by John Bryant

Created on: February 04, 2010

Tucson may be best known for its cowboy and Mexican 'flavor' but it's also home to a recreation site the rival of any in North America. Having been a stagecoach stop, dude ranch, shelter for abused women, and gay resort in its more than 150 years of existence, the Mira Vista Resort in Marana (www.miravistaresort.com) is now one of the premier 'naturist' .... read: nude ... resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Located on a large, isolated plot in a quiet residential area in Tucson's almost perpetually sunny and warm Sonora Desert, the resort attracts naturists from around the world for sun, fun, and clothed excursions to southern Arizona’s many other attractions, too, when they've had too much sun and choose to venture out.  The resort is a member of the American Association of Nude Recreation (

www.aanr.com).

I was fortunate to visit Mira Vista on an unusually hot Tucson Saturday in mid July … those from the desert southwest know the type, when the air feels like a blast furnace … when the resort was participating in AANR's effort in the U.S. and Canada to set the Guiness 'World Record Skinny-Dip', the most people 'skinny dipping' simultaneously ever! When I entered the resort’s lobby I gathered with others around the event registration desk, noting a mixture of Mira Vista's members and others who may or may not have been naturists but who were visiting Mira Vista for the first time. A mixture of already nude and just arrived, clothed people. After registration and well before the designated 'skinny dip' time, those of us who were 'first timers' were given a quick tour of the grounds.

You may have an out of date image of a naturist resort as ramshackle cabins, tents, or RVs and trailers and those still exist but the image certainly doesn't fit Mira Vista. For example, the 'lobby' has beautiful hardwood floors, bookshelves filled with a wide selection, and there was even a grand piano tucked in one corner. A small restaurant steps away serves a remarkably wide choice of meals throughout the day but 'dressing for dinner' here means bringing a towel upon which to sit!

The 19th century stagecoach stop is now the resort's clubhouse, bar, and dance floor and guests probably enjoy its big TV during sports seasons. Mira Vista's pool complex includes a large heated swimming pool, water volleyball pool, 'conversation' pool, and a large ramada to escape the sun. There was a perpetual and spirited water volleyball

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>