Gradually "let down your guard" around your spouse and kids, and let them feel at ease about doing likewise.  If you have a private enough back yard or pool, try skinny-dipping or sunning at off times until you feel comfortable doing it on a regular basis.  Don't worry about the neighbors.  If they invade your privacy, make nothing of it.  If it seems normal to you, they will accept it as part of the package and will more likely question their own problem with it, rather than make a big deal of it.

Why not just stop there?  For many, that's as far as they go.  In a way, their walls and fences become their more comfortable, roomier clothes.  Families members have fewer barriers between them, and home becomes a place where one's appearance is unconditionally accepted.  Everyone can just be themselves.
 
But many of us feel constrained being "closet nudists".  Like everyone else, we want who we are, what we look like, and what we do, to be accepted by others.  In return, we don't mind extending the same courtesy.
 

Private parks have the advantage of being protected environments where being nude within the park is unquestionably legal and safe.  Since these establishments are privately owned, management has full authority to refuse to admit, or to ask anyone to leave, as they see fit.  This gives people a powerful incentive to behave properly, lest that visit be their last.  You might initially feel like feel like a stranger amongst  friends, but the barriers to getting to know people there are much lower than you'd expect. You'll soon feel more at home than you would in a similar "textile" (clothed) situation.
 

Your best bet is to visit a beach with a long tradition of hassle free nude use.  Some states have designated nude beaches, while others have areas where they simply turn a blind eye.  There are no federal laws against nudity, so many of the best places are in secluded areas of federal parks, seashores, and other federal recreation areas.  Beware that some federal areas are less friendly than others.  See my page on Where to Go for some suggestions.

So you find the place and walk down toward a bunch of "naked people".  Then what?  Just relax.  Hang around the edges or set up a "safe" distance away so you can observe what's going on.  No one will mind if you keep your suit on. Take your time.  If you're not comfortable with slipping out of your suit on this visit, maybe next time.  Stay as long as you like.  You're free to leave at any time.

Getting naked the first time is like going into cold water.  Some like to take it slow, while others like to dive in to get it over with.  My advice is the latter.  Make up your mind and just take off your clothes as if there's nothing to it.  Ignore any thoughts to the contrary and you'll soon notice that it wasn't such a big deal.  Act natural and any remaining anxiety will quickly abate.  You'll be surprised how quickly it just "feels right".

From then on, just enjoy yourself.  Notice how unbroken the sun, surf, and sand feels on your body.  Play volleyball with the regulars if offered.  Most people mind their own business at nude beaches, but it's not because they're not friendly (usually quite the opposite).  Some people just want to be left alone, and most people there respect that.  Nude beaches are usually relatively quiet and peaceful, compared with the riffraff and noise at your typical beach.

If you aren't comfortable at one beach, try another.  If you'd feel safer with a group, check the guides and the internet for groups that frequent beaches in your target area.  It may take a trip or two before you get used to it, but give it a chance.  Personally, I get frustrated when I go to a "textile" beach with clothed friends.  Once you get used to not having anything between you and the beach, it's hard to go back.
 

First of all, they are not  "nudist colonies".   That is a rather antiquated term used by the media, perpetuating a rather shallow image based on lack of information.  Instead, they are getaway destinations for people in the surrounding communities, visitors to the area, and for the people who live there.  Most parks and resorts are a mix of campground,  resort, mobile home community, and private member club.  Some are rustic with only property and maybe a clubhouse, while others resemble fancy subdivisions with condos, shops, restaurants, and activities galore.  Most clubs have residents who live there, if only seasonal or part-time.  The majority of the members live within a few hours drive and come on weekends.  Visitors come in two varieties, traveling nudists from other clubs or organizations, and first timers, trying it out for the first time.

Check the AANR directory (see Where to Go) for a club nearby or in an area you plan to visit.  Lesson number one:  CALL AHEAD!  Introduce yourself and ask if you'd be welcome to visit.  If you're a single male or traveling without your spouse, some clubs might inform you of policies they may have that restrict the number of single males or discourage visits without spouses.  The single male issue relates to the fact that nudist men outnumber women in many areas, and some clubs seek to maintain a "gender balance" to avoid having some of the women feel uncomfortable.  The missing spouse issue relates to clubs trying to be "family friendly", encouraging both spouses to work out their differences and attend together, rather than be split apart by their different interests.  If you fit into either of these two categories, and/or the manager seems cool or rejecting, call another club.  Many of the more progressive clubs, and most of the larger clubs, have dropped such policies, especially against single males.  Single women will have little problem securing an invitation to visit.  In either case, don't give up. Remember, you're asking to be invited to a private club, not a public park.  Be polite and state your interest.  You might not want to bring the kids on the first visit.  They'll pick up on your nervousness, and will be much more comfortable when you are more confident and relaxed about it.

