Unofficial BEACHES in CanadaAlthough currently Canada has only 2 officially designated "clothing optional" beaches (read about them here), there are numerous other beaches within Canada that have a history of nude use. This page is intended to be an ongoing resource for information about such "unofficial nude use" beaches. Although the intention is to present useful and current information, the FCN makes NO GUARANTEES ABOUT THE ACCURACY OR TIMELINESS of the information contained below. Use of any beach for naturist recreation is the sole responsibility of the individual, and the FCN accepts no responsiblity for any resulting issues, legal or otherwise (although we would be interested to hear of your experiences). Click on a link in the following list to jump to the "unofficial nude use" beaches located within the province. If you notice any broken links or out of date information, or if you have any other relevant information about any of the listed (or other) beaches, please help us to keep this document up-to-date by passing on the information to webmaster@fcn.ca. British ColumbiaALBERT HEAD BEACH (Vancouver Island)Less than 30 minutes from Victoria, Albert Head Beach is accessed from Farhill Road off Metchosin Road. Park at the Albert Head Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary and walk north along the beach toward the gravel loading dock. The best area is about halfway, where gravel turns to sand. Walking distance is about 90 m (100 yds.). Google Maps for Albert Head Beach BRUNSWICK BEACH (Vancouver)From North Vancouver, northwest on I-5 (the road to Squamish) to 1.6 km (1 mi.) north of Lions Bay. Take trails towards Brunswick Point, go to the clothed public beach (150 m/165 yds. long) on south (Howe Sound) side of the point, then walk east, cross 1.5 meter-high rock groin to 300 m (330 yds.) nude beach, a mellow place. Google Maps for Brunswick Beach CHILLIWACK LAKE (Vancouver)From Chilliwack, east of Vancouver, follow signs 50 km (31 mi.) to Chilliwack Lake. Parking is beside the road with many private beaches in coves around the perimeter. Nearby Vedder has food and lodging. The outstanding scenery draws canuders, hikers/backpackers, campers. Clad and unclad share without offence. Google Maps for Chilliwack Lake FAIRMONT HOTSPRINGS (Kootenay Mountains)The high-class resort at Fairmont Hot Springs has long serviced the needs of those people who enjoy hot soaking best when accompanied by all the comforts of home. We've discovered a way for free spirits to enjoy the use of these same springs in a more natural setting. Above the hotel on Indian Reserve land, the Native People have built a stone bathhouse that is both charming and free. Four separate rooms, each 1.2 m x 1.8 m (4' x 6') with a concrete bathtub, give ample opportunity to enjoy the 50° (ca. 120°F) waters. From Cranbrook take Route 93/95 north to Farimont Hot Springs. Once in town park at the resort and walk upstream along Fairmont Creek to the bathhouse. Show respect for others and enjoy it. Google Maps for Fairmont Hot Springs HALCYON HOT SPRINGS (Kootenay Mountains)For centuries access to the "Great Medicine Waters" of the Halcyon Hot Springs has been contested. The Washington and Kootenay Indians periodically fought over them; then the white man came to develop the springs, charging admission to anyone who would use them. At last, the springs flow free for all to enjoy. The bathhouses have long since burned down, leaving the small concrete retaining walls open to the skies. From Nakusp take Route 23 north for 33.6 km (20.9 mi.) until you reach lot #100, a large open meadow. The retaining walls are visible from the road. The temperature ranges from 46° to 50° (115° to 122°F). All pools provide excellent naturist enjoyment. Google Maps for Halcyon Hot Springs HORNBY ISLAND (Vancouver Island)From Victoria, Route 19 north. From Denman Island, take the ferry to Hornby Island. Drive to Little Tribune Bay, where nude use has been established. KAMLOOPS BEACH (Kamloops)The beach itself is located in the City's southwest corner, across the river from the airport. There is a parking lot, but it is small. Parking is available on Mission Flats Road and is the best bet overall. Especially for those with larger vehicles. Access to the beach requires crossing property owned