A Return to Solair Nudist Resort in Woodstock, Connecticut

The second time is a charm.

We've been to Solair nudist resort once before several years ago and were in the Boston area again.  We had to make a return.  The nude recreation destination is a great day trip from Boston if you want a day of family-friendly fun in the sun.

Solair Recreation League is located in Woodstock, Connecticut in the north east corner of CT, minutes from the Massachusetts border. It is about an hour and half from Boston, MA. If you ever happen to visit Boston (which is a good time in itself), Solair is an easy nakation day trip with a rental car.

We returned to spend the day at Solair late last summer. Having been there once before, we knew what to expect but explored to see some new things we missed on the first visit.

We just paid the day fees at the entrance and were on our way. Solair offers discounted day fees for those under 40. It seems to be a good incentive. We saw a good mix of ages and people under 40.

It was a nice day. Everyone we interacted with were very friendly.  Just like our first visit, the grounds were in great condition.   There's a lot to like about Solair.  Here's my favorite things. 

What I like about Solair Recreation League nudist resort:

• This nudist resort is member owned.  The members take care of it and are very friendly to guests.  In fact, a lot of friendly regulars who have summer homes on the grounds and know the region well and can recommend restaurants and such.
• You feel "away from it all" here on the large wooded grounds.
• Nice pool, sometimes has water volleyball games on busy summer weekends (it did during our first visit)
• Indoor hot tub and sauna
• Lake with paddle boats but no alligators like in Florida. Go skinnydipping or take a paddle boat out.
• Small recreation room with pool table and ping pong - if you get a cool day, there's at least something to do in the nude indoors.
• Lots of nude hiking and walking on both the paved roads in the residential area and wooded trails (I'm not sure that there are maps for the wooded trails.  You may have to ask a member.)  We took a walk all around the residential area and then onto a short trail that goes up a hill and overlooks the lake.
• If you bring a bike, you could ride your bike on the paved roads on the grounds.
• Tennis courts - not sure if you have to bring your own rackets and balls.
• Some food served in cafe on the weekends

What not to expect:

• It's not a place big on nightlife.
  
• It's more of a "very nice campground" than a "resort".
• Food options are limited...so packing a picnic lunch might be a good idea.
• Don't expect you can be disrespectful to others.  The members care about this place a lot and they want visitors to do the same.

Having now been to many more nudist resorts over the years, I have to say that Solair is an excellent facility given that it is a northern US nudist resort that has a short season.

If you are going for a first time visit, read Solair's website or maybe call first. It seems they want first timers to only visit on weekends, at least that is my understanding. I think this is because they need to have someone on hand to give a tour.

At least as of my last visit in late 2009, Solair had a policy that during the first 4 visits, they want visitors to spend time talking with a member who does an interview as part of a membership screening/recruitment process. I had previously thought that this would be a pain in the butt (I have mixed feelings about these types of red tape procedures that detract from nakationing). But we did talk to a member this visit. It wasn't a big deal at all. It was a casual 10 minute chat. The nudist member who interviewed us was friendly and asked us our experience, told us a little bit about the place, and asked if we had any questions.

If you're in the area, give Solair Recreation League a try.

Upcoming Naturist Society Events You'll Want to Attend

It's almost July.  What are you doing to get naked for the rest of the year?

Looking for ideas?  Here are some upcoming Naturist Society events that are sure to be a good time.   These festivals offer days and nights full of nude recreation activities amongst people who are dedicated to nude recreation.  The events feature workshops, sporting activities, and social activities from petanque to dances.  The Western Naturist Gathering will even have a drumming circle.

Northeast Naturist Festival
August 5 - 10
Empire Haven, Moravia, NY
315-497-0135

AvalonFest
August 8 - 10
Avalon Resort, Paw Paw, WV

Western Naturist Gathering
September 11 - 14
DeAnza Springs, Jacumba, CA
619-766-4301

Southern Naturist Gathering
October 16 - 19
Lake Como, Lutz, FL
877-TRY-LAKE

I have yet to visit the other destinations, but I did visit Lake Como Resort earlier this year.  Lake Como has a lot of fun things to do.  Several small rowboats and canoes are provided for fishing and cruising around the lake.  Lake Como has a large pool, a lakeside bar/restaurant, another larger restaurant, billiards hall, dance hall, hot tub, sauna, tennis courts, hiking trails and more.  Amongst campground-style nudist resorts in the United States, Lake Como has to be amoung the top ones. Adding the Southern Naturist Gathering to the mix should make for a very entertaining nudist getaway.