Then comes the big day.  Get good instructions on how to find the place, since most parks are pretty secluded.  When you arrive, tell them your name and remind them that you called earlier.  Don't worry about being nervous.  The manager has probably dealt with hundreds to thousands of first timers, so just follow his or her lead.  The grounds fees for the day will vary between $8 to $30+, depending on how fancy the club is.  They'll tell you where to park, where things are, and will probably give you a list of common sense rules.  If you're lucky and the manager has some time, you might get a tour and/or get introduced to some of the regulars.  After that, you're usually on your own.
 

Some resorts are "clothing optional" and some aren't.  At a clothing optional resort, you're free to remain dressed with no pressure to disrobe.  Ask about their policy, as "CO" is not a bad choice if the spouse isn't so sure about undressing.  One almost universal exception is that you will probably be required to be nude in their pools and hot tubs.  The rather weak argument is that it keeps fibers from clogging the filters.  The real reason is that "skinny-dipping" is almost a sacred right to nudists, and that's why you're there, isn't it?  Even if the club is "CO", take the plunge and disrobe.  You'll probably feel more out of place if you stay clothed, since the majority will likely be nude.

Most clubs are not "clothing optional" and expect visitors and members to be nude, weather permitting.  It's also easier to get used to nudity when everybody's nude.  First timer's are usually given some latitude, but the sooner you disrobe, the sooner you'll feel less out of place.  After the call, the drive, and the guy at the gate, taking off your clothes is the easy part.  As in the beach discussion above, my advice is to "just do it".  It feels pretty strange the first time, stripping beside your car in a parking lot.  The feeling of vulnerability fades over the next few hours.  Just ignore it and it will pass.  Don't forget to bring a towel to sit on (universal practice).  And don't be so nervous that you lock your keys in the car!

There is usually plenty to do, if you're so inclined.  The stereotypical  nude volleyball game is actually a favorite pastime at most clubs.  It is a wonderful distraction and a great way to get used to being nude.  Join in if offered.  Tennis anyone?  Most clubs have pools, saunas, and/or hot tubs which facilitate social interaction, and nature trails or quiet sunning areas for those times you just want to be left alone.
 

What are the people like at these places?  The beaches attract a younger, more liberal crowd.  But you'll likely also find retirees just fishing or socializing there.  Private resorts tend to have more middle aged members, and tend to be somewhat more conservative.  Sadly, the groups most underrepresented are teenagers and young adults.  Teenagers often feel too constrained by peer pressure and are more self-conciousness about their level of physical maturity.  Young adults who are just now trying to "fit in" to society seem less inclined to thumb their noses at it.  It takes a fair amount of  maturity to question ingrained, but unhealthy, aspects of our culture.  The best mix of ages can be found with nudist families, where the kids grow up in that environment.  By the way, a lot of research has been done with kids that grow up in nudist families.  In just about every way, they turn out better than their clothing compulsive counterparts.

Nudists tend to be very friendly and open, but they don't pry.  You won't be expected to use your last name, nor will you be asked to go into detail about what you do, where you work, or where you live.  You'll find that one of the best attractions there is not knowing, nor caring, whether the person you're talking with is rich or poor, professional or blue collar.   You'll certainly not be able to tell by the way they dress.

Many people are sensitive about their privacy in this environment, so all learn to respect it.  Cameras are usually not welcome, and pictures aren't taken unless the parties agree.  Gawkers with binoculars and/or cameras at nude beaches are made to feel most unwelcome.  Please leave them in the car.

You'll meet people who are older, more overweight, or have had more surgery than you.  You'll also meet people who are more attractive, or are "better equipped",  than you.  That won't matter.  The whole idea is to learn to accept the whole person, not just the wrapping.
 

To me, nudism isn't a lifestyle in itself, but a refuge from some truly destructive aspects of our present culture.  A simple getaway.  I would rather simple nudity not be such a big deal, and walls and secrets not be required to prevent others from being offended.  "Normal" should be a condition where people can express themselves, as themselves, and not feel shame about what they look like, or who they are.   I'd rather not be classified as a nudist, naturist, or any other "-ist" by society.  I'd rather we just be ourselves, each unique and individual.

If you give it a try, let me know how it went.  Also let me know if I missed anything.  Or write with questions.  Good luck and enjoy yourself!
 

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Last Modified December 29, 1997.