The Huntington River Gorge is a beautiful, narrow, easily accessible area of cascades and pools that stretches a couple of miles upstream from the point where the Huntington River (a deep, narrow creek) flows into the Winooksi River, just east of Richmond. A multi-tiered waterfall, the tallest drop of which is 12 feet, is the most prominent feature of the gorge, and it is located about two miles upstream from (i.e., south of) the Winooski. Nudity has long been practiced in the lower gorge, downstream from the waterfall toward the confluence. This area is below the more dramatic upper gorge (farther south), which draws sightseers and textiles.

The southern limit of the nude area has traditionally been in the vicinity of a horse farm that is located along Dugway Road roughly halfway between Cochran Road and Huntington Road. However, this priggish new owner of the horse farm has caused trouble here. She apparently goes out of her way to patrol the gorge for nudity and frequently calls the Richmond Police, who show up to enforce an anti-nudity ordinance that no one knew or cared about before. The place you are mostly likely to attract her attention is close to her property. This upstream area has traditionally been the gay area of the gorge. Cop visits have woefully become frequent over the past several years, but their tactics are not heavy handed since that wouldn't go down too well in liberal Vermont. If you are caught naked, you will simply be told to dress. It seems this will continue until the owner sells or gets tired of being a prude.

A more important warning is this: the gorge is treacherous when the water level is high. 20 people have drowned here over the past 40 years. The most dangerous spot seems to be the pools above the previously mentioned waterfall, which are used by textiles. It is best to avoid these pools, which are above the nude area anyway. However, there are other dangerous areas when there is a lot of water. High water means a swift current, and you can be swept away in an instant. Be careful. If in doubt, ask a local. Regulars know when it is and is not safe to swim.

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 44.3678, -72.9661

city, county, state, country  Richmond, Chittenden, Vermont, U.S.A.

classification  2 (traditionally nude)

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