The Naked Golf Cart Experience

I used to think golf carts were just for golf. Then I visited a nudist resort and saw people riding around naked in golf carts. Then I tried it myself.

Forget golf. Golf carts are best used for nude recreation.

Yes, golf carts are a common sight at the larger of the nudist and clothing optional resorts and just about every campground has them.

The Naked Golf Cart Orientation

Riding a golf cart in a nudist campground is a treat at a handful of the larger clubs' "first-time visitor" orientation tours. These orientations are to help new visitors get acquainted with the property and nude recreation. During the ride, the rules are outlined to ensure that these places stay wholesome and family-safe - part of being an AANR (American Association for Nude Recreation) affiliated club.

We rode naked in a 6-person golf cart during the orientation tour at Solair Recreation League, a nudist resort in Connecticut, not far from Boston, MA. This was fun - though I wanted to skip it and head straight for the pool because it was so hot out that day. At Lake Como Nudist Resort near Tampa, Florida, we did the very educational orientation clothed, though I'm sure we could have rode naked if we wanted.

Riding solo

Golf carts are a must have for seasonal residents who spend the summer living the nude life in trailer set-ups. Usually, the residents own or rent their golf carts.

For day and weekend visitors to most nudist campgrounds, golf cart rentals are not typically available. The only way to go for a ride is to make friends with the locals. There are some exceptions.

Calling the resort is a good way to find out what's available. If the resort doesn't rent golf carts, they may lead you to someone who rents golf carts. For example, at Paradise Lakes clothing optional resort in Lutz, Florida, we were able to rent a golf cart from one of the residents who owns several and rents them out to visitors.

Instead of the long, hot walk from the pool area to our rented room on the other side of the grounds, we rode a golf cart. Besides staying cool, golf carts were the quickest way to the pool and restaurants. Riding was fun - the wind blowing on your skin is refreshing. We rode all around the expansive Paradise Lakes property. Counting all of the streets and parking lots, we must put a few miles on the odometer riding around the resort.

Of course, like all things nudist, sitting on a towel is a requirement. For golf carts, it serves the additional purpose of keeping legs from sticking to hot golf cart seats.

After getting into nude recreation, I'll never think of golf carts the same way again.

From now on, I'm going to try naked golf carting whenever possible. And when golf carts are not available, as is usually the case, the next best thing is bicycling. Let's save naked bicycling for another day.

3 Nudist Resorts in 3 Days and I Lived to Tell About It

We did it.

We visited 3 nudist resorts in 3 days. In doing so, we went in 4 pools and 6 hot tubs without wearing anything!

After about 5 minutes of being nude, you wonder what the fuss about clothing is. Clothing seems so unnecessary and being clothes-free seems so natural. Other people of all shapes and sizes seem natural too - your mind no longer notices their lack of clothing and you just see them as people like you.

The whole experience was actually very relaxing - what vacationing should be. We started out at Paradise Lakes Clothing-Optional Resort, then visited Lake Como Nudist Resort and then Caliente Clothing Optional Resort the day after. All are nudist/ clothing-optional resorts in central Florida and within minutes of each other.

The 3 destinations have very unique characteristics and cultures. Nude recreation, the freedom from clothes in a natural way, is their commonality.

Here's what we experienced at each place:

Lake Como Family Nudist Resort

Lake Como is a nicely appointed family nudist resort where a lot of people have year-round trailers set-up. Lake Como is owned by 100 or so full-time members who are serious about naturism.

At Lake Como, we enjoyed swimming nude in the pool and hot tub. Then we played naked billiards and went in the sauna before returning to the hot tub.

The resort has a campground atmosphere and is perfect for first-time nudists. Upon arrival, we were given a clothed tour of the place and told about Lake Como's history. The amenities include a lake, heated pool, whirlpool, sauna, rec room with 2 pool tables, a few trails, excellent tennis courts, restaurant, a smaller restaurant/bar called the "Butt Hutt" with a deck on the lake, a beach area, and even a small library. Lake Como even boasts a nature-preserve area of the grounds.

This was our first time to Lake Como and we were impressed. We're plotting a plan to return to hike the trails, use one of the free canoes to "canude" the lake and do the others things we want to try.

If you've never been to Lake Como and are an American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) member, check your membership pack. You might have a coupon for a free day visit to Lake Como. We did and spent the day there for free. Can't beat that!

