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There is very little information available for Alberta, but I try to provide it all. Please send an update if I am missing any sites.
Locations Listed.
Usage changes over time. I encourage you to use discretion in
locating and using the locations listed.
- Alberta
- NORTHERN ALBERTA: Lesser Slave Lake. <<< Added. (2010-7)
- EDMONTON: Edmonton Nude Swims. <<< Updated. (2009-8)
- TOFIELD: Helios Nudist Association (FCN, AANR). <<< Updated. (2009-6)
- CALGARY: Sunny Chinooks Association (AANR, FCN).
- CALGARY: Sunny Chinooks Nude Swims.
- CALGARY: North Glenmore Park --- Unlikely. <<< Updated. (2010-4)
- CALGARY: Weaselhead Flats (Elbow River). <<< Updated. (2010-4)
- CALGARY: Elbow River at Hwy 8 --- Possible nude use. <<< Updated. (2010-4)
- CALGARY: Sheep River Provincial Park --- Possible nude use. <<< Updated. (2009-1)
- CALGARY: McConnell Falls. <<< New. (2009-1)
- LETHBRIDGE: Wheatland Sun Club --- Closed.
Alberta.
NORTHERN ALBERTA : Lesser
Slave Lake.
While Googling something else, I came across this comment on a Plenty of Fish
thread titled "suggestions for nude beaches": "If you live in Alberta, you can
suntan nude up at Lesser Slave Lake. no one bothers you the place is so huge,
so you can tan discreetly." Stave Lake is about 250 km north of Edmonton. Unfortunately,
no specifics were given, but it is huge. [from July
2006]
EDMONTON: Edmonton
Nude Swims.
During the winter months, nude swim nights are held Saturday nights at the
Hardisty Leisure Center, 10565 - 66 Street. Click the link for more information,
or send email to <mr-
lee@shaw.ca>.
Doors are open at 5:45 P.M. Swimming from 6:00 till 7:00 P.M. Facilities include
the pool with big blue mat, hot tub, sauna and a steam room. Cost is $10 per
single adult, $20 per couple. (Couple = 1 male/1 female). Swims are
family orientated and restricted to couples unless prior arrangements have
been made.
Schedule for 2009/2010:
October 17,
November 7 & 28,
December 19,
January 9 & 30,
February 6 & 27 [Last info June 2009]
TOFIELD: Helios
Nudist Association (FCN, AANR).
Open May 1 to September 30. Located 38 km East of Edmonton, this 9
hectare (22 acre) site has a full range of facilities, including
rental accommodations. Box 8, RR 2, Tofield, Alberta, T0B 4J0. (403)
662-2886. [Last info 2009]
CALGARY: Sunny
Chinooks Association (AANR, FCN).
The club owns a campground on the James River north of Sundre
Alberta. They have camping facilities, a large gazebo containing the
hot tub, A small clubhouse, volleyball court, and horseshoe pitch.
They also run swim nights during the winter months. Box 43056, Deer
Valley Postal Outlet, 1221 - Canyon Meadows Dr. SE, Calgary, Alberta,
T2J 7A7. (403) 274-8166. [Last info 2006]
CALGARY: Sunny
Chinooks Nude Swims.
During the winter months, Sunny Chinooks holds monthly nude swim
nights at a local pool. Contact the club for more information.
[Last info 2006]
CALGARY: North Glenmore Park --- Unlikely.
I originally listed this site in 1998, and of all the sites I list, this was
the most controversial. I have recieved numerous emails saying that it is a gay
cruising area, many others that say it really is a nice area for nude sunbathing,
and an email from the local preservation society denying any nude use. Others
saying nude use continues. I don't know who to believe. I removed the listing
for a while, but restored it because I know that agencies that administer
the area have lied to me about this area's use. Because of this, I can't really
believe any of the negative reports or the part about it being an environmentally
sensitive area. If this is really a sensitive area, then I encourage
the preservation society and the local parks board to designate a suitable clothing
optional area. Nudists will be happy to vacate this area when a suitable alternative
is designated. Until then, happy sunbathing!
Update: The last couple of reports
I have received indicate that nude useage has moved further upstream from the
area described here. The new area is more easily accessed from a different
direction, described below (Weaslehead), so that's probably a better bet. [2009]
Description: "Even though there is no real beach, it is a beautiful
area completely surrounded by parkland on the banks of the Glenmore
Reservoir, easily accessible from all parts of the city. On a warm
sunny afternoon there can be as many as 30 people, usually all men,
split between gay and straight. The Glenmore Reservoir patrol boat
occasionally comes up the river, so be prepared to put something on.
