If you’re the type that wraps a towel around your waist at the gym while shimmying in and out of your garments, nude beaches probably aren’t for you. But contrary to popular opinion, the clothing optional beach (long considered a European phenomenon) is alive and well in North America and includes at least several dozen places in the U.S. and Canada where folks can legally strip down—including many that are family friendly. Leave your preconceived notions (and swimsuit) at home and check out these celebrated spots where hundreds gather on hot days to swim, frolic, catch a few rays and—ahem—hang loose. Here are the 9 best nude beaches in North America ranked (and with plenty of um, “cheeky” puns):
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9. Hippie Hollow: Austin, TX
America’s mid-section is modest compared to its coastal counterparts—and to be fair, also lacking in coastline—so it’s a bit of a surprise that the Lone Star State even has a clothing optional beach. Nevertheless, it’s suns out, buns out at beloved Hippie Hollow. Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Travis, about 40 minutes from downtown Austin, Hippy Hollow is less a beach than it is a series of tiered, limestone rocks cascading toward the water (making for some slippery situations for skinny dippers). A paved path, which is also clothing optional, leads the way to the areas where folks can strip down and the very end is popular with gay sunbathers.
Pros: Sunny wand warm year round, social atmosphere, well maintained
Cons: No sand, only accessible via car, parking fee, cramped on busy days
Get cheeky at Kehena Beach | Flickr CC: Eli Duke
8. Kehena Beach: Big Island, HI
Millennials leaping naked into the surf from a giant rock might be the first thing to come into sight at this gorgeous black sand beach tucked away in the steamy jungle of the Big Island‘s Puna District—a haven for artists, free spirits, adventure seekers and yogis on retreat. Sparse in population, the remoteness of the region means there’s hardly ever a large crowd at this secluded stunner where the sand is literally obelisk black, dolphins sightings are common and the water inviting (but beware a serious undertow). The Sunday drum circle, however, packs the beach by the hundreds and likely to leave seekers of solitude a little, dare we say, testy?
Pros: Stunning scenery, social atmosphere, warm water
Cons: Out of the way, rough undertow, rocky in parts, frequently rains
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7. Marshall Beach: San Francisco, CA
A series of three smallish coves, Marshall’s fame has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to a footpath that has made the beach more accessible to visitors. About as close to the Golden Gate Bridge as a person can get without standing directly underneath it, many tourists to Marshall come to snap a pic before toddling off to the next tourist attraction. Insiders, however, know this to be the best place in SF to strip down and take a naked selfie with the bridge as a backdrop. Downright treacherous in high tide, Marshall manages to pack ’em cheek to cheek (pun intended!) on hot weekends and the furthest cove enjoys a celebrated following among gay men.
Pros: Secluded, stunning views
Cons: Cold water, cramped on weekends, unpredictable weather
6. Wreck Beach: Vancouver, BC
So laid back are the denizens of Vancouver that you could ask your hotel concierge for directions to this massive nude beach near the University of British Columbia and the likelihood of her even batting an eyelash is slim. You may actually need a concierge’s navigational skills as Wreck is a bit of a trek from downtown. The best way to reach it is either via a lengthy bus ride or Uber, but it’s worth it. The closest thing to Burning Man you’ll see at a nude beach, the hippie, communal vibe at Wreck includes vendors peddling items like hand-crafted jewelry, sarongs, food, beverages and more. The water is freezing so instead try joining a nude guitar jam.
Pros: Social atmosphere, lots of amenities
Cons: Out of the way, freezing water, short season
Flickr CC: osseous
5. Haulover Beach: North Miami, FL
If there’s one thing nude beaches have in common—aside from sunburnt buns—it’s that they’re often off-the-beaten-path and difficult to reach. Not so at Haulover, a sprawling, sun-drenched patch of coastline whose easy accessibility may have something to do with the region’s abundance of retirees. Located in Haulover Park, a mere stone’s throw from the literal northern tip of Miami Beach, Haulover offers changing facilities (not that anybody needs them), paved walkways and plenty of parking. The vibe is chill and the calm, turquoise waters are warm and ideal for skinny dipping. Most folks strip down and those who don’t may feel like an, ahem, boob.
Pros: Easy access, abundant parking, changing areas, food trucks, warm water
Cons: Not as social as other nude beaches, not particularly scenic
4. North Baker Beach: San Francisco, CA
San Francisco’s famously liberal vibe reaches its apotheosis at North Baker, a beach with both clothed and nude halves. Folks of all ages, races, genders and sexual orientations mix and mingle at this tolerant beach (this was the original site of Burning Man from 1986-1990) while soaking up both rays and stunning Golden Gate Bridge views. While the famously cold water will make you shiver (and shrivel) most months of the year, Baker is nevertheless a convivial place to sun and socialize in a relatively secluded and gawker free environment. There’s no ifs ands or—dare we say it—butts about it, North Baker is a great nude beach for first timers.
Pros: Fun atmosphere, beautiful scenery
Cons: Parking lot fills up fast, unpredictable weather, cold water, no facilities
In case you miss the sign at Gunnison Beach | Flickr CC:Jackie
3. Gunnison Beach: Sandy Hook, NJ
Jersey might seem an unlikely destination for one of the busiest nude beaches in the U.S., but packed Gunnison is as much a hangout for New Yorkers as it is for residents of the Garden State. Part of the the stunning and remote Sandy Hook National Recreation Area, folks reach cramped Gunnison either by car (the parking lots fill up very quickly on weekends) or via Manhattan ferry. The latter is the preferred choice for New Yorkers who are then bussed for free to clothing optional Gunnison. Most folks go completely naked and on weekends the beach packs ’em in booty to booty. Check out the unobstructed, or shall we say full frontal, skyline views.
Pros: Fun and lively, calm waters, facilities nearby, food trucks on weekends, picturesque views
Cons: Parking lots fills up fast, very cramped
2. Little Beach: Maui, HI
Where there’s a Little Beach, there must be a Big Beach, right? Indeed there is although the two couldn’t be anymore different. Located in serene Makena State Park, just south of all the fancy resorts in Wailea, Big Beach is family friendly (not that Little Beach isn’t) with stunning scenery and inviting waters. But walk to the far north end of the beach, climb a little cliff and—voila!—everyone is naked. The beach is compact and cozy and the surf is perfect for swimming. But Little Beach’s claim to fame is its Sunday sunset in which hundreds gather for a drum circle (once famously led by Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler) and accompanying fire dancing.
Pros: Easy to reach, good for swimming, convivial crowds
Cons: Parking is tight on busy weekends, beach is smallish
On the way to Black’s Beach | Flickr CC: Bill Coons
1: Black’s Beach: San Diego, CA
The best nude beach in North America is an expansive, perfectly sun-kissed stretch of sand in sunny, San Diego. It’s quite the hike down a very steep bluff (one entrance to the beach does include steps), but its remoteness is also its charm. Black’s guarantees relative privacy for nude sunbathers and elbow room for all given that the clothing optional portion stretches more than a mile end to end. Body surfing is the norm as the waves are generally strong without being overpowering and the waters temps just right between July and September. Weekdays are quiet, but numbers swell well past a thousand on holiday weekends.
Pros: Social, roomy, good for swimming, lifeguards on duty
Cons: No amenities, hard to reach, occasional stingrays