Caliente Clothing Optional Resort

Caliente is an upscale clothing optional resort - a polar opposite of Lake Como. Caliente opened only 4 years ago so everything is modern. Though the grounds are large, all of the activities are located within the smaller fenced-in main building complex.

The amenities are excellent but grounds fees expensive. Even with an AANR member discount, the day pass for a couple was $70!!! We did enjoy the place, staying for the day and having a reasonable $25 lunch. We spent some time in the large pool which has a waterfall fixture going into it and two islands. Then we went into 3 of the conversation pools/hot tubs of varying sizes/temperatures. After that we did the sauna and steam room. Caliente also has 2 volleyball pools, several bars, dance hall, restaurants, and a gym.

We went to Caliente on a weekday with cooler weather, so the place was empty. Be careful. Though Caliente is nudist-oriented, week-end night time events at the night club have received criticism for not reflecting family-friendly nudist community values. Look at the event calendar on their website and judge for yourself. We've been to Caliente twice and have not seen anything out of the ordinary, but have read of bad experiences from other nudists. For a family-friendly atmosphere that's more fun, Lake Como is the place to go.

Paradise Lakes Clothing Optional Resort

This was our third time visiting Paradise Lakes, a 72-acre clothing-optional resort. During this trip, we slept at Paradise Lakes and took day trips to the other 2 resorts. Upon arrival at Paradise, we had a naked lunch at the Key West Bar, the semi-outdoor poolside bar. We then swam in the large pool in the entertainment complex. Afterwards, we warmed up in the heated conversation pool and then smaller hot tub. Later, we visited another pool on the other side of the grounds and part of a smaller complex. A hot tub there was out of order as it was the last time we visited. Maybe next time.

Paradise Lakes is somewhere in the middle of being like Lake Como and Caliente. Paradise is dominated by residential complexes and large resident population. It has a small campground area and a lot of asphalt. The main complex has 2 restaurants, pool tables, gym, dance hall/bar, darts, ping pong table, tennis courts and lots of lounge chairs. The water volleyball pool can be popular on weekends. The secondary complex has a pool, more tennis courts, chairs by a lake, and a building used for yoga classes and special events.

We rented a golf cart during our stay at Paradise Lakes. Naked golf carting around was a lot of fun. I guess we now can join a very small group of people in the history of the world who can say we've rode in a golf cart in the buff.

This visit we also worked out in the gym in the buff. That was some experience! But let's leave that for another day.

Try nude recreation

We did 3 destinations in 3 days and lived to tell about it. We say that now with ease. It was not long ago that the idea of nude recreation was absurd. Then we took a chance and tried it. Now there's no turning back.

We've since visited several destinations. Our motto: "If the Europeans can shed their clothes and enjoy it, why should we Americans wear uncomfortable bathing suits." That's what nude recreation is to us: comfort and relaxation. Get rid of that soggy bathing suit, shed those cultural norms about clothing, and give nude recreation a try.

5 Reasons 2008 is the Year of the Nudist

2008 could be a big year for nude recreation.

US nudist campgrounds, resorts and beaches all over the country could be busy this year. [See the list of nudist clubs on the American Association for Nude Recreation's (AANR) website]

Here's 5 reason why:

1. USA Nudists will get extra money in May, just in time for nudist season.

The USA government is giving out economic stimulus payments in May. This means an extra up to $600 for nudist singles and up to $1200 for nudist couples. Many nudists will put this money towards USA nudist travel. See the IRS website for the facts.

$1200 in the hands of a nudist couple is enough to buy a long weekend at a nearby nudist campground or resort.

What better way to spend extra money than nude recreation? Name something better, I dare you!

2. Less USA nudists are heading to Europe this year.

The US dollar losing value to the Euro has been all over the news lately. Today, it costs $1.56 USD to buy 1 Euro. Add at least 2% to 5% percent on top of the exchange rate for currency exchange fees at banks and with credit cards. Many USA nudists will have to skip the European nudist vacation and stay in North America.

Luckily, the experts on TV say things will even out in a few years. For now though, many American nudists will wait it out.

I highly recommend Europe and loved the naturist village of Cap d'Agde, France, but when I went, the exchange rate wasn't as bad.

3. European nudists ARE heading to the USA.

Whereas USA culture still finds nude recreation awkward, this is not so much the case in Europe. Nude recreation is common with the French, Germans, Spaniards, British and others.

