CrescentRockBeach

Stay off the BNSF rail line or exercise caution while walking to the West or South Beach. There are blind corners where trains have hit people in the past.

BNSF train heading south along the Ocean Park bluffs.
Photo by Don Pitcairn

Crescent Rock Beach is the 6 km. of shoreline from the west side of White Rock to the southern end of Crescent Beach that is protected by the Ocean Park bluffs. Any spot that is out of view from the tracks above can be used for nude recreation but there are three main areas historically utilized by naturists. Visit wikimapia.com to zoom in on these private beach locations and their access points

Crescent Rock Main Beach. This area has the finest sand and is the easiest one to reach especially if you are mobility challenged. Walk south along the shore from Crescent Beach in Surrey past the elevated metal staircase until you get to the giant Crescent Rock boulder located on the point. The naturist area begins once you are out of sight from Crescent Beach. It can also be accessed by going down the 101 Steps staircase at the west end of 24th Ave., then turning left and walking south to beyond the Crescent Rock. The main beach extends south for 200 meters until the brush shielding it from the tracks above ends.

Crescent Rock West Beach. Raised beach beds were constructed long ago on the shoreline midway between the Crescent Rock boulder and Ocean Park. You can find them by walking further south from the Crescent Rock Main Beach. Easier access is from the 1001 Steps staircase at the west end of 15A Ave. in Surrey. From the bottom of the stairs turn right and go north for about 500 m. until you reach the 126 mile railway marker sign. There you will find about 15 platforms built above the high-tide mark and out of sight from the train tracks. The shore is a little rocky in this location, but these beach beds are lined with small pebbles and course sand. This is a fantastic place to watch bald eagles and flocks of great blue herons in late spring.

Crescent Rock South Beach. The longest and most secluded of the three naturist areas, it can be reached from either Surrey or White Rock. From Surrey, go down the 1001 Steps staircase at the west end of 15A Ave., then turn left heading south going past the Kwomais point where the shoreline turns east. Another area is the Olympic trail on 13th Ave. just west of 131 St. Follow the wooden staircase down to the viewing platform and then take the trail to the left of the deck down to the beach. Any spot with privacy and sand is a naturist area for over a mile.
From White Rock there are two access points. You can walk west for about 20 minutes from White Rock's West Beach to find the secluded areas of this shoreline. A shorter way is to go to the south end of 140th St. in Surrey, which turns into Nichols Road after crossing into White rock. Take this south to Terry Road, turn left, and follow it one block east to the dead end. The Coldicutt trail leads down the ravine to the beach. At the bottom, turn right and walk west until you find Hermit's Haven and other quiet areas suitable for nude recreation.

Bridgeview Reach Nude Beach: Located on the north bank of the Fraser River just east of the Patullo Bridge in north Surrey. To get there, take the King George Hwy. north towards the Patullo Bridge, veering to the right before the bridge onramp onto 112th Ave. in front of the Turf Hotel. Follow this road straight ahead past the 4-way stop and it will go under the train trestle, turning right on Musqueum Dr. at Ritchie Brothers and after an S-bend will pass the Amix Salvage yard. The beach is located at the east end of a fenced blackberry field upstream from Amix next to a slough. Enter through the large hole in the fence that leads to the trail accessing the shore. There is about 200' of fine grey sand beach with a muddy shore and a view of the Fraser and New Westminster. Bring a picnic or a fishing rod and enjoy the constant parade of river boat traffic on this busy waterway.

Barnston Bare Beach: Metro Vancouver purchased this prime piece of naturist real estate in 2009, ensuring public access once again to this historic nude beach found at the eastern point of Barnston Island in the Fraser River across from Port Kells. To get there head east on 104 Ave, east of 176 St. and north of the #1 Freeway where the road will end at the Barnston Island Ferry dock. Take the 5 minute ride on this free tugboat ferry across Parsons Channel to Barnston and then turn right and head east on the Dike road. Pass through the Katzie First Nation Reserve and continue driving until you reach the far eastern end of the island where the road will curve to the left following the shore. There is a metal gate you pass through on the right side of the road with parking on either side of the dirt road heading into the forest. An abandoned farm is located directly across the street from the gate where you can also park. Depending on weather and conditions you might be able to drive to the beach allowing access to those who are mobility challenged. The sandy beach changes with the height of the Fraser but during most of the year a flat expanse of sand is ringed with a mound of sand, making it popular for playing nude volleyball. Enjoy the view of the new Golden Ears bridge which is far enough away that visibility for passing motorists is not a distraction. If possible, plan on leaving your car on the mainland and taking your bike for this very scenic 9.8 km. ride around the entire island.

Barnston Bare Beach