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Snake River Dunes is located in southeastern Washington near Colfax on a state game preserve which sees some CO use. The size of the available beach varies according to the amount of water held back by the dams downstream, but there is almost always some useful beachfront available. Boaters and water-skiers pass by frequently on weekends; but the weekdays are relatively quiet.
DIRECTIONS: From Colfax, follow Almota Road to Boyer Park. When you reach the river, go past Boyer Park and Marina and cross over the Lower Granite Dam to the south shore of Lake Bryan. Follow the road for about three miles downstream to roughly 1/2 mile past the Illia boat landing. You will see a small parking area on the right. Park there and pick one of the trails to the beach, then enjoy yourselves.
SITE REVIEWS:
[EDITOR'S NOTE: The following review was also posted in the People's Park section.]
Subject: Snake River Dunes, Rice Bar, and People's Park Updates
Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001
From: Jack Recasner (seahawkopolis@hotmail.com)
Dear Mooncrow,
I don't know if you can use this info, but I thought I'd provide some updates anyways.
Snake River Dunes:
Visited the Snake River Dunes last Sunday...the weather was excellent and the heat wasn't unbearable yet. As the directions indicate, we hiked upstream from the main beach area and found a secluded beach cove between the two sandbar markers. Somethings to note: if you are going to be nude, please remember that boaters are frequent (every minute or so one passes) and standing-up on the beach or in the river isn't advised. Additionally, it's probably a good idea to build a windscreen with driftwood, not only for the wind but to give you privacy and time to cover up if someone approaches. Since summer is now in full effect, weekends are very crowded and you may find that there are too many people present to enjoy the Dunes nude.
Rice Bar:
This is supposedly another area for nude useage about 15 miles from the Dunes. I found information about it at the "Clothing Optional BC" webpage. However, I haven't had a chance to visit it yet...I'll give it a try this weekend. Probably much more secluded than the Dunes, which would be great since the Dunes are overrun with boaters and jet-skiers.
Here's the info from COBC: "About 15 to 20 miles downstream of the Dunes you will find area a little cove called Rice Bar. This is a beautiful area about a mile and a half long along the river that DOW leases from DNR. A good gravel road leading down the mountain, good fishing, deer, and awesome scenery. Other than deer season and the occasional boaters, I very rarely encounter another sole. Nudity laws? I don't know. I have never run into a ranger there either. [Jim, June 2001]"
And lastly, People's Park:
Though I swore off People's Park as a haven for gawkers and homeless types, I though I'd give it a visit three weeks ago. It was my hope that the elevated police presence would run off the undesirable types (druggies and prostitutes); of course, I was wrong. On a nice Saturday afternoon I was one of about ten nude users on the beach. There were probably an additional thirty or so suited users. And then there were the gawkers...lined up like penguins along the backside of the beach where the sand meets the scrub grass and trees. I would guess that there were 15-20 gawkers, blatantly standing up or sitting on their bicycles, slobbering over every breast or ass they could see. Many of those present didn't look homeless or ragged, and I started wondering to myself if this was really a police raid waiting to happen. But alas, they were just perverts...coming down to check out the few nudists who wanted to simply soak up some sun by the river. Any woman who ventured out into the water instantly became eye-candy for the entire gawking audience. It got to the point where everyone was spending more time laying on their fronts than their backs. I just don't get it. Perhaps a new location should be established; I've seen some promising places along Hangman's Creek south of Spokane, near the golf course. Unfortunately, the only way to access these pseudo-beaches and coves is by parking on the highway, something I'm a little hesitant to do.
Well, that's it. I'm going to try to make a little trip to the Portland area early next month. I hope to visit Sauvie Island, St. Martins H.S.'s, Inner City Hot Tubs, and maybe even Cougar/Terwilliger (which I've never found...call me stupid). I'll provide some pictures and stories if I can. Take care and enjoy the summer!
Jack
Date: Sat, 05 May 2001
From: Name withheld by request
Hey Carl, A quick update on the Snake River Dunes... A low snow pack has made the Dunes already accessible in early May, and many people are starting to use the area. I sunbathed a week or so ago on a weekend, and had a great time. As the comments suggest, the best area for CO sunbathing is around the bend towards the dam, as textiles use the main areas. The Ranger made a stop - friendly, and nice. They just want people to respect the wildlife and clean up after themselves. No problems laying out nude - many people walk by (some had to come by again for a closer look, but that's fine). Several single women around the corner from myself...along with several couples. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Great sight Carl.
Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000
From: Wampum03@aol.com
I just got back from a day at the dunes. It was wonderful! I had the whole place to my naked self...of course it was a Tuesday. Sneakers is a must as there have been some who don't pick up after themselves. But I had a great time. I'll be back!
Bill
Date: Tue, 03 Aug 1999
From: "Seahawkopolis von Fischbach" (seahawkopolis@hotmail.com)
Dear Mooncrow,
For about three months I have been visiting Snake River Dunes beach area. Being that this area is pretty remote, it does offer plenty of areas to tan in the nude. From my own experiences, I've found it best to walk to the southeast (towards the dam) to get that allover tan. The main beach area is predominantly used by families and nudity wouldn't be acceptable there. The southeast offers plenty of sandy beach areas, with much of it having some "scrub" foliage that shields boater's views. The only problem with this beach is that nude swimming probably isn't a good idea, as boaters and the Coast Guard frequently cruise by. I have yet to hear of problems with the police, but I imagine flaunting one's nudity will lead to reports of lewd behavior.
As for the demographics, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised at the large number of females sunbathing topless or nude. While men still outnumbered females, there were many groups of mixed company. It reminded me of the siutation at Wreck Beach, B.C. (where there is a large university population). It's nice to be able to go to a beach and not have my wife feel uncomfortable. The only problem I could forsee might be with the frat-boy groups that walk up and down the beach "checking" everyone out. I would suggest that weekends might not be the best time to go nude here. But during the week? It's great.
Suraj Joshi
Subject: Snake River Dunes
Date: Sun, 30 May 1999
From: default (def@wsu.edu)
Dear Mooncrow,
I have been to the Snake River Dunes, and I can honestly say that it is a great spot for nude sunbathing. During the summer time the Snake River dunes was full of people tanning in the nude. There were some college kids running around partying, but later on during the day most of them cleared out. The college kids that did stick around found a remote spot on the dunes and also got into the spirit of nude sunbathing. I feel that the Snake River dunes is an excellent place for nude tanning, and would recommend the site to any person looking for that all around tan. Because there are so many people that drink down at the dunes, I would recommend wearing sandals.
Jason Smith
Avid nude sunbather
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 1997
From: DAN HART (almota@colfax.com)
...this sandy beach is located across the river from the Almota Elevator Company...amount of boat traffic...barge traffic...and thousands of college kids from Washington State University and the University of Idaho makes this not the place to be...this area patrolled by local area sheriffs and state troopers looking for dui's and the like...
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