Rooster Rock State Park has the distinction of being the country's first officially-designated clothing-optional beach, and has been popular since the 1970's. It is located along a beautiful, majestic stretch of the Columbia River, just east (upriver) from Portland. A popular spot for boaters as well, the clothing-optional section is located at the east end of the park. Signs mark the boundary between the "textile" and CO sections. It is managed by the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department.

                                                                               Aerial View of Rooster Rock

View of the CO section of Rooster Rock, looking eastward from the restroom area adjacent to the parking lot, on a cloudy March day. In the distant center background is the traditional "family" area known as Sand Island, which is accessible via the concrete stairs and a wide trail leading from the parking lot, just off to the left of the photograph. The gravel ramp in the foreground leads down to the CO area as well. Much of the reddish-brown willow vegetation in the photo center was non-existent in earlier years, affording a much more open environment. The majority of reported inappropriate activity has been concentrated along the base of the cliff running off into the distance along the right side of the photo.  

Nude use at Rooster Rock saw a steady decline in the 1990's, as invasive vegetative growth filled in much of the open area, and began attracting illicit behavior in the form of sexual activity, voyeurism and occasional drug-related incidents. Many long-time users of Rooster Rock migrated to Sauvie Island, where the beach area is more open. As social nudism continued to dwindle, inappropriate activity began to increase, and soon Rooster Rock acquired a reputation as a place where sexual activity was common. Thanks to a cooperative effort by the Oregon State Parks Dept., individual naturists and several naturist advocacy groups, family-oriented social nudism is returning to the Rock, and the undesirable elements are being flushed out and driven from the park, as they realize their "day in the sun" has now gone.

This year, many events, activities and projects are being planned to bring Rooster Rock back to its glory days as a premier family-oriented CO beach. Please check our calendar page for events, and plan on attending as many as possible!

For more info: Oregon State Parks - Rooster Rock     

Rooster Rock Weather

 

 

 

 

 DIRECTIONS TO ROOSTER ROCK:

 

Rooster Rock State Park is located at Exit #25 off I-84, east of Portland. The off-ramp leads directly to the Park entrance gate. A $3.00 day-use fee is charged. To reach the clothing-optional section, turn right after passing through the entrance gate, and drive to the far east end of the parking lot. There is a restroom and informational sign adjacent to the parking area. Near the sign is a set of concrete stairs leading down to the beach. Accessibility is largely dependent on the river levels from day to day. During lower levels, the most popular spot for nude use is reached by taking the wide trail leading from the base of the stairs and turning eastward. The trail opens up to a wide, clear area of sand, and the raised area known as Sand Island lies just beyond, often separated by an inlet of the river which is usually navigable by foot during low water levels, or by boat during high water levels. The main trail, as well as several "spur" trails, are often boggy or even underwater during periods of high river levels, and beach accessibility may be limited to the area adjacent to the parking lot and ramp, seen in the right-center of the top photo on this page.

 

Map showing location of Rooster Rock State Park in relation to the Portland metro area (left), and park

layout along the Columbia River (right).

 

 

 

 

                                                                

                                                                This view, looking upriver from atop the Columbia River Gorge, shows the effect that high river levels have on access to main beach area at Rooster Rock. The violet-shaded water is usually dry and sandy during low water levels. The Sand Island area is accessible only by boat or determined waders during the conditions shown in this photo. The green line shows the approximate location of the main trail from the parking lot out to the beach area.