Where is Mountain Air Ranch? How big is it?

MAR is located not far from Tiny Town, west of Denver near Highway 285. It's a 15-minute drive from C-470 & Kipling, and the same from C-470 & Hwy. 285. MAR has 150 acres in the foothills of Denver, with ten miles of hiking trails.

Is MAR open year-round?

Yes. And we do schedule some family activities there during the winter months, particularly with the teen group. While the pool is closed during the coldest months of the winter, the outdoor hot tub, clubhouse and Kids Room are open all year.

Are there really families at MAR?

Yes, many. And they are active and interactive. Working with the MAR Family Coordinator, they plan family activities throughout the summers. You can read the experiences of some of our current MAR families here. Parents often coordinate their times at the Ranch with other families having kids of similar ages, so that the kids can play together.

Are all families welcome?

You bet. A family unit for MAR purposes is a couple or single parent, with kids. That includes almost everybody parenting a child or children. And we welcome extended families: grandparents and grandkids, and aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, sisters, brothers and about any other relatives you have.

How will I meet other families?

It's simple. When you come to MAR, other families will come over and introduce themselves. And like everywhere else, when your kids start playing with other kids, you also meet their parents. MAR's Family Coordinator is also available to help with information and advice about our families and family activities.

Will my kids find friends at MAR?

Guaranteed! We have many activities for kids, so your children naturally play and become friends with other kids. And kids always gravitate to the pool and playground to play together. You will find families at MAR every weekend throughout the summer, and on many weekdays as well.

What about my teenage child?

We have teenagers active through their own group, the MAR Teens. This group has monthly meetings and schedules activities throughout the year.

It's true that older teens tend to become less interested in MAR. It's a combination of factors: their peer groups are more important, hormones are raging, and nudity becomes intertwined with adolescent sexual culture.

Two things help teens maintain their connections with MAR: friends and family. Our experience has been that teens will continue to participate with friends, and they will often come to enjoy MAR with their families. And children who are long-time MAR members come back more frequently even as they grow older.

How should we introduce our kids to MAR?

Every family is different, but here's one approach. Have a discussion with your kids about the opportunities at MAR. Let them look at the pictures of our Kids Room and the playground. Take a positive approach to this new family adventure, but explain to them that this is a slightly different resort than most. Reassure them that you have already been to the Ranch to check it out - which we encourage. Then consider bringing them up on one of our Family Days when we have many family activities and a larger number of kids present. This should increase their comfort level.

Should we visit MAR before bringing the kids?

Don't hesitate to come on up to check the place out first! (Calling ahead to the Ranch office is always a good idea before you come up the first time.) Talk to the other families you meet there. Then bring the kids for one of our scheduled Family Days.

This is all good, but can I talk to another family first to learn their experiences?

Not a problem. Call the Ranch office at 303-697-4083, and they will have one of our long-time families contact you. Please read the experiences of some of our current families too.

Won't my children be harmed by seeing their parents (or others) naked?

The evidence (and our experience) is to the contrary. Most kids aren't very concerned about clothes or no clothes - they just want a fun environment. An environment where no one wears clothes makes nakedness normal for everyone. And it's not uncommon for families attracted to MAR to already enjoy a relaxed approach to occasional family nudity. For an excellent article about nudity and children, read "Children, Social Nudity, and Scholarly Study" here.

Will I get turned in to the Department of Social Services if people find out? Will they take my kids away?

No. Nudist resorts are well-established features of the American landscape. Indeed, MAR has been here for 75 years. DSS has enough to worry about without making a fuss about non-sexual social nudity in an established setting. The last time that DSS looked askance at MAR was in 1934!

Isn't MAR filled with perverts and pedos?

The good news is that the members at Mountain Air Ranch are screened carefully. Perhaps surprisingly to outsiders, the Ranch is a very non-sexual environment. The other good news is that Ranch members watch over the children - in many ways it's like an extended family. Our experience has been that the Ranch is a very safe environment for children, a comment we have heard from parents again and again.

I'm worried about my kids telling our relatives.

Yes, that's a concern. I mean--what kind of parents let their kids run around NAKED... and what WILL the relatives think?? (And seriously, we've all had this issue and concern.) The good news is that in this day and age, relatives are increasingly likely to be accepting.

However, if you are concerned about particular relatives, a simple discussion with your kids can diminish the problem. For example, you might tell your kids that "Grandmother would be very uncomfortable if she knew that MAR was a nudist resort. In her generation they just didn't do that. If the subject comes up, just tell her it's a place with a great playground." Or, have a discussion with that relative yourself, explaining what the Ranch is and why it's a healthy choice for your family.

What about my child's friends knowing about MAR?

Sometimes your child's friends will want to come to MAR too. Assuming their parents agree, sharing the Ranch experience with your child's friends makes the Ranch less of an oddity--and it gives your child another friend to play with at MAR. On the other hand, sometimes kids can be mean to others who are perceived as "different." However, children who have good experiences at MAR and have friends there are far less vulnerable to this.

Do friendships between families extend beyond the Ranch?

Frequently. The families at MAR are nice people - and often very interesting. You have at least three things in common already: children, Colorado, and an enjoyment of a unique lifestyle. It's not uncommon that your Ranch friends also become your best friends.

So it's all fun in the sun at MAR?

No. Sometimes the kids get cranky. Sometimes it rains. Sometimes our pool toys deflate. Sometimes, if you aren't careful, you get sunburned. And sometimes it's just too much work to drive up to MAR when you could watch TV with a cold brewski. But overall, it's a different and delightful way for families to enjoy the Colorado outdoors together.

What if I have other questions?

Call the MAR office at 303-697-4083 and ask! Or come visit Mountain Air Ranch.