Many people may notice that most of my profiles have Naturist listed as one of my lifestyles. I figured it was time for a blog describing what it is, how I got into it, the benefits for myself, and how I generally practice it.
Naturist vs Nudist. What’s the Difference?
A nudist is someone who will go nude in non-sexual situations around others occasionally. Someone that goes skinny dipping with friends. Someone who wrestles nude like the ancients did. A Nudist would normally wear clothing but occasionally likes to do activities nude.
A naturist is someone who views clothing as a tool rather than a necessity. A naturist will wear clothing only when the climate, task they are performing, or laws require the clothing and only as much as is necessary. Using clothing for warmth and protection as needed. Most of the time they will be nude whenever possible.
I myself fall into the naturist category. I prefer to wear as little clothing as possible at any time. Due to my wife’s condition requiring the house to be a cool 65F, I am clothed most of the time in reality.
How did you discover the lifestyle?
It started off when I was around 18 years old. I discovered that I was more comfortable sleeping nude. That progressed to just being in my room nude as often as possible.
I realized how much I enjoyed being nude and how relaxing it was. I started taking better care of my body. Taking daily showers. maintaining better hygiene overall, etc. This improved my health and general well being.
When I was 24 I went to Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook NJ solo. It was my first experience being nude around strangers in public. I enjoyed it over all but I did nearly get sun poisoning because I went solo and no one was around to make sure my back had sunscreen.
I spent 3 of the 4 hours at the beach on my stomach. I still needed to disassociate nudity from sex at that point. The main sticking point for me was the physical reaction of just being nude in general. Erections happen and I was young so they lasted back then. Eventually I was able to finish that disassociation for the last hour and get into the ocean.
The second time I went to Gunnison was with MARNA. MARNA is a local non-landed nudist / naturist club that holds swim meets nearly every month. I didn’t get burned that time. The trip was decent and I had fun but I did realize that sand isn’t my thing. It gets in every crack and crevice and is unpleasant from a sensory perspective for me.
I found Avalon as my next naturist destination. Avalon is a clothing optional resort in the mountains of Morgan County West Virginia. They originally had a Lodge but that burned down over Covid and was replaced by Cabins. The resort has various courts for things like tennis, volleyball, pickle ball etc. It has an aquatics and fitness center that has gym equipment, heated swimming pool, Hot Tub, Open Showers, Sauna, and Massage room. Originally the lodge had a restaurant. This has been replaced by the Bare Barn that is a bar and grille with a large dance floor.
Avalon also has many trails for hiking and nature watching. One of the things I enjoy most about visiting is going hiking on one of the trails. Feeling the warm sun, cool mountain air, and occasional cool rain shower on your skin is pure magic. Clothing blunts the sense of touch we have. Its similar to wearing a blind fold or ear plugs.
I also enjoy the Swimming Pool and Hot Tub. I will typically alternate between them. Swim and exercise in the pool then soak in the hot tub to relax the muscles. Sitting in the hot tub while the doors are open in the winter is another magical experience for me. the warm massage of the water on the parts of you that are submerged contrasted with the cool mountain air on your exposed skin is really nice.
The final thing I like to do at Avalon is stargaze. Laying out nude in the cool air looking up at the night sky is its own treasure. The amount of relaxation I feel doing that is beyond my ability to describe. I tell people that if you get the chance to experience nature while only being yourself, not clothes, no worries, just relaxation, DO IT!.
What are the benefits of Naturism?
The largest benefit I found from naturism is shedding the falsehood that society and the media feed us about the human body. Being presented with impossible body types daily pushes people to hate themselves and spend ridiculous amounts of money on products and services to make them look better.
Once you are around a large group of naked people and being naked yourself, you realize that the media and society are full of shit. People come in all shapes and sizes, have all sorts of markings on their body. The variety nature provides is truly amazing. You realize that you are real human being just like everyone else.
This truly helped me to start loving my body. I realized that I am not some hideous person or less than a man because I am flabby, have a belly instead of a 6 pack, etc. This improved my quality of life immensely and built my self confidence as well.
The second best benefit is that everyone is on the same level. No one knows if you are rich or poor, a doctor or a janitor, etc. Everyone is just a person and they interact as little or as much as they want. There is no judgement based on looks.
Is there anything sexual about naturism?
Naturism is about being in your natural state. Humans come in to this world naked just like other species do. Sex is an intimate act between two or more people. It should remain that way in a naturist setting and be in an area that is set aside for it.
