Latest Articles - TecopaCabana

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…