And now more than ever, coming to the USA for nude recreation is a bargain. Imagine being able to convert 1 Euro into $1.56 US dollars. It makes coming to the USA for vacation much more affordable.

4. Nudism awareness in the USA is higher than ever.

I'm taking a guess here. It would seem that with all of the media coverage of nudism over the last 2 years, the awareness of the idea of nudism would be higher than ever in the USA. Back before the Internet, this media attention would go to waste. But today, someone reads about nudist travel in the New York Times or Conde Nast Traveler and then can go online for more information about the nudist resort discussed. Just about every nudist resort's website has a FAQ about nude recreation that should make people new to the concept comfortable. For instance, see Paradise Lake's.

5. Good things are happening.

While not everything is rosy, the long-running USA-focused nudist blog USAnudist.com/blog makes regular mention of good USA nudist travel happenings. USAnudist.com mentions that the oldest nudist resort in Florida, Lake Como Nudist Resort, is getting a modern upgrade in 2008 by adding a new RV and mobile home park within the grounds. See "Lake Como adds RV park" on USAnudist.com.


There you have it! 2008 has a lot of potential for nude recreation, doesn't it?

100% Nude Hiking in Eastern Pennsylvania: Sunny Rest Nudist Resort

Hiking out in nature without clothes provides a level of freedom that may exceed that of hanging out at a nudist resort pool or nude beach.

Sunny Rest Resort in Palmerton, PA, provided the setting for our first experience with real nude hiking - legally and within the grounds of a gated nudist resort who adheres to the standards of the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR).

Sunny Rest usually gets props for its excellent amenities (pool, indoor hot tub, game room, restaurant, etc.) and grounds. The nude hiking trail is a hidden gem.

Picture of Sunny Rest trail
(Source: Sunny Rest website)

Anyone can hike Sunny Rest's wooded hiking trails in the nude and feel safe. The trails are within the 190-acre resort property boundaries.

Just wear sneakers and socks. The trails were well-maintained and level with the exception of one small hill on what's called the "hard trail" - really just a small section that diverts from the main trail.

The main trail goes about 1 mile and then there are smaller side trails that are dead ends. Tack on about half a mile for the walk on pavement from the pool area to the start of the dirt trail.

A Nudist Travel Guide Blog exclusive, I've scanned the literature I received from Sunny Rest.

"Bare" with me. The papers got wrinkled. Oops.

The thing about hiking in the nude is the distinct lack of pockets.

I was forced to fold up the maps and stuff it in my sock. Lesson learned.

Click on any of these pictures to see larger versions of the maps and handouts.

The second lesson learned is to bring enough water if it is hot out. Even without clothes, staying cool is not easy if it is 90 degrees out. And don't forget to put on bug spray before you start hiking.

We walked in the paved areas of the grounds too. Many nudists have seasonal trailers in this part of the resort property. Some had more elaborate homes that may have been year-round. Everyone seems to take care of their lot and some people had unexpectedly nice landscaping. We saw some people camping in tents too. Some pictures of the grounds are on Sunny Rest's website here.

The heart of the resort is the area around the pool that includes offices, indoor hot tub, rec room (pool table and video games), dance room, workout room, restaurant and accommodations.

This is a map of the grounds.

To maintain a safe family atmosphere for visitors, Sunny Rest has a typical set of rules to follow.

A very good nudist campground, we plan to return.

Have you been to Sunny Rest? What did you think?

Nude New Jersey: Gunnison Beach versus Rock Lodge Nudist Club

Time for a battle of nudist travel destinations.

Which of these New Jersey nudist destinations is better? Let's look at Gunnison Beach and Rock Lodge Nudist Resort.

Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook, NJ is usually ranked as one of the Top 5 nudist beaches in the US.

Gunnison Beach is part of a National Park Service park. It's just a beach and lacks the amenities of Rock Lodge. However, it offers the clothes-free freedom not found at a clothed beach. Bring a towel, a book and some food to make a clothes-free day of it.

Rock Lodge, in nearby northern NJ, is an AANR-affiliated nudist club with a long nudist history and a lot more to do. The club has a lake for swimming, a hot tub, sauna, tennis courts, and even hiking on the club's 145 acres.

