“Yes, we will be open for the takeover God willing and creek don’t rise,” wrote new Tecopa Hot Springs concessionaire Lance Hamrick — a line equal parts relief and rallying cry for a desert community eager to see the county pools and campground reopen under new management.
That promise was fulfilled today, as the Tecopa Hot Springs pools officially reopened to the public for the first time since May. Early visitors report that the bathhouses have been thoroughly cleaned after months of neglect that left the pools coated in a layer of green algae. The renewed shine marks a visible turning point for the property as Flippin Happy Campers & Lance Hamrick LLC take charge under their new concessionaire contract with Inyo County.
At this week’s Inyo County Board of Supervisors meeting, Hamrick gave a glimpse into the scope of work required to revive the facility, as residents pressed for clarity on how the transition would affect pricing, local discounts, and operational rules at the historic facility. While the pools have been thoroughly cleaned and reopened, there wasn’t time to repaint them — a finishing touch that may come later in the season. The park includes 30 RV sites with power (and over 200 without) and will use RoverPass as its new online booking system. Hamrick described hiring a plumber who removed 25 pounds of rice from the pipes, an emblem of the unexpected challenges they’ve encountered.
“We don’t know what we don’t know,” he told supervisors, adding that insurance for the facility costs $23,000 per year and electricity prices have risen 13.8%, with monthly bills totalling between $789 and $4,800 from nine meters on the property. That puts the campground’s baseline estimated monthly operating costs between $2,700 and $6,700 — before so much as a single square of toilet paper is bought, a cost, the county noted, that is also rising. Reflecting on the uphill work ahead, Hamrick quipped, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
In an email exchange following the meeting, TecopaCabana sought answers to several immediate questions about the upcoming season — including whether the 35% discounted rate could be paid monthly, whether multiple discounts could be combined, how “local” eligibility would be defined, and what forms of documentation would be accepted.
Hamrick confirmed that the 35% discount “can be broken up once the first month is paid for,” providing flexibility for long-term guests. However, he said the various programs cannot be combined: “The discounts are separate so if we have a vet who is staying for 90 days, we want him/her to get the bigger discount but not the 35% discount and the 15% discount combined.”
Locals who had arrived at the county meeting ready to get loud with the new management quickly quieted down upon hearing they’d only pay $35 a year for their resident soaking pass — while their seasonal “snowbird” friends might have to migrate elsewhere with the campground’s higher rates for long-term visitors, an increase (with the discount) of about $300 over 2023 pricing.
Documents referenced at the meeting for verifying local residency included a photo ID, property deed, lease agreement, utility bill or P.O. box registration. On determining who qualifies as “local,” Hamrick said the definition remains under review. “We have asked for a map of the Southern Iny[o] Co. Fire District map so we can intelligently make that call so for a later issue perhaps,” he explained. “We will accept any form to substantiate legal residency and for anyone of those possible outliers or exception we will do what we can to help.”
A second round of questions was sent Thursday morning as new concerns emerged about information on the concessionaire’s freshly launched website. TecopaCabana asked for additional clarification on whether residents of Charleston View, Chicago Valley, Death Valley Junction, Sandy Valley, Shoshone, Stewart Valley, as well as Tecopa—all within the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District—would qualify as “local.” Clarification was also sought on who would be immediately eligible, if not all of Southeast Inyo County. The message also requested confirmation of open soaking hours, noting that residents have said the baths are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., two hours shorter than under the previous concessionaire.
Another inquiry centered on the images featured on the new Tecopa Hot Springs Campground website, which have also drawn public attention and some criticism from locals. The homepage prominently displays a striking photo of Borehole Spring, a natural hot spring located nearby but not part of the county-operated facility.
Other images appear to show landscaped settings that do not accurately represent the amount of palm trees or the rustic, concrete bathhouses and gravel campground that make up the actual site. Hovering over the images reveals their file names — in this case, traced to the AI platform Gemini, suggesting the visuals are AI-generated rather than photographed on-site.
Longtime visitors say the visuals risk misleading newcomers about what to expect. The use of non-site imagery raises broader questions about transparency and representation, particularly for a public amenity managed under county contract and promoted as an authentic desert hot springs experience.
Another question concerned whether bathing suits will be mandatory, as suggested on the new website — a policy that appears to conflict with Inyo County Code § 12.16.350(D), which states: “No bathing suits or clothing of any kind are to be worn in the baths.” The site’s FAQ advises guests to pack “a towel, sandals, and a bathing suit for the hot springs,” language likely drawn from a generic template or reflecting a misunderstanding of local law. The ordinance remains part of Inyo County Code Title 12 — Parks and Recreation and applies specifically to the county-operated Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Baths, not local private resorts, carrying the force of regulation rather than concessionaire discretion.
Further questions sought clarification about the website statement that “RV sites offer full or partial hookups,” which in fact only provide electricity, and if the on-site dump station requires an additional fee. Sources say that fee might be as much as $20, doubled from last season.
As of press time, Hamrick had not yet responded to the second set of questions. For now, one thing is certain: after a long, hot summer of still water and green algae, Tecopa’s famous mineral springs are flowing again — clean, clear, and open to the public — God willing and creek don’t rise.
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