Archive-name: nude-faq/beaches/North-America/West
Last-modified: Fri Sep  6 1996
Posting-Frequency: monthly

  This is one of seven volumes of the "REC.NUDE FAQ: Naturist Site Reports".
  These are posted on the first of each month.

  This volume covers Western North America (except for California and Tahoe).

  This FAQ answers one question which has an infinite number of variations:
  Where is a nude or clothing-optional beach/resort/campground/B&B/etc.
  near where I am or where I will be?  To answer that, this FAQ lists
  some brief information on some nude or clothing-optional sites that are
  frequently mentioned on rec.nude.  General information on family-oriented
  nude recreation can be found at either of
    ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/nude-faq
    http://www.oxy.edu/~mop/recnude.faqs.html
  Also check out these Naturist home pages:
    http://www.webcom.com/~rngerber/naturist/naturist.html
    http://www.realtime.net:80/~kr4ah/
+ And please read the Free Beach Etiquette page:
+   http://www.sss.org/naturist/misc/Etiquette.html

  This FAQ can't be a replacement for a more thorough source such as
  the World Guide or others listed in the general FAQ mentioned above.
  If you don't see any CO sites on this list which are near you or want
  more information about those listed here, feel free to ask on rec.nude
  (the FAQ maintainer is not a very good source for such information).
  The maintainer of this FAQ takes no responsibility for the accuracy
  of the information contained herein.  Updates to these entries are
  greatly appreciated; this FAQ is only as good as you make it.

  The latest copy of this FAQ may be found at any of:
   ftp://rtfm.mit.edu/pub/usenet/news.answers/nude-faq/beaches (North America)
   ftp://ftp.sunet.se/pub/usenet/news.answers/nude-faq/beaches (Eupope)
   http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/nude-faq/beaches/top.html
  Archives may also be retrieved by sending e-mail to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu
  with a body that only contains one or both of the following lines:
send usenet/news.answers/nude-faq/beaches/*
send usenet/news.answers/nude-faq/beaches/North-America/*

  + - and | in the 1st column mark additions/deletions/changes from last month.

  (c) Copyright 1995 Richard M. Mathews.  Copyrights for contributions
  to this document may be retained by their authors who may or may not
  be named below.  Permission is granted to freely distribute this in
  whole or in part provided that it is without profit or service fees
  and that this notice remains attached.

  In this issue:
  	WRECK BEACH, BC
  	COOPER POINT, WA
  	ROOSTER ROCK, OR
  	SAUVIE ISLAND, OR
  	LAKE MEAD, NV
  	ARIZONA HOT SPRINGS, AZ
  	CONUNDRUM HOT SPRINGS, CO
  	SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX
  	HIPPIE HOLLOW, TX
  	GRACY COVE, TX
  	FLAT ROCK, AR

----------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: WRECK BEACH, BC

  WRECK BEACH--University of British Columbia campus, Marine Drive.  The
  main beach is often rather crowded but not oppressively so.  Definitely
  worth a visit or several!  When crowded, the atmosphere is quite festive.
  On cooler days, and especially during the week, it is more subdued.  Food
  and drink (and many other items) are amply available, including a wide
  selection of beer despite the fact that its sale and consumption are
  illegal here.  The sand on much of Wreck Beach *other than* the main
  beach area has been washed away; all that's left are round, fist-sized
  rocks.  They won't cut your feet or anything, but you might twist your
  ankle walking on them if you're not careful.  And of course, they're
  terrible for sunbathing on.  This is not to say that there aren't spots
  of wonderful sunbathing sand; but these tend to be in little alcoves,
  surrounded by boulders or logs.  Nice and private, though; however,
  there may not be room to stretch out, and overhanging trees, etc. may
  cast shadows.

  The main beach is at trail/gate 6 (near the intersection of Northwest
  Marine Drive and University Boulevard, directly opposite Place Vanier
  Residence).  You can pick up one of UBC's glossy, colourful visitors'
  maps; and the trails to Wreck Beach are indicated.  Park in the visitor
  (pay) lot.  On weekends, some staff parking lots are available (free)
  to the public; read the signs.  Go down the steps, a little steep but
  no big deal, past the official-looking signs informing visitors that
  clothing is optional (the signs on the way back request that you wear
  clothing beyond this point).