However, this seldom happens and you have a much greater chance of
canoeists coming up the river, especially on weekends. It is, as far
as I know, Calgary's only outdoor nude area. It's truly one of the
loveliest areas in the city. A wonderful place to relax and get
brown." [D.G., Feb 1999]
Directions:"Proceed down 37th St SW to the
parking lot just before the park entrance. Take the trail (walking or biking)
west to the Weaselhead bridge. Just before the bridge look for a trail on the
left-hand side of the path. You will have to crawl through a fence, but you
can make it! The path through the bush heads east and can sometimes be overgrown
with bushes. Walking along the Elbow River, you will come to a very tiny creek
that you have to cross, so take your shoes off and start feeling free. Continue
along the path as it winds through some bushes, eventually leading to an open
area by the river. Keep walking. As you approach the next clump of bushes you
may begin to see some nudists, but most of the nudists will be beyond the next
group of trees." [D.G., Feb 1999]
Comment: "Nobody has been using the area on the reservoir (east)
side of the bike path for years, which is the area previously described. Straight
males, some gays, some women have begun congregating on a point bar as far
upstream as you can go without entering the Indian Reserve. This area sees
no interference from birdwatchers or anyone else, as far as I can tell." [Anonymous,
July 2009]
CALGARY: Weaslehead
Flats (Elbow River). [Photo] (GPS: N50 59.529 W114 9.781)
Update: I have split this listing
from the North Glenmore Park listing because this is really a new location.
[April 2010]
Description: "Nobody has been using the area on the reservoir
(east) side of the bike path for years, which is the area previously described.
Straight males, some gays, some women have begun congregating on a point bar
as far upstream as you can go without entering the Indian Reserve.
This area
sees no interference from birdwatchers or anyone else, as far as I can tell." [Anonymous,
July 2009]
Directions: "You can get there from the North Glenmore Park pathway.
Halfway down the hill towards the footbridge, hang a right at the bench and
follow the dirt path westward along the north side of the river. After about
5-10 minutes, there's a washed out clay-cliff area where the path seems to disappear,
but it reappears slightly uphill. You then proceed high on the bank through quite
heavy brush before descending again to the valley. Total walking time to the
'beach' is
maybe half an hour. A rock cairn marks the spot, but people use sandy or vegetated
areas within 200m upstream or downstream of the cairn. You can actually see the
cairn as a whitish blob on Google Maps/Earth." [Anonymous,
July 2009]
Note: "The next beach downstream on the opposite side of
the river also sees some nude use, and there are other gravel bars in the area
that are isolated enough to be suitable. You can get to these areas through a
much easier route, by departing the west side of the bike path using the birdwatchers'
trails in the flats near the south side of the river valley. You will, however,
encounter more members of the public in this area, so discretion is required.
The farther you go from the paved bike path, the better." [Anonymous, July
2009]
Cautions: "Beware of bears
in the spring. Some of the pathways seen on Google Maps/Earth don't actually
exist, and the path you want to use doesn't show up. The road you see on Google
is on the Indian Reserve, and may constitute trespassing or create unwanted
attention if you try to use it to park
near the beach. There's a fence separating city land from the reserve." [Anonymous,
July 2009]
Comment: "There was no one on the beach when I went on
the evening of Friday, August 21, 2009, which was one of the hottest days of
the summer here in Calgary. Very good directions listed on the site (that's
how I found it) but it is quite a trek to get to it; not an easy hike by any
means. I was expecting lots of people like how Hanlan's Point was/is in Toronto,
but there was no one there except me from 3pm until 8pm that evening. The beach
was marked 'nude beach' by
someone (just written in on the sand), so I know I was in the right
place." [Anonymous, Aug 2009]
CALGARY: Elbow River (at Glenmore Trail/Hwy
8) --- Possible nude use. (GPS: N51 1.008 W114 14.425)
"This is a small river that has many channels which change yearly. There are
spots where you can find a bit of privacy and deep enough water to get cooled
off. This is not a big popular nude spot. It is just a little area where my
wife and I go on a hot day. There are tubers and other walkers around so we
are careful to seek out private areas. It is a great place to explore."
Directions: Go west from Calgary on Hwy 8 (which starts as Glenmore
Trail SW). A few miles west of town you will see cars parked just before
a bridge that crosses the Elbow river. The traffic is fast there and it is
a dangerous place to get on and off the highway (so be careful). Walk / wade
upstream to find a spot. Don't bother in the spring because the water is
high fast and cold." [D.B., July 2006]
Comment: "I personally wouldn't use the Elbow River
area, clothed or not. Mostly because they are high use and quite popular
with campers and day-users from Calgary. There are much more peaceful spots
away from the motorhome crowds. But, a brief walk in any direction will take
you away from prying eyes."