by Domtar and Kinder Morgan from those who park on the road (using the parking lot, one is predominately on Kinder Morgan property), but both companies have no problem with this. The rest is owned by the City of Kamloops and part of Mission Flats Park. There are no facilities, so if you pack it in, pack it out. In the spring, high water limits the amount of land available, but later on in the year, once the water goes down, a huge sandy beach is revealed. Temperatures can be extremely hot in the summer, due to heat being reflected off the sand, so visiting in the evening is recommended. Google Maps for Kamloops Beach KELOWNA BEACH (Kelowna)The lake beach is rocky into the shallows. Used by a mix of families, couples, and gays. Because many trees were cleared from behind the beach, nude use has shifted further north. From Route 97 (Harvey Avenue) turn south on Pandosy Street. This becomes Lakeshore Road. At the intersection with Swamp Road turn right (which is still Lakeshore Road), go exactly 3.2 km (2 mi.), turn right and park in the lot above the beach. Walk well past a small white building to the nude area. LILLOOET RIVER HOT SPRINGS (Vancouver)British Columbia has a wealth of hot springs for the intrepid skinny-dipper to enjoy. Though most of the easily accessible springs have been commercially developed to the dismay of many naturists and naturalist soakers a number of springs in the backcountry are well worth the trek. Of note in the Vancouver area are the Meager Creek and Skooumchuck hot springs along the Lillooet River. From Vancouver take Route 99 north to Pemberton; for Meager Creek follow the logging road northwest along the Lillooet to where it meets Meager Creek; the springs are 10 km (6 mi.) hike up the creek bed. For Skookumchuck continue on Route 99 to Mount Currie, then south along the forest road for 54 km (33.5 mi.) until you see the BC Hydro tower #682. The spring is located between markers 22 and 21. Google Maps for Lillooet River PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK: LONG BEACH (Vancouver Island)From Victoria, Route 1 to Parksville, then Route 4 past Port Alberni to Pacific Rim National Park. North end of Long Beach is used nude past the camping towards Schooner Cove. Couples and singles on a beach backed by tall trees. Google Maps for Pacific Rim National Park SOOKE RIVER POTHOLES (Vancouver Island)The Sooke River Potholes are well known to clothed visitors, especially for the waterfalls. The hike along the river involves scaling rocks and wading waist-deep in chilly water. Skinny-dippers just go a bit further along before stripping down. About 30 km (18.5 mi.) from Victoria. Drive west on Route 14 almost to the town of Sooke; turn right on Sooke River Road and then into the parking area. Hike 1 km (0.6 mi.) beyond the clothed beach to the nude zone. THETIS LAKE PARK (Vancouver Island)The capital of British Columbia, Victoria, is a charming city on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Victorians (at least those who do not live up to their name) established a free beachhead at Prior Lake in Thetis Lake Park. In July 1978 city officials conceded it would be pointless to enforce laws against nude bathing. "Due to highway reconstruction, there's new access to the main entrance to Thetis Lake Park (the main beach is NOT clothing-optional). Take the trails around the lake to find secluded coves. Directions: Take Hwy 1 out of Victoria and take the highway exit to Colwood and Western Communities. Follow the signs to Thetis Lake Park (i.e., turn right at the traffic light by the gas station on the right side). Bring $2.00 in coins for the pay parking." [Anonymous, 1997]. Google Maps for Thetis Lake Park WHITTY'S LAGOON BEACH (Vancouver Island)Accessed off Metchosin Road. Take the footpath and wooden stairway to the beach. Turn right and proceed west along the beach beyond the overhanging trees which delineate the boundary between the clothed and clothing-optional areas. Walking distance is about 500 m (0.3 mi.); the water is cold and there are no facilities. Google Maps for Whtty's Lagoon Beach. < return to top > ALBERTACOTTONTAIL CORNERCottonTail Corner is a short 20-minute drive from Alberta's Capital City of Edmonton. Access is via a volunteer groomed bush path upstream of the bridge just outside