Nudist ranch marks 75th anniversary naturally

SPOKANE — Here’s a creative way to beat the July heat.

Kaniksu Ranch Family Nudist Park is celebrating its 75th anniversary this month with an agenda full of activities. This weekend, the park is host to the American Association for Nude Recreation’s regional convention, drawing nude recreationalists from Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska.

Dave Smith, public relations officer for the ranch, said he expects at least 150 people to attend the three-day convention.

The park spans 275 acres near Deer Lake, about 40 miles north of Spokane.

Smith said everyone is welcome — from seasoned nudists with club membership to first-time nudists. Through Sunday, the ranch will organize a wide variety of sporting events, including volleyball, pickleball, shuffleboard and kayak races. It will also offer some educational sessions, such as a social media seminar and a history of nudes in art.

Today, the ranch is hosting American Association for Nude Recreation board meetings; the organization’s executive director will be in attendance.

“It amazes me how many people come to this,” Smith said. “It’s a big family.”

Next weekend, the ranch expects as many as 1,000 runners for its 30th annual Bare Buns Fun Run. Participants in the race — named one of “200 races to run before you die” by the Runner’s Bucket List — have already sold out the ranch’s RV campsites, but overflow campsites are available, Smith said.

The ranch, which is a member of the Deer Lake Property Owners Association, has a good relationship with the surrounding communities, Smith said.

“We want people to know that the people up here aren’t strange. They’re just good people — with their clothes off,” he said.