Places for a newbie to enjoy gay nude beaches and camping areas

Photo at the top shows a younger guy who was cruising naked in the dunes on Gran Canaria.

Original posting: ky_gui [msg] 
14 Feb 2011, 18:11 I will soon be turning 21 and I don't really consider myself to be a bar and club kind of

person.
I have been looking around on the internet and have stumbled across male only (gay) clothing optional camping. 90% of the camp grounds i have looked at are BYOB, hence the 21+.

What I was wondering is,  "has anyone on here been to any?" 
Are there good ones, compared to the bad ones?

I will not lie, and say I am educated on these kind of areas, I don't know anything.

I am not really worried about money, but I don't really want to fly across the USA to get to the place. I live in the mid-west. So something in that general area, maybe??? like i said i dont know.

Any input someone can give me will be greatly appreciated, who knows maybe i will find some one to go with. lol. 

One last thing, a lot of the the camp grounds i looked at were gay friendly, I think i want it to be male only. not that I have a problem with lesbians, I just don't want to camp with them. lol (that was sposta be a joke... I'm not really that funny)

Follow up: pedrobill [msg] 
14 Feb 2011, 18:37 No mate, that joke didn't really come off, but I thought your profile was pretty funny! I'm gay, and I like to go camping, but other than that I don't know anything about "Gay Camping" - don't you just find a flat bit of ground, put up your tent and hey presto - gay camping!

 Follow up: ky_gui [msg] 
14 Feb 2011, 18:52 See I was leaning toward the clothing optional part. And I just dont know if I'm brave enough to camp anywhere and just be naked. lol!  I'm pretty sure knowing my luck I would get arrested. 

And I don't know of anywhere remote enough to get away with it.

Follow up: pedrobill [msg] 
14 Feb 2011, 18:59 Ah yes, I realise now, the header is key, ie clothing optional. Actually I was being just a little mischievous. I  do like to get to some fairly remote places, where you can be reasonably assured of not being 'spung', and yes I'm the same - wouldn't quite be brave enough otherwise. Though sometimes it's not really the remoteness that matters. Half an hours walk off the track is often as untrammeled as somewhere that is deep in the forest but on a recognised path. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what others with more experience of organised 'clothing optional' venues come up with.
Happy camping.


Follow up: hairydaddy [msg] 
14 Feb 2011, 19:59 sure, I've been to gay campgrounds with clothing optional........but not sure what would be out your way..........I camped in New York State and Pennsylvania where there are several.........know of them in Canada too..............scout around on google......for a campground near you

Follow up: fitladrobb [msg] 
14 Feb 2011, 20:20 shame that your not in the UK we have some very good clothing optional sites here. include a

few that go down to age 16 if unaccompanied by adult or young-family ones.

have you tried hangoutnude.com there are LOADS of contacts on there for you.

robby
  [ The photo at the right is one of this blog's author in the dunes of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). ]

Follow up: irish8986 [msg] 
15 Feb 2011, 01:40 I live and grew up about 2 miles from one here in PA, doesn't help you out much tho. It's a fun thing to do definitely try it out if you get the chance

Follow up: chrisslond§ [msg] 
15 Feb 2011, 02:09 Here are a few sites to check out:http://www.campgayusa.com/CAMPGROUNDS.ht ml ,http://www.gayoutdoors.org/page.cfm?sectionid=62&typeofsite=directory and http://www.gaycampingusa.com/ are some to look at. I have camped at The Point near Turkey Point in Ontario

Canada and some other places. Each August, my partner and I go to the Gay Naturists International Annual Gathering that is at a camp in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. There are usually more than 500 naked guys there for up to 10 days. It is great walking around buck naked for 10 days in the summer.
Give it a try and find out how enjoyable it is.

 Follow up: hotnredi55 [msg] 
16 Feb 2011, 07:56 I have a couple campgrounds that are in the midwest, but still a distance from you. one is Campit Resort, near Saugatuck, Michigan. It is a very nice facility with lots of room for tenting, rv'ing, sleeper cabin rentals and bed and breakfast rooms. It is gay and lesbian, leaning more toward the men. one area is set aside for nude camping. and after about 1am, you are fairly safe to sit around your campfire naked, in at least one other area. Any woman walking back at that time of night, Wants to see naked men.

the other campground is totally men, and clothing optional in almost all areas further back from the entry area. Camp Buckwood, south of Indianapolis, Indiana.

campitresort.com and campbuckwood.com

check them out. both have wonderful facilities, and friendly staff and fellow campers. i have had wonderful times at both camps with other men, and with my boyfriend.