of the Town of Devon to Alberta's only promoted nude beach. Detailed directions can be found on the CottonTail Corner Facebook page. More information is available on our website page. Photos can be found on our Instagram page. < return to top > SaskatchewanPARADISE BEACH - SaskatoonJust off Valley Road 20 kilometres south of Saskatoon. Although it does not have an association to advocate for the rights of this beach, it is well recognised as a nude venue. It is patrolled regularly by the local police to keep the family atmosphere alive and well. The clothing optional area is to the left, from the parking lot. On a nice day you can easily see 40 to 50 nudists on this stretch of the Saskatchewan river. < return to top > ManitobaBEACONIA BEACHBeaconia beach is located on the southeastern shore of Lake Winnipeg, just north of Patricia beach. You have to be careful not to undress too early because the section of beach nearest the parking lot attracts clothed families. Drive about 70 kilometres north of Winnipeg on Highway 59. Turn left (west) on Provincial Road 500 to reach the town of Beaconia. After a few kilometres, the paved road curves northward. Do not stay on this road. Instead, continue driving due west on the gravel road, which goes over a marsh and ends in a parking lot. Walk through the dunes to the lake shore and turn left (south). You will first see nude straight couples. There are more gay men at the far south end of the beach. There are no facilities, i.e. no washrooms, change rooms, fast food stands or fresh water. Sometimes the water levels on Lake Winnipeg are high. You may have to walk through some shallow water and step over fallen trees to reach the nude area. The road over the marsh is always poorly maintained, with deep ruts, rocks sticking out, sometimes shallow flooding. If you think this road is too rough, you can park at the far north end of Patricia beach and wade across the channel to Beaconia. PATRICIA BEACHFrom Winnipeg drive north on Hwy 59 for about 45 minutes until you reach provincial road 319, and clearly signed Patricia Beach. As this beach is a provincial park, a small fee is required at the gate. Next, head towards the right, and drive down this road as far as you can (about a mile), past various places to park, and entrances to the beach. Park at the far end of the last lot (grass), and enter the beach through the dunes next to the lot. You are now at the north end of the textile section, (from the pay booth to here), and as you walk north, along the beach, it becomes more CO. During the week, most of the northern half of the beach is CO. At weekends, you have to walk a little further north, to avoid upsetting people (or the RCMP). In mid-summer, when the beach is busy, you may have to cross a channel (waist deep at most) to reach a quiet CO beach the other side. This is Beaconia Beach, which is also popular with gays (who usually congregate on the east side of the lagoon). I found this beach used by nudists and/or topless women even on the busiest weekends. There is a large tree fallen across the beach which tends to be used as the barrier between nude and textile use areas. Long time users of the beach say nude use has grown rapidly in recent years. < return to top > OntarioBEECHGROVE (Scarborough) (officially called East Point Park)At the most eastern edge of the Scarborough bluff is a beach known as Beechgrove beach because it is at the south end of Beechgrove Dr. It is accessible by either car or TTC. By TTC: Open TTC regional map. Your choices are 54A or 86D By car: Take Highway 401 to Morningside Ave. south; turn left on Lawrence Ave; a couple of KMs along is Beechgrove Dr., turn right. Beechgrove Dr. has a bend to the left at Coronation Dr., and then a bend to the right. The road will end at a parking lot. Take the wider of the two paths down to the lake. At the end of the path there is a large culvert, proceed to the right side. Please step carefully down the rocks! You are now on the beach!! Keep walking west. Around the first point, it is considered safe to remove your clothes, but almost everyone waits until they are well west of the point. This is a long beach and the entire length is considered unofficially clothing optional. Never walk on the sand in your bare feet. This is a party beach in