For years, an isolated stretch of the American River near Auburn has been known as a haven for nudists.

Recently, that reputation took a lurid turn with published reports of Internet ads promoting the location as a risqué hot spot for nudity and illicit sex.

The postings on Craigslist alarmed elected officials and upset nudist activists. A park superintendent, however, said the problem is relatively minor.

Last week Auburn city officials approved a resolution asking state park rangers to strictly enforce nudity laws and curb offensive activities, which could discourage families from boating, rafting and visiting the city as a destination.

"The city of Auburn wants this to be a major recreational area," Councilman Kevin Hanley said. "We don't want the American River to have a bad reputation."

A segment of the river, south of the confluence of the middle and north fork, was opened last summer to boaters and rafters. Even though nudists have frequented the area for many years, Hanley said, "now you have families and kids and a lot more people traveling down the river."

State park officials said traffic in the area, which is near the abandoned Auburn dam project, is still light. They questioned the validity of the online postings on Craigslist.

M.G. "Mike" Lynch, superintendent of the Auburn State Recreation Area, said park rangers have received no complaints of lewd conduct in public in the past two years.

"It's not really a major issue for us," Lynch said.

For more than 20 years state park rangers have operated under a policy that requires them to enforce nude sunbathing regulations only if a citizen complains, and cite or arrest offending parties if they refuse to comply with requests to get dressed.

Lynch said people usually comply. Citations are rarely issued.

He said other priorities rank higher, such as enforcing bans on illegal campfires that could spark wildfires, and tending to injured hikers or horse riders.

One or two rangers patrol the 40 miles of river canyon at any one time.

Nudists who advocate for the right to use areas where they say there is a "clothing-optional" tradition – most are secluded areas in state parks and beaches – are upset by the Craigslist ads.

"Just because someone posts an ad on Craigslist doesn't mean anything is going to take place," said R. Allen Baylis, president of Friends of San Onofre Beach, a Southern California group fighting attempts by state park officials to enforce nudity laws at the beach.

In 2006, Baylis, also a board member of a national organization called the Naturist Action Committee, successfully led efforts to stop plans by the Auburn State Recreation Area management to post "no nudity" signs and cite nudists, according to the committee's Web site.

"Naturists do not condone lewd conduct in public," Baylis said. "We have worked with the parks department to put a lid on it whenever it has been a problem."

"Responsible naturism is family friendly" and respectful of other people's rights, said Steve Laue, a member of the River Dippers, a Sacramento-area affiliate of the Naturist Society.

Laue said those who engage in illicit public sexual behavior belong to a minority of miscreants who hurt the "naturist" cause.

It's difficult enough to find locations where people can enjoy sunbathing and other healthy activities, Laue said. Nudists fear that negative publicity that associates them with lewd acts could prompt reactionary measures, such as the resolution passed by the Auburn City Council.

Baylis, also a Huntington Beach attorney, said the crackdown at San Onofre State Beach was prompted by complaints of lewd conduct at the beach's parking lot, which is a mile away from where people sunbathe nude.

Baylis said naturists help patrol and take care of state parks and beaches, and have warded off those who use the areas for sex.

All they want, Baylis said, is a sliver of land in state parks where they can exercise their beliefs.

"It's not too much to ask for," Baylis said.

Call The Bee's Chelsea Phua, (916) 321-1132.