Follow up: dungeonrat [msg] 

16 Feb 2011, 08:07 WWW.CactusCanyonCampground.com
Located in South-Central Missouri.

Follow up: Rood [msg] 
16 Feb 2011, 09:47 http://www.midwestmalenaturistgathering. org/


 Follow up: asshunter [msg] 
16 Feb 2011, 11:54 we are members of The Woods campground since 2004 love it.
thewoodscampground.com

 Follow up: bcbud4u [msg] 
16 Feb 2011, 11:59 here in the Kootenays there are so many secluded lakes and areas to just hang nude, swim in the buff, and have a sweet camping weekend, why go paying for a private campground when you can find a place horseback, 4X4 or quad 4 free?

 Follow up: BldngStrng [msg] 
16 Feb 2011, 12:04 Well BC Bud...you are lucky to have that close by and available...not everyone has a horse or a 4X4 or Quad.....and the beautiful BC wilderness at their doorstep.

Follow up: balllicker [msg] 
16 Feb 2011, 12:20 This won't really help you since it's in New York, but for others, I had a great time at this place: http://www.jonespond.com/

There were probably only a handful of guys there as young as me, but the older guys were a lot of fun and I loved the attention.

Follow up: bcbud4u [msg] 
16 Feb 2011, 12:29 woah BldngStrng, nice build bud! though sorry, I wasn't really thinking... it was kind of an invite... what I should have typed, if a guy's going to travel to pay for camping, why not head where you can do it for free... my apologies.

 Follow up: sunbuns99* 
16 Feb 2011, 22:32 I've not taken time to read the entire thread so my response and ideas may have been mentioned. 



You're obviously more interested in a clothing optional experience and finding a place to do that with other men (hopefully gay males) for an extended period of time - not just a few minutes or hours. 

However, there is one place no too far away from KY (ky_gui = Kentucky Guy ?), but who's living in Iowa. 

Timberfell Lodge is clothing optional resort and campground in the foothills of the Appalachians (about 80 miles east of Knoxville.)

They only have weekend events in the winter (rooms and bunks bed are sometimes half price, but in summer it's a full time gay camping community with a lot of social / sex-related events. I'd say the main type of guy you find there are bears, but that's not all you'll find. It's almost clothing optional everywhere -- although sex acts are forbidden in common areas, there are plenty of dark and deserted spots -- especially at night.

 Campsite are $15 a night plus choice of 2-3 meal plans. There sell beer inside the resort which means you can't bring it,but you can BYOB wine and hard liquor. 

See http://www.timberfell.com for next events and details.

I'm trying to organize a CMNM National Meet-up (clothed male / nude male) at Timberfell Lodge for August 12-14 (actual dates vary) which is all the annual Mr. Timberfell Contest weekend. 

=-------------

There are also other options / places where you can get naked and possibly engage in cruising for sex. Most of the nude beaches around the country have gay cruising areas. Like it or not, that's likely one reason for the crack-down on clothing optional public beaches in quite a few places across the country. 

Being able to camp textile (required clothes) and then walk to a nude beach is a good option - but quite rare except in Europe or at all-gay clothing-optional resorts. 

You can find some at Palm Springs,  Key West, FL, Haulover Beach (Ft Lauderdale, FL,)

Russian River area - 90 miles north west of San Francisco in and around Guerneville.
See http://www.highlandsresort.com/ They have campsites available as well as rooms and bungalows,  but the nudity must be restricted to pool and jacuzzi. 
There is also the possibility of some naughty free skinny dipping while floating down the Russian River. 
 

Baker's Beach in San Francisco (no camping of course but you'll feel it's the great outdoors once you're inside the Golden Gate Park and surrounding recreation areas,  and Provincetown (Cape Cod,Mass) - although there has evidently been a crackdown on public nudity (by anyone) at the famous Herring Cove (state beach) that is 15 minute walking distance from P-town. That's what I used to do. Camp among clothed at night, spend all day among the naked during the day .

