Hi! We are glad you are here.  Whether a newbie learning about nudism or a veteran looking for nearby clubs, it is hoped this site will help you. Even if you decide nudism isn't for you, perhaps you will leave with positive feelings towards clothing optional recreation.

IMPORTANT ADVISORY, SUMMER 2010
The state of Kentucky happened to host the 2010 NCSL summit, which was held in Louisville.  Naturally, it's likely an abnormally high number of KY lawmakers attended NCSL (and thus visited the AANR booth).  This may open an especially good opportunity for Kentucky naturists to politely impress upon their state politicians which could give a needed boost to Kentucky naturism, even long after the summit.
The Kentucky Nude Recreation legal page conveys the unusual challenges confronting nude recreation in Kentucky.
What Is Naturism/Nudism?
Young Adult/Student Naturism
Nudist Clubs
Public Land Naturism
Kentucky Law Regarding Public Nudity and Nudist "Societies"
Nude Art Exhibition/Live Art Modeling
Additional Naturist/Nudist Websites
Web Rings
Naturism and nudism are both basically the same, meaning social nude/clothes-free recreation.  They are about body acceptance regardless of physical shape/appearance and are also about experiencing a fantastic sensual freedom. Many clothed activities such as volleyball, swimming, etc, can be better enjoyed nude.  We believe the nude human body is decent and neither sensational nor shameful.  Contrary to popular misconception, naturism is not centered on open sexuality.  Naturist attitudes towards sex may mirror the rest of the population in that such activity is strictly a private matter.  Also, naturism is different from natur-al-ism which is activities like bird watching although many naturists are also naturalists.Naturists/nudists make up all ages, races, income levels, job occupations, political and ideological views as well as most religions. Far from excluding kids, nudism may benefit young people the most. Studies suggest that children growing up around frequent casual family and social nudity may have higher self-esteem, less body shame and far lower teen pregnancy rates than textile kids.
While family nude recreation is a growing lifestyle that's becoming more accepted in the United States, naturism/nudism is considerably more mainstream in Europe. Almost all public beaches in Denmark are clothing optional. Some downtown parks in Germany, such as the Schönfeldwiese in the Englischer Garten in downtown Munich, have official clothing optional sections where nude and textile coexist peacefully. Cap D'Agde in France is a huge resort on the Mediterranean with a section that's for all practical purposes a nude city; many thousands can shop, have a haircut, bank, sunbath, etc., without the need for clothes.
Canada is also quite accepting of naturism, perhaps more so than the United States.  Hanlan's Point Beach near downtown Toronto is now an officially designated clothing-optional beach.
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Young Adult/Student Naturism
Kentucky Nude Recreation was originally "Kentucky Campus Nude Recreation" which was created in response to apparent low participation rates of young adults in North American nudism.  At one time, there were limited student naturist gatherings at a few Kentucky universities, including an unofficial group at Western Kentucky University.  Since then, these students have graduated/moved on in life.However, students at any Kentucky school and young adults in general interested in nudism are invited to contact Kentucky Nude Recreation.  Interested persons are also encouraged to get in touch with sources such as those listed below in the 'Young Adult Resources' section of Additional Naturist/Nudist Websites.
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Nudist Clubs (Resorts/Campgrounds/Nonlanded Clubs)
State law greatly hinders naturism in Kentucky.  Still, Kentucky has three nudist clubs, although all are nonlanded clubs:  KYANA Naturists (Louisville and Lexington), Bluegrass Naturists (Nicholasville/Lexington), and Kentuckiana Gay Nudists (Frankfort).  KYANA Naturists, which has activities during the cooler months, is part of Drakes Ridge Rustic Nudist Retreat of southern Indiana.
Furthermore, Kennessee Nudists, Kennessee Naturists, Bluegrass Naturists (part of travel club), Heartland Nudists (of western Kentucky) and Kentucky Single Naturists are online chatrooms/message boards.
In addition, many clubs are conveniently located for Kentuckians in border states.
All clubs in Tennessee are as follows:  Rock Haven Lodge, Cherokee Lodge and Resort, Ken-Ten Naturists (McKenzie, TN), Tennessee Naturist Club (Knoxville), and Southern Sociable Bares.