  Heading west from Spanish Banks Beach to a point below the cliffs takes
  you to the limit of the Wreck Beach CO area.  This is, by far, the most
  accessible part of Wreck Beach; as the road in this area is almost at
  sea level.  Just where NW Marine Drive starts uphill to the UBC campus
  there is a small parking lot at the roadside.  From this lot follow the
  trail west along the beach.  A short walk takes you across a tiny bridge
  to the CO section.  It should be marked by signs.  It is possible to
  walk all the way to Trail 6 from here, but it is quite a long distance
  under the cover of trees.  This beach suffers from being in the shade
  all morning.  Note: if the parking lot is full, there is usually ample
  parking back by the textile beach.

  There is a more secluded, smaller (especially at high tide), and very
  rocky area at trail/gate 4 known as Tower Beach.  It is mostly couples
  here.  No food or drink is available.  It is near the intersection of NW
  Marine Drive and West Mall (yes, that's the name of the road).  Trail 4
  begins behind the Museum of Anthropology.  Like trail 6, it is steep and
  tiring to climb back up.  The Towers area is immediately at the foot of
  the trail and extends to the left.  Not a great place if you want to
  swim, but for those of you who go solely for sunbathing it's probably
  OK if you want a quiet place.

  For more information about naturism in Canada, check out
    http://www.interlog.com/~fcn/fcn.html

  	[Original from Robert Paolino <rpaolino@polisci.pol.umn.edu>,
  	Keith Lim <chil@sfu.ca>,
  	and Bill Arnett <Bill_Arnett@mindlink.bc.ca>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: COOPER POINT, WA

  COOPER POINT is located on the campus of The Evergreen State College
  (TESC) at Olympia, Washington.  It has a long stretch of beach which
  has been unofficially CO for many years, despite occasional grumblings
  from the College administration.  The beach is at the South end of Puget
  Sound, so the water is always cold, and quite shallow for some distance
  from shore.  The immediate shore is crusty stones, but there are nice
  stretches of sand above the tide line.  It is isolated from the rest
  of the campus by a 20-30 minute walk through beautiful woods, where
  the trail may be a bit muddy in spots (this is the NW, after all).
  There are no services or fresh water on the beach, so bring whatever
  you need.

  To get there, take Hwy. 101 from Olympia toward Aberdeen.  Exit at "The
  Evergreen State College" exit a few miles West of Olympia.  Follow the
  signs to TESC.  Pass the intersection marked for the main college entrance.
  At the next intersection, turn left onto OVERHULSE ROAD.  Continue until
  a "tee" at DRIFTWOOD ROAD.  Turn left onto Driftwood Road.  A hundred
  yards or so past a Stop sign, enter PARKING LOT F on the right.  Once
  in the parking, lot keep to the left.  About 200 yards in, there is a
  trail into the trees on the left, marked by a sign frame (with a missing
  sign as of May '94) and another smaller white sign warning of "violence"
  on the trail.  Follow the trail to the beach and enjoy.

  The missing sign is one of the standard signs posted in the area warning
  that the area is a nature preserve, so messing with the flora and fauna
  is not allowed.  However, it also prohibits humans from being naturally
  (un)clad.  Students at TESC don't take much stock in such prohibitions
  of nudity, so CO use continues.

  I'm not sure what the Violence warning refers to, just use common sense;
  it is an isolated area.  When I was there last, I saw a woman with two
  small children enjoying the trail without concern.

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=olympia,+wa

  	[Original from "anonymous"]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: ROOSTER ROCK, OR

  ROOSTER ROCK STATE PARK on the Columbia River is located 20 miles east
  of Portland on Interstate 84.  The CO area is marked with signs.  Just
  drive in the main gate and turn right (east).  Follow to the end of the
  parking lot.  At the end of the east parking lot is a restroom.  About
  40 feet from the restroom is a stairway.  Draw an imaginary line along
  the stairway down to the river and up the bank and to the south.  The
  state sanctioned CO section is on the east end of that line.  There
  is a sign on the stairway noting that.  You have the trees for walking
  through the trails (yes there are insects), plus several miles of beach
  (you can walk completely around the island during low water...  which
  we have this year.....which is about a 3-4 mile walk).  It is all sand,
  also.

