Legendary Nude Bowl in Desert Hot Springs Draws Skaters Worldwide

The abandoned swimming pool has a storied history as a skateboarding destination despite repeated efforts to shut it down.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Nude Bowl, an abandoned kidney-shaped swimming pool in Desert Hot Springs, California, has a fascinating history. Originally part of a nudist resort called Desert Gardens Ranch, the pool was later discovered by skateboarders in the late 1970s who realized it was perfect for skating. Despite repeated attempts by authorities to fill in or destroy the pool, skaters have persistently dug it out and rebuilt the structure, turning the Nude Bowl into a legendary destination for skateboarding enthusiasts from around the world.

Why it matters

The Nude Bowl's enduring popularity as a skateboarding destination highlights the passion and determination of the skateboarding community, as well as the challenges that authorities face in trying to control or shut down unsanctioned recreational sites. The pool's history also reflects the evolution of the Coachella Valley, from a hub for nudist resorts to a magnet for extreme sports enthusiasts.

The details

Beginning in the late 1970s, skateboarders discovered the abandoned Nude Bowl and quickly realized its potential for skating. Despite the remote location and lack of paved roads, word spread through the skateboarding world, and the site soon became a destination for enthusiasts traveling from around the globe. By the 1990s, the area had become a gathering spot for frequent parties and skate sessions, occasionally turning violent with reports of fighting and even guns. In response to complaints, authorities eventually filled the pool with dirt, but the skaters returned, removed the dirt, and repaired the bowl. Police came back again, this time breaking up the concrete and burying it once more, but the skaters dug it out and rebuilt the structure yet again.

  • In the late 1970s, skateboarders first discovered the abandoned Nude Bowl.
  • By the 1990s, the Nude Bowl had become a gathering spot for frequent parties and skate sessions.

The players

Steve Sumrall

A resident historian at NBC Palm Springs who has been chronicling the history of the Nude Bowl.

Desert Gardens Ranch

A former nudist resort in Desert Hot Springs, California, where the Nude Bowl was originally part of the property.

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What they’re saying

“The Nude Bowl remains a legendary part of skateboarding culture. Its influence even inspired a replica feature at the Palm Springs Skate Park.”

— Steve Sumrall, Resident historian (NBC Palm Springs)

The takeaway

The Nude Bowl's enduring legacy as a skateboarding destination, despite repeated efforts to shut it down, underscores the passion and determination of the skateboarding community. It also reflects the evolving landscape of the Coachella Valley, where unconventional recreational sites can take on a legendary status and inspire new generations of enthusiasts.