Tanque Verde Falls is a very popular nude sunning spot east of Tucson. Skinnydipping is popular as well—that is, when there is actually water in the creek. The creek is often bone dry, but it does catch snowmelt from the mountains in the spring and rainwater in late summer during the rainy season (sometimes exaggerated as the "summer monsoon" season).

Near the beginning of the trail that descends into the canyon, there is a sign for Upper Tanque Verde Falls that has been marked over (by locals, not authorities) with messages announcing nude use of the area. As you walk upstream from the creek bed in the canyon, you'll probably encounter nudists within 10 minutes or so. If you visit on a day when there aren't naked bodies to let you know you've found it, you'll know you're in the middle of the nude area when you reach an old dam.

County officials occasionally grumble about nude use of this area, but it seems the threat of any kind of anti-nudity enforcement is virtually nil. There were some police patrols for lewd behavior here is 2004, and the local media got involved to fan the flames, as ratings-hungry TV "news" stations are prone to do, but there is no evidence that there has been any kind of harassment for mere nudity.

Be absolutely sure to bring plenty of drinking water with you.

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 32.2576, -110.6460

city, county, state, country  Tucson, Pima, Arizona, U.S.A.

classification  2 (traditionally nude)

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