You could easily miss the town of Tecopa, California. It’s one of those tiny dots on the map in the middle of nowhere that makes you wonder who lives there and why. Located not far from Death Valley, with Pahrump, Nevada, as the closest “big” town, Tecopa isn’t exactly on most travelers’ radar.
I ended up going there as it was part of the snowbird itinerary, with hot springs, that ChatGPT created for me. (Read more about that here.) What I found was a tiny town with some surprisingly big experiences. I spent a week there, and it was anything but boring.
Why go to Tecopa?
- Natural and commercial hot springs
- A lush, oasis-like date farm
- Excellent hiking
- A secret (and seriously impressive) dining experience
Soak your cares away
Hot springs are the main attraction here. Several campgrounds offer soaking pools, but if you prefer something more natural, you can head out to the free public springs (picture at the top of this page).
To find them, drive about a mile north of town and look for the trail on the right side of the road. The spring is about 1/4 mile or less in. Despite what it says at the following link, there are not a lot of signs posted, so it can be easy to miss. Check with folks at your campgrounds for more details, or check out the video on this page.
Be aware: The natural hot spring is clothing-optional, and you’ll encounter visitors who take full advantage of that. Others, more modest soakers, wear bathing suits. Either is acceptable here.
The mineral-rich waters are the real deal, leaving your skin noticeably soft and smooth after a soak.
Hot springs campgrounds
During my stay, I tried two of the more affordable hot springs campgrounds. Let’s just say the term “resort” is used loosely. Both were small, a bit worn, and definitely funky—but the pools were clean, the water was hot, and the weekly rates were hard to beat.
- Amy’s Tecopa Hot Springs Resort
Guests share two private four-person soaking rooms. It might sound limited, but I never had to wait and always had a room all to myself. The pools close daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for cleaning, but otherwise are open day and night. As of this writing, weekly full-hookup rates were around $250. Bathing suits are optional, and the private rooms make it easy to soak solo or with your group. - Tecopa Hot Springs and Campground (next door)
Right next door to Amy’s, this campground is part of Harvest Hosts, so you get a free night’s stay. It’s a little more scenic than Amy’s and easier to park in, but no less in need of a facelift. It is supposedly under new management, so we shall see. In talking to some regulars, they say they have seen the quality go down over the years. The pools here are larger than Amy’s and separated into men’s and women’s. No options, bathing suits are NOT allowed.
I enjoyed both. As an RVer, any long soak feels like a luxury. If I returned, though, I’d likely choose Amy’s for the ability to soak with everyone in the group—but I did love the larger, natural-bottom pools next door. After a week of twice-daily soaks, my skin hasn’t felt this good in years.
China Ranch Date Farm: A desert oasis
Just a 15-minute drive from the hot springs you’ll find the historic China Ranch Date Farm—a true oasis in the Mojave Desert.
Wander the property, browse the gift shop (don’t skip the baked goods), and treat yourself to a date shake. The setting is unexpectedly lush, with cottonwoods, willows, and date palms thriving along a small stream.
Nearby, you’ll find remnants of the Old Spanish Trail and the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad, along with scattered mining ruins that hint at the area’s past.
Several great hikes originate here, too.
Note: Parts of the road to the date farm are narrow and windy, not to mention unpaved. Do NOT tow a trailer here, and do NOT take a large motorhome. You don’t need four wheel drive, as the unpaved parts of the road are graded, but with big rigs it would be tough.
Take a hike
The area offers excellent hiking, especially around the date farm. I tackled the 4-mile Slot Canyon Trail, which winds through desert landscapes, riverbeds, and historic ruins. A side trip leading to a beautiful seasonal waterfall was an unexpected bonus.
There are trails throughout the Tecopa area, but this is serious desert country. Go prepared, bring plenty of water, and avoid hiking during extreme heat. I visited in February, and the conditions were almost perfect. Even then, though, it got plenty hot on the unshaded parts of the trail.
Super-secret restaurant find
How secret is this restaurant find? The chef/owner did not want me to write about it (but I am going to anyway).
Tecopa is in the middle of nowhere. There are no real services, no cell service, no gas stations, no grocery stores—yet there is this amazing restaurant. Located in the parking lot of Amy’s Tecopa Springs Resort, Steaks and Beer does not look or sound like a fine dining restaurant, but it is, albeit in a dive setting. (It’s pricey, like a fine dining restaurant though.)
They serve excellent food, craft beers, and wines. (The wine was not pricey, only the food.) Even though “steak” is in the name and what they specialize in, there is enough creative vegetarian fare to keep the vegetarians happy (not vegans, though). They even serve a 5-course prix fixe meal for two.
I asked Eric, the chef/owner, what possessed him to open such a restaurant in such a place. His reply was, “It’s where poor people come to open a restaurant.”
Brilliant concept
Honestly, for a talented chef, it is the most brilliant concept ever. The place has tables for 16 and 3 at the bar. They are open for only 2 hours a day, 5 days a week; they do no promotion; and it takes just two people to run it, the chef and a single waiter.
Heck, when I visited, they did not even have a sign as the wind had blown it down during a recent storm. Yet, every night, those tables fill up, mostly with repeat customers who never miss this place when in the area.
When I asked if I could interview him for an article, Chef Eric politely declined, saying, “I don’t do interviews, and I really don’t want press. I am busy enough. Tell your friends, don’t tell the world.”
Well, the RVtravel.com audience, much as I love you guys, is hardly the world—so I don’t feel bad.
If you visit Tecopa, you need to know about Steaks and Beer. As to Chef Eric, this is a man who has his head and his priorities straight. He is totally making it in the restaurant business, on his own terms. I am impressed. And the food was outstanding!
Who goes to Tecopa?
I met plenty of visitors from Las Vegas—it’s only about 90 minutes away, as well as travelers passing through Death Valley National Park—which is roughly 50 miles away.
If you’re anywhere near the area, Tecopa makes a perfect side trip. Come for a soak, stay for a hike, grab a date shake, and treat yourself to an unforgettable meal.
You just might be surprised by how much this little dot on the map has to offer.
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RVT1251
Sounds like a nice place to visit. We like these kind of places…small towns and venues without a crush of tourists. Thanks!
Wow, it caught my eye when Pahrump was mentioned as I have cousins living there. I’m from PA.
Thanks Cheri. I enjoy your articles and this place is about 200 miles from where we spend the winter, so we may be going there in the near future!
Thank you for the informative discussion, Cheri! Very interesting and attractive destination. We may one day reach Nevada and California in the RV. Hopefully I will remember this article if we do. Have a great day and safe travels!