  Rooster Rock has lots of parking ($3/day in 1993) patroled by park staff
  and state police, public restrooms with running water which are cleaned
  at least daily.  Rooster Rock has it's own exit off I-84, a boat launch,
  picnic facilities.  In short it is a beautiful park in a beautiful place
  used by anyone and everyone that wants to visit, just like any state park
  in any state of the country.  Except for one section, the beach area on
  the east end of the park is CO, has been for years, maybe forever.  It
  is allowed to be CO because it is not illegal to be nude in public in
  the state of Oregon.  We like it that way.

  NOTE: Flooding in Winter, 1996, washed out the dirt path that used to
  descend along the cliff, but you can still go down the stairs.  All
  you have to do is step over the "Caution - Do Not Enter" tape, walk
  down the steps, turn right, and proceed to the area known as "the
  pit."  It's small and may require wading in ankle-deep water if the
  Columbia is really high.  Sand Island is flooded, as it always is
  this time of year, even in a drought.  Two sets of posts have been
  set into the sand for volleyball.  The second set was put up on April
  14th because the river was high enough to cover part of the original
  court.  Quite a few dozen tree branches had to be cut back, as well,
  to make room for the new court and for people to sit.

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=pdx
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=dls

  For more information on this site and others in the Pacific Northwest,
  see http://www.halcyon.com/mooncrow/naturist.htm

  	[Original from Jim Boland <jimb@loowit.wr.tek.com>
  	and David Haight <davidh8@pogo.wv.tek.com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: SAUVIE ISLAND, OR

  SAUVIE ISLAND is about 20 miles NW of Portland on US-30 to Astoria.
  Drive across the bridge and follow signs to beaches....specifically
  Reeder Beach.  Go past it.  Go past the moorage to the store.  Stop
  at the store to get a parking permit.  You'll need it.  You will pass
  a beach that has a "dike" on the river side and parking on the left.
  You will go up a rise and the road turns to a gravel road.  This is
  about 12 miles from the bridge.  Go about 1/2 to 1 mile.  You will see
  a parking area on the left.  Park there.  Cross the gravel road.  There
  are several places to go through the trees.  Go through.  Walk 100+ yards
  and you will be on the beach.  Several Miles of CO sand beach.

  NOTE: Access to Sauvie was closed due to damage from the floods in
  February, 1996.  As of April 30th, the road to the clothing optional
  beach has reopened.  Although the Columbia river is still high, the
  area is now accessible.  Five members of Friends of Sauvie Island
  Clothing Optional Beach (FOSICOB) attended a work party on the island
  sponsored by Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism (SOLV) on the Earth Day
  weekend.  They were allowed to clean up the trails leading to the beach.
  Since the water is still very high however, the area that is usually
  uncovered in the summer is still submerged.  Future work parties will
  work on the debris that is underwater at this time.  As underwater
  debris and changes in the river's topography may have resulted from
  the flood, please be extremely careful if you visit this site soon
  and you wish to go in the water.

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=pdx

  For more information on this site and others in the Pacific Northwest,
  see http://www.halcyon.com/mooncrow/naturist.htm

  	[Original from Jim Boland <jimb@loowit.wr.tek.com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: LAKE MEAD, NV

  From downtown take Boulder Highway south to Henderson.  Then left (East)
  on Lake Mead Drive (Rt 147) to the Cauville Bay turn off; turn left
  (North).  Go past the Government Boat Launching Ramp turn off for 3
  miles to a right (East) turn onto a gravel road called 8.0 mile road,
  and follow it for about 1 1/2 miles all the way to the end, turning
  left at every fork.  You will come to a parking area.  The beach is
  about 1/3 of a mile via path (not a difficult hike).  A lot of folks
  walk back nude.  When you get to the beach straights tend to stay to
  the right and gays to the left.  The "beach" is pretty rocky and not
  much sand, so take along something to sit/lay on.

