi, family games, and barbecue grills create a welcoming community atmosphere.
Wellness Offerings Guests praise the daily yoga classes, educational wellness workshops, and healing sound bath sessions. The inclusive atmosphere provides opportunities to disconnect from technology and nourish inner health. Even the complimentary breakfast focuses on organic, wholesome food to energize the body and spirit.
Website: https://www.tecopapalmstherapeutichotspringsresort.com/
Address: 155 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd., Tecopa
Phone: 760-852-4347
Discover the convenience of Tecopa, California like I did. It’s just a short 1.5-hour drive from Las Vegas, and indulge in a truly ideal destination. In the Mojave Desert, Tecopa's hot springs offer a captivating contrast to the dynamic energy of Las Vegas, rendering it a superb choice for a tranquil and rejuvenating follow-up destination. Discover the allure of Tecopa's hot springs and unwind amidst the natural beauty of the Mojave Desert.