Once Reclusive Nudists Opening Up to Outside World

DAWSONVILLE, GA (AP) -- Tucked away along a windy north Georgia lane, Dawsonville's nudist resort was once little more than a few RV sites circled around a foot-deep pond so secretive it was called "Hidden Valley." Times are changing, and the little enclave where folks can bare it all is starting to bare itself to the outside world.

Neighbors and local business owners are now encouraged to stop by for a free visit at the 108-acre property, which was turned into a clothing-optional resort to encourage more visitors. Annual fundraisers for local charities draw hundreds of motorcycle bikers and joggers to its gates.

The new attitude is reflected right down to the name of the resort, which dropped the word "hidden" from its modest welcome sign three years ago.

Joe Lettelleir, the owner of the newly-branded Paradise Valley Resort, says the resort is no longer hiding. He proved his point by taking a cross-country trip on a bus that dared onlookers to call a toll-free number for more information.

Once remote enclaves, nudist resorts are beginning to shed their secretive pasts. The rustic rural mom-and-pop nudist campgrounds scattered across the nation are being joined by glitzy resorts built alongside interstates and key highways. Today's resort owners are joining chambers of commerce, sponsoring charity drives and hosting civic events.

Owners regularly look to one of the oldest nudist spots, the Cypress Cove Nudist Resort and Spa in Kissimmee, Florida, as a pioneer of this openness.

For 20 years, the resort has hosted an annual July open house to welcome neighbors. More recently, it's sponsored a yearly chamber of commerce event and annual "Body of Art" show featuring about 25 artists and their nudist artwork.

Dean Hadley, the resort's manager, says that by opening up to the public, they demystify what they do.