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=las+vegas,+nv

  	[Original from Geoffrey Glenn Quillen <tanman@ix.netcom.com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: ARIZONA HOT SPRINGS, AZ

   ARIZONA (RINGBOLT) HOT SPRINGS is a wonderful site downstream from
   Hoover Dam.  The spring is on the Arizona side, and can be accessed
   by boat from the river, or by hiking approximately 3 miles down a
   gravel-filled path from the main road.  The trailhead starts at
   milepost 4.2 on U.S. 93.  Once you reach the river, turn left a
   short ways until you see an open area.  The trail to the spring is
   90 degrees to your left.  From the river, it is 1/8 mile downstream
   from mile marker 60.  Take along plenty of water, and good footwear.
  	[Original from Vincent G. Ferrari <ferrari3@ix.netcom.com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: CONUNDRUM HOT SPRINGS, CO

  CONUNDRUM HOT SPRINGS, south of Aspen, Colorado, is described by one
  rec.nude submitter as one of mother nature's greatest spots and by another
  as being as close to paradise as you can get.  There are 2 pools surrounded
  by spectacular scenery.  The easiest trail begins about 1 mile south of
  Aspen.  You then have to hike about 8 miles.  The trail head is at 8500
  ft., and the hot springs are at 11,500; so a good sunscreen is a must.
  Totally undeveloped, at night you can not see a man made light out side
  of the camp fires around the spring.  A park ranger spends the summer
  at the spring.  You will met a nice range of people, doctors, lawers,
  runners, rich & poor but all friendly.  It is recommend that you plan
  to spend a couple of days.  There is a cool mountain stream that flows
  down each side of the spring.  Obtain directions and and information
  about conditions from the White River National Forest ranger station.

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=aspen,+co

  	[Original from Mr T Bill <mrtbill@aol.com>
  	and James Rush <jrush@aol.com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX

  SOUTH PADRE ISLAND is located at the extreme southernmost tip of Texas,
  on the Gulf of Mexico.  A narrow strip of sand approximately 1/2 mile
  wide, it consists of the Town of South Padre Island and a hundred miles
  of windswept ocean, sand hills, and sea oat grass.  It can be reached by
  car via the Queen Isabela Causeway (the longest bridge in Texas at 2 miles)
  across Laguna Madre from the town of Port Isabel.  Nearby airports are
  Harlingen (Valley International), located 40 miles away, and Brownsville
  (located about 25 miles away).  Visitors from Dallas/Austin/San Antonio
  generally drive down Interstate 37 south from San Antonio to just outside
  of Corpus Christi, where they pick up U.S. Hwy 77 south.  Mileage from
  Austin:  about 400 miles.  It is about 2.5 hours from Corpus Christi.
  The official nude beach is about 8.5 miles north of town off of Route
  100, the main road on the Island.

  Report:  From all the good things I had heard about So. Padre Is., I had
  expected a tropical paradise akin to Cancun or Hawaii.  Unfortunately,
  its really a desert island with a small town on the extreme southern end
  that is more like Oxnard or Port Hueneme, California than Hawaii.  The
  best description is "beachy/funky."   The people there were generally
  working class/middle class (as opposed to an international jet-set
  crowd), and I had the distinct impression that it catered to college
  kids and the Spring Break people.

  The nude beach is nice, despite the high number of jellyfish and man o'
  wars that had washed up on the broad white-sand beach.  Its pretty much
  an official nude beach, and when the sun was out was great for sunning (I
  avoided the heavy surf and water due to the jellyfish, though).  Hardly
  anyone else was there.

  South Padre Island is marginally nicer than, say, Corpus Christi, but
  the question is this:  is it 5 hours nicer?  (its 2.5 more hours past
  Corpus, more or less).  And the answer that Jane and I came to was, Not
  Really.  Compared to Florida, or even California, its not as nice -- very
  "beachy-scuzzy", and the general crowd that was there was kinda, er,
  funky.  Not as weird or as scuzzy as Venice Beach in SoCal, but still
  disconcerting for "the premiere beach of Texas."  Actually, its only
  3 hours to Cancun by air ... hmmm .....  :-) On the other hand, it IS
  American/Texan, and it is accessable, and it DOES tolerate a gen-u-ine
  nude beach with no hassles at all.

  A qualified recommendation, to be sure, but an honest one.  Its a fine
  place to go, but don't expect Hawaii or Cancun or Santa Barbara or
  Redondo Beach or ....

