California is home to hundreds of natural hot springs and dozens of commercial spas with hot tubs. One place in Southern California near the Nevada border is Tecopa Hot Springs.
Whether you prefer a resort-style experience or an organic, natural mud bath, you have three great options for healing and relaxation. Let’s dive in!
About Tecopa Hot Springs, CA
Tecopa Hot Springs is a community located north of Tecopa, California. Highway 127 runs to the west and the South Nopah Range Wilderness Area runs to the east.
The California-Nevada border is less than 30 miles from Tecopa Hot Springs. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center in Death Valley National Park is also about an hour away.
Tecopa was first founded as a mining town, but has since become known for the hot springs north of town. Many consider them to be some of the most healing hot springs in the country.
Are hot springs safe?
For thousands of years, people have enjoyed the mineral-rich waters of hot springs. Native Americans believe the water has healing properties. In addition, professional athletes, government officials and military personnel regularly visited Hot Springs, Arkansas before it became a federally protected area.
However, the dangers of bathing in a hot spring include the temperature and sanitary conditions. These hot springs can get over 100 degrees.
If you enter a spring that is too hot, you risk burns to your skin. At most commercial springs, the water temperature is regulated and displayed so guests know how hot the water is.
Also, natural hot springs are not as regulated as resort hot springs. Commercial hot springs are required by law to treat and purify their water. However, natural hot springs pose potential risks associated with mites and amoebas.
If the water is stagnant, it is more susceptible to infestation. A well-flowing hot spring is generally safe.
Where to soak your bones in Tecopa hot springs
At Tecopa Hot Springs, you can enjoy either a resort experience or a natural, organic experience.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, Tecopa Hot Springs Resort and Delight’s Hot Springs Resort offer campgrounds, cabins, motel rooms and other accommodations.
Tecopa Hot Springs Resort
Address: 860 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd, Tecopa, CA 92389
Prices: Prices range from $35 to $45 for a campsite, $105 to $135 for a cabin, and $125 to $150 for a motel room.
The resort’s hot springs are open to overnight guests only. There are five private rooms with soaking tubs that have a water temperature of 104 degrees.
Since these tubs are only open on a first-come, first-served basis, most guests take a soak for 5-30 minutes at a time for other guests to enjoy. A shower is required before entering the hot tub.
Delight’s Hot Springs Resort
Address: 368 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd, Tecopa, CA 92389
Prices: Prices at Delight’s Hot Springs Resort range from $20 to $30 for day/night passes, $35 for a campsite and $98 to $290 for a cabin, trailer or house.
Here you can purchase day or night passes for guests who are not staying overnight. However, if you stay overnight at the facility, you have 24/7 access to the hot springs.
The resort has an outdoor hot spring pool and four private hot spring bathhouses. Guests can enjoy 30-minute private baths. The resort also has food options and an on-site gift store.
Tecopa Mud Hot Springs
GPS Coordinates: 35.8859, -116.2341
Prices: You can visit Tecopa Mud Hot Springs for free.
This hot spring, an oasis in the California desert, is free and open to the public. The large pool has an average temperature of 95 to 110 degrees year round. However, this hot spring is very muddy, and signs warn of mud mites. Enter at your own risk.
You cannot camp here. To get to the springs, follow I-15 S and NV-160 W to Tecopa Road. Then take the Old Spanish Trail Hwy to Elias Road in Tecopa.
When is the best time to visit Tecopa Hot Springs?
Tecopa Hot Springs is located in the desert of Southern California. This means that temperatures can be deadly in the summer. The city is just outside Death Valley National Park, which has the highest recorded temperature in the world.
Therefore, the best time to visit this part of the country is during the winter, when temperatures in the region are mild.
However, if you can’t pick when to visit Tecopa Hot Springs and must go out in the summer, you may want to book a hotel or cabin instead of a campground. RVs don’t cool as well in 100-degree heat as a hotel room.
Activities near Tecopa Hot Springs
If you’re visiting Tecopa Hot Springs for a few days, it’s an ideal place to relax in nature. There are many attractions in the area, from hiking and off-road trails to stargazing and wildlife watching.
Death Valley National Park
You can’t visit Tecopa Hot Springs without making the one-hour drive northwest to Death Valley National Park. Just be sure to arrive early in the morning during the summer.
Sign up for a ranger-led program to learn more about the geology, wildlife and history of the area, or join a guided tour. Take a hike, a bike ride, or a horseback ride. Watch a sunrise or sunset. You have many opportunities to enjoy this unique national park.
Remember: Before you leave for Death Valley National Park, you should know where you can camp with your RV!
Red Rock Canyon, NV
Red Rock Canyon, designated as Nevada’s first national wildlife refuge, is located just 17 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. It is also less than 90 minutes from Tecopa Hot Springs.
You can drive the 13-mile scenic road, hike, climb, mountain bike and more. There’s also a visitor center with indoor and outdoor exhibits. Pack a picnic and head to Red Rock Canyon to take in the beauty of this part of Nevada while staying at Tecopa Hot Springs.
The Amargosa River Trail
If you want to stay local, head south to Tecopa and visit the Amargosa River Trailhead. This 6-mile dirt trail leads from Tecopa to the China Ranch Date Farm on China Ranch Road.
It also follows part of the Old Spanish Trail and passes a waterfall. You’re also likely to see wildlife, so bring your binoculars.
Dumont Dunes
The Dumont Dunes are an excellent place for off-road touring. The 7,620 acres, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, are open to the public. You can ride ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, dune buggies and sand rails through the open desert.
Enjoy this open playground or take the Sperry Wash route that crosses the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River north of Dumont Dunes on the way of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail. For more information on rules and regulations, visit the BLM website.
Please note: If the White Sand Dunes aren’t on your bucket list yet, you should visit! Why you should visit the White Sand Dunes
Relax mind, body and soul in the hot springs of Tecopa
Many people praise the healing effects of the hot springs. They feel “whole” after a bath, from their mind to their soul. So the next time you want to escape the stress of everyday life and retreat to an oasis in the California desert, consider visiting Tecopa Hot Springs.
Reserve a spot at a resort or head to the muddy waters of the natural mud springs. Let your mind wander and your body completely relax.
Have you ever taken a dip in a hot spring?