In 2320, we will cover a list of suggested items that are recommended for you to pack and bring when visiting a nudist resort, retreat, or campsite. This list may vary depending on your personal needs, the duration of time you spend at the resort / retreat, and the amenities offered at the resort / retreat.

Essentials for All Trips

These are a list of essential items you should always pack and bring to a resort / retreat regardless of your duration of stay and regardless of the location you attend:

• Your valid driver's license or government ID 
  • Many locations will not allow you entry without this! They need to verify who you are and ensure you are not a predator, criminal, or individual with a past history of poor conduct at nudist venues. Some locations may also run a background check.
  • If you are attending as a couple, be sure your spouse also brings their ID as well.
• A credit card and cash
  • You will need some method to pay for your stay at the resort. And carrying as much cash as necessary to pay for the stay, especially if you're staying multiple days, is not recommended unless the venue only accepts cash. Most resorts will accept credit cards, but be sure to check in advance on the payment methods they accept.
  • You should also bring some cash in the form of $1 and $5 bills. Some locations may have vending machines, or their cafe might not accept credit cards.
• A phone (with its charger), and medical information
  • Absolutely have on hand your essential medical information such as a medical card or dog tag containing your name, date of birth, blood type, allergies, medicines, and significant medical conditions.
  • Bring a working phone (that can receive service at the resort, or at the minimum call emergency services) and its charger. While many nudist locations prohibit the use of electronic devices in public areas, you should have a phone in your possession in case of an emergency. Do not use it for any other reason outside of your cabin, tent, RV, car, etc. And under no circumstances should you ever use the camera without permission from the resort.
• Clean towels
  • You absolutely should and must bring clean towels so you can sit down. Many locations require that you use towels when sitting on any furniture or chairs that you did not bring yourself; this is part of the nudist etiquette.
  • Towels are also a good lifeline to cover up should you experience sexual arousal. Almost all nudist resorts require that you cover up or take a dip in the pool / water if you experience visible arousal.
  • Towels are also handy when you shower; many locations require showers especially when using pool facilities.
• Sunscreen / Sun glasses / Bug Repellent
  • If you plan to be outside in the sun, then you should bring sun screen with at least an SPF of 30. Even if you do not get sun burn, the UV light from the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer.
    • If you are going into water, then make sure your sunscreen says it can tolerate water.
    • Don't forget that you usually must reapply sun screen every 2 hours or after being exposed to water or sweat.
    • Avoid DEET based sun screen; it does not offer as much protection as repellent, and you should not double-up with both types of repellent.
  • Sun glasses should also be considered to protect your eyes from the harmful UV light.
  • You should consider bug repellent as well especially if you will be around natural areas such as forests / woods, ponds, etc. Mosquitos are no joke and statistically kill more humans than any other insect or animal in the world (including other humans). Ticks also carry significant diseases. Get a repellent that contains at least 20% DEET or contains Picaridin. You should ideally use a lotion or a spray.
    • Remember that you usually need to reapply bug repellent every few hours or after exposure to water or sweat.
    • While DEET-based repellent has more research backing up its effectiveness, you might decide to avoid DEET and go for Picaridin. DEET may cause a rash or burning sensation when applied to the privates. Picaridin is much more gentle.
  • When using both sun screen and bug repellent, you should apply the sun screen first, wait 20 minutes, and then apply the bug repellent.
  • Remember that you need to apply sun screen and repellent to your private parts as well; they can get sun burned and bit by insects just like any other part of the body. Also apply them to your feet if your shoes are not completely enclosed or you are going barefoot. This includes if you are wearing socks; mosquitos and other insects can still bite you through most sock materials.
  • Wait 20 minutes after applying sunscreen before going into water. The sunscreen needs time to settle on your skin or it will immediately come off in the water.
• Shoes (and socks)
  • While not explicitly required by all resorts (though some resorts may require shoes in certain locations), shoes should be on your essential list to protect your feet. While some areas of a resort are suitable for being barefoot, others are not, such as gravel paths, concrete (which gets very hot in the sun), public showers (where you could get bacteria and fungus on your feet), and hiking trails that have sticks and rocks on them.
  • At minimum, bring a pair of flip-flops, slip-ons, sandals, and/or crocs for casual wear around the resort. Also consider a pair you can wear in the shower or around water.
  • Bring a pair of sturdy athletic shoes that offer a decent amount of protection if you plan to do any moderate activities such as walking or sports. You should also bring a couple to a few pairs of socks.
  • Bring a pair of hiking boots if you plan to do some heavy or intense hiking (if the resort has hiking trails which may have rough terrain). Also bring a couple pairs of wool socks; avoid cotton socks for hiking as they offer less temperature regulation and cushioning for your feet.
• Soap and shampoo
  • If you are expecting to take at least one shower at the resort (especially if they require a shower for any reason), bring your own body wash and shampoo. Resorts usually require the use of soap when they require a shower.
• Portable first-aid kit
  • Accidents can happen at a resort. Be sure to bring an easy-to-carry first-aid kit that you can take with you wherever you go, especially if you hike or go anywhere far from the main resort area. Make sure the kit is still good and not expired. Check here for a list of items your kit should contain: First Aid Kit Contents & Supplies Checklist | St John Ambulance
• Snacks and drinks
  • Some resorts do not have readily-available cafes or places to get food and drink whenever you want / need. Furthermore, even if they do, it is wise to bring your own snacks should you go on long-distance walks or hikes away from where the cafe is located.
  • Avoid junk food and go for nutrient and protein dense snacks, such as granola / nature bars, protein bars, meal bars, trail mix that contains nuts, etc, since you may be burning a lot of energy from physical activity or the heat.
  • Include drinks that contain electrolytes, especially sodium, if you plan to do physical activity or spend time out in the heat. But make sure you are not constantly drinking those; you only need them when you participate in heavy physical activity or sweat a lot.
• Something to wear to and from the resort
  • While there is a debate about whether or not it is illegal to be nude in your vehicle (since it is private property), we recommend wearing something to and from the resort to be on the safe side. People have been arrested before driving nude. And it could get awkward if you get pulled over or involved in an accident and have nothing to wear. At minimum, wear swimming attire and a pair of shoes with good support for operating the pedals.
• You might need clothes for the resort as well
  • Some resorts require clothing in certain areas, such as the cafe. Check in with the rules of the resort and be sure to plan accordingly.
  • Be sure to check the weather; if the temperatures are going to be chilly, or if it is going to rain, then you may consider bringing something to wear to keep warm.
• Lounge chair
  • This may not be required for all locations, but some locations may have limited to no lounge chairs to use for the pool area. Be prepared to bring your own should the resort mention this.
• Activities
  • You should be prepared to entertain yourself during moments where no activities are taking place. Remember that many locations prohibit electronic devices in public areas, so do not rely on activities involving electronic devices. Some ideas include good books to read, coloring books, puzzles, a deck of cards, notebooks for writing, going on a hike, swimming, etc. Some resorts might have board games or other activities you can use.

