Latest Articles - TecopaCabana

Sagebrush Sally: Change Starts Small, and So Does Resistance

Dear Sagebrush Sally, I care about this town and want to get more involved—volunteer, help organize events, maybe even join a local board. But every time I dip a toe…
Heard Around Town: Water, Wildflowers, and Willpower

SIFPD Declines Water Tank Offer, Focuses on New Fire Stations and 2026 Tax Measure At the most recent meeting of the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD), the board turned…
Sagebrush Sally: Scrutiny Builds Stronger Communities

Dear Sagebrush Sally, As you’re surely aware, the winds have been stirring up a bit of drama around town lately. Some folks around here say that asking tough questions or…
Inyo County Opens Door for Bold Proposals at Tecopa Hot Springs Bidder’s Conference

The path forward for the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools came into sharper focus this week as Inyo County officials fielded questions from prospective operators during a Bidder’s Conference…
New Records Reveal Tecopa Hot Springs’ Books

Prospective operators eyeing the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools are poring over Inyo County’s request for proposals, searching for clues and benchmarks that might help them craft realistic financial…
Sagebrush Sally: When the Desert Shakes, Hold Your Ground

Dear Sagebrush Sally, It feels like Tecopa’s about to get one heck of a shake-up. Between “Downtown Tecopa” being listed for sale for $50 million and the hot springs campground…
Big Fix, Big Risk: Inyo County Lays Out Hurdles for Tecopa Hot Springs Revival

The future of the historic Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools continues to be the biggest news in Tecopa as Inyo County seeks proposals for a new concessionaire to operate,…
New Bid, Old Problems: Inyo County Opens Search for Tecopa Hot Springs Campground Operator

Inyo County released a new request for proposals on Monday, seeking a qualified concessionaire to take over management of the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools — a move that,…
Final Notice: County Letter Reveals Why Tecopa Hot Springs Operator Walked Away

In Southeast Inyo County, the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground and Pools — a longtime draw for tourists and a vital amenity for local residents — is once again changing hands.…
Sagebrush Sally: It’s Hot Enough—The Attitude Doesn’t Have to Be

Dear Sagebrush Sally, As a new resident to the community, I have been told I have to volunteer for one of the community services in order to use the hot…
Records Trace Years of Noncompliance as Tecopa Hot Springs Operator Approaches County Deadline

Since issuing a formal 30-day notice last month demanding that the operator remedy longstanding deficiencies, Inyo County officials have largely refused to answer any questions about the status of the…
Sagebrush Sally: The First Amendment Isn’t Optional—Even in Tecopa

Dear Sagebrush Sally, Lately, it feels like free speech is on trial here in Tecopa—not in a courtroom, but on the streets, in businesses, and all over social media. Some…
Culture of Fear Alleged at Tecopa Hot Springs Campground as County Issues Ultimatum

A long-simmering culture of fear surrounding the management of the Tecopa Hot Springs Campground has come into sharper focus this week—just as Inyo County has issued a 30-day ultimatum to…
Inyo County Issues 30-Day Ultimatum as Future of Tecopa Hot Springs Campground Hangs in the Balance

The future of the Tecopa Hot Springs Park and Campground—one of Southeast Inyo County’s most treasured public amenities—continues in uncertainty, as the current operator has been given a 30-day deadline…
Future of Tecopa Hot Springs Campground in Question as County Enters Closed-Door Talks

As the slow summer season begins, Inyo County supervisors are entering closed-door negotiations over the future of Tecopa Hot Springs Park and Campground—a publicly owned, culturally significant site operated under…
Heard Around Town: Only The Resilient Remain

Tecopa officially hit triple digits ahead of Memorial Day weekend, signaling the start of the desert’s long, sun-scorched summer. With daytime highs soaring past 100°F (37°C), emerging snakes making the…
Sagebrush Sally: Speak Your Truth—Even If It Echoes