There's a commercial campground with easy walking distance of P-town (out on Hwy 6), Dunes' Edge Campground, and you can walk, bike or drive from there to Herring Cove Beach. I've heard that people still get nude at the P-town beach, but they have to be discreet because the park rangers patrol often and hand out tickets (or worse) to naked men in the sand dunes. Most everywhere they are more tolerant of non-sexual nudism, particularly where there are mixed groups. 

Overseas there are many more....

Big Island (Hawaii) Kalani is a gay-owned, and nudity friendly retreat for all types -more focused on spiritual, yoga, and new age trends, the pool area in clothing optional after 4pm , and there is the famous Kehena Beach (also clothing optional and alternative / new age oriented, with a wonderful assortment of naked people from every age and walk of life. 
Kalani has accommodations from camping to villa suites, meal plans or pay as you go are options. 

The world's largest nude beach and sand dudes (gay cruising area) is at Maspalomas (at Playa del Ingles on southern end of the island of Gran Canaria). 
That 's where I'm headed for the 5th time next month (March 15-22).. I'm not camping but staying at a two-hotel hotel for about $30 a night (self-catering), sex city at night and sunshine and naked male skins for days on the beach. 
Men cruising the dunes are aged 40+ and higher so not everybody's preference. 

Photo at the top shows a younger guy who was cruising naked in the dunes on Gran Canaria (on the largest of Spain's Canary Islands). 

Naked Camping for Gay Men

Camping in Hawaii

I'll be camping Dec 25-31 just near this place (taken last year). I sometimes wear my shorty board shorts while out on the rocky black lava shore of Puna, Big Island Hawaii. You can see that I am freeballing (and later got naked too).

I know it's not authentic.. but the photo reminds of those days when I used to go camping and also staying at summer camp. They look like they are probably freeballing.

=================================

If you have that long a time to spend, you'll probably be able to do the same on the Hawaiian islands -- it's a little known fact that there are quite a few county and state parks, in addition there is one National Park (Volcanoes NP) that have camp sites. None of those are officially (or even unofficially nude) -- but it never stops me if there's nobody around from getting that way. Still, the public park campgrounds supposedly require a permit - but in reality, I doubt that many people get one. As long as you don't camp too long in one spot, no one is likely to check up on you -- although technically they could and would if you tried camping on Oahu's Waikiki beaches or Kona's beaches on the west (and more touristy) side of the Big Island. Although if you don't put up a tent, you could probably get away with it on Diamond Head beach (past Waikiki) -- if you get up in the hill side nooks and crannies.

Of course, you have to watch out for the guys cruising for sex up there too [you'd not doubt be targeted]. But if there are two of you hooked together in one sleeping, they'll probably figure it best to leave you alone. There will also be plenty of places on the Big Island where you can camp on private property (if you not TOO noisy during the night[smile]). Now that gets the imagination going - fo'sure! -- I can just imagine what that Aussie dude was thinking because I know I would get turned on by the sounds of passion -- whoever it was going at it in the tent next door!

Naked Camping 

Camping, hiking, outdoor recreation are my favorities (along with scuba diving) so freeballing goes without saying. When I can, I also get naked too -- even when it's not a nudist camp. Fife's Ranch on the Russian River is a great place for that - except for holidays and the weekends, it's not too crowded and there is always 'space' to get naked down on the river itself. Some of the hot springs mentioned above would be great places too. I've been a couple of times to places in California and also in Oregon. Even skinnydipped at Yosemite in crowded mid-summer season one year. I hope to go nude hiking and camping in the Anza-Borrego State Park in San Diego County this winter and again in the spring.

Camping has such a special meaning for me because it was really while camping or at

 

summer camp that I got to see guys my age and also older (like the adults and camp counselor) naked but it was the wholesome, good-natured expression of fun, self-confidence with one's body, and being close to other guys that was the most significant. I guess some of them were freeballing too but I don't really remember focusing on that fact.

