Anyone ever stayed at a gay, clothing optional campground?

[Rowdyboy]

We're toying with the idea of visiting one in the mountains of north Alabama. Never done anything like that before (the clothing optional part-we've been camping!). We're 53 and 58 and no great beauties but from the pictures of guests on their website we're at least average.

They have hiking trails, waterfalls, caves and stunning scenery and the prices are dirt cheap (under $50 a night). Friday night cocktails, Saturday night covered dish dinner and Sunday morning Bloody Marys. We'd have a private cabin (I'm not up to staying in the "bunk house"-just too damn old) and the place is pet friendly so we could take the dog.

Any thoughts, suggestions or ROTFLMAO's?

[davidinalameda]

1. camp ground no

hotel yes

it was in Key West

being naked is the great equalizer

go for it

[Rowdyboy]

3. I saw an ad for a place in Key West like that earlier today....except those guys

were young and very, very hot.

We're both a little intrigued but it may be one of those things that sounds better as a fantasy.

[davidinalameda]

7. the one I was at didn't have the young and the very hot

except for me of course


:evilgrin:

[ret5hd]

2. I'm afraid i'd turn 'em all straight.

[Rowdyboy]

4. From the looks of things, pretty much all ages and sizes were guests

and quite a few were dressed. Just a bunch of men appearing to have a pretty good time.

[Botany]

5. No but I have stayed @ a Holiday Inn Express

Kinda the same thing, no? Except it was indoors, I wore clothes
most of the time, and my date was girl.

:rofl:

BTW I love DU .... what a thread title!

Anyone ever stayed at a gay, clothing optional campground?

Sounds like you will have a great time.



please watch out hiking.

[Rowdyboy]

11. I love that commercial! You can find a thread about almost anything on DU

I think the "clothing optional" part is mostly for the pool, hot tub etc. Plus the mountains can get pretty cool and the terrain is a little rough so I imagine hiking would be a lot more comfortable with clothes.

Now why'd you have to go and mention timber rattlers!

[snot]

6. No, but I can't resist recommending David Sedaris's "Naked," . . .

if you haven't read it already.

[Rowdyboy]

12. Never read it but I looked it up on Wiki and it looks really interesting

I'll add it to the list. Thanks!

[WillParkinson]

8. How rude...

You didn't even give us the link to the website so we could...um...research. ;-)

I say go for it. Release the inhibitions.

[Rowdyboy]

13. Far be it from me to deny an inquisitive mind!

http://www.bluffcreekfalls.com/

Let the "research" begin!

[TechBear_Seattle]

24. I would have thought Buff Creek a more appropriate name, but oh well

I'm reasonably certain the link is not "work friendly" so I will wait until latter to take a look. I've known a number of naturists, though, and they go to resorts like this all the time, and find them (generally) safe and surprisingly non-sexual. I say go for it; just remember to pack lots of sunscreen. :hi:

[Rowdyboy]

28. Probably best to save it for this evening.....

This will be a first time for us-hell, we've never even been camping, much less gay, clothing optional camping!

Thanks for the reminder about sunscreen. I definitely would have forgotten.

[terrya]

9. Go for it!

If me and my partner liked camping, we'd do this in a second! Neither one of us are uninhibited about our bodies...we've frequented a nude gay beach on Toronto Island....so, we'd go for a clothing optional campsite (again, if we liked camping! :-))

You guys should do it!

[Rowdyboy]

14. Thanks! We're gonna do SOMETHING fun soon and since we went to New Orleans

last month, I want to try something else. I'm just impressed we can take the dog.....

[dbackjon]

10. I have - in West Tennessee

Most of the guests were clothed, except in the pool, of course.

Interesting experience.

[Rowdyboy]

15. Thanks man....Thats what I was hoping to hear. Most of the pictures

of the place just look like a bunch of guys (mostly dressed) having a good time outdoors. Don't know if we'll go through with it or not but I appreciate the feedback (and reassurance).