the evenings and there is hidden glass and other things that can cut your feet. JOHN E. PEARCE PROVINCIAL PARK (Near Wallacetown)From Highway 401, turn south at Elgin County Road 8, drive through Dutton and Wallacetown and you will see the sign pointing you to the park; parking is free. Go down the cliff and walk northeast for about 0.8 kilometres. Sunbathers can use the patches of sand and pebbles to lie on. LAKE CONGO (Near MacTier)Take Highway 400 north from Toronto to Highway 69, then continue as far as MacTier. Turn left in MacTier and go 18 kilometres from Highway 69 down the back roads. Once you have gone through MacTier, continue 6.5 kilometres to Healey Lake Road and turn left and go 12.5 kilometres. After passing a Shell marina, the pavement ends. Continue on the unpaved portion for four kilometres. Park on the right side of the road in the small turnout. If you go too far, you will see water on your right; go back. Unlatch your canoe or grab your tent and head for the wooded area. MACRAE LAKE (2 hours north of Toronto just off highway 69)If you are into nature in its fullest, have the availability of a canoe, you can have a wonderful time. I suggest camping for a couple of days. There is no fee as this is still public land. Take HWY 400 north towards Sudbury (you'll never get there!) which eventually turns into HWY 69. Go for about 20 to 30 minutes or about 35 - 40 Km. Eventually, you will come to a service station on the right side and then a sign which says "Georgian Bay Rd." turn left there. Once on the road, make another immediate turn right into the parking lot. You have 2 choices to park; one is on top where you are or the other is to take the road to the bottom. Make this decision based on the road condition. From the lower parking lot, there is a path into the woods which is about a 5-minute walk. This is where you launch from. Once in the water canoe until you see a waterway off to your left and take it. It may appear shallow, but we all go through. Once through you should see some rocks with a gentle incline to your left. Canoe to them. You have to portage over these. It is about 10 minutes and somewhat challenging for a novice. It is also great swimming at these rocks or soaking in the falls area for a while. Once over the rocks, you will see a river that takes you out to the lake. Once on the lake, there are many campsites along the shore and a couple on the islands. Take your clothes off and enjoy. This has been a great nude outing for many years as it is inaccessible by motorboat. Many go at least topless if not entirely nude when canoeing and swimming. There is lots of space for everyone. Weekends are busy though so arrive early. POINT PELEE NATIONAL PARK (Near Leamington)All beaches now regularly patrolled by RCMP who require 'proper' attire. From Highway 401, exit onto Highway 77 southbound towards Leamington. Beyond Leamington, look for the Point Pelee signs. Park by the nature centre (as far south as you can drive) and get a map. Walk on the path to the east shore, then two kilometres north to Red Head Pond. PORT BURWELL PROVINCIAL PARK (Lake Erie)The Park offers camping as well as day-use facilities. The sandy beach extends for some three kilometres. The popular, accessible, crowded spot is on the east end near the breakwater. Use the Provincial Park parking lot 5. Parking lot 4 may be needed as it can be very busy especially on weekend's. Use the restroom facilities here before going to the beach, if needed. Be careful where you park. If the parking lot is full, you will get a ticket if you park outside the lot. Do not park over or in the concrete barrier area. Go to the beach and walk to the right (for about 20 minutes.) Go past the park boundary before you disrobe. Beyond the western boundary of the park, the beach is on private land and thus not subject to park rules. Nude activities there are accepted as long as there is no indication of sexual activity. And please always take what you brought and if you can, take more garbage back. On the weekends, many couples and families and singles enjoy nude bathing, sunning and building sandcastles. There are few non-nude passers-by. The beach is broad so that there is room for keeping out of the way of others and for hitting a volleyball or throwing a Frisbee. SANDBANKS