Dogfish Point — Nude Beach!?
Dogfish Point, the beach I’ve been going to for more than a year, is actually a nude beach.
Not that you’d know. I’ve been there more times than I can count and haven’t seen a single nude person. I didn’t even know it was “clothing optional.”
But it is.
Not saying that that’s bad, to each his own, but it would have really taken me off guard to see that. In fact, you shouldn’t let that stop you from going either. This beach is beautiful enough that if you’re not comfortable with naked strangers it is worth the risk.
And if you are comfortable with naked strangers, then this is definitely the place for you.
Dogfish Point is a beach that is off of a road called Chuckanut Drive. Chuckanut Drive is a scenic byway between the towns of Burlington and Bellingham. It overlooks a bay called Samish Bay, and in some parts is right on the cliff going down to it.
Anyway, after pulling off of Chuckanut Drive, the hike down can be a bit dangerous. In fact I would describe it as near-cliff-face. But there are ropes to stabilize on so you should be fine. Should be.
If you like hiking this is a good challenge, otherwise just suffer through it. It’ll be worth it.
At the bottom you will find train tracks. Yes, trains do travel on them, and yes, walking on train tracks can be dangerous. Plus you’ll be right on the wrong side of a corner, so that kind of ups the danger factor a bit. But don’t worry, they say the rails will sing to warn of oncoming trains.
I’ve heard it. You got about 15 seconds when you hear it.
Then when the train is going by, it changes from singing to dying whales screaming into your ears. Make sure to plug your ears until the train is gone. Unless you enjoy torture. In that case listen all you want.
Don’t let any of this turn you off of going there. Just the calm of the beach (between trains) is worth all of it. My favorite thing to do is pack firewood down in backpacks, then have a fire with friends at the amazingly built fire pit area.
So the point has two sections. The northern section is the beach area. In the beach area there is a beach. It’s pretty self explanatory. Just imagine smooth gravel mixed in with sea shells and seaweed. On the south side is a rock garden, complete with walking paths, rock statues, and railroad spike fire pit with rock seating area. The accepted story about this is that one old man, who goes down there all the time, slowly built all of the rock garden area. By himself.
The point alone is just a great place to be and explore, but that’s not what makes it so great. What makes Dogfish Point so great is that it’s a safe place to be yourself, to interact with people who you’ve never met, and to have a nice, relaxing time with your friends. The memories are the best thing about it, because it isn’t the place that makes the memories, but it is the memories that make the place. Go make some of your own.
Plus the view over the bay is spectacular.