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Hippie Hollow on Lake Travis isn\u2019t officially recognized by the American Association for Nude Recreation.<\/p>\n
Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n
In a city that\u2019s grown decidedly less weird over the years, a few true \u201cKeep Austin Weird\u201d institutions remain. One of the biggest is Hippie Hollow Park<\/a>, the only clothing-optional public park in Texas.<\/p>\n What began decades ago as a remote, informal swimming hole<\/a> is now managed by Travis County Parks<\/a>. Today, the park features a designated swimming <\/a>area on Lake Travis, hiking trails, paved multiuse paths and restrooms.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Is Hippie Hollow really a nude beach?<\/p>\n Call it a nude beach or a clothing-optional<\/a> park\u00a0\u2014 either way, it\u2019s the only park in Texas where visitors can legally spend time nude.<\/p>\n The park is restricted to visitors 18 and older. Travis County adopted <\/a>the age restriction in July 1995 after a group promoting the \u201csocial nudist lifestyle\u201d announced plans for a children\u2019s poster contest at the park, prompting backlash from parents.<\/p>\n \u201cHippie Hollow has not been a serious community problem for a long time and I still don\u2019t believe it is,\u201d then-County Judge Bill Aleshire told the American-Statesman at the <\/a>time. \u201cI think that the flap has been caused by a group with a dumb idea with a poorly written press release that was exploited by talk radio.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The park has also hosted some unusual moments over the years.<\/p>\n In 1993, Bill Scales and Karen Loomis married at Hippie Hollow in front of about 50 nude guests. According to an American-Statesman report<\/a>, even the officiant was nude.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t bother me,\u201d Loomis, then 37, said. \u201cWe came into the world naked. So why not get married naked? It\u2019s very natural, and I\u2019m very much into nature.\u201d<\/p>\n The couple had met just six weeks earlier at the same park where they exchanged vows.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In the photo from the 1977 American-Statesman archives, nude sunbathers relax at Hippie Hollow. Statesman humor columnist John Kelso suggests making the Lake Travis destination campaign headquarters for a run for Austin City Council.<\/p>\n Austin American-Statesman<\/p>\n A history of controversy<\/p>\n Although Hippie Hollow has attracted visitors for decades, it has also seen its share of controversy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Texas law defines indecent exposure as exposing oneself with the intent to arouse or gratify sexual desire while being reckless about whether another person present would be offended or alarmed.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n American-Statesman articles from the 1970s outline planned raids, and letters to the editor during the same timeframe alternate between begging officials to “do something” and defending the public’s right to nudity at the park. Neighbors said the swimming hole attracted “the dregs of human existence” because of visitors using drugs, Statesman reports show.<\/p>\n In 1996, Travis County sheriff\u2019s deputies arrested 42 men during an undercover sting at Hippie Hollow. According to an American-Statesman report<\/a>, all were charged with either indecent exposure or public lewdness involving masturbation or public sex acts.<\/p>\n In 2001, the Texas Supreme Court declined to hear the case of Austin couple Bob and Christine Morton, who challenged the county\u2019s ban on minors entering the park. The lawsuit began after the county approved the 18-and-older rule in 1995 and even landed the couple on Court TV in 1999.<\/a><\/p>\n In 2004, a party barge capsized near the park, injuring two people. Officials never determined the cause, but an enduring urban legend claims passengers rushed to one side of the boat to watch nude sunbathers.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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