There is a hidden, undeveloped but popular nude beach within Chesterfield State Forest on the Westfield River in Cummington, 35 miles northwest of Springfield. Located in an idyllic setting surrounded by pine and maple trees, this beautiful area is very clean and well maintained by regulars. The access trail brings you to a small riverbank beach about 50 feet wide, which is the main nude beach. There is a deep pool for swimming nearby. While some nudists use the main beach, there are also other gathering spots a little farther downstream (south). Almost everyone goes nude. The nude beach at Cummington is rivaled only by The Ledges in Vermont as the most popular non-coastal nude beach in New England. The crowd is largely but not exclusively gay.

There have never been reports of direct hassles about nudity here—i.e., there are no known instances where nudists have been told it was not okay to be naked. However, beginning in 1999, local authorities restricted parking at the large parking area where the trail to the beach begins. Authorities claim the parking prohibition was due to congestion and traffic concerns, but the much more likely reason is they wanted to curtail visitation to the beach. Since 1999, a longer hike to the beach has been required, which has diminished the number of visitors, although the beach remains popular. Unless the situation suddenly changes (and it hasn't in over a decade), you'll need to park elsewhere and walk along the highway back to the access point to the beach. If you're lucky, you'll only have an additional 0.4 mile added to your hike. If not, you're looking at 1.2 extra miles. Some visitors bring bicycles.

Bring insect repellent as insects can be pesky, especially around dusk. Also keep in mind that you'll have to get your feet wet on the hike to the nude beach. Although the river is shallow and easy to wade, the current is swifter during spring and after heavy rains, so be careful.

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 42.4357, -72.8604

city, county, state, country  Cummington / Swift River, Hampshire, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

classification  1 (freely nude)

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