[plantwomyn]

16. Most GLBT campgrounds won't publish it on their site.

But after dark most of the campgrounds we go to are "clothing optional".
http://www.campitresort.com/ is a great one here in the Midwest with nooks in the woods where we Dykes do not venture after dark. Within minutes of http://www.douglasdunes.com/ and the Sunday Tea dance is not to be missed. the special is Long Island Ice Tea and bring your nicest undies as that is mandatory attire. Only undies.

[Rowdyboy]

18. We have a gay campground here in Mississippi-"Camp Sister Spirit"

Primarily lesbian but welcoming to all, its located about 30 miles from my hometown. Unfortunately one of the founders died this week so the future is uncertain.

http://www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19297559&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568857&rfi=6

Obviously, from what you say, its time for me to buy some new, upscale underwear!

[plantwomyn]

20. My partner went there when she lived in Tennessee.

She loved it and the mountains. I'll check their site and see if there is anything we can do to help. I'd hate to see them loose their land.

[Rowdyboy]

21. Apparently they were hit pretty hard by Hurricane Katrina....not sure how

bad the damage is. This loss added to that will be tough to overcome. I remember well the huge controversy when they dared to set up in rural Mississippi. Then how all the assholes backed down when they refused to be cowed. Twenty years later it should serve as a lesson about standing up for yourself.

[TankLV]

17. should we bring the banjos?

just asking...

[Rowdyboy]

19. It never even crossed my mind until your question! Damn you!

"I'm gonna make you squeal like a pig...WEEEEEEE"
"Weeee"
"Weeee"
"Weeee"
------------------

"Goddamn, you play a mean banjo!"

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

The rural south, a river, bluffs, rapids, semi-naked men......thank god they don't offer canoeing!

[BillSam]

22. Don't practice age discrimination on yourself

53 and 58 is not that old today. Haven't you heard the slogan "51 is the new 21" -- it's a reaction to the increased sexual activity among older men these days, but it's also true that for many "life begins at 50."

Judging from some of my boyfriends, I'm looking forward to my fifties.

And it doesn't necessarily matter if you're not in great shape (although many 50+ men are in terrific shape). In certain factions of the bear community, for instance, a pot belly is not only desirable but considered an asset!

Go and have a great time!

[bigscott]

23. I agree

I stayed at a clothing optional place in Palm Springs and while the brochure showed all sorts of buff guys, most of us were pretty average :shrug: There is a campground in NE Pennsylvania that I have been to and LOTS of guys were hiking around naked. It was OK though, they had their pointers out guiding the way :woohoo:

[Rowdyboy]

27. Still not sure about hiking au natural

Depends on the terrain and I'm skeptical. The pool, bonfire and hot-tub, however, sound like much more appealing possibilities.

We'll see.

[BillSam]

31. LOL

[Mapman923]

35. Hillside or Oneida?

Oneida is co-ed and pretty rustic.

Hillside is all male and I've been there a lot -- I live an easy half hour drive from both. They are both located in the "Endless Mountains" of Northeastern PA -- which might better be called the "Weather Permitting Mountains." The same summer that prompted Hillside to be renamed Camp Mudslide, the pond at Oneida nearly dried out -- although they are less than 10 miles apart. And one weekend I was freezing in the afternoon at Oneida and by the time I arrived at Hillside I was overdressed. They both have theme weekends and the friendliness/horniness quotient depends on the theme.

I've been working weekends for the past few years, so haven't been to either.

As for the timber rattlers, the nearest concentration of rattlers to either is near Hancock, NY to the northeast, or Mehoopany, PA to the southwest. Besides that, rattlesnakes are not very aggressive; give them a chance to go elsewhere and they will. Ditto skunks, who will only spray if they feel in peril.

Porcupines, on the other hand, are nasty bulldozers, who will walk AT you, if you are in their way.

[Rowdyboy]

36. Wow....Thanks for making your first post here in my thread and welcome to DU....

Never seen a porcupine but the threat would be enough for me to keep my boots on!

[Mapman923]

38. Thanks!

I've been reading DU for a long time, but, after a bad experience on another so-called progressive site that proved to be quite tolerant of homophobic attacks, it has taken me a while to be moved to register on a site again.

But that's OT.