It was the
skinnydipping, or changing in the tent or cabins, getting ready for bed, and sometime sleeping nude next to your buddies -- those were times that made indelible memories for me that I remember fondly. I am going camping in the desert of Southern Calif just before Christmas and will also be on the Big Island for camping -- both of which will be mostly nude.

I used to have some land (an acre) near Pahoa which is partly wooded and the nearest neighbors are few so that I could get nude while camping there -- we'll be there the week after Xmas. Kehena Black Sands beach is not far away -- so it is a nude mixed beach --- with a lot of people there on the weekends -- and some cool dudes who love to bodysurf naked. Just up the road is Kalani resort where I sometimes camp out.. it's not nude camping, but the pool area is clothing-optional after 3pm. So it's pretty cool. This photo reminds me of my own teenage camping trips. I guess I 'm sort of trying to relive them when I go camping now...

  

Starting a Nudist or Naturist Club or nude men's group in your area

Do you participate in any organized nudist

or naturist clubs or nude men's groups events in your area/city?

Hello Jguys / US guys and of course Worldguys,

This site is evidently shutting down or greatly changing in a short time. I thought it necessary to try to connect off-line with some of the members who may be interested in a gay men's social club, especially one where social events involving nudity can occur.

So I am trying to start a regular international social club for nudist and naturist men (gay, straight, bi and curious) living or traveling in the Tokyo area. First of all, one may already (in Japanese - exclusively for Japanese men) but that won't help those who enjoy relating with other internationally minded guys, or who can't speak Japanese (such as newcomers and visitors).

Still, if you know how to contact any such group in Tokyo (or nearby), please let me know.

If you are interested in participating by attending, volunteering, and sponsoring or hosting an event for the new men's nudist social club, then please contact me here or on one of the following: My Twitter account is the same name and I'm also on Tribe.net, Adam4Adam, Dudesnude, JguysUSguys, and HangoutNude (other ids are: sunbuns99 or seefallus or hardtwoholed (Yahoo!)

My contact is: sunbunz on Google mail for direct email messages.

もちろん俺たちは日本語が少しできますので、遠慮しないで下さい。

　We would make daytrips to hot springs resorts and take evening visits to Tokyo city spas, hold pot luck dinners, and game or movie nights, and from time to time hold outdoors picnics and excursions to the few limited nude beaches or other naturist areas nearby.

Visitors from out of town could also be welcome to attend as guests through an invitation of current members. Fees for spa or bath entrances, transport, and food, drinks, etc are to born by each individual. There are no fees to participate or to join the club. Sexual behavior is NOT the norm. It is NOT a sex club, but sex might be allowed as a 'special activity' for certain designated events or situations. It would up to the members to decide if or when sexual behavior would be allowed (or not) - the location and make-up of the participants would certainly determine what's likely to be decided.

Thanks in advance for answering and for possibly joining our soon-to-be-formed social club (its name is not decided).
Dare to stay bare for those who care...

Anyone else interested or who has knowledge of good places to be naked outdoors?

I've yet to put up any such announcement on GNJ. You're welcome to advertise it -- as appropriate and give me as a contact. 

Somehow it seemed more urgent to do it here since (as you noted), we never know who and how many of this site's members will be returning to the new one. 

Anyone else who is interested in knowing about or in possibly joining our group can also reach me directly at:
sunbunz (at) gmail.com

I was tentatively hoping to hold an initial meeting in October (Sunday, the 2nd of Oct.), but nothing is definite. I have a friend visiting from Kyushu who would love to get naked, too. So any meeting may turn out to be much later (or not at all). Still.. we can only try and see. 

I think I've become more 'open' to doing something like this because of the repeal of DADT (the former rule / policy) in the US military.

I was never in the military but I certainly understood how the 'policy' made them feel. Much of life in Japan is still under an even more inhumane DADT policy - at least in my own existence. 

I believe now that more US servicemen stationed in Japan may be willing to participate, and particularly those who want to get off base and mix with the Japanese male community. 
Besides, we all know the appeal of men in uniform who take it all off. Whoa! (smile).