This quote on Rock Lodge's website shows that people like the place:

"Out of all the nudist resorts we have visited, we can't think of a more friendly bunch of people who made us feel very welcome right from the start. We will most definitely return." —Rich and Mary

Comparing when to visit

The downside of visiting Gunnison is parking as the National Park Service outlines:

"Summer weekends may be busy. When parking areas are full, the park closes until parking becomes available. To avoid delays, arrive before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. Traffic is never a problem on weekdays."

The downside of Rock Lodge is that it only allows non-member guests on the weekends. It is members-only during the week.

Comparing Rules and regulations

The rules for Gunnison Beach are quite simple: follow the law.

Rock Lodge has more restrictive rules and regulations to ensure a wholesome, safe environment for visitors. I respect that, but the rules can be frustrating too.

According to the Rock Lodge website, the following steps must be completed before visiting:

"Step 1
Email, mail or call us. In your message please tell us something about yourselve(s). Please include whether you intend to visit as a couple, family, single female or single male.

Step 2
Wait for our reply. We will reply as soon a possible with additional information and directions to Rock Lodge Club. Emails usually get the fastest response.

Step 3
When you arrive, you will be greeted by a Rock Lodge representative who will introduce you to the club and current members as you tour the grounds."

These steps ensure piece of mind for all guests and the Rock Lodge environment should feel safer than Gunnison. Nude US/Canada beaches are not as controled as nudist resorts.

For example, during my recent trip to Wreck Beach, another top nude beach, I felt on edge and worried about gawkers and people with cameras. That type of worry goes away in nudist resorts.

So who costs more? Gunnison or Rock Lodge?

Both are priced fairly, but differently. The Park Service charges Gunnison Beach visitors a $10 per vehicle daily fee (bikes are free) or $50 for season pass.

Rock Lodge is $24 per person ($19 for AANR members) day fee for non-members of the club.

Rock Lodge has further limitations. According to the Rock Lodge website "Visitors are allowed 2 visits before membership is required." After two visits to Rock Lodge, it's a minimum of $100 a year for an Associate membership to return, plus grounds fees - except that Full members (who pay $450) visit free. For the 2nd to 4th year, there's a $50 initiation fee per person.

Final Score:

Tied. Both offer something to the nudist. Rock Lodge is better for first time nudists and those looking for a more regulated environment. Gunnison Beach is good for a swim in the ocean on weekdays, but the weekends are tough unless you go super early. The beach also lacks controls to keep potential gawkers out.

Gunnison Beach and Rock Lodge Nudist Club are very different types of nudist experiences so comparing them almost isn't fair. If you are in the New Jersey area, I recommend giving both a try.

Better yet, if the Pocono region of eastern Pennsylvania is accessible to you, consider Sunny Rest Lodge. It's open to guests 7 days a week and you can visit as often as you'd like. Visiting is easy. I'll be providing a trip report soon.

Resources:

• Friends of Gunnison Beach
• Rock Lodge
• Map of Gunnison Beach and area
• American Association for Nude Recreation

Nudists Need the Internet and Food

I just returned from a great trip that had the famous clothing-optional beach in Vancouver, Wreck Beach, on the itinerary (trip report coming soon). While traveling, I missed my chance to participate in the latest "Great Naked Debate" on Nudist Day. I lacked a good Internet connection.

The debate was entitled "What can be done to attract younger people to the nudist lifestyle?". Check it out. You may not agree with every last detail, but the contributors covered a lot of angles.

Some similar viewpoints were in "What are the Real Problems with Young People and Nudist Resorts?" here where some readers chimed in with more good feedback on this important topic.

The answer seems to boil down to one central idea:

• creating something worthwhile that satisfies the needs of the customers.

Potential nudist destination customers in the younger age groups have a million ways to have their entertainment needs met. Any tourist/travel destination, be it clothed or nudist, free beach or paid resort, competes with the many forms of entertainment. To win the competition, the destination must meet the needs of customers.

A tourist destination has to be more worthwhile than such things as:

• watching TV
• surfing the Internet
• going to concerts
• going to the movies
• ...and all the other things people do for fun

Think about it. A clothed hotel becomes worthwhile to you when it has a good location, a pool, restaurant and has the other amenities you want for the right price.

Food

Now, try to find breakfast at a nudist resort or campground. Not many serve breakfast. Some serve lunch or dinner. Very few serve 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. So you either need to bring food or leave. Either way, your basic human need for food is not met.

This is bad because Americans love food.

