Newfane is a small village of about 1600 residents in Southern Vermont, surrounded by tree-covered hills and filled with New England charm. The village dates back to the mid 1700s – it has a long history, and even featured in H.P. Lovecraft’s The Whisperer in Darkness.
Not far away, you’ll find the Gay Beach and Nude Swimming Hole on the Rock River, which has been a safe space for men to gather for over 50 years. At the end of the trail, there are a series of deep, clear water swimming holes. Known as “Indian Love Call” by the locals there is a long tradition of nude bathing on the Rock River as there is in Vermont in general. On any summer weekday or weekend, you will find 50-150 friendly men at the Rock River’s men’s beach.
The Brattleboro area (Brattleboro is 12 miles from Frog Meadow) is well known for its open, gay-friendly progressive values, welcoming attitude, and longstanding embrace of diversity. Vermont was a trailblazer in farm-to-table restaurants and that movement is well represented here. There are numerous Farmer’s Markets and a natural foods coop, 3 microbreweries & a distillery. Brattleboro boasts a rich cultural & visual/performing arts community that includes monthly gallery walks, museums, music, theatre, circus arts performances, frequent artist’s open studio tours, literary & film festivals -including an annual LGBT film festival. Aa a result, it’s no surprise that Brattleboro has been:
- Voted #11 of the “20 Best Small Towns in America” by Smithsonian Magazine…
- Listed as one of “Eight Great Places You’ve Never Heard Of” by Mother Earth News…
- Named #13 among “America’s Top 25 Art Destinations” by AmericanStyle Magazine…
- Ranked one of the Ten Best Small Art Towns in “The 100 Best Art Towns in America”
Newfane’s Own Gay Oasis
Newfane is also home to a well-established gay B&B. Frog Meadow is 4 miles from the Rock River trailhead.
When you pull into the driveway at Frog Meadow you can immediately sense you have arrived at an oasis. A place, as the website promises, where you can shed the trappings of the outside world and be yourself. Owners Scott and Dave – a couple of 32 years – at once make you feel welcome and at ease with their easy openness and good humor.
Bucking the trend of assimilation and the disappearance of gay places, Frog Meadow offers single and coupled men a place to relax, recharge and reconnect with themselves and other guests. Frog Meadow’s guests are primarily Gay, Bi and Trans men but all men are welcome. This unique and special destination resort is off the beaten path and well worth the visit.
After a 16-month pandemic pause Frog Meadow is busier than ever and is a sought-after destination for men of all ages from the US, Canada, and Europe and beyond. Amenities include massage by Dave, a wood-fired hot tub, spring-fed swimming pond, full gym, recreation trails, extensive annual and perennial gardens, and plenty of options to just chill and do nothing on the 63-acre park-like property.
Frog Meadow’s six unique suites, rooms and cottages offer comfy beds with premium bed linens and other high-quality amenities. Your stay comes complete with a full, made-to-order hot country breakfast prepared daily. In season, you will find local berries, apples, preserves, edible flowers, asparagus, fresh herbs – and of course, honey from Frog Meadow’s beehives and apple cider from the orchard at the breakfast table.
In 2023 Frog Meadow will reinstate their all-inclusive Men’s gatherings, workshops & retreats programming with a Fall Yoga & Wellness retreat in late September and a Massage & Tantra retreat in late October. Scott enthusiastically notes “We’re so happy to once again be supporting the community with retreats following the extended COVID break…our men’s gatherings, workshops & retreats provide a rich opportunity to celebrate, transform, integrate and heal body, mind, spirit and sexuality…in a relaxing and comfortable, supportive and safe environment for men.”
Dave’s no-nonsense philosophy on massage is that the body, mind, and spirit are intricately intertwined components of the whole being. If any one part is out of alignment all three suffer. By assisting in bringing the body into balance, the mind and spirit benefit as well. With his XXL hands and a 5’10” and 220-pound muscular frame Dave has the strength and power to work out the deepest tension, and the finesse and gentle touch to pamper and comfort.
Scott & Dave have also been community activists for many years through Frog Meadow’s Community Partners in Pride program. Past and current community partners have included AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, Pride Center of Vermont, Fenway Health, the New England Center for Circus Arts, Grace Cottage Hospital, Out in the Open, Equal Justice Initiative and Rock River Preservation.
Discover Newfane, Brattleboro, and Vermont’s Gay Oasis – why thousands of men from around the world have enjoyed the unparalleled experience that Frog Meadow offers to the Men’s community.
More info: Frogmeadow.com | 877.365.7242 | Facebook | Trip Advisor | Instagram
Getting there: Frog Meadow Oasis for Men is approximately 2.5 hours from Boston, 3.5 hours from New York City and 2 hours from Hartford, CT. Fly into nearby Hartford/Bradley Airport or Boston/Logan. There’s daily train service from NYC, Philadelphia, and DC.
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