Hillside was something new for a while, and drew campers from New England, Canada, and as far south at DC. The wingnuts might shudder to think that there was man-on-man sex and sharing of bodily fluids going on, but what they really should fear is that there was sharing of political information.

I should also mention that I had a religious experience at Hillside.

No, not that! GEEZ! Get your mind out of the gutter!

It's too long a story to relate here, but one weekend at Hillside I determined that, as a liberal Episcopalian (i.e. a REAL Episcopalian), I have more religious principles in common with atheists than I do with other so-called Christians.

And that has borne fruit as two parishes in my district are imploding over the Robinson issues and I've done my best to be helpful to parishioners injured in those implosions.

And now I am OT again.

For the record, after much experience with both, I'd rather find a skunk in my tent than a porcupine.

[Rowdyboy]

39. Well, I wish you well here....People have different opinions but I've always enjoyed

the site. There may be a few 'phobes but the vast majority of posters are solid friends, IMHO.

As a liberal Episcopalian I can totally relate to your experience. Thank God our priest is both very liberal and very sympathetic (and here in rural Mississippi to boot). I don't know anyone who loathes George W Bush more than he does. He's perhaps the main reason I haven't left the church. I'll take a non-judgemental athiest over a fundamentalist Christian any day of the week!

Do I prefer skunk or porcupine in my tent? Think I'll get a cabin with a door that closes...... :)

[Rowdyboy]

26. We're somewhat isolated in rural Mississippi and don't have many gay friends....

It'll be fun to hang around a lot of guysin a really casual setting. What could it hurt?

And we're both in decent shape, no more than 10 lbs overweight. We go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week so I geel confident no one will point and laugh-at my belly anyway!

This is gonna be fun

[BillSam]

32. Here you are making it sound as if you and your guy

are a couple of decrepit flabby near-mummies and you actually go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week! Ten lbs -- shucks, that's just baby fat! I have a feeling the both of you are going to be totally naked the entire time you're in camp! And loving every minute of it!

Okay, walking around the woods buck naked is another thing, however. I'd rather not have a creepy crawly land on my d--k.

Well, you know what I mean.

[Rowdyboy]

33. Bad habit on my part....I was WAY overweight for years....

then a couple of years ago we joined the gym and loved it. I lost around 45 lbs so now I'm about 5'9", 175 but in my head I'm still 220. Just can't shake the life-long mental image image of being so heavy.

From the feedback I've gotten here I really think we'll have fun. If we make a few gay friends in the process and see a different part of the country, it will be WELL worth the time and effort.

[BillSam]

34. I didn't join a gym

but I lost about 40 pounds through diet and exercise. (I'm one of those people who wouldn't join a gym until I was in good shape, sort of like someone who cleans up the house before the cleaning person comes -- if I ever bothered to clean up the house).

Then I joined the bear community where I'm classified as an otter. The irony is that some of the large classic bears turn up their noses at me (in a nice way, of course) because I'm too thin! Yes, some guys preferred me as a much larger man, but I never felt comfortable, and like you I sometimes still feel 225. Luckily there are plenty of otters and wolves to choose from.

Anyway, have a great time!

[xchrom]

25. when i was younger -- up around russian river -- several times.

really -- had more fun than a barrel of humans.

i only hiked naked once -- never again.

[Rowdyboy]

29. Yeah, that nude hiking thing sounds a little over the top to me....

Hell, we've never done anything like this before but it sounds like fun. I'm getting psyched!

[Rowdyboy]

30. I called the camp with questions....Now all we need to do is pick a date

and make reservations.

Some few scattered parts of DU remain generally warm and supportive. Thank you guys for the opinion, information and-especially-the reassurances.

[MelissaB]

37. You got great responses on this thread.

:hi: Now I have a question as a straight woman working in gay travel. Has anyone been here: http://www.islandhousekeywest.com/

It looks beautiful and has won many awards. I'm wondering if it really is all that. :)

[Rowdyboy]

40. Never been there but damnnnnn....that looks good.....you know what I mean

This has been a good thread though (at least to me). Positive, supportive, informative, funny-like DU used to be before everyone started hating everyone else.