I also posted the notice on GNJ and Fridae (or will do so) - two other sites, but my Japanese is not good enough to find and then post the whole announcement on Japanese language sites where more locals are likely to see it. It might not go over well in the Japanese gay community for the simple fact that nudism is common - at least, as a 'hobby' or recreational activity. Obviously, onsen (hot springs) involve some different levels of nudity, and public baths used to be very very common (although that has changed greatly). 

I'm not only thinking about nudity. While I enjoy the outdoors very much (whether I am naked or not), but I also enjoy the arts and politics, good food and wine.

Maybe the idea of a International Gay Men's Social Club ... or a All-Male Chorus might work out better. 

Instead of simply being a very specific interest - nudism, maybe the purpose of the club should be larger: men's issues or a gay men's social club. In some US and other cities worldwide, there are gay men's groups that have some special function besides just 'meeting to meet',  notably are the Men's Chorus groups in several major American and Canadian cities. There are also gay men's art, theatre, and sporting groups as well. 

Obviously, a social justice or environmental cause can attract gay men (as well as other subgroups in society), such as the World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR groups) that spring up every year in June and October (North and South hemispheres). 

So if the purpose of the group were broadened, then there could be certain chapters for the location or type of activity, (such as naked outings or nude dinners), and even special interest groups (nudism, CMNM, wine tasting), or the various group could combine their activities for parties, fairs, visits to the theater, movies or art exhibits - where like-minded men (Japanese and all others) can mingle and get to know each other. 

Does this sound like pie in the sky? Do you think it could work and maybe there is no real need for such a men's club oriented for M4M.   I realize most people have their own friends, lovers, sex buddies and LTR but I also know many do not, or cannot easily make other gay male friends. Some guys are sure they are even gay and need a place and some people to talk about it. 

I have noticed already that there seems to be a sudden swell in the number of US military men who are getting online (in Japan) and probably coming out more to the gay bars. Clearly, there should be alternatives to staying out drinking late at night for men (and not just gay men).  This type of organization may be more possible today now than it was prior to Sept 21 - when 'don't ask, don't tell' ended for all US military personnel. 

Anyway.. thanks for getting in touch. 
Let me know what you think when you have a chance,

Being tangential (or at least distantly related) to the topic isn't a problem that you need apologize for, KF. 
I am not a stickler for decorum. It's the substance of the message that is most important, and I also appreciate your responses for exactly that reason: You take time to write something worth reading. 

--------------

I certainly agree that the casual or incidental nudity that is prevalent in Japan (more so in the past and in some regions) does satisfy the basic 'human urge' or instinct to be naked with one's fellow man (or woman - as the case may be). 

The ritual of bathing (for cleansing the body and soothing the spirit), and formerly doing so in a shared social experience ('public bath and onsen') have deeply affected the evolution of the Japanese psyche. It's worth studying in much more detail and breadth than I can do it justice here. 

However, I think there are much more profound and deeply cultural reasons why Japanese (and other Asian) countries don't practice nudism to the same extent that it seems to be awed and revered in the West.  Religion (or deeply ingrained moral tenets or ethical practices - since Japan's 'religions' are actually difficult to categorize as such) plays a huge role. 

For the West, one absolutely has to remember how much nudity and, by association - sexuality are also reviled by the puritanical elements, the strongly socially conservative and morally 'righteous' Christian right (which still holds a strong influence on the American psyche (and politics - e.g. the Tea Baggers (Bachmann's Tea Party) 

- who view the human body (particularly a nude one) as the devil's temptation to sin and depravity. While few people would admit to agreeing with that outright, that basic underlying sentiment pervades a lot of North American societal consciousness and certainly affected for a very long time the prohibition on sex, nudity, and particularly homosexuality in American society. It is similar but to less pervasive extent in European civilization too, owing to the massive influence of the Catholic Church. 

So... I'm way off topic... (or not)... 

Just answer question (on topic):

Would you ever participate in a gay men's social club activities off-line?

(Explain why or why not?)

I'm trying to gauge whether it is worth the effort to attempt to organize one. (Or as I might suspect, are people (gay men) already 'organized / disorganized' in their own private social networks, and incapable reaching out to take a more public stance or put on a public face. 

(Perhaps I've already answered my own question... but I'd still love to hear what you (and others) have to say about this idea.)
Ciao,

Kelly (sunbuns)