PROVINCIAL PARK (Near Trenton-Belleville)NOTE: Reports indicate that "no nudity" signs have been posted and park authorities are charging people. While the validity of the charge is not clear, most people are not willing to spend the time or effort to fight it in court. The Park has two sections separate from each other. The East sector has the main campsite and is the popular and crowded spot. The West sector is much quieter. It offers 7 km of shore on Lake Ontario Half of it is sandy. The eastern end of this stretch, near the parking lot, is the popular spot. If you walk a few hundred meters west, traffic is scant. We have practised nude activities there regularly, without interference. Inland, behind the beach, there are several thousand hectares of sand dunes. They offer wonderful opportunities for hiking, exploring, or sheltering from the wind on chilly days. SCARBOROUGH BLUFFS (Scarborough)Located beyond the Toronto Hunt Club golf course between Warden Avenue and Bluffers Park there are a few secluded spots. (1) Take Kingston Road past Birchmount Road to Glen Everest Road, turn right, then right again at Fishleigh Drive. Go on to the Scarborough pumping station and turn right between the two buildings to the parking in the rear. Follow the path to the right, and walk along the bluffs until you see the building at the base of the cliff. Climb down the path carefully and use the beach on either side. (2) Take the steep path down from the end of Warden Avenue. A fence appears to close it off, but was carefully constructed so that one can walk around the end of it. QuebecLAC DES TOUTES NUES (Val d'Or-north-west of Montréal)50 meters of clean beach on a lake fed by non-polluted spring water. This 95% naturist beach has existed for more than 15 years. It is used mainly by single people, but by families also. It is possible to camp with a tent or trailer. From Val d'Or go east on Hwy. 117 for 23 km (14.3 mi.). Take the third small road on the right off the exit lane, going behind the gravel pit, then 3 km (1.9 mi.) into the woods. The site itself is accessible by car, with a 30-car parking lot 500 m (0.3 mi.) from the lake. ATTENTION! MEECH LAKE / THE CARBIDE-WILLSON MILL AND FALLS (Gatineau Park, Hull)A sandy beach, on a north-east section of Meech Lake, surrounded by superb scenery, and in the shade of majestic pine trees. Ideal for swimming. Naturists and textiles mix with complete tolerance. From Ottawa, take Hwy. 5 north through Hull, as far as exit 12 for Gatineau Park. Turn left towards the park and continue 6 km (3.7 mi.) further to the parking lot for O'Brien Beach on Meech Lake. This beach is exclusively textile. From the parking lot, find the path (No. 36) which heads north towards the wooded area at the right of the changing cabins. After a 10-minute walk, you will cross a small bridge over a narrow part of the lake. Textiles and naturists sometimes bathe upstream from this bridge. Continue past the bridge, to where the path divides, and take the left fork to the sandy beach. OKA PARK (Laurentides, Montreal)Located within Oka Park, just a stone's throw from Montréal, this beach on the shore of the Lac des Deux Montagnes, with its pleasant and peaceful atmosphere, is one of the best known in Québec. Visited for over twenty years by naturists, this site has seen considerable growth in use in the last few years. Naturists are tolerated by the park authorities and by the Sûreté du Québec (in spite of signs prohibiting nudism). This beach is visited mostly by couples and singles. In good weather, more than 300 naturists take advantage of this delightful spot. (However, there are no services, so you have to provide in advance for what you will need.) From Montréal, take Autoroute 15 North, then Autoroute 640 West through Saint-Eustache. From the Ottawa direction, take Autoroute 40, then the ferry from Como. You may also get to Oka beach by boat. From the entrance to the park, head for the beach area. There is a parking lot nearby. From the extreme east side of the public beach, i.e. on the left looking at the water, take the path that runs alongside the lake, and a 2.5 km (1.5 mi.) walk will bring you to Oka's "other beach." PLAGE DE BOOM DÉFENCE (Gaspé)An idyllic place, with a view of the Forillon National Park on one side, and the town