Naturist Clubs: A Guide to Landed Membership Communities

Naturist clubs are the oldest form of organized naturism still operating today — member-owned land with a pool and clubhouse at the center, run by the membership rather than a company. ClothesSuck currently tracks 19 published clubs across 6 countries, several dating back generations, from a 1930s New Jersey property to a historic English naturist village.

What is a naturist club, exactly?

A "landed club" owns or leases its own property outright — typically a wooded or rural parcel with a pool, clubhouse, and grounds for camping or day use — and is governed by its members rather than run as a commercial resort. Many have operated continuously for decades: Sky Farm in New Jersey traces its roots to the 1930s, making it one of the oldest continuously operating naturist clubs in the US, and Spielplatz in England is a historic naturist village with a similar multi-generational history. The club model tends to produce a closer-knit, more social atmosphere than a resort that turns over transient guests.

How do I visit a naturist club for the first time?

Almost never by just showing up. Nearly every club in this guide expects a phone call or online inquiry before a first visit, and many hold scheduled open days or guest days specifically for prospective members and curious first-timers. This isn't about exclusivity so much as logistics and comfort — clubs are private membership communities on their own land, and the advance contact lets them explain their current guest process, any visitor fee, and what to expect. Budget for an email or call at least a few days ahead rather than planning a same-day visit.

Where are the world's naturist clubs?

ClothesSuck's club listings concentrate most heavily in the US, spread across the Northeast (New Jersey has three of the tracked clubs alone), the Upper Midwest (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan), and the Pacific Coast (Washington, California). Canada's clubs are thinly spread from Ontario to Saskatchewan and Alberta, each serving as the primary option for its region. The UK's clubs cluster in southeast England within reach of London, New Zealand has regional sun clubs serving its main population centers, and Brazil has at least one documented club near Brasília.

Are naturist clubs the same as resorts?

No. A resort is generally a commercial operation — staffed, bookable online, open to any paying guest. A club is member-owned and member-governed, with day and overnight visitors admitted by arrangement rather than a standing reservations system. Some properties genuinely blur the line by combining club membership with campground-style stays; see ClothesSuck's campgrounds guide for that overlap. If you want a straightforward paid booking with no introductory process, a resort is the simpler starting point; if you're looking for an ongoing community, a club is worth the extra step.