17 locations · Canada
British Columbia
Every clothing-optional place we've verified in British Columbia. Tap any entry for full visit notes, etiquette, access and seasonal advice.
British Columbia, Canada
Blackburn Lake
Blackburn Lake is a small freshwater lake on Salt Spring Island, in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, with a long-standing clothing-optional convention at its small swimming dock. The lake itself sits inside the Blackburn Nature Reserve, a protected wildlife and bird sanctuary, which means access is limited to the dock — the rest of the shoreline is preserved habitat off-limits to recreational use. Access is informal. From Fulford-Ganges Road (the main spine of Salt Spring Island, connecting the ferry terminals at Fulford Harbour and Long Harbour to the village of Ganges), a narrow dirt path leads down to the dock. Parking is along the road; on warm summer weekends you'll see cars stacked along the shoulder. There's no developed lot, no signs, no facilities. The Gulf Islands have a long-standing tolerant culture toward naturist use of lakes and beaches, and Blackburn Lake's small dock has been the informal C/O spot on Salt Spring for decades. The lake is non-motorized (no boat launches), which keeps the environment quiet and the water clean. Swimming is the activity — sunbathing on the dock or the small adjacent shoreline area, swimming in the lake itself, and the standard Pacific Northwest summer rhythm. Crowd is Salt Spring locals, Gulf Islands regulars, and Vancouver/Victoria day-trippers (Salt Spring is a ~90-minute ferry from either side). The lake is small and the dock is the only access point, so crowding is self-limiting — busy summer days might bring 20-30 people spread across the day. Weekdays are mostly empty.
British Columbia, Canada
Brunswick Beach
Brunswick Beach is a pebble beach on Howe Sound at Lions Bay, about 45 minutes north of Vancouver on the Sea-to-Sky Highway. The beach is a local clothing-optional spot — informal, long-established, and largely unknown outside the Lower Mainland naturist community. The Sound views toward the mountains of Howe Sound make the setting attractive. The beach is accessed by a short trail from the Lions Bay area. Water temperatures in Howe Sound are cold by summer standards — this is a naturist spot rather than a warm swim destination.
British Columbia, Canada
Crescent Rock Beach
Crescent Rock Beach is the long-established clothing-optional section of the 6.5-kilometre shoreline running between Crescent Beach and White Rock on Surrey's South Surrey coast. The C/O area is named for an enormous 120-tonne granite boulder that marks the spot, just south of the Christopherson Steps at the west end of 24 Avenue. About 200 metres of bluffs screen the beach from the main textile beach and the inland railway corridor. Three pockets along the shoreline are traditionally used for nude sunbathing — Crescent Rock proper (marked by the namesake boulder), and two further sections at marked railway-mile points. The convention has been continuous for more than fifty years, dating from the early 1970s. The legal situation is unusual and worth understanding. The City of Surrey explicitly does not endorse the clothing-optional use of the beach — Surrey Parks Manager has publicly declined to acknowledge or advertise it. However, the RCMP have formally confirmed to Surrey's United Naturists organization that the nude use of Crescent Rock Beach is legal under Canadian case law, since the sections are out of sight of the marine parks at Crescent Beach and White Rock proper. The result is a perfectly-legal convention that the local government refuses to officially recognise. Access: from the west end of 24 Avenue in South Surrey, walk to the Christopherson Steps (a metal staircase down to the shoreline) and head south along the beach. About 100 metres south of the steps you reach Crescent Rock proper; the other C/O sections are further along. The active BNSF railway runs immediately above the beach — pay attention to passing trains. Beach raised areas above the high-tide line are the traditional sunbathing spots.
British Columbia, Canada
Cufra Cliffs (Thetis Island)
Cufra Cliffs is a clothing-optional coastal spot on Thetis Island, one of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia. Thetis Island is a small, quiet island accessible by ferry from Chemainus on Vancouver Island — less visited than the Southern Gulf Islands, with a small permanent community and a relaxed atmosphere. The Cufra Inlet area on the east side of the island has been used for informal clothing-optional bathing.
British Columbia, Canada
Little Tribune Bay
Little Tribune Bay is the best-known nude beach in British Columbia, on the south coast of Hornby Island — one of the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia between Vancouver Island and the mainland. The beach is a wide crescent of fine sand at the east end of the larger Tribune Bay Provincial Park; Little Tribune is the eastern extension of the main bay, traditionally clothing-optional by long-standing convention. Hornby Island itself is a renowned arts and back-to-the-land community. The nude beach tradition here is decades old and entirely accepted — locals consider Little Tribune a feature of the island rather than a controversy. The water is warm by BC standards (reaching 20°C in August due to the sheltered Strait), the sand is exceptional, and the forest behind the beach provides shade. This is the defining BC naturist beach experience.