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=bro

  	[Original from Alan R. Weiss <alanw@pets.sps.mot.com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: HIPPIE HOLLOW, TX

  HIPPIE HOLLOW is about 16 miles out of downtown Austin on Lake Travis.
  Follow 2222 West from Austin to 620.  Turn left, go about 1 mile, turn
  right on Comanche Trail at the flashing light (look for a sign directing
  you to McGregor Park/Hippie Hollow Park).  Follow Comanche Trail down
  toward the lake, past the "Oasis" Restaurant, about 1 mile.  The park
  entrance will appear suddenly to your left.  Travis County now runs it.
  It is situated on the lake facing south with wonderful rugged flat rocks
  that step down into the lake.  In the summer the average temperature of
  the air is in the mid to upper 90's.  The water averages in the lower
  80's.  It is a wonderful place to go.  About half of it is developed
  (1990).  The undeveloped half is largely considered the Gay beach.

  There are regular patrols in the area looking for troublemakers.
  Most of the patrols are county workers who call in the law when
  trouble arises.  The nudists keep the area clean and nice for the
  next visitors.  The park is fairly large and is attended by a wide
  variety of people. Many families, singles, couples, young and old.
  There is a problem with gawkers, and some overt sexual activity. It
  is usually crowded enough for everyone to be safe, but sometimes the
  gawkers and activities can be offensive.  Park employees filtered
  through the area several times, picking up rubbish, and making us
  feel good.  The Sheriffs' boat comes by occasionally.  Cost is $5/car
  or $2/person on foot (1996 price; good for all Travis County Parks
  that day (see also "GRACY COVE, TX")).  The gates are open until 9
  p.m. (May to August), 6 p.m. (November to February), or 7:30 p.m.
  (the rest of the year).

  NOTE: In 1995, the county passed a law prohibiting children here.  Central
  Texas Naturists (CTN) filed a lawsuit, but the county is delaying any
  hearings on the matter.  The law is likely to stand through 1996.  On
  top of this, the county is now considering increasing fees to $5 per
  person.  You may contact CTN or the CTN Hippie Hollow Legal Defense
  Fund at
    P.O. Box 150053
    Austin, Texas  78715

  Also check out the Lonhhorn Naturists at
    http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~nudists/index.html

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=austin,+tx

  	[Original from Bil Snodgrass <snodgras@lclark.edu>,
  	John Hendry <HENDRY@ETSUADMN.ETSU.EDU>,
  	and George Durden <gad@pencom.com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: GRACY COVE, TX

  GRACY COVE, part of Pace Bend park, is a bit of a longer drive than
  indicated in the World Guide, but it is well worth it.  From Texas Hwy
  71, take FM 2322 about 4 miles north.  Be sure and get a map at the park
  entrance.  Day visits cost $5/car or $2/person on foot (1995 price; good
  for all Travis County Parks that day (see also "HIPPIE HOLLOW, TX")).
  Once you get into Pace Bend park, take a left at the first stop sign.
  Gracy Cove is the 2nd or 3rd cove on the left.  The coves are clearly
  named.  Travis County Sheriffs Deputies are known to make visits to
  Gracy Cove to ticket the nudes.  Be advised to dress ASAP if you see
  a sheriffs boat.  Since topfree is legal, there should be no problem
  there.

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=austin,+tx

  	[Original from John Hendry <HENDRY@ETSUADMN.ETSU.EDU>
  	and Rob Stokes <Stokes#m#_Rob@MSGate.corp.Apple.Com>]

------------------------------
From: richard@West.Sun.COM (Richard M. Mathews)
Subject: FLAT ROCK, AR

  FLAT ROCK: From Fayetteville, AR, take highway 16 south until you just
  cross the Madison county line.  As you come to the top of the hill that
  you started up when you crossed the county line, take the first dirt
  road to the left.  Follow the road about 1/2 mile to the river.  The
  nude beach is about a mile upstream and can be reached by walking along
  the bank on either side.  Sometimes in the summer you can cross the water
  in your car and drive about halfway down on the far side.  The water is
  warm, the rocks great and flat and really hot in the summer.

  Weather reports for the area can be found at
    http://www.webwx.com/cgi/ww.cgi?region=fsm

  Public nudity in the presence of the opposite sex is illegal in Arkansas.
  	[Original from James E. Ward <jew@arizona.edu>]

End of nude-faq/beaches/North-America/West Digest
*************************************************

Richard M. Mathews	| On the fourth day of telecommuting, I realized
richard@west.sun.com	| that clothes are totally unnecessary.  -- Dilbert