Dear Sagebrush Sally, Lately I’ve been feeling caught between wanting to speak up and wanting to keep the peace. Whether it’s about water use, reckless behavior, or local decisions that…
Death Valley and Inyo County Expand Partnership in Face of Shrinking Federal Resources

In the sun-scorched expanse of eastern California, Inyo County and Death Valley National Park are tightening their coordination in the face of extreme weather, federal staffing cuts, and aging infrastructure.…
Sagebrush Sally: You Can’t Sue the Wind to Stop It from Whispering

Dear Sagebrush Sally, In a town as small as Tecopa, trying to keep something quiet can feel like painting it in neon. I recently saw a situation where someone tried…
Sagebrush Sally: Let the Wind Carry Your Words

Dear Sagebrush Sally, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about free speech and how important the First Amendment is—not just in theory, but right here in our little town. In…
Heard Around Town: Government Edition

TecopaCabana.com will be previewing highlights and offering special coverage of this week’s Inyo County Board of Supervisors meeting in Tecopa. The Board is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. on…
Sagebrush Sally: Ban the Bans

Dear Sagebrush Sally, It seems like anytime people in Tecopa have a disagreement, the first response is to ban each other from their businesses, bars, events, or even just their…
Heard Around Town: Artful and Deceptive

On our most recent rainy day, March 13th, Tecopa received 0.20 inches of precipitation at the Tecopa CEMP station, bringing the total for March to 0.35 inches and for February…
Ask Sagebrush Sally: Respect Runs Both Ways

Dear Sagebrush Sally, I’ve lived in Tecopa for a while now, long enough that I’m not considered a newcomer anymore. I love this town and the weird people in it,…
Hot Springs Etiquette in Tecopa: How Nudity and Showering First Protects the Amargosa River

Hot springs have long been revered for their therapeutic and spiritual benefits, from Japan’s ancient onsen culture to Iceland’s steamy geothermal lagoons. These natural baths provide relaxation, healing, and a…
A Desert Oasis or a Destination in Decline? TripAdvisor Reviews Reveal Mixed Experiences in Tecopa Hot Springs

Nestled in the vast Mojave Desert, Tecopa, California, has long been known for its natural hot springs, remote beauty, and star-studded night skies. Once a well-kept secret among desert wanderers and…
Southern Inyo Fire Board Works on Long-Term Plans Amid Delays and Recruitment Challenges

The Southern Inyo Fire Protection District (SIFPD) board convened to address long-term planning efforts on March 13, including recruitment efforts and two key fire station projects in the works. One…
Sagebrush Sally: A Follow Up on Newcomers

Dear Sagebrush Sally, Following up on your last column: We also shouldn’t be rewarding or ignoring shitty behavior by newcomers that are hurting our community. What does Sagebrush Sally recommend…
Sagebrush Sally: What about the newcomers?

Dear Sagebrush Sally, I’ve lived in Tecopa for many years, and I love this desert and its quirky, independent community. But lately, I’ve noticed more newcomers moving in, and it’s…
Failure to Protect: The Amargosa Wild and Scenic River and the Neglect of a Desert Ecosystem

The Amargosa Valley, a rugged and starkly beautiful desert straddling the California-Nevada border, is a region of historical significance and ecological fragility. Home to the rare Amargosa vole and the…
National Parks in Crisis: Job Cuts, Budget Freezes, and the Fight for Public Lands

A storm is brewing across America’s national parks, but it’s not just the weather causing concern—it’s the deepening crisis of budget cuts, staffing shortages, and the struggle to maintain some…
Heard Around Town: Change, Yet the Same

Deb Fox Reveals the 130-Year Struggle to Define the California-Nevada Border at Shoshone Museum At a captivating talk on Saturday at the Shoshone Museum, author and historian Deborah A. Fox…
Community Rallies to Protect Ash Meadows as Amargosa Conservancy Launches Major Restoration Projects

