After months of uncertainty, momentum is building toward a finalized agreement for the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground & Pools concession. Both county officials and the incoming operators say they’re close to sealing the deal, with hopes of reopening by early November.
At the September 23 Inyo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Will Wadelton noted “a forthcoming discussion regarding the Tecopa Hot Springs Concessionaire agreement,” signaling that negotiations were entering their final phase.
County staff have confirmed that negotiations are progressing daily and appear close to completion. The Board of Supervisors is expected to review the concession agreement on October 21, with hopes that the new operators will be ready to open reservations for the upcoming season shortly afterward. If all goes as planned, the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground & Pools could reopen by November 1.
The Flippin-Hamrick Team—a partnership between Bryan and Kandy Flippin and Lance and Vanessa Hamrick—has been officially selected as the new concessionaire for the Tecopa Hot Springs facility. The group brings a background in real estate, construction, and interior design from their work in Las Vegas, experience that could serve them well as they take on the challenge of revitalizing one of Inyo County’s most-visited public amenities.
Their selection follows a months-long Request for Proposals (RFP) process launched by Inyo County earlier this year after the previous concession agreement expired. The RFP invited qualified operators to manage, maintain, and improve the public campground and mineral pools under county oversight. Multiple bids were submitted and reviewed before the county entered negotiations with the Flippin-Hamrick team and ultimately selected them to operate the site.
While details of their proposal have not yet been made public, TecopaCabana has submitted a request for the full application materials and related county records to better understand the scope of the new concession agreement once released.
The team recently shared an update with residents on the local Happyville community thread, expressing excitement about finalizing the process and gratitude for the support they’ve received from Tecopa locals. They said they’re working toward opening in time for Tecopa Takeover Weekend, scheduled for November 7–9, promising that the community will be the first to hear once everything is official.
Residents, too, are beginning to feel a renewed sense of cautious optimism. After months of uncertainty, some of the longtime volunteers who help maintain the campground and pools have been contacted by the incoming management team about possibly continuing their support once operations resume. For now, they’re waiting for more concrete details — including where seasonal volunteers might be able to park trailers or set up living quarters — before making firm commitments.
Alongside the change in management, the hot springs have also undergone a digital rebrand. The new concessionaire has launched an updated website at tecopahotspringsandcampground.com, which will serve as the official online home for reservations and visitor information once operations begin.
The previous concessionaire reportedly offered to sell their existing website, tecopahotspringscampground.com, to the incoming operators, but it appears the offer was declined. The new team opted instead for a slightly modified domain name that adds the word “and,” signaling a refreshed identity for the site. The older web address now redirects visitors to the Inyo County government’s official page for the Tecopa Hot Springs facility, which provides general information about the location and its amenities.
As preparations ramp up for reopening, the new operators have also begun hiring for key positions. A recent posting on their new website announces an opening for a Camp Host Supervisor at Tecopa Hot Springs, running from November 1, 2025, through June 1, 2026. The position involves leading daily campground and hot spring operations, fostering a positive guest experience, and includes perks such as a potential RV site and unlimited soaks.
Applicants are invited to send resumes — and optionally, a short introductory video about why they’re the right fit — to admin@TecopaHotSpringsAndCampground.com. The listing notes, “Pay — let’s chat.”
The overall sentiment, though, is one of cautious optimism — a sense that these early conversations signal real progress and that the new team’s outreach could mark the beginning of a promising new chapter for Tecopa Hot Springs as a destination.
After a long offseason of speculation, the tone around town has shifted from worry to optimism — and with cooler weather and the high season approaching, Tecopa may soon see the steam rising again from its historic public pools.
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