Tecopa is a weird, beautiful and wonderful desert community

The Weird Tales Festival celebrates all that is mysterious, remarkable and delightfully strange in our beloved community. It also recognizes the brave volunteer firefighters who keep residents and visitors safe across the remote Amargosa Basin and helps fund their essential work.

Friday night’s centerpiece is the premiere of the Weird Tales film by desert filmmaker Ted Faye. Ted and his nonprofit, The Imagination Connection, are working with the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District to bring the film and festival to life.

Cynthia’s will donate $100 from every festival-weekend booking to the Southern Inyo Fire Protection District.

A Hosted Festival Weekend

The Weird Tales Festival unfolds within one of the most layered and quietly powerful desert landscapes in the American Southwest.

This two-night package is designed for guests who want more than accommodation near the festival. From Cynthia’s Basecamp, you enter the weekend with local context, shared meals and a closer connection to the people, stories and landscape behind the event.

You are not simply reserving a room.

You are experiencing Weird Tales from inside the place that created them

Your Festival Basecamp

Cynthia’s Basecamp is located only three miles—about five minutes by car—from Saturday’s festival grounds.

Staying at Basecamp allows the weekend to move naturally between festival activities, desert exploration, conversation, meals and rest. Carpooling from Basecamp will be coordinated throughout the weekend.

For more than 25 years, Cynthia has introduced guests to the Amargosa Basin with context, care and lived knowledge, and lots of weird adventures and stories to share.

The Festival at the Heart of Your Weekend

The Weird Tales Festival takes place November 13–15 in Tecopa and Shoshone, celebrating the desert’s unusual history, characters, landscapes and stories.

Your Basecamp package includes admission to Friday’s private Crowbar reception and reserved seating for the Weird Tales premiere.

The official festival website contains the complete public schedule, Sunday field trips, participating artists, vendors and festival updates.

EXPLORE THE WEIRD TALES FESTIVAL →

Want to Add a Little Wild to Your Weekend?

Matt Kienitz of Mojave UTV Tours can take you beyond the pavement and into the canyons, mining country and wide-open desert. Tours are available Friday, Saturday or Sunday by advance reservation.

EXPLORE MOJAVE UTV TOURS →

Day 1 — Arrival and Premiere

Meet the Amargosa Basin

Cynthia introduces the landscape, communities and stories surrounding the festival.

Premiere Reception — 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Enjoy the private reception with food, live music and one featured cocktail or specialty nonalcoholic drink. Carpool the 12 miles to Shoshone Village Crowbar as Cynthia introduces the local lanscapes, histories, and communities along the way.

Weird Tales Premiere — 8:00 p.m.

From the reception walk next door to the Flower Building for the premiere. Reserved seating is included for Basecamp guests. Following the screening, enjoy dessert, coffee and tea during a Q&A with filmmaker Ted Faye.

Morning Table

Begin the day with a hosted breakfast at Cynthia’s Basecamp.

Breakfast with Ted Faye

Join filmmaker Ted Faye for a private conversation and Q&A about the film, its stories and the desert that inspired it.

Weird Tales Festival

Spend the day enjoying festival music, storytellers, artists, vendors and community events. The festival is only three miles from Basecamp.

Desert Supper — 8:00 p.m.

After the festival closes at 7:00, return to Basecamp for an unhurried fall supper at Cynthia’s long table or beneath the stars.

Stories, Stars and Hot Springs

After supper, enjoy a soak in Tecopa’s famous natural hot springs, followed by conversation and stargazing beneath the Mojave sky. Robes and towels are provided.

Farewell Morning Table

Begin Sunday with a leisurely hosted breakfast at Basecamp.

Choose Your Sunday

Join a festival field trip, reserve a Mojave UTV adventure, explore independently or begin your journey home.

Departure

Check out and depart with time to enjoy more of the Amargosa Basin.