Otter Creek Beach is located on Lake Michigan within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a federal park area that covers about 35 miles of the northwest shore of Michigan's lower peninsula. The secluded Otter Creek area is backed by forest and has plenty of flat, sandy beach. Nudity has been common on remote parts of Otter Creek Beach for many years, and this beach has been relatively free of hassles despite a "no nudity" sign near the beach entry.

There are actually two nude areas here, located nearly 2 miles apart. Straight couples tend to walk the better part of a mile north of the end of Esch Road before disrobing. The preferred gay area is about a mile south of the end of Esch Road.

Most visitors to the main part of Otter Creek Beach do not wander far enough away to encounter nude sunbathers, and the lack of a large parking area or beach amenities limits overall visitation. Rangers seem to do nothing more than ask nudists to dress when they patrol and have reportedly not issued citations for nudity since 1993. However, the protocol of most nudists still seems to be to cover up when a ranger approaches to avoid being asked to dress. Furthermore, since rangers are most likely to act on complaints from textiles, it is also recommended that you cover up any time newcomers approach the nude area until you know whether or not they are like minded.

Mosquitos are sometimes a problem here, so bring insect repellent. Remember that you'll need to stop at the Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Center in Empire to get a parking permit before going to the beach.

GPS: 44.7759, -86.0745

city, county, state, country  Empire*, Benzie, Michigan, U.S.A.
    * nearest town is in a different county

classification  3 (discretion recommended)

There are 6 placemarks related to this site.