Day Trip: Tecopa, California

Location
Inyo County, California, southeastern edge of Death Valley National Park
From Las Vegas
About 80 miles west via Hwy 160 and Old Spanish Trail Hwy (resort directions)
Hot springs resort
Tecopa Hot Springs Resort, 860 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd; open October-May
Date farm
China Ranch Date Farm, #8 China Ranch Rd; daily 9am-5pm, closed Christmas
Services
No store, gas station or ATM in Tecopa; nearest in Shoshone, 8 miles north
Death Valley
About 10 miles to the park's southeastern entrance, per the resort

About

Tecopa is a small desert community in Inyo County. The county's tourism office says it began as a hard-rock mining camp in the late 1800s and is now known for its hot springs. It is named for Tecopa, a Paiute-Shoshone chief who, the local resort says, lived here until he died in 1904. The Old Spanish Trail, a National Historic Trail, passes through.

Tecopa Hot Springs Resort says the community has about 150 residents. Its spring water comes out of the ground at about 118°F and fills private flow-through tubs that hold near 104°F.

China Ranch Date Farm lies about five miles south, in a canyon fed by a stream. The farm grows dates, runs a bakery and gift shop, and keeps a small museum that opened in 2009. The county calls the nearby Amargosa River federally recognized Wild and Scenic.

What to expect

At Tecopa Hot Springs Resort, the hot spring tubs are for overnight guests only. Each tub room is private, latches from inside and fits two or three people. Guests shower first, pick an empty room and usually soak for 5 to 30 minutes. The tubs close daily from noon to 3pm for cleaning.

At China Ranch, visitors buy date shakes and baked goods, browse the gift shop and walk through the date grove. Trails start at the gift shop. They run from the 200-yard Creek Trail, with labeled plants and picnic tables, to the 4-mile Slot Canyon Trail past the old Tonopah and Tidewater railroad stop at Acme Siding. The farm says October to April is the best hiking season.

Plan the trip

Good to know

  • Tecopa has no store, gas station or ATM. Fill up before you arrive; Shoshone, 8 miles north, has a small store and gas, and Pahrump, 35 miles east, has full services.
  • There is no cell service around Tecopa. The resort has no Wi-Fi, but a public library network reaches the community center area.
  • Tecopa Hot Springs Resort does not sell day passes; its tubs are for overnight guests only.
  • Bring drinking water. The resort's tap water is very high in minerals; the resort suggests at least 1 gallon per person per day.
  • Restaurants and breweries in Tecopa open seasonally, so the resort advises calling ahead for days and hours.
  • China Ranch warns that old mine supports and railroad bridges may be unstable; stay on trails and outside fenced areas.

Questions about Tecopa, California

How far is Tecopa from Las Vegas?

Tecopa Hot Springs Resort says it is 80 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. Its directions take Highway 160 west for 50 miles to the Old Spanish Trail Highway, then 36 miles west toward Tecopa. China Ranch Date Farm describes itself as 85 miles west of Las Vegas, off Highway 127.

Can I soak in the Tecopa hot springs without staying overnight?

Not at Tecopa Hot Springs Resort. Its FAQ says it does not offer day passes and that the tubs are for overnight guests of the motel, cabins and campground. The resort is open from October through May. Guests get access 21 hours a day, with the tubs closed from noon to 3pm for cleaning.

When is China Ranch Date Farm open?

China Ranch lists its hours as 9am to 5pm, Monday through Sunday. It says it is open every day except Christmas. The farm is at #8 China Ranch Road in Tecopa, and the gift shop phone is 760-852-4415. Its bakery sells date shakes, date nut bread, muffins and cookies.

What hikes are at China Ranch?

The farm lists trails from a few hundred yards to several miles. The Creek Trail is about 200 yards. The Mesa Trail is about 2.5 miles round trip with about 500 feet of climbing. The Slot Canyon Trail is about 4 miles round trip and ends at dry falls 10 to 15 feet high, where cautious hikers turn back.

Is Tecopa near Death Valley National Park?

Yes. Tecopa Hot Springs Resort says it is about 10 miles from Death Valley's southeastern entrance and under 1.5 hours from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. Inyo County's tourism office places Tecopa on the park's southeastern edge. From Furnace Creek, the resort's directions follow Highway 190 east, then Highway 127 south.