12 Best Nudist Beaches in the U.S.
Go Au Naturel at These Popular Seaside Spots
The best nudist beaches in the U.S. can be both remote and secretive, as well as convenient and busy. The nature of the shores varies wildly, from rocky to both black and white sand. The majority are quite secluded, as you’d probably expect, but even these often have good access roads and carparks nearby.
It’s worth mentioning that the rules and laws around nudist beaches in the U.S. can be a little confusing. Some are officially “clothing-optional” while others allow only topless sunbathing. And still, there are those that are effectively “unofficial” nudist beaches, where nudity is more tolerated than legally allowed. In short, if there’s no clear signage, you might be disrobing at your own risk. If in doubt, double-check the local laws.
1. Haulover Beach Park, Florida
The most popular nudist beach in the U.S.
Good for: Budget
Every year, Haulover Beach attracts more than 1.3 million visitors, making it one of the most popular nudist beaches in the United States. This long stretch of white sand has clothing-optional sections at both ends, where naturists can rent sun loungers and umbrellas, and swim under the supervision of trained lifesavers.
If you’re not afraid to bare all in front of jostling crowds, head to Haulover Beach in July, when the National Nude Recreation Week festivities take place. Beverage cocktails, dance to excellent DJs, celebrate freedom and possibly help set a Guinness World Record for skinny-dipping. Read more
Location: Haulover Park, 10800 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33154
Haulover Beach Park, Florida
2. Little Beach, Hawaii
The Hawaiian beach fantasy without the bathing suits
Good for: Budget
Little Beach in Maui offers a scenic getaway for travelers who love to drop their clothes. The beach is shaded by hillside trees and boasts pristine waters for bathing. Surrounded by a volcanic cinder cone and ancient lava flows, Little Beach is a stunning sight to visit whether you want to reveal all or not.
When you need a break from the sun, you can visit the state park marine sanctuary, which is renowned for its whales, tropical fish, dolphins, and sea turtles. Make time to visit Little Beach in time for sunset on Sunday, when fire dancers and a drum circle take center stage.
Location: Kihei, HI 96753, Maui, Hawaii, USA
Little Beach, Hawaii
3. Baker Beach, California
A convenient clothing-optional beach with a great view
Good for: Budget
Baker Beach is a very popular urban beach in San Francisco that offers nude sunbathing and a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The 1-mile-long beach is backed by cliffs, which are home to a choice of hiking trails, 2 historical coastal artillery batteries and a small carpark with restrooms.
You’ll see a very clear ‘Hazardous Surf’ sign on the beach, which not only indicates how risky it can be to take a dip in the cold water here but also marks the boundary of the clothing-optional zone. Make sure you don’t disrobe until you’re north of the sign. Read more
Location: Bowley St and Gibson Rd, San Francisco, CA 94129, USA
Baker Beach, California
4. Gunnison Beach, New Jersey
The only legal nude beach on the Jersey Shore
Good for: Budget
Gunnison Beach on Sandy Hook is the destination of choice for New Yorkers looking to unburden themselves of all their troubles, stresses and clothes. Being on Sandy Hook peninsula, just 2 hours’ drive from Brooklyn, it offers a pretty good view of the Big Apple on a clear day. The clothing-optional part of this white-sand shore is the southern bit, which is quite far from the carpark and is clearly signposted.
Aside from its views and liberal policies, the beach’s assets include restrooms, showers and shops where you can buy or rent beach gear and water sports equipment. There are also several trails and interesting historical attractions, such as old coastal batteries, forts and the lighthouse.
Location: Atlantic Dr, Highlands, NJ 07732, USA
Open: Daily from 5 am to 7 pm
Phone: +1 732-872-5900
Gunnison Beach, New Jersey
5. Kehena Beach, Hawaii
Bare all on the black sands
Good for: Budget
Kehena Beach is a short, narrow strip of black volcanic sand on the southeastern shore of Hawaii Big Island, a short drive from the town of Kalapana. What it lacks in size, it easily makes up for in beauty, being sandwiched between nodding palm trees and the inky blue of the Pacific Ocean.
Kehena Beach is sometimes also known as Dolphin Beach, thanks to its regular cetacean visitors. By that rationale, it could also be called Nudist Beach as its remote location makes it a great clothing-optional destination. Despite its remoteness, there’s still a small carpark and even a selection of villas and cottages nearby.
Location: Kalapana - Kapoho Rd, Pāhoa, HI 96778, USA
Kehena Beach, Hawaii
6. Collins Beach, Oregon
One of America’s best non-coastal nudist beaches
Good for: Budget
Collins Beach is an unusual addition to the list of best nudist beaches in the U.S. as it is on the shore of the Columbia River. One of the country’s few non-coastal clothing-optional beaches, it’s located in an area of farmland in a wildlife sanctuary on Sauvie Island, about 30 minutes from Portland.
Collins Beach is as noteworthy for its beauty as it is for its dress code. It has surprisingly nice sand for a riverbank and there’s plenty of parking space behind the treeline that separates the beach from the road. It’s not that unusual to see boats dropping anchor on this stretch of the river to enjoy the beach, too.