Essentials for Overnight Stays

The following are a list of additional essentials you should bring if you plan to spend one or more overnights at the resort:

• Medications
  • Ensure you bring any necessary medications with you so you can take them on your trip.
• Tent or camper
  • If you are not renting a cabin / motel, you should bring your own tent, pop-up camper, or RV, depending on what is allowed at the resort.
• Sleeping bag
  • If you do not have a bed (e.g. you are staying in a tent), then you should bring a sleeping bag or a mattress. Sleeping on the ground might be very uncomfortable especially for your back. And sleeping bags provide some warmth overnight.
• Clothing for warmth
  • The night time can get chilly. Do not rely on your sleeping bag alone to keep you warm at night especially if you are in a tent. Be sure to bring something else you can also wear for warmth, such as a large robe.
• Hygiene products
  • Bring soap, body wash, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, hair combs, etc. so you can keep yourself clean during your stay.
  • For stays of a couple days or longer, you might also consider bringing a battery-operated shaver if you prefer to keep your hair trimmed.
• Battery-operated NOAA weather radio
  • You might be sleeping in a structure not suitable for protecting you against bad weather (especially tents and pop-up campers). For this reason, you should bring a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio to wake you up overnight in the event of a severe thunderstorm, flash flood, or tornado. That way, you can quickly move to safe shelter. Make sure the batteries will last long enough to get through the night or stay and that you can charge / change them out when necessary.
  • As a courtesy to others near you, especially if you are in a tent or camper, have the radio set to only alarm for life-threatening alerts (tornado warnings, flash flood warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings since you are in a very vulnerable form of shelter, etc). And make sure you correctly set the location for the resort so it will not go off for other counties.

Optional Items

Here are some additional optional items you might consider bringing to a resort:

• Condoms (couples)
  • Remember that nudist resorts are non-sexual locations and usually do not condone sexual activity. Almost all resorts ban any/all sexual activity in public locations. Some resorts will tolerate (but not condone) couples engaging in sexual activity in private.
  • If you are a couple planning to engage sexually at the resort in private, please be responsible. Bring condoms, and dispose of them properly after use (I suggest sealing them in a bag and then throwing the bag in the trash in such a way it is concealed; no one wants to see them). Also practice good hygiene afterwards by taking a shower.
  • Nudist resorts are not swinger resorts. Do not ask anyone other than your spouse / partner for sexual activity. If you are reported for doing so, then you will probably be immediately banned from the resort and put on a blacklist for other resorts.
  • Do not engage in sexual activity in locations / ways you will be visible or heard by others. This can not only get you banned from the resort (and other resorts), but you can also get arrested and put on the sex offender registry.