When the Inyo County Board of Supervisors rolls into Tecopa next week, they can expect a full house — and perhaps a few raised voices — as locals prepare to weigh in on newly proposed rates for the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools. With pricing still under negotiation, questions about affordability, fairness, and the definition of “local” simmering, and the town’s busiest weekend of the year just days away, residents are bracing for a showdown in the desert.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors will convene in Tecopa on Tuesday, November 4 at 2:30 p.m. (Tecopa Community Center, 405 Tecopa Hot Springs Rd.) for a meeting that introduces the new concessionaire for the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground & Pools and considers a proposed rate schedule for the facility. The agenda lists back-to-back items: a 10-minute introduction of Flippin-Hamrick, LLC followed by a 15-minute discussion on rates.
The timing couldn’t be more sensitive. The weekend after the Board meets is Tecopa Takeover, the desert town’s busiest stretch of the year — and this time, the community center is also hosting a fundraiser for the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District, expected to bring residents and visitors together just as new campground rates hang in the balance.
Rates under discussion—not final
Although a rate card has been circulated with the agenda materials, county sources indicate pricing negotiations are still in progress and the figures have not been adopted. The Board’s Nov. 4 discussion is expected to refine or modify the proposal before any approval is considered.
Currently, the draft pricing structure triples the price of monthly sites, and includes a daily $10 electric utility fee for RVs, which amounts to roughly $300 per month in additional costs on top of the base monthly rate. That means long-term guests using electric hookups could pay as much as $1,800 per month, a substantial increase that could influence whether seasonal visitors choose to stay in Tecopa or seek cheaper alternatives nearby. The added cost would also place Tecopa Hot Springs Campground’s rates beyond some of the town’s most established private resorts offering full hook ups, despite the county facility offering more modest amenities and infrastructure in comparison.
The draft rate sheet also introduces a “local ID” program that would allow residents to soak for free after purchasing a $35 annual card. However, neither the County nor the concessionaire has clarified how “local” status will be defined or verified. It remains uncertain whether eligibility will be limited to Tecopa residents, extended to the broader Amargosa Basin, or determined by another standard altogether — leaving questions about who qualifies, how the cards will be issued, and who will oversee the program’s administration.
What’s in the draft rate sheet
The draft presented for County consideration outlines the following structure:
Soaking passes
- Daily: $15 per person
- Weekly: $75 per person
- Monthly: $250 per person
- Tribal members: Free with Tribal ID
- Locals: Free with an annual Local ID (cost $35)
Tent camping (includes two soaking wristbands)
- Nightly: $40 (1 car, 2 people)
- Weekly: $235
- Monthly: $950
RV sites (includes two soaking wristbands)
- Dry: $45/night
- Electric hookup (≤30 ft): $55/night
- Electric hookup (≤37 ft): $65/night
- Weekly: $315 (dry) / $395 (electric)
- Monthly: $1,350 (dry) / $1,500 (electric)
Additional charges
- Daily RV electric utility: $10
- EV charging (per 4 hours): $12
- Extra vehicle: $5/day
- Extra person: $8/day
- Premium & holiday periods: 25% upcharge (availability-based); note that electric charges may change with provider increases.
What else is on the Tecopa agenda
Beyond the hot springs items, the Board plans a community update on the Bonanza Peak Solar Project and a workshop with regional organizations, including Amargosa Conservancy, Death Valley National Park, Southern Inyo Fire Protection District, and Center for Biological Diversity. An addendum would also consider a resolution supporting the proposed Amargosa Basin National Monument.
Bottom line: the rate sheet is a proposal, not an approved schedule. The Nov. 4 session is the public’s opportunity to review the draft, raise concerns about affordability and access, and press for any changes before the Board considers a vote.
View the full agenda at Inyo County’s website.
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