of Gaspé on the other. The beach is a long gently curved spit of sand with the sea on either side. Ideal for swimming and sunbathing, and much used by naturists. From the town of Gaspé, take Autoroute 132 (towards Percé) for about 6 km (3.7 mi.), and turn left on a small street, rue Alexander. Follow this for about 1 km (0.6 mi.) to the parking lot near the beach. Walk past the textile section, and wade across the shallow river. (THE) TADOUSSAC DUNES (Tadoussac, Saguenay River mouth) An area of dramatic natural beauty with a long sandy beach, backed by great dunes. You may sunbathe nude on the sand or on the large rocks by the water's edge. From Tadoussac, take the road to the great dunes, and continue about 5 km (3 mi.) to the Information Centre. Here you can park. Take the steps leading down to the beach. < return to top > New BrunswickKOUCHIBOUGUAC NATIONAL PARK. KELLY'S BEACH Take Route 11 from Shediac or Miramichi to Kouchibouguac National Park. Enter the park and follow the signs for the parking lot at Kelly’s Beach. Then proceed along the boardwalk to the beach, turn right and walk 1.6 km (1 mi.) south until you encounter other nude sunbathers. The total length of Kelly’s beach is 7 km (4.3 mi.) long and ample to accommodate the clothed and nude sunbather. A family-atmosphere beach, stunningly beautiful with abundant sea life. < return to top > NOVA SCOTIACRYSTAL CRESCENT BEACH (Halifax)Halifax has its own formal nude ocean beach recommended to visitors who ask the Tourist Bureau. Great scenery, up to 300 friendly people on a weekend. From Armdale Rotary at the head of the Northwest Arm in Halifax, drive south on Route 349 for 2.6 km (1.6 mi.), and turn right following the Old Sambro Road for 18.1 km (11.2 mi.) via Harrietsfield. In Sambro at the stop sign and Hart's Store, turn right and drive 2.4 km (1.5 mi.), following the signs to park at Crystal Crescent Beach. From its lot to the right you'll see the first two beaches, which are clothes-required. Walk 20 minutes south, past the second beach to the third, whether by shore or overland path. For more information go to: www.bluenosenaturists.com. INVERNESS BEACHOn northernmost Cape Breton Island, Inverness features a waterfall that crashes down into the ocean. A virtual paradise that resembles Big Sur, it's a favourite spot with the locals. Take Route 104 to the Canso Causeway. From there take Route 19 along the western shore for 85 km (53 mi.). Just before crossing the railroad tracks into Inverness, take a left onto Sight Point Road. Follow this road for 10 km (6.2 mi.) and park along the side near the farm buildings. Walk an additional 1.5 km (0.9 mi.) until you see the path that leads to the beach. SUZIE'S LAKEVery secluded, Suzie's Lake is still lightly used. If driving on Route 102 south from exit 2, stop and park at the first green highway sign you find (about halfway to exit 1) and descend the path to the west to the Birch Cove Lakes (opposite side of Centennial Drive from the Bedford Basin). It's about a 10-minute walk to Suzie's, the first lake you'll reach. < return to top > Prince Edward IslandBLOOMING POINT BEACHLocated on the North Shore and towards the east end of Prince Edward Island in a National Park is Blooming Point beach. This beach is quite spectacular. It has dunes, a wide expanse of sand, and sea water warmed by the gulf stream. However, there are no facilities of any kind, so come prepared. Like any beach, it is much busier on weekends. Used by locals and tourists, the beach has seen significant growth in use over the last few years. It is not a "legal" nude beach, but the last arrests were many years ago (apparently due to sexual activity). Directions are easy if you have a map. Just go down Blooming Point Road (Route 218) to the very end where it becomes a dirt road and turn left onto MacDonald Road which has a parking lot at the end. Follow the well worn path onto the beach, then turn left and walk for about 10 to 15 minutes. At this point you will encounter other naturists. At the very far end of the beach is a fence to prevent people from going into an area where there are nesting piping plovers - an endangered species on Prince Edward Island - so it is advisable to not go that far. < return to top > |
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