MX
MXQ123Original Poster
Jun 25, 2013Years ago, nudity at IBSP in Zion was not uncommon, but it had gotten to be a cruising site, and was cracked down on hard (mostly by enforcing the rules about going off trails -- made it harder for honest naturist+naturalist folks like me to get pictures of some of the wildflowers).
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).
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).
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- MXMXQ123Original PosterMay 26, 2015Saturday of Memorial Day weekend turned out to be the best day of the weekend - I'm glad I spent most of the day on the beach.
Virtually nobody on either the north or south units' nature areas. Strategically covered (but obviously not wearing pants) when the very few people passed by, one woman even said "hi!"
Best signs? No tire tracks in the sand, meaning the rangers are probably not patrolling.Worst sign? Nobody else partaking of the sun.ReactReply - SU
Jun 17, 2015I visited today and even though it was windy and a little cool, it was perfect. People were nice and there was little to no clothing on most. I finally took part myself and lost the clothes for a little bit. I wish I lived closer, I would be there all the time.ReactReply - MEMemberJun 17, 2015
how many people were there? id like to go this week or next..what are the best days?
ReactReply - MEMemberJun 17, 2015
how many people were there? id like to go this week or next..what are the best days?
ReactReply - SUJun 19, 2015
It was pretty sparse. saw 3 guys doing the g-string thing and only one other nude person. I would think any day during the week would be good. Just be vigilant of those that do not wish to see you nude.
ReactReply - MEMemberJun 19, 2015
so you mean weekdays are better than weekends?
ReactReply - SUJun 19, 2015From what I understand, the weekdays are quieter than the weekends so less chance of offending someone. That being said, this is a state park and there are laws against nudity in state parks. If you are going, please act with discretion so there is no knee jerk reaction to the few quiet people there who do disrobe.
If you are looking for a group of nude sunbathers this does not look like the place - you may be better off hitting one of the local nude campgrounds or making the trip to Mazo.
As for the location, at the south unit, hit the beach and head south. There is a nature center parking lot with a trail to the beach (again, head south). Get away from where textile sunbathers gather. Then be careful! look for others and keep an eye out for the rangers.
Do not pass the dead river, they have posts and stuff marking it off. Read the rules posted in the parking lot and abide - no sense in attracting unwanted attention to your self.ReactReply - MXMXQ123Original PosterJun 21, 2015Today the weather was not optimal: Strong southeast wind, and more overcast than was predicted. The south unit was nearly empty, but not quite empty enough (couples kept almost getting too close and then stopping, which meant I kept covering up needlessly).
North unit was, as always, quite empty, but the usable parts of the beach are slim due to erosion -- either wide scoured areas with no cover, or cliff-like with no real beach. I think I have a new favorite cove, though. The sun came out for about an hour or so and it was quite pleasant, but it didn't last. But for that time, I was able to lean back and enjoy the sun undisturbed.ReactReply - MXMXQ123Original PosterJun 22, 2015After Saturday's poor weather, I decided Sunday was do-over day.The north beach had a couple dog walkers early, but I found my new favorite cove and spent a few hours without anyone coming anywhere close to me. A quick lunch and I checked what was going on at the south beach. It was sparsely populated -- a few thongs, but nobody nude. There was a couple that was in a relatively secluded spot, and I asked if they'd seen rangers. They said yes, and I replied "So I guess it's not a nude beach day, eh?" They laughed which I thought was encouraging. I settled down a hundred yards from them, hoping they might relax and start a bit of freedom, but no dice -- I don't like being the first. I couldn't stay long, so if the scene changed after 2PM I wouldn't know.ReactReply
- MXMXQ123Original PosterJun 29, 2015The north unit will still be easy to get into from Hosah Park (by the power plant) or Winthrop Harbor, but don't try to "sneak" into the South Unit. When they were closed for most of a year due to huge numbers of fallen trees a couple years ago, I got chased out by a ranger when I tried to get in using the bike trails.ReactReply
- SUJul 6, 2015BE CAREFUL OF THE RANGERS!!!! I saw a posting on another board stating that someone got a ticket on Saturday. The person also stated that the Rangers said they would be arresting for nudity. When in doubt, cover up.ReactReply
- MXMXQ123Original PosterJul 7, 2015I was out on Sunday too, and followed my usual pattern: Morning on the North unit, quick lunch followed by a walk on the South only to discover it too occupied for discreet sunning and too sparse for social sunning, and a return to the North.
The lake level appears to have dropped some: You can walk the beach north of 21st St. again. There are a number of mini-coves which make it possible to see people from a long way away through the brush while still being hidden. While it was more crowded than previous weekends, it was still pretty quiet up there.ReactReply - MXMXQ123Original PosterJul 20, 2015Great weekend on the beach. I spent the entirety of Saturday morning on the North unit, didn't see a soul within shouting distance except on my way in and out. Unfortunately I had to be somewhere in the afternoon.
So I went back again this afternoon. The north unit had a fairly large number of people (maybe 10). I was probably spotted skinny dipping by one couple. That same couple was (ahem) fornicating when I was leaving -- they were in a rather hidden cove and didn't see me walking toward them until I was right in front of them.
So I went to the south beach, and surprise: there were actually nude people for a change. As usual lots of thongs, a couple of guys nude, and two women sunning top free.
A beautiful day on the beach.ReactReply - MXMXQ123Original PosterAug 18, 2015Another beautiful weekend.The North unit saw more visitors than usual, but with the high spring lake levels receding, there are some nice, secluded spots for sunning, where you can see people coming from a long way off and cover up, although discreet skinny-dips are less likely due to being closer to other people. No other naturists sighted
The South unit, when I visited on Saturday, had a number of thonged individuals, perhaps one or two nude.
So come on out, and bring your friends!ReactReply - MXMXQ123Original PosterSep 1, 2015
90 degrees in September? Hell yes, I'm going to the beach!Who's with me today?
ReactReply - NU
Sep 10, 2015Not sure how many days we have left, but I'm spending Thursday 9/10 out at the beach by the river. South unit should be very nice.ReactReply - SUSep 11, 2015
Forecast looks nice for next Monday-Wednesday. Now to figure out how too make it happen with work...
ReactReply - MXMXQ123Original PosterSep 15, 2015[quote]Not sure how many days we have left, but I'm spending Thursday 9/10 out at the beach by the river. South unit should be very nice.
[/quote]So how was it? Ranger danger gone for the season? Anyone else participating? Almost every time I've been there this summer, it's been just a few thonged folk, nobody more daring than that.ReactReply - NUSep 16, 2015Well my plan is to be as naked as I can be at the south end by the river on this Thursday. Should be nice and I hope a few of you come out and enjoy the weather with me.ReactReply
- NUOct 12, 2015Last day to enjoy the south beach naked. Hope some others feel the same as I do and show up.ReactReply
