Party Cove still goes on - as far as I understand the nudity and racous behavior goes on as usual even though the actual location has moved several times over the years.
The state legislature considered enacting specific legislation to outlaw nudity on Missouri lakes - that was in 1998 and 1999 but the measure did not proceed to a floor vote so was never passed. The nudist community fought the measure - more to protect the rights of bona fide nudists - not so much to endorse Party Cove practices. The measure did not resurface in 2000 and 2001.
Existing Missouri law can cover much of what takes place in Party Cove - the state law is broad enough to give the Water Patrol or Highway Patrol power to shut down the Cove but they don't choose to do so. The economoics of Party Cove are pretty impressive by now - big boats, thousands of visitors, lots of beer, food, services so there is a constituency.
A website with a list of state by state laws pertaining to public nudity is at:
http://home.att.net/~saran/list.htm .
The full Missouri statute is at:
http://www.moga.state.mo.us/statutes/c500-599/5660093.htm where the intent of causing affront or alarm is a key element of exposure that would trigger a Class B Misdemeanor. I'd question whether you could possibly cause affront or alarm to Party Cove regulars. And anybody in the midst of Party Cove knows exactly where they are and what to expect. It's one community where community standards would allow about anything for the over 18 crowd.
As a nudist interested in utilizing public spaces in a responsible manner, I'm not overly enthused about defending Party Cove - it's the scene of blatant public sexual display, excess drinking and frankly it's a world unto itself. But when espousing the rights of "legitimate" nudists it's hard to draw the line between what we regard as responsible nudism and Party Cove type nudism. So our fight is their fight is our fight.
I say all this as someone who's never been to Party Cove. Probably never will be. Would be interesting to hear from some who have. What do you think of the scene there?
Go to Google or Alta Vista, type in "Party Cove" and you'll find plenty of websites selling Party Cove videos and displaying photos. It's no ordinary nude beach scene - in fact such behavior at a nude beach would have the beach regulars up in arms as it would surely jeopardize the nude-use status of a clothing optional beach.
Sort of preachy of me - but my views.
Dick