The ones that serve lots of food, like Caliente and Paradise Lakes, the 2 big resorts in Tampa, offer a destination that is a complete experience. You don't have to leave if you are hungry. In my last trip report about Sun Ridge Resort, I mentioned how I did leave because my food needs were not met.

The Internet

One other way clothed hotels have adjusted to modern customer needs is by proving some form of Internet connection. Most do. What about nudist destinations? Not so.

I'm in the under-35 age bracket and I want my Internet no matter where I am. Is that so much to ask? This is a more common statement of my generation but slowly becoming typical of all generations (see Internet age trends). Even baby-boomers are spending a lot more time online nowadays too.

Why aren't most nudist resorts adapting to something so basic as an Internet connection?

The Internet and food are among the lifelines of today's potential nudist customer.

If you are at a nudist destination that doesn't meet these needs, speak up and make your opinion known.

A Naked Day at Sun Ridge Nudist Resort

Sun Ridge Nudist Resort in 43 words:

Sun Ridge is like being at a family picnic at your new neighbor’s house. You don’t know anyone, but everyone is friendly. You have a good time. However, unlike your neighbor’s house, the people at Sun Ridge have a distinct absence of clothing.

The more complete story:

The fun of nude recreation is going new places that you know very few people in the world get to visit.

Located in Sterling, CT on the Rhode Island border, Sun Ridge Nudist Resort is a simple place to spend the day clothes free.

Sun Ridge lacks the elaborate architecture, fancy dining and entertainment facilities of other nudist destinations. Still, the nudist campground makes for a fun day trip or a good, laid back weekend in a rented trailer. Some people even spend the whole summer there every year, while others make this their first-time experience with nude recreation.

Sometimes all you need is a well kept but rustic nudist campground with a friendly atmosphere. That’s what Sun Ridge provides.

Trip report:

We visited on a June weekend on a day when the weather forecast was not so favorable. This also meant a lot less day guests. Luckily, the forecasted afternoon thunderstorms never materialized and we had a good day of nude recreation.

As day guests, we arrived knowing that Sun Ridge does not have any dining options except for special events. This was just an average weekend so we brought lunch with us.

You can sit down with your picnic lunch by the pool area where there’s a rec hall with picnic tables inside and outside. There are a few picnic tables by the tennis courts too, a short walk from the pool area.

We ate inside the recreation hall, a rustic structure that houses a billiards table and the aforementioned picnic tables. Some Saturday nights the place transforms into a dance area. And for some events, the rec hall has a kitchen area where food is prepared.

Afterwards we played at the billiards table for a while. Then, we spent a few hours in the pool area with trips from the cool pool to the heated conversation pool.

A little later we wandered to the tennis courts. If we had wanted to play tennis, the courts were open and well maintained.

We got dressed and left around dinnertime and headed to a casino for dinner. About 45 minutes away are 2 of the world’s largest casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Both places have many dining options to choose from.

While pretty laid back places compared to Vegas, going to a casino after relaxing all day at Sun Ridge is a contrasting experience. It’s at the casino where you start to reminisce about the friendly and respectful people at Sun Ridge.

Sun Ridge is within a few hours of anywhere in Southern New England. Give it a try!

More Nudists in France: "La Jenny"

What well-regarded nudist destination has a nude beach, pool, nude golf, biking, hiking and more in a family-friendly environment in the Bordeaux region of France?

By the title of the article, the answer is easy: La Jenny.

While France's famous naturist village of Cap d'Agde has been reviewed here before, besides culinary delights, France serves a plate full of nudist destinations. France also provides La Jenny, Euronat and many other destinations.

The other naturist village, La Jenny, lies on the Atlantic Ocean on northwest side of France and offers a low-key, relaxing place to be naked.

La Jenny is a large, family-friendly nudist campground, a very different experience from the larger, more commercial Cap d'Agde.


La Jenny's centerpiece is an incredible grouping of 4 swimming pools kept at 77 degrees to provide a week of enjoyment.

And if the pool is not enough for you, take a walk down to the Atlantic Ocean. Lifeguards are on hand in the main section. When the conditions are right and waves high enough, surfing naked is the way to spend the day. Most people would rather just catch some sun on the nude beach.

Naked golf...real naked golf is a rarity. La Jenny's course is only 4 holes, but is probably the best 4 holes of nudist golf around.

To get around, ride a bike. Bikes are available for rental for riding around through the extensive grounds. Ride from your rented chalet down to the beach to play naked beach volleyball in the sand. Then ride back and have a nude dinner at the clothing-optional restaurant.

