Tecopa Mud Baths

The town of Tecopa lies in a hot springs-rich stretch of desert south of Death Valley. And while there are numerous campgrounds and RV resorts with private pools and bathing opportunities in this area, the Tecopa Mud Baths, along with the nearby Tecopa Hot Tub, make up a free option for soaking.

The mud baths are a collection of springs that bubble up into a pool that is 2 to 3.5 feet deep. The water is approximately 105 degrees near the source, and it gradually cools as it flows down a ditch past and through one more large pool that sits at about 90 degrees. Eventually the water flows beneath the nearby road to a lake bed on the other side.

The water leaves a slick feeling on the skin, and the bottom of the pool is a bed of fine silty mud that bathers commonly apply to their skin. The springs can have a slightly sulfurous smell when the mud on the bottom is stirred up and air bubbles float to the surface.

From the parking along the shoulder of the road, it is a short and easy 500-foot walk to get to the springs. There are no facilities or trash cans at the springs themselves.