Here we list clubs in other adjacent states but only those closer to Kentucky, consult other nudist resources linked from this Kentucky Nude Recreation website for more complete listings.  Missouri offers Forty Acre Club, The Oaks of Cadet and also Bare Hunters.  Illinois offers Nudrus Family Naturist Club while West Virginia has TriState Bares.  Indiana clubs include Drakes Ridge Rustic Nudist Retreat, Sunshower Country Club, Our Haven (not a naturist resort per se, but clothing optional areas are available) and Fern Hills Club.  Ohio clubs include Cedar Trails Retreat, Bare Valley, Paradise Gardens, The Buckeye Naturists, Have Sun Will Travel, Southern Ohio Naturist Society and Hillside Haven.
NOTE:  All clubs in italics are nonlanded clubs
Nonlanded clubs are simply those that do not typically own or utilize a single piece of property.  Examples of nonlanded club activities include renting a local gym for a pool party, or hosting a swim and barbeque in a fenced backyard at a member’s private residence.
In addition, a club that is "clothing-optional" simply means one has the option of being clothed or nude.  In comparison, one is generally expected to be nude at "naturist/nudist" clubs, save for some practical reasons such as chilly weather, sunburn, frying bacon, trying nude recreation for the very first time, etc.
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Public Land Naturism
Although there are landed and nonlanded (travel) nudist clubs, there's also the option of descreet naturism in the great outdoors where one can find many isolated hectares of natural scenery on both federal and state land in Kentucky.  Even with there currently being no legal or defacto public clothing optional areas in the state, naturism in descreet areas is possible.  This said, tact is advised; for now, covering up around textiles can be good courtesy.  While many park rangers and other law enforcement officials may unofficially support descreet naturism, it's not impossible a few may use regulations to prosecute naturists.Perhaps the best example of a state park with a legal clothing optional area is Sauvie Island on the Columbia River in Oregon.  Many consider the legal clothing optional beach at New Jersey's Gunnison Beach (Sandy Hook) in the Gateway National Recreation Area to be the premier representation of successful nude use of federal lands.
Kentucky's federal lands include Daniel Boone National Forest, Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area, Mammoth Cave National Park, and Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  Among state parks (including Kentucky's 16 state resort parks), Green River Lake State Park is listed by The Naturist Society as having many isolated coves for skinnydipping.
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In addition, KYANA Naturists will conduct Nudes Viewing Nudes, an annual exclusive tour of the LAL nude art show.  The date for Nudes Viewing Nudes is normally in late February and is largely open to non-KYANA members.  The tour is a nice way for new people to learn about KYANA Naturists and naturism.  Those interested in joining the Nudes Viewing Nudes tour at "Nude 2011" are requested to directly email/call KYANA/Drakes Ridge Rustic Nudist Retreat for further details.
Nudists/nudist groups extend their good will in many ways such as joining a chamber of commerce, participating in beach and highway cleanups (the adopt-a-mile/kilometer programs) and donating to charity.  Nudists at WKU have used an additional option:  Live art modeling for area art departments.  It is a fine way to support the arts, promote body acceptance and make extra income.  Consider modeling for an art facility near you; contact a university or art league for more information.  Male and female models of all ages and physical shapes are desired.Nude Art Exhibition/Live Art Modeling
Since 1986, the Lexington Art League has had an annual art exhibit with a nude theme.  This highly successful show will return in 2011 from January through late March (exact dates pending) at LAL's Loudoun House gallery.  Among the many proud sponsors over the years have been AANR Midwest and AANR.  For information about entering an art work into the "Nude 2011" show (or about "Nude 2011" sponsorship), contact the LAL.
Resource Links
The Naturist Journal
Kent Ashton's Links to Naturist Sites
Nudist-Resorts.Org
NetNude
Nudist Explorer (nudist search engine, no adult links)
Jewish Nudists
Fig Leaf Forum (Christian nudists/naturists)
Internaturally
Rec.nude newsgroup/Nude Beach FAQs
Newsgroups
Alt.nudism.moderated
Organizations
American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR)


Young Adult Resources
Young Adults for Nude Recreation (includes AANR's Nude U and Youth Ambassador Program)
Vita Nuda
College Nudist Society
Florida Young Naturists
Next Generation Naturists
Kid/Teen Resources
Junior AANR-West (via AANR-West homepage)
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