Do you dream of having a naturist area in the Big Apple to have an easy escape from the hustle and bustle? I think we’ve found a perfect candidate place – North 40 Natural Area, a part of historic Floyd Bennett Field in Jamaica Bay. It is on the federal land and is a part of Gateway National Recreation Area, just like Gunnison Beach in Sandy Hook, so technically, no change in legislation would be necessary to allow nudity there… (Another possible location would be Fort Tilden, as was suggested by one of our readers.) Well, that’s if this place remains a park at all, as there is a controversial plan to build a massive gas pipeline going through this territory! How is this legal?
It will be a big shame for New York City to lose one of the few relatively untouched pockets of nature within its boundaries.
We were lucky to enjoy this place on a warm weekend in late September, and it seemed like not many people knew about this place.
It felt liberating to disrobe and walk in the buff.
Buns and bunnies seemed equally natural to us 😉
We went through a couple of winding trails, and it was nice to see that the forest was actually untouched besides the trails. The only other destruction was probably due to storms like Sandy. It’s hard to imagine what else could have made a tree to fall like that with its roots lifting all the soil under it.
One of the smaller trails brought us to the beach. It was full of trash, unfortunately, and we almost left disappointed.
But then we just tried to see what was behind the tall reeds and found a beautiful meadow!
It was a true hidden gem, perfect to relax and sunbathe.
Well, apparently our timing was perfect too. Just after we finished our snack break and were ready to leave, the water started soaking from beneath the grass. So, in high tide, this meadow must be filled with water.
Before leaving, we spent a couple of minutes to enjoy the view of the particularly bright moon.
We were not sure if passers by on the bridge behind could see us fully, but we could only wonder why this kind of mooning would be frowned upon.
Active Naturists 
I agree with philippe, that first picture is fantastic. Here’s hoping that place stays under-used…I think that may be better for the wildlife and better for those of us who go au naturel. (Really? They want to put a pipeline through that? Yuck.)
LikeLike
Yes, I hope it’ll stay under-used, or better used for the purpose of just spending quiet times within NYC. I guess we cannot even dream to have it clothing-optional officially….
LikeLike
Like Vinny, I was nearly arrested by Police at Ft. Tilden in 2011, but they were not able to prove that I had actually been nude. I had been, but at the point the police arrived I was clothed and leaving. They were going by a report from some woman who lives at Breezy Point. I was told by another beach goer that this woman has been known to walk by and tip police off to nude sunbathers. Get a life lady! Any suggestions for the 2014 season?
LikeLike
If New York nudists would organise a beach clean-up drive or something we might get attention. We really ought to appeal to the City Council; make a proposal to the mayor or activate public attention – What’s wrong with Riis Beach being “Our Zone”?
LikeLike
it’s a good idea. We should do a beach clean up this spring. This didn’t help in case of the Lighthouse Beach in Long Island though, but we should try nevertheless!
LikeLike
I dream of a full naked place near NYC… or Paris !
LikeLike
Reblogged this on home clothes free and commented:
Sounds like a good idea
LikeLike
Such nice pictures 😉 you did some good research there, didn’t know it was federal. How have you been , did you make some extra keys?
LikeLike
Great article and interesting potential, especially if it’s an under-used area. And a beach!
You could seek support from TNS, AANR, AANR Northeast, NAC, YNA and maybe a couple more to see if it could be possible. NAC especially might be able to advise about legality of nudity on federal lands.
As far as a pipeline is concerned, it could be a blessing disguise if it further makes the are undesirable for heavy Textile use!
LikeLike
Nice photos, as always. I like the apple in the first one. It’s a poignant little touch. A little apple in your hand, in the big apple.
LikeLike
Fine article and beautiful photos!! Thank you!
LikeLike
I am not a city chica but this venue looks awesome and thanks for sharing your photographs! The state does have it’s clubs of course, but outdoors is real fkk!
LikeLike
well, some clubs provide outdoors too, but they are all pretty far from the city – Upstate or New Jersey – and are quite expensive too. I dream of having a public park, comfortable and accepting enough for people to get naked, and within the city boundaries. I mean, ideally, there should be a place like that in Central Park (why not, it’s like Tiergarten in Berlin!), but this Natural Area is also possible to reach by public transport and bike, so it could a good start…
LikeLike
Where else in NYC can we go to let it all hang out and meet other naturists– without getting busted? Would like to relax naked and not have to keep looking over my shoulder and worry about getting introuble.
LikeLike
I commented on this post a while ago that I was arrested at Fort Tilden 3yrs ago.
That too is federal land but the park police are enforcing NYS penal law on federal land with it’s own law.
What we do now Kemosabe?.
LikeLike
we need some political actions in this respect but I don’t even know where to start…
LikeLike
There may not be hope for new york.We stand a better chance in a fight versus GODZILLA. This can all be blamed on the political machine in this state. I’m 63 and by the time anything changes there’ll be a #1 in front of 63.But, I will keep em crossed.
LikeLike