Former Nudist Colony's Residents Chafe At New Owner's 'Textile-Mandatory' Dress Code

COLTON, CA — New owners of the former Olive Dell Ranch nudist colony in Colton have told residents to dress up or ship out, triggering a lawsuit filed by tenants against the RV park's new owners, according to media reports.

It isn't just the shift from clothing-optional that has residents up in arms. It's unsafe living conditions, neglected property amenities, and allegations that new owners are attempting to remove longtime residents, KTLA reports.

The Olive Dell Ranch at 26520 Keissel Road is set in the region's rugged Reche Canyon. The ranch's defunct website once described the facility as a family-friendly nudist resort featuring an RV park, cabins, pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, clubhouse, and miles of hiking trails.

The Olive Dell Ranch was once known as the "friendliest nudist resort in Southern California." According to current residents and some employees who have left the facility, that is no longer the case.

Kenny Palmer, a 12-year resident, told reporters they were told that clothing was required within the park "at all times," which he told KTLA was aimed at driving people out.

Other allegations include eviction threats, cutting off power, and inflated utility bills.

The Olive Dell RV Park has had its share of media attention in the past year. In Aug. of 2024, the bodies of a missing couple, retirees Daniel and Stephanie Menard, along with their dog, Cuddles, were found beneath another resident's RV, according to Redlands Police Department investigators.

The man suspected of that crime, Michael Royce Sparks, remains behind bars on two counts of murder with malice. Sparks is currently awaiting trial on Oct. 5 at San Bernardino Superior Court. He is being held without bail at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department High Desert Jail.

Still, in spite of recent events, many residents told KTLA they want to stay, joining the lawsuit and sending rent by way of certified mail.

Others have had enough.

Resident Todd H. wrote on Yelp nine months ago that "the new owners have decreed that Olive Dell will be textile-mandatory after the first of the year (2025)," he wrote. "It could be Shangri-la, but I'm not going back. See you at Glen Eden (a reference to the nudist colony located in Temescal Canyon, off Interstate 15 in Riverside County, at 25999 Glen Eden Road)."

Glen Eden Sun Club is touted as America’s largest member-owned nudist resort and club. The Glen Eden Sun Club is located on 154 acres at the base of the Cleveland National Forest. The club offers resort amenities amidst the natural beauty of Southern California.

When asked if there was an influx of new residents after the changes at Olive Dell, a manager at Glen Eden had no comment.

Then again, there's always the plethora of California nude beaches along the California coastline.

Attempts to reach the Olive Dell office and new owners were unsuccessful as of this report.

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