If you are looking for nude beaches in Michigan, you are not alone. The state has many beautiful spots where you can get away from the daily grind of your work and life and simply relax. Whether you prefer a place where you can swim, a place where you can surf, or a place where you can just go for a walk, there is a beach for you.
Otter Creek Beach
Otter Creek Beach is one of the many nude beaches in Michigan. It has been a long time since the park rangers at Otter Creek have had to deal with a naked sex shaming visitor. That’s because most nudists are good at covering up when a ranger approaches.
Located within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, this nifty little nude beach is a must see. The sand is a nice, smooth, sandy, soft, and oh so relaxing. There’s plenty of room to spread out and relax. This is a great place to start a naturist’s exploration of Northern Michigan.
Notably, this is one of the most popular nude beaches in the state. Nudity has been an in vogue occurrence on this stretch of coastline for years. Although there is no official designation, the most obvious answer is to call it a naturist-friendly area.
On the positive side, the rangers are nice and casual. They rarely go overboard, but they will politely ask you to put on your clothing. When it comes to the nitty gritty, it’s a bit of a mystery why the park rangers are not able to find anything illegal.
Aside from a decent size parking lot, this is the only real amenities at Otter Creek Beach. If you’re in the mood for something a little more sophisticated, there are a handful of restaurants nearby.
Bonny Doon Beach
Bonny Doon Beach is not an official nude beach, but it has its own devoted group of nudists. Nudists have gathered at this quaint cove for years. The northern end of the beach has a large flat rock that marks the beginning of the clothing-optional area.
A few years ago, local law enforcement started cracking down on nudists. This resulted in several arrests, but it’s unlikely that they’ll come after more. If they do, it’s not likely they’ll bother to ask people to put their clothes on.
Bonny Doon Beach is located along Highway One, just north of Santa Cruz. It’s not recommended for swimming because of the strong rip currents.
There are two sections to the beach, one for nudists and the other for clothed beachgoers. The clothing-optional area is at the more secluded northern end.
Bonny Doon Beach is located in the Coast Dairies State Park. This park is also home to Shark Fin Cove, a beautiful beach with a large rocky cliff.
Public nudity is a controversial issue in the United States. While federal law does not prohibit it, local and state governments have the authority to ban it. Some progressive communities are making their beaches “nude-friendly” and designing them to be clothing-optional. But the legalities of doing so are not entirely clear.
Bonny Doon isn’t the only nude beach in Michigan. Playalinda Beach, which is part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, is nearby.
Forest Hills Club
If you want to experience clothing-optional nudity, Michigan has some excellent nude beaches. Some of the most popular are in the southern region.
Mazo Beach used to be considered one of the best nude beaches in the country. However, the beach was closed due to land and water issues. It is unlikely that it will reopen as a nude beach.
For those who want a more secluded experience, the State of California has a number of options. Devil’s Slide is the only official nude state-owned beach. In addition, there is a nude area at the Magnuson Swim Beach.
The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) offers a variety of events for naturists. These include a family nudist event and a group of young nudists. AANR also maintains a web site for those interested in the naturist lifestyle.
Other nude beaches in Hawaii include several in the Kona area. One is on the Big Island. The Hangin’ Loose Clothing Optional Retreat & Botanical Gardens is located on 30 minutes from Hilo.
There are also nudist beaches in the Pacific Northwest. Oregon has a handful. Alaska has a few as well. While some people enjoy the freedom of letting it all hang out naturally, others may prefer to have a little more control over the situation.
The Avalon Resort is a 140-acre clothing-optional resort. This is also located in the Rock River valley.
Las Vegas Naturists
Las Vegas Naturists is a nature-oriented, nude-recreation destination. The resort is located on 80 acres of land. It has many amenities.
There is a large list of activities at the naturist resort. One popular activity is the Poolside Dance. Another is the Live Wire Band. Several other activities include volleyball, horseback riding and golf cart rentals.
You can find out more about the naturist resort by visiting its web site. On the site you will find a list of activities, FAQs and photos. They also have a calendar of events and a membership form.
Many naturists like the freedom of being naked with friends. Some also like the freedom of letting it all hang out naturally.
One naturist group is the Michigan Nude Beach Advocates. This group is a Yahoo group. It encourages naturist subgroups.
Another naturist group is the Washtenaw Skinnydippers. The group is local. They hold naturism-related activities, such as naked bingo.
Aside from the naturism-related activities, this group also has a social club. Members have access to a pool, tennis court and tropical park.
This 320-acre private member resort has a naturism-related calendar of activities. They also have a clothing-optional swimming beach.
These are just a few of the many nude-recreation destinations in the United States. Check out the American Association for Nude Recreation’s website for more information.
Creating a naturist group is a great way to make more naturist friends. And it can help to move Michigan toward full legal accommodation of naturists.
Camp NCN
There are a number of nude beaches in Michigan. The two main areas are located on the west and east sides of the state.
One of the best nude beaches in the Midwest is Mazo Beach. It was considered the premiere nude beach of the Midwest until water blocked the area in 2016.
However, it’s not likely that the nude area will ever reopen. Instead, visitors should plan to swim in bathing suits.
Another clothing-optional beach is Thetis Lake. This is a small lake that has a clothing-optional dock and swimming hole.
Nude is also allowed on the southern end of Bonny Doon Beach. The northern part of the beach is for clothed beachgoers.
If you’re looking for a more rugged, isolated beach, check out Devil’s Slide. It is a privately owned, nude-friendly swimming hole.
Another popular nude beach is Punchbowl on Mad River. It is located on the west side of Route 100, between Warren, VT and VT Rt 17. It’s a very cool place to swim and it’s usually a solitary spot.
Several other Wisconsin beaches are nude. These are all located in isolated locations. Some are on private property while others are on state-owned land.
A nude-friendly camping facility is also located in Wisconsin. The campground, called Maple Glen, will convert to a non-nudist site in August 2014.
Ten Thousand Waves is a Japanese style mountain spa resort. It offers saunas and hot tubs. Currently, the only tub is for women.
First Coast Naturists
First Coast Naturists is a group based in Jacksonville, Florida. They are affiliated with the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR). The organization promotes non-sexual, non-landed naturist recreation.
In Michigan, there are five nudist resorts. Whether you’re looking for an naturist getaway for couples or a family vacation, there’s something for you.
Ship Island is a barrier island south of Biloxi. You’ll find clothing optional beaches on this small island. While you’ll need to bring your own towels and other beach necessities, it’s well-enforced.
If you’re a seasoned naturist or want to try out nudist recreation for the first time, Forest Hills Club is a good choice. The club offers a nice pool, hiking trails, and campsites.
Cherry Lane Nudist Resort is located on 80 acres of land. Trailers are available with full kitchens and televisions. There are also golf cart rentals. Guests can enjoy volleyball tournaments, a dog park, and other fun activities.
Mohonk Preserve in Gardiner, New York, features a clothing-optional hiking trail. It also has a skinny-dipping hole. This is one of the best nude beaches in the area.
San Gregorio, located in San Mateo County, is the largest clothing-optional beach in the San Francisco Bay Area. The beach is three kilometers long and is open to the public.
There are many other clothing-optional beaches in the Northeast. You can check out Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, for example. Another option is Thetis Lake in Thetis Island, New York.https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q3_TdBxA_JU
