Here’s the skinny on sunbathing without a stitch… The U.S. is home to more than a few places where you can soak up the sun in your natural state—no tan lines, no problem. From the brisk shores of New England to the balmy beaches of Hawaii, clothing-optional coastlines are sprinkled across the country, offering a sunny haven for those who prefer to keep things breezy and bare. This guide covers some of the best spots to strip down and stretch out under the sky.
A quick heads-up: going sans swimsuit is a legal gray zone in many of these areas, and local rules can shift with the tides. This piece is meant for inspiration—make sure to double-check current regulations and the exact boundaries of clothing-optional zones before baring it all.
Rooster Rock State Park, Oregon
Adjacent to Collins Beach lies Rooster Rock State Park, another popular destination for natural sunbathers in Oregon. With its sandy shores and towering basalt cliffs, Rooster Rock offers plenty of space for visitors to spread out and soak up the sun sans suits. If you want to be private about your privates, you’ll enjoy the solitude of Sauvie Island, but many consider Rooster Rock one of the best clothing-optional beaches on the West Coast. If only there were another name, Rooster Rock– bonus points if you found one that rhymes.
Collins Beach, Sauvie Island, Oregon
Not all beaches are on oceans. Located on the northern tip of Sauvie Island, Collins Beach offers a serene setting for sunbathing freely along the shores of the Columbia River. Accessible via a short hike from the parking lot, this clothing-optional beach provides stunning views of the surrounding wilderness, making it a favorite spot for nature enthusiasts who happen to be naturalists.
College Cove Beach, Northern California
Tucked away along the rugged coastline of Northern California, College Cove Beach boasts pristine sands and crystal-clear waters, making it an idyllic spot for freedom loving beachgoers seeking seclusion and natural beauty. The trail to the beach is short but steep, and during low tides, you can see a rock arch called “The Portal.”
Red Rock Beach, San Francisco, California
Red Rock Beach provides stunning views of the Pacific Ocean along with a clothing-optional atmosphere favored by locals and visitors alike. There’s a small lot above the hike, but on busy days, you’re probably going to be parking at nearby Red Rock Springs. The beach is surrounded by rocky crags, which makes it popular with rock climbers.
It’s almost like a movie – rock jocks and flocks of… nature lovers watching from the roadside with binoculars. It might not be the ending you were expecting, but we’ll keep telling ourselves that it’s a great observation point for the whales migrating up and down the coast.
Black Sands Beach, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California
Situated within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Black Sands Beach offers a secluded stretch of shoreline where au naturel sunbathers can enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Marin Headlands without the distraction of clothing. Black sand is a bit of a misnomer; it is more like black crushed pebbles but still beautiful. Also, the ride to the parking area is an adventure unto itself.
Baker Beach, San Francisco, California
Famed for its iconic views, Baker Beach provides a picturesque setting for unclad sunbathing just minutes from downtown San Francisco. It has a mile-long stretch of sand on the Southwest side of the Golden Gate Bridge. You get a better view as you go farther north on the beach. You can also see the bridge better.
San Gregorio Beach, California
As the oldest natural beach in the United States, San Gregorio Beach has a long-standing tradition of embracing clothing-optional recreation along its sandy shores. San Gregorio stands out amongst the other Bay Area beaches because of its sensational sand. The buff area is a long walk from the large public lot, but several smaller pay lots are much closer to the action.
Bonny Doon Beach, Central California
Nestled between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay, Bonny Doon Beach offers a secluded escape for tan-line free beach enthusiasts seeking tranquility amidst towering cliffs and crashing waves. The southern portion of the beach is more traditional and family-friendly. If you’re looking for an adult swim, walk north towards a large boulder near the waterline. That’s where you can start working on those tan lines.
More Mesa Beach, Santa Barbara, California
There’s a saying: less is more at More Mesa. This pristine stretch of coastline is located just north of Santa Barbara, not surprisingly under the bluffs of More Mesa. The tagline, less is more, also goes for the width of the beach, which nearly disappears during high tides.
Blacks Beach, San Diego, California
Perched beneath the rugged cliffs of La Jolla, Blacks Beach is renowned as one of the largest and most popular buff beaches on the West Coast. It attracts sun-seekers from near and far. Some AI-generated lists call it the best beach in San Diego without giving the clothing-optional caveats – oops.
Surfers love it because it has one of the best breaks in the county, but hanging 11 is way overrated! What’s not overrated is watching the paragliders sail through the air from the La Jolla Gliderport, which sits on the bluffs above the beach.
