Since then, there's always been a contingent of thong-clad men, and other nudity has been rare on the south unit -- I found secluded spots for sunning and discrete skinny-dips right on the beach in the north unit but those have lost their cover as erosion changes the beachfront year by year.
It appears that ranger patrols have been reduced (I'm guessing budget limits, especially with what they've had to spend after the last few years' storm damage). I've started to see a bit more flagrant nudity on the south unit (a topless woman this last sunday, a guy changing into his thong in full view of the beach). Especially further down the beach, it seems an opportunity to start colonizing the place again.
Sundays seem to be my best day to get there -- anyone else want to join me? Walk a mile south of the nature center, you might find me (but without a signal, you won't find me nude -- I'll see you coming).
Replies
- NU
Jun 6, 2022I was just at the beach behind the power station in Waukegan. You park in the North Beach Lot and walk north. It was very nice and a few others were out enjoying the sun naked.
ReactReply - MXMXQ123Original PosterJun 21, 2022To misquote Elton John,The Beach is BackWater levels are down from their peak, and there's a lot more beach at the north nature unit (between Hosah Park and 17th street), There's even a few coves where you'll get some cover from brush, but I'd be very careful - the path is pretty much on top of the beach these days. There were a couple people waaaaay down the beach, but I was able to take a refreshing cool dip. I did see one guy nude at the Sailing Beach area - pretty daring, a fair number of people come through there. I did not visit the south unit this trip. See my other post on Waukegan North Beach.ReactReply
- CI
Jun 25, 2022I've been going to Illinois State Beach Park South Unit for over 13 years. Most of what I've read here I agree with. The wind off the lake (east, Southeast, north and northeast ) is crucial to keep the biting flies away. While this is not a legal nudist area, the DNR rules state that genitals must be covered. That allows you to wear a g-string showing your ass. That said, many mostly gay or bi men(and a few straight men) find a sandy area in the grass to sun nude. Discretion is important as straight people have complained about nudity to the rangers which makes them patrol more. In recent years, there has been a much less of a ranger presence due possibly to the Illinois budget problems. The rangers can be aggressive with using binoculars, sneaking up on people,etc. They used to harass the gay men but have stopped that. I have been there about 4-5 times this year mostly on weekends and saw the ranger only once.
The north end of the Waukegan municipal beach is nearby and not patrolled at all. Been going there about as long and can be nude all day without trouble. Just a few joggers or rock collectors, walkers occasionally go by. It is a mile walk from the parking lot taking the "sandpiper" trail to the beach then walk north as far as you can. They charge non-Waukegan people (they check your vehicle sticker) on weekends but it is free during the week.ReactReply