British Columbia, Canada
Norrish Creek (Fraser Valley Naturists)
Norrish Creek is a clothing-optional river spot in the Fraser Valley about 45 minutes east of Vancouver, near Mission, BC. It's a creek-and-pool environment rather than a coastal beach — a stretch of clear mountain river with small swimming pools, rocky banks, and forested surroundings. It's been a known naturist destination for decades and is maintained by the Fraser Valley Naturists community group. Access is via the end of Hawkins Pickle Road. The site is a short walk from the parking — the lower pools are easily reachable on foot, while deeper exploration of the canyon upstream is a more substantial hike. The Fraser Valley Naturists have, over time, added basic infrastructure: a fire pit, campsites, and maintained trails connecting the river spots. The legal situation is the Pacific Northwest standard: nudity is permitted under Canadian common law on non-public-facing private and Crown land, and the local RCMP have explicitly acknowledged the clothing-optional nature of Norrish Creek. The convention is long-established and uncontested. Crowd is Lower Mainland BC naturists, the Fraser Valley regulars, and Vancouver-area day-trippers in warm weather. The site is non-commercial; no fees, no vendors, no facilities beyond what the Fraser Valley Naturists maintain. Bring food, water, and pack everything out. Best summer use is July-August when the creek warms enough for comfortable swimming; spring and fall use is mostly sunbathing on the rocky banks.
British Columbia, Canada
Three Mile Beach - Nude Beach
Three Mile Beach sits on the southern end of Okanagan Lake in Penticton, British Columbia. The clothing-optional section occupies roughly 100 meters of sandy shoreline, separated from the textile beach by a small rocky outcrop. You'll find shallow water that gradually deepens, making it suitable for wading and swimming. The beach faces northwest, so you get afternoon sun until evening. The area is managed informally by local naturists through the Okanagan Naturist Society. There are no facilities — no washrooms, no concessions, no lifeguards. You're expected to pack everything in and pack it all out. The beach gets busy on summer weekends, especially July and August when Okanagan temperatures hit 30°C or higher. Parking is limited to roadside pullouts along Three Mile Road. The walk from your car to the sand is about 50 meters down a slight slope. The textile beach is popular with families, so you'll see plenty of clothed beachgoers nearby — the naturist section is clearly established but not fenced or signed.
British Columbia, Canada
Witty's Lagoon Beach
Witty's Lagoon Beach sits in a Capital Regional District park in Metchosin, about a 30-minute drive west of Victoria on Vancouver Island. The clothing-optional section is at the far western end of the beach — not officially designated, but informally used for decades without incident. Reaching it takes a 1-kilometer hike through a temperate rainforest trail that descends past Sitting Lady Falls (a 30-meter waterfall) and crosses a tidal lagoon via a footbridge. The trail can be muddy after rain and partly inaccessible at high tide — check tide tables before the walk back. Once you reach the beach, walk west along the sand toward the more secluded coves where the naturist use concentrates. The setting is classic Pacific Northwest — pebble and sand mix, driftwood-strewn shore, Sitka spruce backing the dunes, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca visible across the water. Water temperatures are cold year-round; swimming is for the brave. The park is open dawn to dusk, no entry fee, no on-site facilities at the far end. The Coast Salish (T'Sou-ke and Scia'new) have stewarded this land for millennia — the park signage notes this. Pack out everything; tread carefully near the lagoon ecosystem.
British Columbia, Canada
Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach is the largest clothing-optional beach in Canada and one of the largest in North America — an eight-kilometre stretch of forested shoreline at the base of the cliffs below the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. It's been a clothing-optional beach since the 1970s, formally tolerated by the City of Vancouver and the UBC Endowment Lands authority since the 1990s, and supported by an active community organization (the Wreck Beach Preservation Society) that has fought off multiple development and enforcement threats over the decades. Access is the experience. Most visitors enter via Trail 6 off UBC's Marine Drive — a 473-step wooden staircase down a steep forested cliff. The descent is unhurried, the rainforest cover is dense, and the climb back up is the honest workout of any Wreck Beach day. Other trails exist (Trail 4, Trail 3) but Trail 6 lands you at the main social hub: the historic vendor strip where independent food and drink vendors operate seasonally, where the drum circles tend to gather on summer Sundays, and where the beach is at its widest and most populated. The further north or south you walk along the shore, the quieter and more contemplative the beach gets. The crowd is genuinely diverse — UBC students, longtime Vancouver locals, the regulars who have been coming for thirty years, summer tourists, and the broad cross-section of people who come to a free Pacific beach on a warm afternoon. Peak season is July and August; summer Sundays draw thousands. Off-season the beach is mostly empty and the regulars who walk the shoreline have it largely to themselves. The Wreck Beach Bare Buns Run — an annual 5K — is the signature community event. Conditions to be aware of: the tides matter (parts of the beach disappear at high water), the wood-staircase access is physically demanding for anyone with mobility limitations, vendors are subject to periodic municipal enforcement, and the beach sits on traditional Musqueam territory which deserves visitor awareness and respect.