Secret Cove, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Tucked away along the shores of Lake Tahoe, Secret Cove offers a hidden oasis for au naturel sunbathing amidst the alpine beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States, and it’s over a mile above sea level. Both these factors make it stunningly blue and notoriously cold, so you can claim shrinkage with a clear conscience.
Kauapea Beach, Kauai, Hawaii (Secret Beach)
Accessible via a scenic hike along the Na Pali Coast, Kauapea Beach, also known as Secret Beach, provides a secluded paradise for clothing-free beachgoers amid the tropical splendor of Kauai. The unpaved road in, along with steep hike down help keep this beautiful beach a secret, but you still need to walk to the far end of the beach to find the bare-skinned area.
Little Beach, Maui, Hawaii
Located on the southern coast of Maui, Little Beach is a popular gathering spot for freedom-loving sunbathers who flock to its golden sands and turquoise waters. Mākena State Park has both a “Big Beach” and a “Little Beach” that are separated by a narrow, sandy trail. If you’re reading this article, you’ll want to be at Little Beach. You also might enjoy the Sunday night drum circle, which is a hippie party in paradise.
Kehena Beach, Hawaii
Situated on the Big Island’s Puna coast, Kehena Beach offers a laid-back atmosphere and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, making it a favorite destination for natural beach enthusiasts. Ironically, this is a black sand beach formed from a 1955 lava flow, even though black doesn’t appear in the name. The sand can get hot in the mornings and mid-afternoons, so you’ll want to bring a blanket and beach shoes, even if that’s all you’re wearing.
Moshup Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Nestled along the pristine shores of Martha’s Vineyard, Moshup Beach provides a serene setting for suit-free sunbathing amidst the natural beauty of this iconic New England destination. The surrounding area is so beautiful that the cliffs above the beach were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1965.
Gunnison Beach, Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey
Located on Sandy Hook Peninsula, Gunnison Beach is one of the few legal undressed beaches on the East Coast, attracting naturists from New York City and beyond with its expansive shoreline and stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. Because of its proximity to major metropolitan areas, it is the largest clothing-optional recreation area on the East Coast.
Apollo Beach / Playalinda, Canaveral National Seashore, Florida
Situated within the pristine wilderness of Canaveral National Seashore, Apollo Beach and Playalinda offer a remote and secluded escape for garmentless beach enthusiasts along Florida’s Space Coast. Apollo is entered from the north by New Smyrna and Playalinda from the south on Merritt Island. About 13 miles of sandy beach separate the two entrances, give people plenty of space. On the subject of space, these beaches are an ideal viewing spot for space launches out of Kennedy Space Center.
Blind Creek Beach, Hutchinson Island, Florida
Located on the barrier island of Hutchinson Island, Blind Creek Beach offers a secluded escape for bare-skinned sunbathers seeking tranquility amidst the natural splendor of Florida’s Treasure Coast. After 16 years of tacit approval, Blind Creek Beach was officially designated as clothing-optional, which makes it eligible for lifeguards and the installation of informational signs.
Haulover Beach, Miami, Florida
As one of the most famous garmentless beaches in the United States, Haulover Beach attracts sun-seekers from around the world with its pristine sands and clothing-optional atmosphere. It’s Florida’s most famous and oldest officially recognized clothing-optional beach. Unlike most other natural beaches, the undressed section of Haulover Beach is right in the middle of Miami’s beach district, with plenty of nearby amenities. No wonder it’s considered one of the top ten unclothed beaches in the world!
Honorary Mentions: More Topless than Au Naturel
While not fully naturalist beaches, the following destinations are known for their liberal attitudes towards toplessness:
UFO Beach, South Padre Island, Texas – UFO Beach on South Padre Island, though not legally recognized as an unclad beach, has become famous for its clothing-optional atmosphere, drawing visitors, especially college students, for sunbathing and water sports. Named after a washed-up emergency pod resembling a spaceship, it’s known for its lively atmosphere, with occasional beach parties. Nudity isn’t officially permitted, but topless sunbathing for women is allowed, albeit with potential enforcement by beach patrols.
South Beach, Miami, Florida – Topless sunbathing is allowed on all Miami beaches, with South Beach being the prime location for this activity. Brazilian bikinis are prevalent with many sunbathing in minimal attire.
Concluding America’s Best Beaches For a Tan Without the Lines
Whether you’re a seasoned naturist or a first-time nudist, America’s best natural beaches offer something for everyone. So why not skip the tan lines and embrace the freedom of au naturel sunbathing at one of these spectacular destinations? If you do visit, remember to come prepared and clean up after yourself, as many of these beaches are pretty remote.
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Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.
