Country
United States
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
Year-round (October to April is most comfortable; summers are very hot)
About Shangri La Ranch
Shangri La Ranch is a family-friendly, clothing-optional resort in the Sonoran Desert at New River, about 45 minutes north of Phoenix. Founded in 1959, it is affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) and is now home to more than 150 full-time residents, so it feels like a small nudist community as much as a resort; most residents are retirees, though children are welcome. Visitors can stay in basic rooms, efficiencies or cabins, or use more than 110 camping sites ranging from dry camping to full-hookup RV pads. Facilities centre on a pool kept warm all year, a hot tub and sauna, plus a clubhouse with a big fireplace, dance floor and indoor dining, a library and games room, a playground and laundry. Sports include volleyball, water volleyball, pickleball, tennis, basketball and horseshoes, and there are desert hiking trails. The weekend Bare Buns Café serves meals, but no alcohol is sold (bring your own). Clothing is optional everywhere except the pool, hot tub and sauna, where swimsuits are not allowed; sit on a towel. Dances, DJ nights and fitness classes run year-round, and demand has grown sharply since 2020.
Legal context & local rules
Nudity is lawful on the private resort grounds in Arizona. Swimsuits are banned in the pool, hot tub and sauna.
Public nudity is largely prohibited in the US under indecent exposure laws which vary significantly by state. Vermont has no state-level law against public nudity, making it unique. Florida designates specific beaches as clothing-optional (Haulover Beach, Blind Creek State Park). Federal jurisprudence under the First Amendment has occasionally recognised nude expression in protests, though states regulate for public decency standards. Most states prohibit exposure of "sexual organs" in public under statutes similar to Florida Statute § 800.03.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
The resort is at 44444 N. Shangri La Lane, New River, AZ 85087, off I-17 north of Phoenix; a car is needed. Day visitors register at the front office between 9 am and 5 pm and must leave by 7 pm. 2026 rates: resort fee $20 per person per day (20% off for national nudist-organisation members), rooms $55-$110 a night plus resort fee, RV full hook-up $20 and dry camping $15 a night (no dry camping June-August), tents up to two weeks. Annual memberships cost $600 a couple or $400 single. Book at least 24 hours ahead; call 623-465-5959.
What visitors say
Local TV coverage and naturist blogs describe a friendly, social community with an older core of residents and a busy weekend calendar. Visitors praise the warm pool, the desert setting and the low prices, and note that weekends book up quickly and full-time sites have a waiting list of several years. Summer heat is intense, so most visitors favour the cooler months.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
33.5866, -112.3967
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Shangri La Ranch for the day?
Yes. Register at the front office between 9 am and 5 pm; day passes expire at 7 pm. The 2026 resort fee was $20 per person per day.
Is nudity required?
Clothing is optional around the grounds, but swimsuits are not allowed in the pool, hot tub or sauna.
Is it family friendly?
Yes. It describes itself as family friendly and has a playground, though most residents are older adults.
Is it open in winter?
Yes. It is open year-round and the pool is heated; winter is the most popular season.
Can I buy alcohol there?
No. It is a bring-your-own resort and no alcohol is sold on site.
Sources
- Two Exceptional Clothing Optional Resorts to Visit in Arizona (AANR, 2025) Official
- Shangri La Ranch (official site)
- Resort Rates - Shangri La Ranch
- Shangri-La Ranch is taking off as a place where everyone is comfortable in their own skin (FOX 10 Phoenix)
Researched 25 October 2026 ; confirmed against an official source 25 October 2026.
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