The rules at clothing-optional establishments also forbid any public sexual activity. The common sense rule is : If you wouldn’t do it in a clothed public setting, don’t do it when nude here. No sexual contact or activity in the public areas. Your cabin or tent is the best place for that.
Some places are more relaxed than others so check the rules of the establishment you plan to attend. Sunny Rest Lodge in PA used to have after dark parties where people wore lingerie and danced. Some do not allow public displays of affection. Always read the rules and follow them.
What was your favorite Naturist Moment in 2026?
My favorite moment for 2026 was dancing in the rain at Avalon in April. I was there with my wife and it was raining so I stood outside in nothing but my blue Crocs and bounced in the cool rain. She took a picture of me doing that and It is my favorite this year.
What is a Naturist themed thing you’ve always wanted to do?
I’ve always wanted to do a birthday-suit party. Basically be nude at my own birthday party and celebrate in the same outfit I was born with. Since my birthday is in January, it has been difficult to get to the resort. The few times I have tried, the weather has made the trip impossible.
The ideal version of this party would have my friends attending. The event would be clothing optional and probably held at the aquatics center. Guests would only be required to be nude if they wanted to get in the sauna, pool, or hot-tub. I would be nude the entire time of course.
Sadly, none of my friends are nudists. All of the people I consider close enough to invite to this have seen me nude already. People who have been my friend long enough and I trust enough to ask them when they come over my place if they are OK with it or have lived with me in the past.
I plan to do the party this year at Avalon if the weather cooperates. It’s my 50th birthday and it would be neat to finally get this little dream brought to reality. My current plan as of this blog is to go Solo. I figure I can have fun and party alone if I have to.
I will make a mention of the trip on my socials when the time gets closer and I can be more confident the trip will happen. Anyone inclined to come celebrate with me will simply need to call and reserve their own cabin, get to Avalon, and meet me. If anyone decides to come, I would be elated, I always tell friends not to worry about gifts. Time is the most precious gift one human can give another.
Do you take Naturist pictures?
I take naturist pics and videos of myself. Use of cameras at clothing-optional establishments is very restricted. Consent of everyone in photos taken is paramount. People generally do not want to be photographed / recorded nude. Some places outright ban the use of cameras unless used by staff at the request of a patron. Read the rules before using your camera.
I do not put the pictures I take online for public consumption. There are a myriad of issues that can arise from having your nudes on the internet. I also don’t want to be sexualized or objectified. We are all human beings with value and worth and should be treated / thought of as such.
I will show them to people who specifically as me in person. I have no problem being nude around other people as long as I know they aren’t made uncomfortable by it or are in a clothing-optional setting. Showing someone those pictures who was ok with it is no different then sharing my clothed vacation photos at Ocean City to me.
I also try to record a vlog daily when I shower. Those are for me to sort my thoughts each day before I get started. I can also go back and see how I was feeling and what I was doing on those days. Since the shower is one of the few places where I can be alone, it works best for this.
How would you suggest someone try nudism or naturism?
If possible, find other nudists / naturists and events you could go to. This will help you avoid things like getting sun poisoning and help with the anxiety of being nude around other people.
Clothing Optional beaches are a decent starting area. Most of these beaches are inexpensive and have far more relaxed rules. Sand also might be your thing even if its not mine.
Find a local nudist or naturist club. Non-landed clubs will get you in contact with other people and provide small events that you can do nude with others.
Ask the people closest to you if you can be nude around them. In my experience, close friends will be do this for you. It will probably be awkward for you and them at first. After time though neither of you will notice the nudity of whoever is nude. Everyone involved will just look at each other as a friend they are now a bit more familiar with.
I typically will tell my closest friends that I am a naturist and that I prefer to go nude at my home. I ask them if they would be okay with that if they came over. I haven’t had a single person balk at that. Not sure how much they looked the first time. I don’t pay attention to that and they never mentioned it. I do know that after some time it turns in to “oh that’s Kavin my friend. Cool” which is how it should be.
What is one Naturist event you would love to do but can’t?
Not necessarily a Naturist event but, the World Naked Bike Ride in Philadelphia would be so cool to do. My health and fitness level wont let me do that yet. I do hope to do it someday. Preferably with body paint that makes me look like my Fursona!
Final Thoughts:
Naturism is a lifestyle that has brought me peace, relaxation, and a healthier view of my body. It is an amazing experience to remove the blind-fold from your skin and experience the world around you. It relieves anxiety by removing puritanical and social lies that are promoted through everyday media exposure.