[L.F., Sep 2007]
CALGARY: Sheep
River Provincial Park --- Possible nude use?
[Map] (GPS: N50 38.839 W114 39.617 approx.)
A reader pointed me to <BC
Swimming Holes> which describes a series of swimming holes (called Three
Tier Falls) on Junction Creek in Sheep River Park. Although the website lists
the clothing requirements as "unknown", it has possibilities since it is not
on one of the advertised park trails. If you visit this location, please report
on what you find. (And send me a picture!)
Directions: From Calgary, take Hwy 2A south, turn west on Hwy 2X, then
south to Turner Valley on Hwy 22. From there take Route 546 west to Sheep River
Provincial Park. Drive to the last lot and park. Cross the river by a dam and
head up Junction Creek to the swimming holes at Three Tier Falls.
Comment: "I personally wouldn't choose the upper Sheep
or Elbow River areas,
clothed or not. Mostly because they are high use and quite popular
with campers and day-users from Calgary. There are much more peaceful
spots away from the motorhome crowds. But, a brief walk in any direction
will take you away from
prying eyes. I'd certainly suggest a bit of discretion in the Junction
Creek area, especially on weekends, but I can't imagine anyone
stumbling upon you would be concerned to find you lounging in a sunny
glade. At worst, you might end up with a couple of gawkers, who will
maybe be encouraged to do the same or will eventually get bored and
move on. On long weekends, stay away. It's a nightmare of overuse and
bush parties."
[L.F., Sep 2007]
CALGARY:McConnell
Falls.
"I live in this area and can attest to the fact that much if not most of
the area is as clothes-free as you could want. There are no designated areas,
but a two minute walk off the road almost anywhere will completely isolate you
from the world. I regularily go for long exploratory hikes in the buff with my
dog. Park the car and walk up any stream, you'll find a swimming hole in minutes.
Save the swimming for a hot day, though, it's brutally cold mountain water. My
favourite place is McConnell Falls." [L.F., Sep 2007]
Directions: From Calgary, go south on Highway 2, then west on
Highway 540, cross over Highway 22 (also known as The Cowboy Trail) (GPS: N50 25.259 W114 13.883) and continue going west for approximately
half a kilometer to the Bar
U Ranch Historic Site. "Continue driving west until a major fork in
the road. Take the D Ranch fork and drive until the gate and park. DO NOT BLOCK
THE GATES. Walk down to the ranch house and ask permission of the landowners.
The Cartwright family is very generous about access, but want to know who is
up there. If no one is around, leave a note on your dash that you are walking
up to the falls for the day. No camping.
"Now the walking part: About a mile up the ranch road you will see a sign
on the left. Follow this trail, cross the creek and carry on in the ovious direction
for 15 or 20 minutes. The Kananskis Trail Guide has
a sketch map of how to access McConnell Falls and beyond. Pick up a
copy at Mountain Equipment Co-op or another outdoors-y store in any city.
"On a sunny Saturday you may encounter other visitors in the area, but no
one will give a damn if you're naked or otherwise. During the week, you will
be alone (unless you meet me there!)" [L.F., Sep 2007]
Note: "The D and EP ranches are adjacent properties, both
owned by the Cartwright family (yup, just like Bonanza). The road west of Bar
U is kind of a grey area, although I think it's legally a public route. The
ranches in the foothills are a mix of private holdings and crown land.
Crown land is our land, but leaseholders like the Cartwrights have
some rights to control access. The rule is simple in this case: treat
the area with due respect and they won't stop anyone from crossing the
ranch.
Incidentally, this is where the set for the Clint Eastwood movie 'The
Unforgiven' was located. Rent the film for a peek at the spectacular
scenery.
Feel free to post my email <rebeto.star@gmail.com> on your
site. If anyone wants more information they can contact me directly. I can probably
come up with a few photos too if you want to post them. I'd love to meet a few
out-of-towners and show them a few of my 'secret' spots. I take the
odd friend out, but I don't really know
anyone who is as free-minded as me in this respect." [L.F., Sep 2007]
LETHBRIDGE: Wheatland Sun
Club --- Closed.
Non-landed club. Box 1955, Lethbridge, Alberta, T1J 4K5. (403)
320-2273. [Last info 1997]
Comment: "I think that the Wheatland Sun Club is inactive
because I can't seem to get in contact with them." [Ted, Aug
2001]
Comment: FCN has listed this club as inactive
[Feb/2006]
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