British Columbia, Canada
Nipple Point Beach
Nipple Point Beach is a clothing-optional beach on Shuswap Lake near Salmon Arm, BC. Shuswap Lake is one of BC's largest and warmest inland lakes, reaching over 22°C in summer. The beach is named for the prominent headland to which it is adjacent and has been used for informal naturism by local and regional visitors.
British Columbia, Canada
Bare Creek Clothing Optional B&B
Bare Creek is a clothing-optional bed and breakfast tucked into a quiet rural area outside Surrey. The property sits on several acres with trails, gardens, and outdoor spaces where you can be nude. Inside, you'll find a handful of guest rooms and common areas where clothing is optional throughout. The owners run it as a genuine B&B — breakfast is included, and the vibe leans toward relaxed hospitality rather than resort amenities. The setup works well for couples or solo travelers looking for a low-key naturist getaway without the crowd or price tag of a full resort. You're about 45 minutes from Vancouver, so it's accessible but feels removed. The property has a hot tub and outdoor seating areas where guests gather in the evenings. Trails loop through the wooded sections if you want a private walk. This is a small operation, so don't expect resort staff or scheduled activities. It's more like staying at a friend's house where nudity happens to be normal. Reservations are required. The place books up on summer weekends, so plan ahead if you're visiting during peak season.
British Columbia, Canada
Sol Sante Club
Sol Sante Club sits on 12 acres of forested land on Vancouver Island, about 45 minutes north of Victoria. The property feels private and secluded, with trails winding through Douglas fir and arbutus trees. You'll find a heated pool, hot tub, sauna, and a clubhouse with a kitchen and common areas. There are tent sites, RV hookups, and a few rustic cabins available for overnight stays. The vibe here is quiet and community-oriented. Most visitors are repeat guests or members who know each other. It's not a party resort. People come to relax, read by the pool, hike the trails, or sit around the fire pit in the evening. The facilities are well-maintained but not fancy. Think functional comfort rather than luxury amenities. Sol Sante is clothing-optional throughout the grounds, though most people go nude when weather permits. The season runs roughly May through September, with the pool heated into early fall. Winter access is limited and weather-dependent. If you're new to social nudity, the smaller scale and laid-back atmosphere can feel less intimidating than larger resorts. Just know that cell service is spotty, and you're somewhat isolated once you're on the property.
British Columbia, Canada
Van Tan Club
Van Tan Club is a long-established nudist club in the North Vancouver area, operating since the 1930s. It's a members-only facility, which means you'll need to join or visit as a guest of a member to access the grounds. The club sits on private property and offers a quiet, forested setting typical of the Pacific Northwest—think evergreens, natural terrain, and a more rustic atmosphere rather than manicured resort grounds. The facilities are modest and community-focused. You'll find basic amenities like outdoor spaces for socializing, trails, and seasonal swimming options, but don't expect a spa or restaurant. This is a no-frills club where people come to relax outdoors without clothing, not for resort-style entertainment. Weather in British Columbia means the club is most active in warmer months, roughly May through September. Because it's members-only, Van Tan Club has a close-knit feel. First-time visitors typically need to contact the club in advance to arrange a trial visit or guest pass. Don't just show up—reach out through their website or mailing address to ask about visiting policies. The club maintains a low profile and values privacy, so expect a slower, more personal onboarding process compared to commercial resorts.
British Columbia, Canada
Lost Lake Nude Dock
Lost Lake Park in Whistler, BC has a designated clothing-optional dock at its far end — the only formally designated C/O space in the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The lake is a small, warm (for BC) mountain lake in the valley adjacent to Whistler Village, a 15-minute walk or short bike ride from the village centre. The nude dock is at the far end of the lake from the main park entrance, requiring a walk around the shoreline. The designation is an unusual example of a ski/mountain resort municipality formally acknowledging a clothing-optional area within a public park. The lake is used year-round for swimming in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.
British Columbia, Canada
Prior Lake
Prior Lake is a small lake near Victoria, BC — a clothing-optional freshwater swim spot in the Capital Regional District, accessible from the Victoria metro area. A local naturist location with a long informal tradition among Victoria-area naturists.
British Columbia, Canada
Red Sands Beach
Red Sands Beach is a clothing-optional beach on Kootenay Lake near Nelson, BC — a freshwater beach in the Kootenay region of southeastern BC. Nelson is known for its alternative culture and arts community; the clothing-optional tradition at Red Sands reflects the town's generally progressive character. Kootenay Lake is one of BC's longest and deepest lakes, with clear water and mountain scenery.
British Columbia, Canada
Mission Flats
Mission Flats is a clothing-optional stretch of the Thompson River in Kamloops, BC. The river flats on the south side of the Thompson have a longstanding informal naturist tradition among Kamloops-area residents — a sand-and-gravel river beach accessed from the Mission Flats area.