In a significant show of support for environmental protection, the Amargosa Valley recently hosted a powerful public rally and meeting aimed at securing the future of Ash Meadows. The event,…
Heard Around Town: Water is Life

False spring has arrived in Tecopa. February’s warmth has set the frogs singing in the hot springs district, while green shoots push through the burn-scarred meadow surrounding Borehole Spring—a testament…
Desert Diaries: Advice from Sagebrush Sally

Helping You Navigate Desert Life Dear Sagebrush Sally, I recently moved to Tecopa and I’m struggling to adjust. The heat is starting to get intense (and it’s only February!), the…
Heard Around Town: Under the Full Moon

It was a week of both devastation and renewal in Tecopa, marked by the luminous presence of a full moon. Our cherished Borehole Spring was ravaged by fire, with over…
Save the Vole: Borehole Spring BLM Lawsuit Explained

In a legal battle aimed at protecting one of North America’s most endangered mammals, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) filed a lawsuit in 2022 against the U.S. Bureau of…
Fire Devastates Borehole Spring, Endangered Amargosa Vole Habitat

A devastating wildfire broke out at Borehole Spring near Tecopa, California, overnight on February 11, inflicting catastrophic damage to the hot spring which is also a delicate wetland habitat of…
Exploring Dumont Dunes: An Off-Road Enthusiast’s Paradise

Nestled just over 20 miles south of Tecopa, the Dumont Dunes Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation Area is a sanctuary for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike. Spanning an impressive 7,620 acres…
Inyo County Sheriff’s Office Will Not Enforce Federal Immigration Laws

The Inyo County Sheriff’s Office issued a press release on January 30, ten days after the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, to reassure residents that enforcing federal immigration laws…
Local Environmentalists Profiled in The New York Times Magazine

Our little corner of the world was covered in the New York Times Magazine recently. The article “Nevada’s Lithium Could Help Save the Earth. But What Happens to Nevada?” was…
Celebrating the Resilience of Death Valley Women: A Documentary Screening

On a recent crisp afternoon in Shoshone, California, a crowd gathered around the Flower Building at the Shoshone Museum for the premiere screening of The Women Who Haunt Her, a…
What to do Before and After a Power Outage

A power pole caught fire near Death Valley Brewing, while another on Highway 127 emitted alarming sparks on Sunday morning, plunging Tecopa into its second 24-hour blackout in a week.…
Local Communities and Tribal Members Secure Mineral Withdrawal to Protect Ash Meadows and Amargosa Valley

Federal Action to Safeguard Sacred Lands and Water Resources The federal government has initiated the mineral withdrawal process for approximately 308,890 acres of public land in Nevada’s Amargosa Valley. This…
Discovering Tecopa’s Mining Heritage

Nestled in the arid landscape of Southern California’s Mojave Desert, Tecopa holds a rich history deeply rooted in mining. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this small desert…
Heard Around Town: Power Struggles

Despite the high winds finally dying down, it was a rough week in Tecopa and Shoshone as temperatures plummeted into the low 20s and the power went out for nearly…
Biden Establishes Two New Monuments in California, Foreshadowing Amargosa Basin

At one of the final White House ceremonies in President Joe Biden’s term, the president highlighted the dedication of the Chuckwalla and Sáttítla National Monuments as part of his administration’s…
Heard Around Town: High Winds and Hot Soaks

It was a windy one with the Santa Ana winds blowing through town for a few days starting on Tuesday, January 7. Tecopa had two short power outages during that…
Commission Approves $7.8M Active Transportation Corridor Project for Tecopa

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has officially approved the Active Transportation Program staff recommendations for the Connecting Tecopa: Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Corridor project, a significant initiative aimed at improving transportation safety…
Airbnb and ChatGPT Walk into a Town

The signs along Tecopa Hot Springs Road communicate many things – hot rejuvenating waters! Or our new favorite, $399/night with two night minimum, yikes! So we decided to ask ChatGPT…