Location: NW Reeder Rd, Portland, OR 97231, USA
Collins Beach, Oregon
7. Moshup Beach, Massachusetts
Sunset views below clay cliffs on Martha’s Vineyard
Good for: Couples, Photo, Budget
Moshup Beach is a spectacular place to enjoy the sunset on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s located on the island’s east coast, at the foot of the Gay Head cliffs. The terracotta-coloured clay cliffs look especially striking in the dying rays of the end of the day.
A clothing-optional northern part of Moshup Beach is relatively easy to get to but lacks much in the way of facilities. There’s a carpark, shops and even a cultural museum and the Aquinnah Cliffs Overlook, but these are a considerable walk away from the nearest beach entrance.
Location: 71 Moshup Trail, Aquinnah, MA 02535, USA
Moshup Beach, Massachusetts
8. Black’s Beach, California
A clothing-optional beach in the heart of San Diego
Good for: Budget
Black’s Beach is a surprisingly rugged and hard-to-reach spot that’s right in among the urban sprawl of San Diego. Just a few minutes’ drive from the University of California San Diego and right behind the Torrey Pines Golf Course, spending a day on this beach requires parking in an unpaved lot and hiking down a steep and rugged path.
It’s very likely that the challenging access is what has kept this otherwise convenient location a clothing-optional beach. The sea here can be pretty good for surfing and the sand is nice to sunbathe on, making it a very good California beach by any standard. Incidentally, despite the name, the sand is not actually black – the name comes from the family that used to own a farm overlooking the beach. Read more
Location: Sir Francis Drake Rd, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
Black’s Beach, California
9. Playalinda Beach, Florida
Watch rocket launches in your birthday suit
Good for: Budget
Playalinda Beach is one of the few nude beaches in Florida that also allows alcohol. Unfortunately, that’s not as useful a feature as it might sound as, being quite remote, you’ll need to drive there and back, which you can’t do after you’ve had a drink. There are absolutely no nearby facilities, either.
The beach itself is quite breezy and has quite pleasant yellow-white sand. It’s part of the Canaveral National Seashore and is within a very short distance of Kennedy Space Center. In fact, some of the space centre’s launch pads are right behind the beach, so you might find your peaceful relaxation interrupted by a rocket launch.
Location: Playalinda Beach Rd, Canaveral National Seashore, Orlando, FL 32899, USA
Playalinda Beach, Florida
10. Hippie Hollow, Texas
Free Love lives on in Austin
Good for: Budget
Hippie Hollow is a more than just a nudist beach – it’s an entire clothing-optional park just 30 minutes from downtown Austin. Access is strictly adult-only, but over-18s will be able to enjoy hiking and bathing in the 109-acre park on the shore of Lake Travis. The park has some convenient facilities, including plenty of automobile parking, restrooms, drinking water and various trails through the trees.
As the name suggests, the park first became popular during the Free Love era of the 1960s. Sadly, the “free” part apparently faded away over the decades and there is now a small fee to pay for entrance. It’s also worth noting that the beaches are not sandy – it’s quite a rocky shore, so it’s probably best to wear at least something on your feet, if nothing else.
Location: 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to dusk
Phone: +1 512-854-7275
Hippie Hollow, Texas
11. Kauapea Beach, Hawaii
Aptly known as ‘Secret Beach’
Good for: Budget
Kauapea Beach is known as ‘Secret Beach’ to locals and is technically an “unofficial” nude beach on Kauai. It’s not actually listed as a formal clothing-optional area, but it’s so remote and hard to reach that the only people you really find there are those keen to get away from it all.
The beach is found on the north shore of Kauai and takes a little hiking to get to. It’s a beautiful spot, with golden sands and turquoise seas, all enclosed by jungle-covered cliffs. There’s even a waterfall a little way inland if you fancy an adventure while you’re there. Naturally, being a secret beach, don’t expect any restrooms or restaurants.
Location: Kauapea Rd, Kalihiwai, HI 96754, USA
Kauapea Beach, Hawaii
12. UFO Beach, Texas
Beware of close encounters!
Good for: Budget
UFO Beach on South Padre Island takes its name from a futuristic “escape pod” that washed ashore here some years ago. It actually turned out to be an ocean buoy, but it certainly has a flying saucer look to it, which you can see for yourself, along with the soft white sand.
UFO Beach is one of those nudist beaches in the U.S. that’s not officially clothing-optional, regardless of the fact that the namesake ‘UFO’ has the words “NUDE Beach” painted on it. Being 7 to 8 miles from the nearest town and even several miles from the nearest paved road (though any regular SUV can handle the dirt track), it’s remote enough that unclothed sunbathers don’t bother anyone and rarely get bothered by others. Topless sunbathing is universally allowed here, so you might just have to cover the lower part of your body. Any more than that and you may find your sunbathing being interrupted by beach patrols.
Location: South Padre Island, TX 78597, USA
UFO Beach, Texas
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