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Is Public Nudity Legal in United States?

ListedUnclear: no authoritative source found· Checked by Reto Pascal Wyss

The status is unclear at national level, because the sources we found contain no general federal public-nudity statute, so check the page for the state you are visiting. On federal land the rules vary by site: Cape Cod National Seashore bans public nudity by regulation, while the park service tolerates a signed clothing-optional area at Sandy Hook's Gunnison Beach.[1][2]

Designated nude beaches or tolerance?

At Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey), the superintendent's compendium says part of Area G (South Gunnison) is used by visitors as a clothing-optional area and that nudity outside the signed area may be considered disorderly conduct under 36 CFR 2.34(a)(2). Cape Cod National Seashore prohibits public nudity, including nude bathing, on federal land and water within its boundaries (36 CFR 7.67(e)).[2][1]

Private naturist clubs and resorts

AANR, the national nudist federation, runs a club locator that searches its affiliated clubs and resorts by US state or Canadian province.[3]

Penalties

No penalty specific to simple nudity is documented in the sources we found.

Is going topless legal?

At Cape Cod National Seashore the federal nudity ban covers the female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; elsewhere this depends on state law.[1]

Official naturist places in United States

Places NudistMap lists as officially designated or naturist-only. Status comes from open data; check each place page.

Nudity laws by state

Each state sets its own rules. States where NudistMap lists naturist places:

Frequently asked questions

Is public nudity legal in United States?

The status is unclear at national level, because the sources we found contain no general federal public-nudity statute, so check the page for the state you are visiting. On federal land the rules vary by site: Cape Cod National Seashore bans public nudity by regulation, while the park service tolerates a signed clothing-optional area at Sandy Hook's Gunnison Beach.

Are there official nude beaches in United States?

At Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area, New Jersey), the superintendent's compendium says part of Area G (South Gunnison) is used by visitors as a clothing-optional area and that nudity outside the signed area may be considered disorderly conduct under 36 CFR 2.34(a)(2). Cape Cod National Seashore prohibits public nudity, including nude bathing, on federal land and water within its boundaries (36 CFR 7.67(e)).

Is nudity allowed at private naturist clubs in United States?

AANR, the national nudist federation, runs a club locator that searches its affiliated clubs and resorts by US state or Canadian province.

What is the penalty for public nudity in United States?

No penalty specific to simple nudity is documented in the sources we found.

Is going topless legal in United States?

At Cape Cod National Seashore the federal nudity ban covers the female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola; elsewhere this depends on state law.

Sources

  1. 36 CFR 7.67 Cape Cod National Seashore (Cornell LII) (statute)
  2. Gateway National Recreation Area, Superintendent's Compendium (NPS) (government)
  3. AANR Nudist Club Locator (federation)

This page summarises the law for travellers and is not legal advice. Laws, local bylaws and enforcement change; follow local signs and check the sources below. Last checked 31 October 2026.

Naturist places in United States

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