Star Ranch

Historic nudist club (founded in 1957) on a 166-acre ranch among pines and pastures in McDade, about 45 minutes east of Austin. It is a private, member-run club, open all year round to visitors too: to enter for the first time you need a criminal background check (for a fee, best done by phone before arriving) and every guest must register at the office. Accommodation is in rustic cabins, in rooms with a shared bathroom in the clubhouse, in tents or in RVs on sites with 30/50 A hookups. The heart of social life is the large outdoor pool (35×70 feet) with shade sails, a covered pavilion and a hot tub; there are pickleball, beach volleyball and pétanque courts, walking trails within the grounds, a meditation labyrinth and, at weekends, evenings with dancing, potlucks and karaoke. The club is clothing optional, but nudity is mandatory in the pool and hot tub. Those who have been describe a family atmosphere, very welcoming to newcomers, quiet during the week and livelier at weekends; criticism mainly concerns the handling of the background check at the gate and the limited availability of food on site (restaurant only at weekends in season). Dirt roads and simple facilities: anyone looking for a polished resort may be disappointed.