Accommodations at La Jenny include chalets/cabins and a campground. The chalets come in many sizes and prices, in peak season from around $70 to $200 a night. The typically include a refrigerator and hotplates for cooking. Some have ovens, dishwashers and other conveniences.
La Jenny even has a small grocery store where visitors can shop in the buff for food to bring back to the chalet. Having shopped at stores like this in Cap d'Agde, I am sure this is a fun experience at La Jenny too.
Learn more about La Jenny at their website.

Adventures in the "Florida Nudist Corridor"

My wife and I just returned from an adventurous weekend at 2 of the biggest nudist resorts in North America: Paradise Lakes Nudist Resort and Caliente Nudist Resort.

They are in an area north of Tampa, Florida I call the “Florida Nudist Corridor” with Paradise Lakes and Lake Como Family Nudist Resort next to each other and Caliente Nudist Resort just 4 miles north. All are about 30 minutes from Tampa Airport. All are important in American nudist history and to the people who experience them.

I met one nudist gentleman, nearing retirement, who was fortunate enough to live nearby. He recalled frequenting Lake Como Nudist Resort in his younger years. The resort opened in the 1950s and was one of the biggest nudist facilities in its day. Due to life events, he took a break from social nude recreation years ago when a place called Paradise Lakes was only an idea waiting to open in 1981.

He soon grew to miss the nudist experience. He was re-married more recently and broached the subject of nude recreation with his new wife. She said she'd try it and now they enjoy nude recreation together, making their own nudist history.

He and his new wife have a membership at Paradise Lakes and visit other resorts frequently, including Caliente Nudist Resort, opened in 2004, where I conversed with the gentleman a few days ago.

For my wife and I, this was our second time at Paradise Lakes and first at Caliente. Our first time at the Paradise Lakes was only a handful of years ago and it was our first time visiting a nudist resort.

Over the next several days, I'll be recounting our story, our experiences at these two Florida Nudist Corridor nudist resorts.

I'll look at what to expect, how much to pay, what to do when the weather is great, and how to make the best of rainy weather that rains out a big event. (In our case, the event was Caliente's Bare Bods and Hot Rods Car Show which has been rescheduled for April 29th.)

Reader opinions might be heard too to expand upon my limited experience.

Trip Report: A Good Old-Fashioned Nudist Campground - Juniper Woods

Though many exciting nudist travel topics have been covered here lately, from nudist resort car shows to nude cruises to nude swimming in the Antarctica, now is a perfect time to talk about a good old-fashioned nudist campground.

Juniper Woods is such a place. Juniper Woods is a clothing-optional, family-friendly 65-acre campground in rural Catskill, New York. We visited on 4th of July weekend a few years ago - just for a day.

The atmosphere was uncomplicated and peaceful. A BBQ was set-up for the holiday. The friendly staff was busy grilling up hot dogs and hamburgers for the nudist guests. The petanque court was active. Families were about. Some people played Frisbee in the meadow.

We went for a dip in the pool. Even though the pool is not deep or huge, there was still plenty of space. We then went into the relaxing hot tub/conversation pool. We dried off by sitting on the nearby rocking swing.

We later took a casual walk around the spacious grounds. The dam that controls the water to the two lakes had broke so the water level was down. It’s probably fixed by now. Other than that, the grounds were well maintained.

By the large number of RVs and campers on landscaped sites, a lot of people call Juniper Woods their summer home away from home. Some even have small cabins with immaculate landscaping – flowers, groomed bushes and lawn ornaments.

Several tents were up in the large meadow that day. I noticed a lot of free space in the wooded campsite area. If you like camping in solitude, the wooded camping area is away from the RV area, has trees between sites, and allows for campfires.

Keeping in mind that this is a campground and not an entertainment complex, I recommend bringing some books or maybe some board games. The rec hall and pavilion had ping-pong, foosball and a few other games. Dinners and dances are held here too.

Nudist destinations come in many flavors. If you are looking a charming, secluded clothing-option campground with lots of space and a friendly atmosphere, Juniper Woods makes a nice escape.

Juniper Woods is 45 minutes from Albany, NY and a reasonable 2 hours drive north from New York City.

On June 9, 2007, Juniper Woods will be having an open house and first time visitors get in free. There will be sports events, vendors, a potluck dinner and DJ dance. Many other events are planned on weekends throughout the year.