Northbank Park is located along the James River south of downtown Richmond. If you make your way to river level from the entrance of the park, you'll reach an area often called Texas Beach (because access is from Texas Avenue). It's actually a rocky area, not a sandy beach. The river bed is about a quarter mile across and strewn with large rocks in this area. Near the north bank, multiple rivulets cut the land into small islands. One of these islands is popular with nude sunbathers—virtually all gay men.

Vice cops have conducted sting operations here in the past, but their presence seems to have diminished over the past several years. As indicated in the hiking directions (see the green hiker placemark), this place requires a concentrated effort to even find, and police generally have trouble maintaining a sustained presence at a site that requires as much effort to reach as this one does. In a 2004 article in Richmond.com about Richmond's swimming and sunbathing areas, the manager of the James River Park System was quoted as saying that "This is a very isolated area and it seems to me [nude sunbathers are] going out of their way to be discreet. However, I do have to point out it [nudity] is illegal." Discretion is indeed the key. It is very unlikely that those who are not in the know are going to hike here, but there is the possibility of being seen by river recreationists. Always cover up if you see rafters or kayakers on the river to avoid potential complaints.

When you visit, be advised that the nude area is tricky to find, so be prepared to explore a bit. The pinpointed placemarks should give you enough information to let you know you've found the right general area. Also know that you may have to wade through as much as two feet of water, depending on the river level. When you find the right area, you'll be able to see across the James River looking south, and Nickel Bridge will be in view to the west.

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 37.5308, -77.4780

city, county, state, country  Richmond, (N/A), Virginia, U.S.A.

classification  4 (potentially risky)

There are 6 placemarks related to this site.