We have all used the term, "In the Middle of Nowhere" before.  Well, this is actually that.....  North a fast hour's drive from Baker, south of Death Valley, at least a half-hour drive from Pahrump, Nevada. 

Let's be specific:  Downtown Tecopa consists of a mobile home used as the U.S. Post Office.  Next door is a closed motel undergoing perhaps renovation.  But there's a sign for a Wi-Fi Hotspot.  Tecopa is located on the floor of the Amargosa Valley on an ancient lakebed.  Tecopa Hot Springs is two or three miles distant......

Tecopa Hot Springs is a half-dozen or so RV trailerparks surrounding a public hot springs.  Starting in 2000, clothing was mandated at the springs.  There is a community center, but no commerce whatsoever.  Here's the summation of what used to be commerce:

But this only brings us to Tecopa Hot Springs -- this trip's destination was The Tecopa Hot Springs Resort.  The Resort is simply another -- but less successful -- RV Park.  The competing RV Parks were located on the flat.  The Tecopa Hot Springs Resort hook-ups, however, were located on the side of a great hill.  One can only imagine the senior citizens feared their walkers would turn into rollers and thus looked elsewhere.  One hundred hook-ups and nothing hooked up.  There are also two motel rooms sharing a bath and two units, each with bath and kitchen.

I stayed at a unit with bath and kitchen.  No televisions, but that's a good thing.  Note that there is no hot water heater and I was admonished not to drink the cold water, either.  This was the former water supply, now disconnected (note the stenciling).

In truth, I cannot recommend this property.  That is not to say, however, that it is without its charms.  Amy Noel runs the place and she is a beautiful and petite woman, possessed of great optomism and very pretty eyes!  But she is engaged in an uphill battle with this place. 

But it is very quiet.  And the sky is very clear, offering a brilliant starry night.  Bring steaks to cook, some wine, a book, and a friend -- and the place can be just fine. 

Another caution:  make sure you understand that natural hot springs are often not as warm as your hot tub -- so don't be disappointed.....

PROPERTY	None Recommended Yet
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
WEB

WHEN TO GO AND HOW TO GET THERE:

The area does not drain well, so caution is advised during the strong but infrequent spring rains.  From Baker (don't miss lunch at The Mad Greek), drive 48 miles north on Highway 127.  Turn right at Tecopa Hot Springs Road, then turn left at the "town center".  Proceed for two miles; it's on the right.

MAPQUEST: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?city=tecopa&state=CA&zip=92389&country=us&level=3

Amy lists many interesting seasonal events on her website:  "Art & Soak Weekend", "Labyrinth Walk" (see below), "Full Moon Night Hike," "Cactus Springs Goddess Temple Ceremony".  None were active the weekend I was there, which may have something to do with my being the only visitor Saturday evening.  Here's the Labyrinth (for scale, most of the rocks are about 3" high):

Weather averages:  Summer temperatures can exceed 110 degrees

ATTRACTIONS

CHINA RANCH DATE FARM SHOSHONE (8 MILES NORTH) PAHRUMP, NEVADA (NORTH ON HIGHWAY 372) TECOPA HOT SPRINGS MASSAGE (planetshpr@aol.com, 760.852.4478 AMARGOSA OPERA HOUSE KELSO DEPOT ROUTE 66

The Date Farm is another oddity.  Take Furnace Creek Road out of downtown Tecopa.  It is open for tours, has a gift shop, and a B & B.  It appears that a small bohemian community lives here as well.  The drive down a gorge to the farm is very unnerving -- being single-lane in places, with no way to see approaching traffic.

".....You have a wonderful website.  Lot's of fun.  I've enjoyed many a mudhole, too.  I suppose that's why resurrecting the Tecopa Hot Springs Resort is so much fun." -- Amy N.

• Call 760.928.2586 and ask if a space is open on the tour you want (tours are small, and offered only a few times a day).  If your tour is available, provide your name and address.
• Several days later, you will receive in the mail a form to fill out; you need to then mail the form with a check to secure your reservation.
• A receipt will be mailed back to you.  Bring this receipt with you.
• When you arrive, your reservation will be acknowledged and you may now pay the admission fee.....

  Closed motel on Route 66.